“What is that gleam over there?” Kate asks, wiping the sweat from her eyes.

“Our destination,” I smile, giving her a hand as she climbs the last few steps to crest of the dune.

A softly muttered “Oh,” is her only response.

Traveling on, my wards are mostly silent, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other. Their bodies do not travel well at all and the closer we get to the City the more the land becomes rolling dunes of loose sand. Every step they take they sink in, sometimes half way to their knees. Their lack of wings and tail leave them unable to move quickly.

It takes most of the day before we’re climbing to the top of the final dune. Kate stops beside me, clearly shocked. I can understand why. From what I have gleaned, they have only seen the desert and the tunnels they took shelter in after they crash-landed. The city is a sight to behold for anyone, even for me. It's a testament to Zmaj technology, to the heights we reached at our peak, before the Devastation and the downfall of our society.

The shimmering dome that covers the entirety of it reflects the suns brilliantly. Inside the dome are the towering buildings that were once known as Drakonov. One of the larger cities on Tajss and one of the only ones, as far as I know, that survived the Devastation.

The females gasp, oohing and ahhing. Kate shivers, turning towards me, moisture glinting in her eyes.

“It’s beautiful,” she says, her voice barely above a whisper and my heart leaps in my chest.

I don’t have words to respond. Her emotions are so strong they brush against me like the soft touch of the wind. Swallowing hard I nod and then help her as we start down the last dune to the dome.

I get us through the dome that protects the city and its inhabitants and then guide my wards through to Rosalind. She is the undisputed leader here and her office is where our first stop needs to be. As we walk, the females look around with wide eyes, talking to each other in low voices. We don't encounter many people as we walk through, though we do get some curious glances from those who see us. Nobody stops us, however.

Luckily, Rosalind is in her office when we arrive, and I do not have to force the group to walk the entire city. They are clearly exhausted. Rosalind's assistant gives our group one look and immediately rushes to inform her of our presence.

"So Rosalind is in charge of the entire city?" Kate asks in a hushed voice.

"Yes. She has shown herself to be a strong and logical leader."

Kate makes a thoughtful sound. "That does sound like Rosalind."

I hear the murmur of conversation beyond the door and then it bursts open to reveal the leader herself. She's a beautiful woman with long dark hair, usually calm and measured in her demeanor. But I see a different Rosalind today. Surprise and joy suffuse her face as she sees Kate and the others.

"Kate!" she cries out, rushing forward.

Kate laughs, meeting her halfway, embracing Rosalind with just as much enthusiasm.

I blink.

It seems there will be no need to persuade Rosalind to give aid to Kate and her group.

Rosalind draws back from the hug, looking behind Kate at the others. The fierce and controlled woman slowly starts to return.

"How many survived from your pod?" she asks, frowning. Ah—it is clear she would have expected more than this small group. Perhaps I will also hear more answers now that Rosalind is the one asking.

"We survived the initial crash landing," Kate says, the happiness and excitement slowly leaving her expression and tone. "But then we were attacked by guster. None of the men survived that. Those that didn't die in the initial attack succumbed to their wounds within weeks without proper medical care available."

The normally stoic leader appears stricken at the news.

"None of them?" she whispers. "Karim, Mateo, Ji-hoon...?"

Kate shakes her head, her eyes sad.

"No. I'm sorry. I know you were close," she murmurs.

Rosalind nods, her face pale. I feel my own heart ache in sympathy. I know there is a difference between knowing intellectually that someone is most likely gone and having it confirmed. She is silent for a few moments, processing the news. But she is strong, collecting herself and refocusing on the matter at hand. I would expect no less given my experience with Rosalind so far.

"How did you manage to sustain yourselves?" she asks, meeting all their eyes. "Up until this very moment, I thought the pods had returned to the docking bay and went down with the ship..."

"It was difficult," Kate says carefully, suddenly a bit more closed off. "We found shelter in some underground tunnels where we were mostly protected. Annabel and the others stayed behind there. They didn't think it was safe to venture out." She smiles wryly. "They weren't wrong about the danger."

So there are others, but she is still avoiding something. That is not the entirety of their experience here. Rosalind frowns slightly. I think she senses Kate is withholding something from her. But Kate's expression remains only attentive in the face of the scrutiny, not giving anything away. I am more certain Kate is hiding something than Rosalind seems to be, sensing it more keenly than she does, for some reason. I feel more in tune with Kate than I should after so short an acquaintance, but that does not change the fact that the connection is there.

In any case, Kate has not been in the city long enough to start confessing all her secrets regarding how she and the other females survived. Perhaps she will once she feels more comfortable here, once she concludes it is safe. I can see that Rosalind is about to ask more questions. And Kate does as well.

"Is there any lodging available for us here?" she asks, diverting the other woman's attention and forestalling the line of questioning before it can continue.

Rosalind's face clears.

"Of course. And we have food for you as well." She casts a measuring eye over the thin, pale group. "It looks like you could use both the food and the rest."

"I'm not going to disagree with you on that," Kate agrees, the rest of the group nodding tiredly.

"I can show them to one of the common areas," I volunteer. "And arrange their rooms." I will take any reasonable excuse I can to be close to Kate.

"That would be appreciated. Thank you, Errol." She turns back to Kate. "We'll speak more once you have had a chance to rest and eat."

Kate smiles back and nods, stepping away.

"Sounds good."

That obligation fulfilled, I lead them out of the office and to the center of the city, directly to one of the smaller common areas. There is always food available there, though it isn't a usual meal time now. I manage to gather enough up for everyone.

"Thanks, Errol," Fallon says gratefully, making up her plate.

"Second that. I'm so glad to be eating inside. And not in a tunnel at that," Addison adds.

The others add in their agreement.

"You are welcome," I return with a smile, settling in next to Kate.

She smiles at me, but looks away shyly, focusing on her food. Her cheeks are slightly flushed, the pulse in her neck faster than sitting and eating can account for. She feels this, whatever it is between us. The air between us is charged with it, has been the entire time we have been near each other during the journey. She is shyer now, attempting to maintain a distance. Perhaps it’s because the danger has passed.

Now is my opportunity. I relish the moment we can be alone without any distractions, without the anxiety and stress of traveling in the dangerous desert. I know that it will take time to build trust between us, to draw her closer to me, but I can feel how quickly my own feelings are growing.

I want more, and I want it quickly.

It is difficult to restrain myself, to not at the very least reach out to hold her hand as I have seen other lovers do. I force myself to maintain the foot of space I have left for decorum between us, though I want to be so much closer to her. It’s as if we were cut from the same cloth long ago, perhaps in a different lifetime. Only to be reunited now through a fated turn of events.

Perhaps that is silly. This intensity of emotion makes it feel so possible. But I hold onto my control.

The females eat quickly, Kate included. I give her a scanning glance. They all need to eat more, gain more weight. They also need epis to recover, to gain strength and adapt here. I frown, looking at the humans for symptoms of epis withdrawal. I do not think they have had any epis, ever, judging from their lack of stamina and their weakened appearance. After they are done eating, I rise to my feet.

"I will show you to your quarters," I tell them. There are rooms that are ready and waiting for visitors since the city receives so many. I can likely find them all rooms near each other.

The group rises and follows me out, obviously exhausted and ready to sleep. As expected, I am able to find a hall with mostly empty rooms, assigning them to each of the females.

"Thank you, Errol," Nina says, stepping into her room gratefully. "I could sleep for a week."

"Sleep well," I say.

Then I have only Nora and Kate left. I feel my anticipation grow. I am so close to being alone with Kate.

I open the next-to-last door in the hall, saying, “Nora, this room will be yo—"

"Is it okay if I sleep with you in your quarters?" Nora interrupts to say anxiously to Kate. "I don't think I can be alone here."

My movements go completely still. I have noticed Nora seems to be the weakest of the group, the one most scared and needing the most reassurance. Kate, of course, does not turn her down. She is too caring, taking her role as the leader to seriously.

"Yeah, sure," she agrees, smiling at the other woman. "No problem."

Nora immediately relaxes, the tension leaving her, even as my own tension rises. I understand Nora needs comfort, but I was so close to finally having a moment alone with Kate!

Ah well. This is not something I have any control over.

"These quarters are larger than the others," I say, taking them to a different room than I had intended. I open the door, allowing them to look inside. Nora nods, stepping in. Kate steps in as well, turning to me.

"Thank you, Errol," she says, meeting my eyes. "For everything."

I would do so much more for her if she would allow. I do not say that. I do not want to push her too fast, inadvertently scare her away. So I simply nod.

"I would like to speak to you. Alone. If possible," I murmur, stepping slightly closer. I need to be more direct now that I do not have the opportunity I thought I would.

She licks her lips, the movement drawing my eyes and reigniting my arousal. Not that I am ever completely calm in her presence.

"I—"

"Kate?" Nora calls out. "Is everything okay?"

Kate gives me an apologetic look, but it is also holds a hint of guilty relief.

"I'm sorry—I have to go."

"I understand." And I do. "Rest well."

Despite the mild words, I know my eyes are not at all calm and serene. I know they tell her I will be back for that talk.

She bites her lip, her eyes not leaving mine until she gently closes the door between us.