I am both excited and nervous to be bringing Kate back to the caves. Excited because she wants to be with me, and nervous because I want her to be happy here, where I have made my home.

‘I hope you like it,” I say. “We do not have all the amenities of the City, but it is nice. The Tribe, as we call ourselves, used to live further out in the desert in a small canyon.”

“Why did you leave?” Kate asks, and the others look interested as well.

“The Zzlo found our home, it was too dangerous to stay there with them knowing where we were,” I say. “We had rescued some humans from your ship’s wreckage as well. We didn’t want to put them at risk.”

“You call it the Tribe,” Fallon says. “Can you explain that?”

Smiling, I think about how to explain it. It’s been so long and so much of the memory of its start is claimed by the bijass.

“After the Devastation there were not many of us left. Those of us who survived found we were suffering from something we call the bijass.”

“Bi-jazz?” Nora says, stumbling over the word.

“Bi-jah-sss,” I correct her. She says it again, getting it right this time. “We were… retreating? Perhaps this is the best way to say it. Becoming more primal, territorial, there was fighting, often to the death if not stopped by others.

Over time we separated from each other, resigning ourselves to our fate, to wander the desert and die alone. None of our females survived the devastation. There was no future.”

“Oh,” Kate says, a single syllable that conveys so much more. She places a hand on my arm, squeezing.

“One male, Kalessin, father of Visidion, had a vision. He is gifted in such ways, at times seeing into the future. He gathered those of us he could find and founded the Tribe. He gave us the Edicts. Tools we can use to control ourselves, to push away the bijass.”

“Edicts?” Fallon asks, leaning forward, hands on her knees.

“Yes,” I nod. “One, I am myself. Two, together we are stronger. Three, survival of the group matters. The Edicts bring us together, bind us, one to another.”

“Wow,” Fallon says sitting back and shaking her head.

“That’s a powerful mantra, if it does all that,” Nora observes.

“I think they’re beautiful,” Kate says, smiling and my hearts race into a gallop.

We continue our ride in an easy silence, each of us consumed by our own thoughts.

When we arrive and exit the rover, I feel like I should not have worried at all. Kate's face is glowing as she looks around.

"Oh, wow! It's gorgeous!" she exclaims, taking my hand.

"Yeah, this is really nice," Fallon says.

"It feels a lot homier than the city," Nora says, nodding.

I feel a cool wash of relief at their positive reactions. It is true. I often feel a bit overwhelmed myself in the city after I spend time here in a smaller group. It feels more personal.

That is all the conversation we have a chance to have as everyone in the Tribe descends upon us.

"Kate!" Delilah cries out, taking her into a hug. "Oh, and Fallon and Nora! Oh my God! I'm so happy to see you guys!"

I smile as the females immediately engulf the newcomers. Their happy chatter eases my heart. I am so glad they are welcoming Kate and the others into the Tribe with genuine enthusiasm.

Melchior slaps me on the back in greeting, while Bashir grabs me in a rough hug.

"Congratulations on your new mate," Bashir says close to my ear, before stepping back, slapping my shoulder, and grinning like a boy. I grin back, not surprised that they drew the correct conclusion from our brief interaction. It is nice to hear, even though it still feels so new, so fragile. Mate. I have a mate. A beautiful, bright, intelligent mate.

I greet everyone, happy to be back. This is home and while being away sometimes is good, I like to be here for the most part. After I have greeted everyone, I retreat to my work station when I see Kate is still in the midst of her reunion, along with meeting others she doesn’t know. There is much to do after being gone for days. I should get started, but once I am inside, I cannot seem to concentrate fully, finding myself wandering out to check on Kate after only a short time.

She smiles at me and waves when she sees me, saying something to the other females before breaking away and walking over. Something in me settles as she takes my hand, chattering excitedly as I lead her back to my work room.

"This place is great, Errol! I feel like this is where I really belong. It's so beautiful, and there's nobody ruling with an iron fist, well-meaning or not." She looks over at me apologetically. "Not that I don't like Rosalind, but I'd rather not have someone in that vein, after Annabel, you know? I like that the power is more dispersed here."

I smile. "I understand," I reassure her as I pull her inside. "I do not live in the city either, if you'll notice."

She grins. "True. And I actually have friends here! I think I'll be able to make some new ones too. They're so unpretentious and welcoming."

As I listen to Kate speak, hear her joy and excitement, I'm struck by how taken I am with my new mate. I could listen to her voice all day.

"I'm probably talking too much, aren't I?" she asks, stopping abruptly.

"No," I reassure her with a smile. "I am happy to listen to anything you have to say."

Her smile softens as she closes the distance between us.

"You always say the sweetest things," she coos, smoothing her hands up my chest. "It makes me want to..."

She reaches up, drawing my head down to hers. I hum, meeting her lips with mine. The kiss starts soft, exploring, but the passion builds quickly. Groaning, I slide my hands under her rounded backside and pick her up, walking her over to the workbench. I set her down, lean her back, and open her shirt to close my mouth over one hard nipple.

"Errol!" she cries out, arching up into the touch.

Growling, I reach down to slide my fingers into her pants and underwear, shoving them down impatiently. If I could keep her naked, I would. My fingers slide between her legs, slipping into her damp folds as her hands clutch at my shoulders. She's so soft, so delicate. So wet and ready for me.

I'm panting as hard as she is when I straighten. Her hands immediately go for my own loin covering, pulling my hard cock out, stroking me firmly. My breath hitches at the intimate touch, at the sight of her pale hands against me. If I didn't feel that driving need, I could luxuriate in that touch for hours. As it is, I push her hands aside and step closer.

"I need to be inside you," I murmur, my hands sliding up the silky smoothness of her thighs. "Now."

"Yes," she sighs, raising her legs and wrapping them around my hips. "Come inside, Errol."

I groan at the invitation, feeling so close to the edge before I even touch my tip to her. She is ready, her wetness coating me as I slowly work myself into her, clenching my jaw to maintain control. I will always have to take care, her smallness something that will not change. I do not mind. Not at all. But her vice grip while I am already so close is torturous. A torture that I would gladly endure again and again.

I try to be gentle after I am seated in the entire way, but Kate urges me to go faster, harder. Until the sound of our bodies’ joining is loud, accompanied by her throaty moans and my own low growl. She orgasms quickly, but I grit my teeth and avoid following as she clenches on me. I do not want to come too quickly.

When her eyes open, her hair sticking to the side of her sweaty face, I pick her up and turn her around to bend her over the counter and slide back into her from behind, her backside cushioning my hips. Her waist is small under my hands as I grip her, hold her in place for my thrusts. She is so feminine in every way, so small and delicate, but able to take me, able to take my passion.

I pick her up again, sit down on a chair, and she straddles me, licking her lips as she takes over. I cannot hold back while watching her take her pleasure again, her eyes closing halfway a she holds on tight.

But my second cock is ready to go right after. Kate's eyes widen at the sight. Fearful that it would be too much for her, knowing through the others that human men do not have two cocks but only one, I had hidden it from her during our earlier lovemaking. But the way she touches it, the way her curious fingers linger, I know I should not have been afraid.

"Two dicks?" she asks, shaking her head with a grin. "Could you be more perfect?" she laughs.

I grin back.

"Not nearly as perfect as you," I say, and then slide back into her, to the sound of her fulfilled sigh. I take her everywhere in my work room, until I know I will never look at the space the same way again. It will always remind me of her, of our time together here. Finally, we end up on a pallet I keep in one section of the room in case I must work into the night.

Kate sighs as she pushes her face into my neck, tucked in close against me. I feel completely empty, my body relaxed and happy. I trail my fingers down her arm, admiring the fine-grained skin.

"Tell me of life on the ship," I murmur, my eyes still on my fingertips as I touch her. When she is near, I want to always be touching her. "What was it like?"

Kate stills, drawing back so she can see my face.

"Hmm. It was...different," she starts, her eyes distant as she remembers. "Definitely more comfortable than Tajss," she says wryly. "But also more boring, you could say." She meets my eyes with a small smile. "I had friends, but I wasn't very social. I was kind of a loner, I guess."

"Hmm." I grip the side of her hip. "Perhaps you were saving yourself for me."

She chuckles, ducking her head back down to press it against my neck.

"Maybe," she sighs, her words a whisper against my neck. "Maybe."

I know I was waiting for her. We stay there, wrapped in each other’s arms, until it is time for the communal meal. I have work to do, but I cannot regret the delay. I would take time with Kate over work any day, but hunger has us rising.

After cleaning up and dressing, I lead Kate over to the food, her small hand familiar in my own. I feel as though I am floating, my joy at having Kate with me softening all my harsh edges.

As we walk into the large room, Melchior deliberately bumps against me, snarling under his breath as he passes by. I immediately feel my bijass rise to the surface at the aggressive sound, at the provoking gesture. I walked away when Melchior approached Kate at Rosalind's party, when I thought Kate did not want me.

It was difficult to step away then when I saw his interest in her. I cannot do so again.

"Melchior," I call out clearly and loudly. "Why do not you join me outside?"

He turns at my voice, his eyes narrowed.

"Of course," he growls in mock politeness. "I would love to."

"Errol, no," Kate urges next to me. I see the alarm in the other females’ faces as they try to do the same with Melchior. "Just let it go."

"No," I return firmly, shaking my head. "He needs to be taught to show respect," I growl. And to realize that Kate was never his to begin with.

Despite the females’ efforts to defuse the situation, Melchior and I both step outside, the others spilling out with us, still attempting to stop the impending fight.

It is too late.

Melchior snarls and leaps at me as soon as we are outside. Avoiding his fist, I land a hard punch of my own. His head jerks back after the blow connects. Snarling, he rushes at me again.

I start to reach for my knife, but Kate's voice breaks through the haze.

"No, Errol!"

I let go of the hilt and move in with just my fists, Kate's cries helping me keep my head enough not to use lethal force.

He lands a blow, but I'm in a full violent haze and barely feel it as I attack him. It doesn't take long for me to get the clear upper hand, though he refuses to give in. That only tells me I must be harsher in making my point—

Feminine screams have both of us freezing instantly. These are not the ones we've been hearing because of the fight. These are shrieks of terror.

"Guster!" a female screams.

I turn around in horror, just in time to see a guster barreling straight for the group of human females, easily passing through the space in the unfinished wall. The commotion of our fight may have attracted it to us.

Every thought in my mind dies away, and every sight fades but what’s in the center of my vision: Kate, directly in the giant lizard's path. Its sharp teeth are exposed, and its predatory eyes are focused on her.

Forgetting Melchior completely, I leap towards her, moving faster than I ever have before in my life.

Kate is my life. She cannot be hurt.

As soon as I reach her, I push her to the side, to safety, just as the guster lunges for me. I leap into the air again, its teeth just barely missing me as it tries to take a bite. Then I am running down its humped back, using the spikes in its thick skin to steady myself when it bucks underneath me.

Cursing, I jump off the thing, rolling to avoid its tail as it whips it at me.

"Errol!"

I look up at Melchior's call, just in time to catch the lochaber he tosses. I smile grimly. Time to kill this beast. Melchior distracts the guster with his own weapon as I leap onto its back again, bringing the blade up high and slicing down. It isn't the killing blow, but the next one is.

When the guster throws me off, Melchior slashes out one of its eyes. I use the blind spot and its distraction to slit its throat from underneath. It fights for a bit longer, its giant body thrashing as it keeps attacking, but ultimately, it succumbs to its grave wounds and falls to the ground.

I stare at it, my chest heaving from my harsh breath. Shame is a painful and uncomfortable companion as I stare at the beast that almost killed Kate. I must resist the urge to stab it some more, even though it is clearly dead.

How could I have lost control so completely that I left her vulnerable? How could I, myself, have put her in danger? Am I so weak that I cannot even ignore something so small as a sign of disrespect?

Bashir squeezes my shoulder, drawing my attention away.

"Good kill," he murmurs. "We will take care of carving the carcass up for the meat."

I look over at the other Zmaj ready to do just that.

"Thank you," I say. “Together we are stronger.”

At least there is a positive to this mess. We now have more food for our growing Tribe. But that is not my concern at the moment.

My eyes scan the group of females, looking for that shock of red hair. There. Kate sits on the ground, the other humans fussing over her.

Clenching my jaw, I stride over, the other females stepping back to allow me room. I do not say anything as I crouch down to pick her up, cradling her carefully in my arms. I must tend to her.

"Errol..." she starts.

I shake my head as I stride quickly to our quarters, where I had already arranged a bath for after dinner. I need to be alone with her to reassure myself that she is fine.

Kate remains silent as I undress her, run my hands over her to ensure she is not hurt.

"I'm fine," she says soothingly. "Really."

I shake my head again, not trusting my voice. Undressing as well, I help her into the bath, taking care to wash her thoroughly, gentle with the scrapes on her lovely skin. Scrapes that I am responsible for. I hate seeing anything marring her. After finishing with the bath, I rub a soothing ointment onto the scrapes and bruises, my fingers gentle, careful.

"I am so sorry losing my head caused you the slightest injury," I finally say hoarsely. "It was not my intention. I should have had better control."

"It's okay," she says, kissing me softly. "I'm not even hurt."

I shake my head. Even the smallest cut is unforgivable when it is there because of me.

"Errol...it's okay," she repeats, turning my head towards her, trailing kisses across my cheeks. "It's okay. I'm fine."

She kisses my forehead. My lips. Pushing at my shoulders, she urges me to lay flat on the pallet, and then proceeds to kiss me everywhere, her soft hands and softer mouth coaxing a response from me easily. I will always respond to her attention. I moan when her hands caress my length. Meet her beloved eyes with my own when her slender body rises above me. She takes me into herself, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip as I spear into her warmth. Then she starts to move, her eyes staying on mine as her body rises and falls above me.

This is not simply lovemaking. It is comfort. Connection. Bonding. Forgiveness. And I can no longer imagine my life without it. Without Kate.

I watch as she rocks herself to her own pleasure, her eyes finally closing with it, her hands coming down to grip my shoulders. The sight of her climax, the feel of her fluttering around me, triggers my own. I shudder with it as she lies down on top of me, setting her lips on mine. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. Never wanting to let go.

As we relax, other thoughts begin to creep in. Thoughts I did not even realize were plaguing me.

"I think...I believe I am ready to see my father." I do not know I am going to say those words until they are coming out of my mouth. But it is true. The shock of the information has settled sufficiently. I need to go see for myself. Need to meet him. If it is him.

Kate rises, propping herself up on my chest to meet my eyes, her tousled hair framing her pretty face.

"I think that's a good idea," she agrees as I smooth flyaway strands. Her eyes are serious as they look into mine, seeing me as nobody ever has before. Or likely ever will. "I think at least part of your rage must stem from the grief you felt for him, the hurt you swallowed rather than let out at that enormous loss." She slides her hand up to cover my heart. "No one is ever going to take me from you, Errol. Not Melchior or anyone else. I'm yours."

I cup the back of her head, bringing her down to kiss her after that announcement.

"As I am yours," I whisper against her lips.

They curve against mine at my words.

But then she rises slightly.

"You need to see your father Errol." She must see some of the anxiety I feel at the thought because she takes my hand in hers, squeezing it in comfort. "I'll come with you." But then she makes a face. "Even if it means facing Annabel sooner than I would really like to."

I chuckle, the last comment lightening the mood somewhat. I bury my face in Kate's hair when she lies back down, closing my eyes and breathing in her scent. I know I can do this, and more, with her by my side.