I wake before Kate does. It is no hardship. I press my lips against the softness of her hair, her warm body lax and trusting against mine, her face soft in sleep. I move a lock of shining hair away from her cheek.

She is so beautiful. Capable, too. I never expected to feel arousal stirring just from watching her work on the rover. But I did. Watching her capable hands work on the alien technology, her confidence in her skill... I feel myself stirring simply thinking of it again.

The kiss had been impulsive, an unthinking act that occurred as a culmination of so many moments I'd held myself back, tried to maintain control, afraid to be rejected. When I finally had Kate in my arms, her lips under mine, I worried that my fear was well-founded. In my mind’s eye, I saw her rejecting me, and then I would shatter like a piece of meteorite glass. But she didn’t.

When her lips moved, when she leaned into the caress, I felt a rush of relief. And then my arousal increased tenfold, before the meteorite shower interrupted us.

I lay my hand on Kate's hip. This is not at all what I expected to happen on this trip. I accepted the escort request because I could not turn down the opportunity to spend time with Kate, despite my resolve to maintain my distance. I was confident that I could control myself, that my reservations would help me make the wise choice. I thought I would be able to spend time with her but not venture closer in any meaningful way, any dangerous way that would leave me vulnerable to further hurt.

I shake my head ruefully. Those thoughts sound so ridiculous to me now. There is no such thing as control for me, not around Kate. She is my weakness. I am already vulnerable. What is the point of keeping my distance now?

The fact that I thought I could escort her to her vehicle, help her when she needed it, but otherwise keep myself away from her was a clear example of the delusional thinking I fostered simply to have what I wanted. But I do not blame myself. I would have told myself anything, justified this trip in any way I could have to spend more time with Kate.

She starts to stir in my arms, her eyes fluttering open. She smiles when she sees me, filling my heart with warmth.

"Good morning," she murmurs.

I smile back, combing my fingers through strands of her silky hair.

"Yes, it is," I return.

Her smile widens, her cheeks turning adorably pink as she sits up gracefully.

"Are you hungry?" she asks, reaching for the food. "Because I'm starving."

"I am hungry," I say gently, allowing her to change the subject. I am no longer uncertain about her attraction to me, not after the way she kissed me back yesterday. I can be patient, move forward as slowly as she needs. I watch her arrange the food, enjoying the intimacy of waking up with her, having breakfast together. This is nice. And the food is quite good, better than expected. We eat the smoked meat and fruits in companionable silence, the early morning light not as harsh as it will become as the day continues.

I am glad she has an appetite now, the epis no doubt increasing her hunger. I will be happy to see her gain even more weight on her slender frame. I frown as I continue to chew, feeling something tickle the back of my brain. There is something oddly familiar about this food, something that wakes up those memories I keep attempting to suppress. I shake my head, pushing them away again. It is simply food. That is it.

"Here, this is delicious," Kate says, offering me some more dried fruit.

"Thank you," I say, my fingers brushing hers as I take the offering. Even that small touch sends a tingle through me. Her eyes meet mine for a searing moment, but then she looks away again, biting her lip. I feel my hearts start to beat faster, my body start to quicken. I feel more raw emotion, more passion around Kate than I'm sure I can take.

My attention is focused on her as we continue to eat. There is nowhere else it could stray, not with her in front of me. Her leg brushing against mine. Our hands touching when we reach for the same piece of meat. The small touches are maddening, the tension between us building with each one of the inadvertent touches, with the closeness. I attempt to redirect my attention to maintain some semblance of propriety, though I fear it is a foregone conclusion that I will fail.

"Who cared for you and the other females?" I ask. Kate stills at the question, obviously not expecting it. "Who helped you procure this meat?"

I know there must be a Zmaj involved. They could not have survived this long alone, not with all the unfamiliar dangers here on Tajss, the difficulty in finding food, water, shelter. I have seen the difficulty the other humans had. I need to know. This is a question that has been more and more on my mind. I ask now for myself, not because Rosalind would like the information.

Did Kate take this Zmaj as a lover? Is that why she will not divulge his name? Jealousy is an ugly emotion, but I cannot deny it rears its ugly head as I fervently hope that is not the case.

Kate is silent for a long moment, until I wonder if she will again refuse to answer the question. But she does not refuse. She raises her eyes to meet mine.

"It was another Zmaj," she confesses. "An elder called Gomul."

I stare, my mind emptying completely. Gomul? I feel both hot and cold at once.

Kate watches me with concern, drawing closer. She places her hand on my arm, searching my face when I don't say anything.

"What is it, Errol?" she asks. "What's wrong?"

I blink, feeling tears prick my eyes.

"Gomul?" I clear my throat. "What does he look like?"

Frowning, she describes him. The color of his scales, his eyes... It would be too great a coincidence, especially in this area. But it is not possible. Is it?

"Errol, you're scaring me," Kate says, rubbing my forearm. "What is it?"

I meet her eyes, my vision blurring as the past rushes out of the gray mist of the bijass.

"Gomul is my father," I say, my throat tight and voice hoarse. "I thought he was gone. I didn’t know he survived the Devastation." I cup her face and rub her lips with my thumb. "Thank you, Kate. I may have gone forever without knowing."

Leaning down, I kiss her softly. I fully believe now that destiny brought us together. The chances of meeting Kate in the desert because I decided to go to the city when I didn't need to were already so slim.

Now, this news that my very own father, who I thought was lost forever, is the reason why Kate is alive today? These are not simple coincidences. We were meant to meet. Meant to be important to one another.

I slide my hands down her back, pulling her more tightly into my body. Her lips are gentle against mine, soft and clinging as she wraps her own arms around me. Giving. Offering comfort and gentleness in a world where both are often difficult to find.

Passion slowly rises, the softness giving way to more urgency as our bodies wake. Desire that can no longer be denied overtakes us. I do not want to deny it. I do not want to fight it.

Destiny has corded our fates, has brought us to this moment. We are meant to be with each other. My hearts beat quickly, my hands smoothing over Kate's body as my prime cock hardens fully. Wanting more. Wanting everything.

Kate breaks the kiss and stares into my eyes, her cheeks are a soft pink, and it is no longer because of embarrassment. Eyes full of the same heat I feel, she sits back, moving away from me. Her eyes lock with mine as her hands go to her clothes.

My breathing hitches as she disrobes leisurely, taking her time to reveal her smooth, pale skin. I’ve seen the human females, of course, but never without their protective clothing. Often, I’ve wondered at the soft mounds under their shirts, but I had no idea. The swell of flesh is beautiful, curving out and forming sweet mounds topped with pale pink tips. It’s unlike anything I could have imagined. It’s obvious they’re intended for reproductive purposes but a Zmaj female has protective plates that cover and hide theirs. Kate’s are open, pressing out to the world, proudly pronouncing her femaleness.

My cock throbs looking at them and my mouth waters as I take in the dip of her waist, the roundness of her hips. The long length of her slim legs. She undoes her pants, slowly lowering them, sliding them down to reveal more soft skin. No scales, no protection. She needs none, I am her protector. Nothing will harm her perfection while I draw breath.

My eyes are drawn to the place where her legs meet and the soft fur there. The sunlight reflects off a hint of moisture and for some reason this makes my cock jump with excitement. I want, desperately, to bury myself in her most intimate place. Groaning, I reach and draw her back in as the last article of clothing falls, unable to resist touching her. My hands slide over her smooth warmth, wanting to touch her everywhere at once, my mouth again on hers. She is so sweet, so addicting. If she was my weakness before, I know it will only be worse after this, but I do not care.

I carefully lay her back against the blankets, my hands cupping the soft weight of her chest, sliding down her silky side, cupping the warmth that beckons me between her thighs. She gasps, spreading her legs farther apart to give me more room, her hand kneading the back of my neck, her hips thrusting up, asking for more. She need not ask.

As she moans I leave her mouth and kiss my way down her graceful neck. Down to the softness of her curves, to the hard points on top of her mounds and I take one into my mouth, sucking on it as she sinks her fingers into my hair, her moans making my cock throb harder. I let go of the reddened, wet peak to give the other one the same attention. When her legs are moving impatiently underneath me, I move even lower, skimming kisses down her flat stomach, pausing to nuzzle at the small indention at the base of her stomach.

My hands slide down to grip her inner thighs, spreading her farther apart, making room for my head. I want to taste her everywhere. She cries out sharply as I lick at her, drawing the flat of my tongue through her slick folds. The taste of her is intoxicating. My mind explodes with pleasure as I lap up her wetness with my tongue, driving it deeper into her. When I graze a small point at the top of her opening, she stiffens.

“Yes!” she cries out.

Focusing my attention on this special place I hold her down with a firm grip as she bucks against me and keep flicking my tongue against it.

Her body tenses. I redouble my efforts, sensing she is nearing her end. I moan as she jerks against me, a muffled scream signaling her pleasure. I keep my face against her until she goes limp again.

Panting, I sit up and take off my clothes, my eyes scanning her flushed body, the light layer of sweat that covers her. She is so perfect it’s an almost physical pain. My need for her aches, my pleasure looking at her is overwhelming.

She opens her eyes, her lips slightly parting, roaming over my now naked body. When they reach my cock, her eyes widen and she rises onto her elbows. Her mouth drops open into an O.

“Oh,” she exhales, not taking her eyes off my stiff member that hangs between us.

“Is something wrong?” I ask.

She shakes her head negative but doesn’t lie down again. She sits up the rest of the way and one hand reaches for my cock. She runs her fingers down it, a light touch that causes a shiver down my spine.

“It’s… ribbed,” she says, giggling. “And big!”

Looking down then at her I try to understand what she’s saying.

“Do your men not? Are they… smaller?” I ask, struggling to find the right word.

“Oh yeah,” she says, moving her head closer to my prime cock.

Her tongue darts out and licks her lips then she licks the length of my shaft. Pleasure explodes, my eyes close and I throw my head back. I’ve never felt anything like this before. Overwhelming, intense, amazing. Her fingers trail along the sides, following her tongue as she moves up and down.

“We have to be careful,” she says, her voice hoarse. “I want you but…”

She trails off. Lowering myself to my knees in front of her I nod, thoughtful.

“Of course,” I answer, leaning in and pressing my lips to hers.

She lies onto her back again and spreads her legs, her eyes beckoning me in. Moving myself over her, my cock at her opening, I press my lips against hers.

"Errol..." she murmurs.

I kiss her sweet mouth as my primary cock nudges against her wet entrance. She is ready, but the fit is tight, her body so much smaller than my own. The tip slides in without much difficulty but the first ridge presses against her, stopping further progress. I hold, letting her body adjust. She pants, short, fast breaths, biting her lip.

“So big,” she says, then nods. “Go on, push, gentle.”

Following her lead, I press into her, pushing gently, watching her closely for any sign of anything besides pleasure. She continues panting, her eyes closed, her fingernails digging into my shoulders.

“Errol!” she cries out, as the first ridge passes inside.

It’s takes all my will to hold there. She is so warm, her body gripping the first part of my cock tightly, fitting it perfectly as if she was made for me and me alone. She resumes panting, her chest heaving, forcing those beautiful mounds up and down, pressing them into my chest.

“More,” she grunts, pushing her hips up against me. “More!”

Her voice and body are demanding. I obey, pressing into her then the second ridge slides in, easier than the first, her body growing accustomed to my girth. My tongue tangles with hers as I push in gently, rocking my hips to make room. Her fingernails dig into me, her breathing increases as I finally seat myself inside her, my hips meeting hers.

We groan as one, and I break the kiss to rest my forehead against hers, trying to catch my breath, to regain my control as she grips my length tightly.

"Errol," Kate murmurs, her hands sliding down to cup my backside, to pull me closer to her. "Move."

I shudder, hanging on to my control by a thin thread. I take a deep breath before I withdraw and thrust back into her, slowly, gently.

My eyes stay on her lovely face, watch the pleasure suffuse it again. The sight of her pleasure immediately increases my own.

This is not simply a physical act. I feel as though our lovemaking is healing something inside me, restoring a piece of my soul I thought lost. Melding us together, forming a unifying whole rather than two separate beings. Mating. This is a true mating. And I know Kate feels it too.

Her eyes look deeply into my own, her emotions mirroring mine as her fingers caress me. Feather-light strokes over my wings, my scales. A firmer grip on my shoulders, my back. I welcome every touch. Wanting only more. I do not know how I will ever sate myself with her. Perhaps I never will. But I know I will enjoy trying.

I have never felt more complete than in this moment, with her touch sending echoes of ecstasy through my body. Never felt more connected with anyone. I force myself to stay gentle, to keep up the slow rocking rhythm. Until her hips start thrusting against mine with more urgency. She wants more.

The realization cracks my hard-won control.

With a hoarse sound, I give into the raging fire inside me, my thrusts losing their smoothness as our hips come together in a crashing rhythm that feels like its melding our souls, not just our bodies. I do not doubt that that is what is happening.

When she cries out, her body clenching down on me, I thrust in as deeply as I can, my own pleasure finally overtaking me.

I know I will never be the same.