I take Errol back to my section of the tunnel after dinner is over. The space is the same as I left it. There isn't really a lack of space down here for such a small group, so I'm not surprised by that. Even if it was changed, I'm too relieved that I've managed to deliver Rosalind's message without my head being torn off to really care. Another part of my relief is that Errol's reunion with Gomul went so unbelievably well.

He looks like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders, his step lighter, his face more relaxed.

"Thank you for pushing me to come," Errol murmurs as we settle down on my old pallet. There isn't much room, forcing us to squeeze in tight. Not that I mind.

"I'm glad it went well." I comb my fingers through his hair, settling it back over his shoulder. "So that we can leave here again soon," I add wryly.

He chuckles, his eyes darkening as his hand smooths down my side to close over my butt.

"Perhaps we can make some happier memories here before we leave," he says, his eyes moving down to my lips. "So you do not only think of it in a negative light."

A languid heat rushes through me. "Sounds like a good plan to me," I say as he moves in to press his lips against mine. This will definitely make me think of this place with less negativity.

He rolls so that I'm on my back under him, reaching down to take off my clothes. He gets up for the briefest of instants, and when he comes back down, he's also fully naked. I moan and he hisses as naked skin meets naked skin. Everywhere. The touch grounds me in a way I really need after all the stress and anxiety of this trip.

I bite down on his shoulder to muffle the sounds I make as he starts to work himself into me, knowing everything echoes down here. Not that they won't already know what we're doing. I have a moment of embarrassment over that thought.

It doesn't stop me.

I wrap my legs around Errol's slim hips, already sweating as he seats himself fully inside me. I don't think I'm ever going to get used to how completely he fills me up inside. Or how mind-numbing and all-encompassing it is when he actually moves.

I gasp, pushing my face into the side of his neck as he thrusts into me, his powerful body making me feel small and delicate. I never thought of myself in that light before Errol, but he's so physically imposing, the comparison is accurate.

I hum as his hand slides between us to seek out my clitoris, pinching it expertly, rubbing it with just the right pressure, while he continues his smooth in and out motions. I cry out, pushing my fist against my mouth to stifle the sound as I arch up against him in my pleasure. He shudders above me, my own orgasm bringing his own. He's learning my body, remembering every detail of my reactions, and putting all that knowledge to use.

He isn't done with one. He pulls out, flips me over, and then I feel another hard erection sliding back into me. I groan, sinking down while I push my hips up to better receive him. He hits me in a completely different spot in this position, and the first go-around already has me primed. I'm moaning with each thrust, his cock hitting...exactly...the right...

I muffle my cry against the pallet this time, my body jerking, only Errol's hands gripping my hips keeping me up as he pounds into me. He's silent as he reaches his own pleasure again, his hips grinding against mine, his hands slightly rougher as they grip my hips.

We're both breathing hard as we sink down onto the pallet with me underneath him. But he quickly changes position so I'm lying on his chest, our size difference too large for me to be on the bottom.

Oh...wow. The afterglow has my eyes at half mast, my body relaxed on top of his. It only lasts a few minutes before my old chums, anxiety and worry, slowly crawl back in.

"What is it?" Errol asks, sliding his hand soothingly up and down my back. "Why are you tense once more? After I worked so hard to relax you."

I chuckle at that, but then I sigh, and it feels like it comes from all the way down in my toes.

"We're only taking one woman with us in the morning," I say. "Leaving Annabel and her loyal followers here. Again."

"Hmm." He doesn't answer right away, choosing his words carefully. 'I understand your desire to take everyone with us, but we cannot force people to help themselves. Only offer the opportunity to do so." His hand slides into my hair. "And I do not think you should worry in any case. They are not alone here. My father is still in residence to ensure their safety. Even if Annabel completely loses all sanity one day."

I snort out a laugh at that last one. The sad thing is, I can almost see it happening.

"Yeah, Gomul is wonderful," I say. "But he is still just one person. And how can he protect people from themselves?" I rise up on my elbows, so I can see his face. "He isn't a miracle worker."

He nods, his arms wrapping around my waist. "We can always come check on them periodically with your wondrous invention."

Wondrous invention? I can't help the giggle that escapes at that description of the rover, shaking my head as I lean down to kiss his smiling mouth. Errol makes me feel like an actual goddess.

I know I'm a good engineer, but I wasn’t the best. At least, not in the eyes of the officials in charge of promoting personnel on the ship. They tended to favor those who were more extroverted, more involved in the politics of it all. More competitive with each other as they tried to reach those elevated positions. Something I just wasn't interested in participating in, to be honest. I learned to be happy with where I was.

It gave me extra time to play around, to work on creations I was truly interested in rather than the ones that seemed the most practical on ship. It led to multiple inventions, including the rover. I daresay it’s the best invention to date, despite nobody thinking it was a necessary one before the crash.

Times have changed. Understatement of the year, as we used to say. That rover is worth its weight in gold here on Tajss.

"Kate."

Errol seeks out my mouth, kissing me gently before relaxing back on the pallet once more, his eyes happy. I like knowing I put that look there.

"Hmm?"

"I would like to have a mating ceremony, following the tradition of the old ways," he murmurs.

I smile, feeling warmth suffuse my heart.

"That sounds nice," I agree.

"I'd like to retrieve my father for it," he adds. "Perhaps some of the others will come back with us then."

My smile fades. It's sweet that he's still trying to make me feel better, but I worry that Annabel has too strong a hold on the others, that they've been beaten down too far.

"Maybe," I say, not wanting to bring the mood down. I force my smile back. "Maybe you can tell me a bit about the ceremony."

He smiles back.

"It is an ancient ritual..."

I listen to his soothing voice as I lay back down on his chest. Eventually, it lulls me into a restful sleep despite my worry, images of the lovely ritual playing through my mind.

The next morning, the mood is somber as we prepare to leave. I am glad to be leaving, though I wish it was with the whole group. Errol is right, though. We can't force people to do anything, even if it is in their best interest.

Annabel does not bother seeing us off, though the others do, a few of them hugging Maeve goodbye and wishing her luck. Gomul is there as well, hugging Errol tightly before he pulls me into an equally firm hug.

"I am overjoyed to call you daughter," he says against my hair.

I feel tears prick at my eyes at the warmth in his voice.

"You're the reason I ever met him in the first place," I respond in a low voice. "Who knows how long I would have stayed here if you hadn't given me a push."

He pulls back, smiling at me. "I do not think you would have. Not for long," he says. "I simply accelerated the process a bit."

I chuckle, shaking my head. I don't know if that's true, though it's nice to see he believes it.

"Safe journey," he says, squeezing my shoulder and nodding at Errol. "I will wait for your arrival prior to the mating ceremony."

Goodbyes done, we climb into the rover, with Maeve settling into the back. I don't feel like I'm leaving home this time.

The drive back to the city is just as smooth as the drive out, and with a whole lot less anxiety, which I really appreciate. I've had enough to last me a lifetime.

Once back in the city, we take Maeve to meet Rosalind and get her settled into her own quarters near the other women.

"Maeve! I'm so glad to see you!" Addison cries out, hugging her close. "Oh man, you're going to love it here..." she says, leading her away.

I grin, my worry for Maeve lessening as she's swept away. She glances back at me over her shoulder, waving. I wave back.

Maeve in good hands, Errol and I take a break to eat before we throw ourselves right into planning for the mating ceremony. It feels like a wedding, something I wasn't sure I'd ever have. As Errol pushes to figure out the earliest date possible, I feel love for him filling me up. It feels wonderful to be so wanted. So loved.

"I'm so lucky to be your mate, Errol," I whisper as we head back to our quarters for the night.

His eyes soften, and he pulls me in against his front. "It is I who am lucky," he returns, leaning down to kiss me.

I sigh as I return it, his lips soft against my own. I want the mating ceremony, but it isn't necessary. We're already joined together, like two halves of a whole separated for too long.

And I've never been happier.

“So who does the ceremony itself?” I ask.

“Traditionally it would be Visidion,” Errol says.

“He’s the Tribe’s Commander?”

Errol nods. “Yes, it is his to do or pass the right of though, to keep with tradition.”

“Okay,” I agree.