I pull out another root vegetable, laughing at Delilah's commentary as I work.

"You know what I want to see? Just some plain-ass brown sand. Or, better yet, some actual green grass! Just something not this damn red color!"

"I'd settle for a nice, comfortable seventy-five-degree day," Bailey counters, straightening and wiping at her brow to a chorus of agreement. "I don't remember what it's like not to be hot."

Those are good. I decide to add my own fantasy to the mix.

"You know what I want? A beach. Crystal clear water, palm trees, a cold drink." I sigh, picturing it so vividly, though I've never been to a beach. Heck, before we crashed here, none of had ever been off the ship. But I can imagine the fine-grained sand between my toes, the slight coolness of the water, the ice-cold beverage.... Yeah, I wouldn't say no to any of that.

"That does sound nice," Astrid agrees. "But if we're going to dream big, girls, let's dream big! Add some hotties to the mix." She gives an exaggerated wag of her brows that has us all cracking up again, the conversation devolving from there.

There's a lot of talk of wide shoulders and muscled arms before they start bandying around specifics. I grin as the others sigh over the various movie stars we’ve seen on the ship’s collection of vids, from Ryan Gosling to Henry Cavill to Idris Elba.

But all I can think of is Errol. His handsome face, his pretty scales, his tanned skin, and gorgeous muscles. His sweetness. And courage. The way he looks at me, like I'm the most beautiful woman in the world. I can almost believe it when I see that look in his eyes.

"What about you, Kate?" I look up at Bailey's question. "Who would you have on that beach with you? Young Brad Pitt? Perhaps a Robert Redford?"

"Oooh, what about Gerard Butler from 300?" Astrid adds. "With the whole getup," she sighs dreamily. "Now there's a man!"

I grin at the suggestions, shaking my head. I could just play along, name some random actor and move on. But I don't really want to brush them off like that. I've had so much fun bonding with them, and it's felt so natural...so easy. So different from Annabel's group, where I felt like I was always watching what I was saying. I don't want to mar that feeling by starting off less than honest.

I still feel that flutter of butterflies in my stomach at the thought of revealing what's between Errol and me. It feels like I'm laying my vulnerable, soft underbelly bare and hoping nobody will take advantage of the exposure. It's not a deep, dark secret. Everyone is going to find out soon enough anyway. We have no plans to try to keep it under wraps forever. Here we go. I clear my throat in preparation. Or to delay a little more.

"Actually...I would want just Errol there with me on that beach."

There’s a stunned pause at that announcement. Everyone stops what they're doing to turn and look at me, mouths agape. Then the floodgates burst.

"Oh my God! Are you guys actually together?" Astrid asks, everyone else leaning in with expectant gazes.

"Yes, we are," I say, feeling the weight of all that attention. Being the center of everything isn't particularly where I always want to be, but they could not have reacted better.

"Oh man, congratulations!"

"That's amazing!"

"Oh my goodness, that's so exciting!"

I smile at the well-wishes, responding to the rapid-fire questions about where we met, how long we've been together, and so on.

As I'm doing so, I notice that Delilah is maybe smiling a little too hard at the news, the smile looking forced. I don't take it personally though. She's only been nice to me so far. So, I'm guessing the reaction is maybe because she had a crush on Errol, something I certainly couldn't blame her for. From the way she tries to absorb the news and not make a fuss, I know she means well. It doesn't make me regret the uncharacteristic sharing. Not with the burgeoning sisterhood feel between all of us already.

When they close around me in their excitement, I feel like the confession has only drawn us closer. I truly treasure that closeness. I want more female friendships. Ever since the ship crashed here, I’ve been unhappy because I missed out on that part of life. Maybe now is the time to make up for that.

The distraction of all the women also helps me with the worry that coils in my gut at the prospect of facing off with Annabel again. I'm glad I was able to come here before having to go back to the tunnels. I needed this respite, a chance to recharge, and now I know what it's like here with the Tribe as well.

Some of the ones who stayed might come back with me when they realize there's a city and this community, both of them quite nice. It's just the kind of thing that could possibly shake them out of the rut of going along with whatever Annabel wants, like they've been doing so far. The fact that there’s something more out here will instill confidence in something else, perhaps open the door to trust someone other than their current "guide."

Because, the truth is, Annabel's been unraveling since the death of her husband, slowly but surely. With the distance I have now, that reality has never been so glaringly clear. I don't even want to think about what it must be like to live with her these days, after the added anger and bitterness of us leaving. The idea that I could challenge her authority—that all of us could leave in front of everyone was a huge blow to her ego.

We didn't come running back right away, so she's likely to be feeling insecure now, even if most of the group stayed behind with her. Maybe she just told everyone that we met a gruesome end (that we deserved, of course) and that’s why we didn't come crawling back. So if I show up again now, alive and well, that will really mess with the story she's been telling.

But I happily put thoughts of Annabel aside for the moment as the women continue to ply me with questions while we work. The day passes quickly even though we're working the entire time. Just goes to show how much good company really does matter.

Then it's time for the communal dinner. We have plenty of meat to feast on, now that Errol and the other Zmaj managed to quash their differences and kill the attacking beast. At least something good came out of that fight, though I don't really blame Errol. He's obviously been through a lot and he's been trying his best. I don't like that he makes himself feel so guilty over it. He's being too hard on himself.

Like I've conjured him through my thoughts, Errol finds me and sits next to me at dinner, smiling at me and taking my hand in his. I smile back happily, more content in that moment than I ever thought I could be. Not just here on Tajss, but ever. The food is delicious, the company is wonderful, and I have Errol by my side. I try to take it all in, to live in that moment.

Afterwards, Errol stands. "Would you like to go for a walk?" he asks, a slight smile on his face.

"Sure," I say, taking his hand and letting him draw me to my feet. "A walk sounds nice."

So we meander over to the still unfinished wall, where Errol stops.

"One moment please," he says.

"Sure," I say, wondering what this is about.

Then he leaps into the air, using his wings to jump higher than I thought was possible. His head swivels at the apex of his leap, his eyes sharp as he scans. After a moment, he drops back down gently, bending his knees as his feet hit the sand.

"Sorry, I wanted to be sure there is no danger nearby," he explains, taking my hand again. "I will not take a chance again."

It's a sobering thought, but he's right. I've seen too much here to take safety for granted, even now when I'm feeling the most relaxed. After we start walking again, I can tell that his mood has turned and he's thinking of something not altogether pleasant, something that troubles him.

"What is it, Errol?" I ask, tightening my hand on his. "What are you thinking about?"

He sighs, squeezing my hand back.

"It still shakes me to the bone to think I might have lost you because I was so stupidly distracted," he confesses, turning to meet my eyes. "It was so close to happening..."

The anguish on his face tears me apart inside. I shake my head, lifting my hand to stroke the side of his face.

"You don't have to keep beating yourself up over that," I say. "I'm okay. Because of you, I might add."

There's no doubt of that. If he hadn't been so quick, hadn't shoved me out of the way just in time...

His eyes darken, speaking to the deepest parts of me. The parts that are just as full of fear, looking back at that moment.

"I do not know what I would have done if..."

He doesn't finish the sentence as he lifts me into his arms, my legs wrapping automatically around his waist.

"Kate..." he whispers, a volatile mix of emotions in his eyes.

One I can fully relate to. The kiss that follows is deep, almost desperate, and takes all my attention. I don't even notice he's walking us back to our quarters, don't even think to check if anyone is watching. I only realize we've changed location when he's laying me back down on the bed, his eyes glittering in the dark.

The lovemaking that follows is slow but hard, his hands hot and greedy in the best way. He touches me everywhere. Kisses me everywhere. By the time he's pushing himself into me, his hands pushing my legs wide, I'm well past the point of ready. The climax that follows is deep, all-encompassing. Necessary. Errol shudders on top of me, his own eyes closing with his pleasure on the heels of mine. But when his eyes open, he doesn't withdraw or lower himself on top of me.

"Kate...I know you are mine," he says, his voice husky and deep. "I know...you are my mate."

His eyes are vulnerable as he watches me, as though he thinks I might hurt him now that he's laid his heart bare to me. I melt at his words. At the depth of feeling clear in his eyes.

I know I will forever remember this warm, quiet night.

"Errol..." I sigh, pulling him down to kiss him softly, saying everything I have to say with that meeting of mouths—the depth of my feelings, the passion I feel for him, the fear. I have so much more to lose now.

He groans, kissing me back even more forcefully, meeting my passion with his own. I feel him nudging me with his other cock. Still rock hard.

"Kate," he murmurs, pushing into me once more.

"Yes," I sigh, holding him close.

The round that follows his confession leaves me deliciously sore and thoroughly sated.