Oh, man.

I turn my head to the side, the piercing hammers inside my skull letting me know I may have overindulged.

Just a smidge.

Ugh.

I rub at my gritty eyes, wishing someone would just knock me out and put me out of my misery. It really doesn't help knowing I did this to myself.

All right. Game plan. I need water and I need to pee. Neither can be accomplished while I lie here. Damn it.

I take a deep breath and hold it as I force myself to sit up while my body insists it is no longer made to perform that motion. I wince as the pounding in my head sharpens, before settling down once more. I haven't had a hangover like this in who knows how long, and I would be just fine not having another one ever, thanks very much.

I carefully open my eyes, worrying it'll make the pain worse. But the sun has only barely risen, judging by the soft light coming in.

Wait.

I frown, looking around the unfamiliar cave. Where the hell...?

A sense of rising dread hits me. If this isn't my cave...

Swallowing thickly, I slowly turn to look down at the bed. Oh. Shit.

Arawn is fast asleep, his tanned, well-muscled form taking up more than half of the pallet.

I stare at him, my mouth falling open.

Stars!

What have I done? Damn it, Fallon! Exactly how much did I have to drink that this sounded like a good idea to me?

A flash of memory hits me. Of me pushing Arawn down on the bed. Oh no. Oh no no no. I slap my hands over my face, shaking my head as I feel blood rush to my cheeks.

All right, okay. I need to get a hold of myself right now and get the heck out of here ASAP unless I want an awkward morning-after chat with Arawn.

In bed.

With both of us stark naked.

Yeah, no.

I gingerly take my hands off my face and study the bed. The blankets are woven around his legs and mine, entwining us together. I carefully extricate myself from the blankets, making sure not to move the bed too much or to jostle his sleeping form. I don't particularly want to talk to him about this. Ever.

I mentally slap myself. This has got to be one of the crowning achievements of my life when it comes to sheer stupidity. Ranking right up there with staying with Annabel as long as we did.

I freeze as Arawn shifts in the bed, a slight frown appearing on his previously sleep-slack face.

I hold my breath, but he relaxes again and sinks back into a deep sleep.

Letting out a silent sigh of relief, I draw my legs out of the now loosened covers and swing them over the side of the pallet.

Disaster. That's what this is.

I'm never having that much of that wine-like stuff again—that sweetness had it going down way too smoothly.

I get to my feet, feeling more in control now that I'm off the bed and upright.

Arawn stays sleeping, still not even close to waking.

Good.

These dragons sleep like rocks. Really giant ones.

I stare down at him, my eyes caressing the length of his impressive body. The smooth, sun-browned skin. The pretty scales. The rumpled length of his hair, smooth and shiny even now. My eyes slide down his muscled chest, his cobblestone abs...and stop at his navel.

The blankets just barely cover the promised land, shadows hinting at what's underneath, revealing only his hip and thigh on one side.

Yes, I imagine pulling it aside, but I don't do it, which I think earns me some major points.

Watching him for moments longer than I like—or would ever admit to—I stuff down the chaotic mix of feelings duking it out in my heart.

Stupid heart. Sometimes it just doesn't know what's good for it.

I find my dress in a small puddle on the floor and pull it on quickly, sliding my feet into the sandals I wear most days now because of the heat. Neither look any worse for wear. I smooth down my hair. There. Hopefully nobody will guess what might have happened judging from appearance alone.

I shake my head as I quickly leave a sleeping Arawn behind. Who am I kidding?

If anyone sees me right now, they'll know right away I'm engaging in the time-honored tradition of the Walk of Shame.

Luckily, it's early enough that I don't see anyone as I hurry out of Arawn's cave and down the path leading to the bottom of the valley. Hurrying over to the other side, I reach my cave and grab some clothes. I definitely need a bath.

Rushing out once more, I go to the small natural spring nearby and wash quickly, wincing a little at the soreness I find between my legs. But it’s that delicious kind. The kind that leaves me feeling warm.

Another memory hits me. Of Arawn above me. Sliding slowly into me...

A flash of heat spears through me. Damn it!

Mentally shaking myself, I dry off and pull on the thin shirt and trousers that have become my everyday uniform. They help me beat the heat and remain fully mobile and functional to do everything I need to accomplish in a day.

I pull my wet hair up into a ponytail and shove my feet back into the simple, but comfortable sandals.

Feeling much more put together now that I'm clean and dressed normally, I wrap up my clothes into a small bundle and head back to my cave.

But I'm not as lucky on this trip as I was on the last. People are starting to trickle out to meet the day.

"Hey Fallon!" Delilah calls out. "Getting a head start today?"

I wave back at her and just smile awkwardly before ducking my head. I know from the heat rushing to my face that I'm blushing. I walk faster, not wanting to linger or be pulled into any conversation right now. I need time to get my mental game back together after the major mistake I just made. And time to process the fact that my body clearly wants to make that mistake again.

My head is down and I'm barreling forward with such determination that I almost don't stop in time when someone steps into my path. I stumble to a halt and look up automatically, an apology on my lips.

My heart stops.

Arawn.

The person I'm least prepared to see right now.

This meeting isn't at all like the lightness of the last time he blocked my path. He obviously came here specifically to see me. This isn't a route he would take very often, not when his cave is in the other section.

I clear my throat, fighting the urge to shuffle my feet like a guilty grade schooler.

"Good morning," I murmur lamely, not knowing how else to break the heavy silence between us.

"Good morning," he responds, his deep voice making my toes curl.

No, stop it toes! They aren't the only ones betraying me. My face feels like it's on fire, which means it must currently be a lovely shade of tomato red from embarrassment.

Arawn doesn't say anything else, his eyes searching mine.

I know he's about to bring up last night. I avert my eyes. I'm just not ready to talk about that yet. Honestly, I'll be ecstatic to never have it brought up.

"Uh, I have to go. Sorry," I mutter, peeking up at him quickly as I side step him on the path.

I see the hurt on his face briefly before he shuts it down.

It makes me feel like a real ass, but the guilt doesn't stop me from almost running away. And he doesn't try to block my path again, but just lets me leave. I find myself missing the playfulness he displayed earlier, when he tried to stop me multiple times.

But I suppress that response. This is for the best. If he was expecting something long-term, it's better he faces the reality now rather than later.

I don't want my very own dragon. I don't want romance, period. Even with one of the surviving human men. I don't want that kind of complication in my life. Simple is what I'm aiming for, and he just won't fit into that equation.

So, I try to put Arawn out of my mind as I first go to my cave to drop off my stuff and get my head together and then get started on my duties for the day. I'm not completely successful, but I do try.

When Kate asks if I can come with her and Errol to the city, I jump at the chance to escape the scene of the crime.

"Sure, I'll go get packed."

"Great—we'll meet you at the rover in fifteen."

Perfect. I get ready quickly and hurry over to the wall, where Errol and Kate are already waiting. This rover really is worth its weight in gold. Or whatever the equivalent of that would be here on Tajss.

The ride over to the city is quick and uneventful. I feel my shoulders dropping, relief flowing through me as we put distance between us and Arawn. I can't run from my problems forever. But I can for now, and I'm not above doing that. I'm only human.

When we arrive at the city, protected from the elements and the dangerous beasts that seem to run rampant here, Errol gets out and punches in the code to admit us.

The city is just as spectacular now as when I first saw it. Sure, it's not in perfect repair, a holdover from before what the Zmaj call the Devastation—the wars that decimated their society, sending them back thousands of years. But that doesn't take away from the impressiveness of it, of the architecture, the technology from the height of their civilization.

"Are you okay with heading over to one of the guest apartments?" Kate asks as we exit the rover. "Rosalind wants to speak with us."

"Yeah, sure. I'll see you later."

I head over to the same building that I first stayed in here, the one Errol took us to. That feels like a lifetime ago now, though it really wasn't that long ago in terms of actual time, was it? Sometimes perception really is everything. I go to the same floor I stayed on then, figuring there will probably be an available apartment there. And it will be close to the others' places.

It'll be nice to catch up with the rest of our original group, those that decided to stay back in the city rather than come with Kate and me to Errol's little community in the cave system. I'm actually not in the empty apartment I find for very long. In fact, I'm just settling in when Kate and Errol show up.

"I figured you'd come back here," Kate says as they step inside after I open the door. "Can we speak to you real quick?"

"Sure."

It's not like I'm super busy. But I do feel a bit of concern at their quick arrival.

"What is this about?" I ask. "Is something wrong?"

"No," Errol reassures me. "We have been asked to go to the mining settlement."

"And I thought you would be a good person to take along," Kate adds. "If you want to come, of course. I can't guarantee that either the journey or our final destination will be a walk in the park."

"What is the trip for?" I ask.

"To check what they've culled from the mines," Errol explains. "This is what Rosalind wanted to speak to us about. And Kate is correct—we cannot guarantee the conditions. Though Bashir did successfully return from his own trip."

I smile at that. Why the hell not?

I haven't seen the mining settlement yet and this is the perfect opportunity to sate my curiosity. Not to mention that the timing is so damn convenient. Prolonging my separation from Arawn would be great. An excellent way to avoid the awkwardness. Maybe if I'm gone long enough, he'll go along with just ignoring what happened. A girl can hope.

"Sure," I agree. "Sounds interesting."

Kate grins and says, "That's one word for it. I, for one, hope it's real boring. I've had enough excitement for a lifetime."

She's not wrong about that.

"I hear you," I say sincerely.

"It is settled then," Errol announces, standing. "We will meet with Arawn tomorrow when he arrives and leave for the settlement shortly after."

"Arawn?" I ask, trying not to show my dismay at the mention of his name.

"He also volunteered to come with us," Kate explains. Maybe there's something on my face that gives me away because her look turns somewhat concerned. "Is that okay?"

"Yeah. Sure, yes," I say, trying out a smile that probably looks as fake as it feels. "I'll be ready to go. Tomorrow. With...all of you."

Smooth.

"All right," Kate agrees, but she doesn't look completely convinced.

Not surprising. It's the best I can do, though. I keep the smile on my face as they say their goodbyes and leave me alone again. But I drop it as soon as they're out of sight and lean my back against the closed door with a sigh. What are the odds? Why can't I just catch a break, damn it!

Why couldn't Errol or Kate have divulged the fourth member of our group before I agreed so quickly? I feel the urge to scream, but I keep it together. Barely. I'm an adult. I can do this.

And it isn't like I'm going to be alone with him. Kate and Errol will be there, and we'll be focused on our mission. It'll be fine. Really.

The little pep talk doesn't really do much for the pit in my stomach. Even my body doesn't believe me.

I take out my ponytail, running my hands through my hair in exasperation as I step away from the door. Now I'm going to have to face the dragon I've been so determinedly trying to sidestep. After drunkenly falling into bed with him on the heels of all the feels the mating ceremony gave me.

Real classy.

And needy.

How truly and completely embarrassing. How the hell am I going to keep him at bay when I apparently can't even suppress my own physical reaction to him whenever he simply enters a room?

"Why, Tajss, why?!" I ask dramatically, raising my hands up to the sky.

"Uh. I'll just come back later."

I look back to see Lanie backing out with her hands up. Great. Now she's going to think I'm unbalanced too.

"No, no, I'm fine," I reassure her, dropping my hands quickly. How embarrassing. Maybe that's becoming my brand.

She grins. "You sure?"

"Yeah. And it's good to see you."

"You too," she agrees, stepping into the hug, her hold just as firm as my own.

"Yeah, you have to tell us everything about the village," Addison pipes up from the open door.

"Yes, details please!" Ashlee agrees from just behind her.

I laugh, moving forward to hug them too, trying to act like everything is fine.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Lanie asks again, giving me a shrewd look. "You look a little..."

"Off," Addison finishes, exchanging a look with the other girls.

"No, no," I counter, trying really hard to make it believable. "I'm just a little tired."

"Uh huh," Ashlee says, not looking all that convinced.

I feel like the weight of my secret is pulling me down, like I'm sinking into the floor from it. But I really don't want to talk about it.

"I miss you guys," I try as they all settle down on the couch and chairs in the living area. "How have things been here?"

Come on. Let's just move on. There's a beat where I worry they're going to keep picking at me, but then Addison breaks the silence. My hero.

"Oh, man, the technology is so advanced!" Addison exclaims, leaning forward eagerly. "Maybe I can show you around later, so you can see what I'm talking about."

"That would be great."

"I've been working with Sarah's kedi—and I've actually seen more out there in the wild! They're so adorable and Picard is so smart—he learns faster than even a dog, I think," Lanie gushes.

"And we've made a lot of progress restoring the buildings, though it's slow work," Ashlee adds just as excited.

"I did notice the improvements when we came in,” I say. “Impressive."

She beams at me. "It is, isn't it? Oh and we have so much more..."

The conversation flows easily between all of us, bonded as we are from our past experiences together.

I laugh and comment along with the rest of them, filling them in on the details of our life in the smaller group Kate, Nora, and I chose.

But though I have a wonderful time catching up, it still doesn't distract me completely. I just can't get my mind off of Arawn no matter how hard I try.

Not that I'll ever divulge that particular bit of information to anyone.