After Sysko disconnects, we get a download of information about the humans. Human technology is primitive, but it is developed enough for them to have sequenced their entire genome. It’s fascinating. The humans had no idea that they discovered a connection between our races. But I’m sure they’ll soon find out.

It astounds me that a species that inhabits a planet thousands of light-years from Draxos Prime could be related to our species. Part of me suspects that the genetic similarity is a coincidence. But the more I dig into the data, the less it looks as if a coincidence is probable.

I understand now why Sysko wants me to research the connection. Genetic synthesis is my area of expertise and is exactly what Sysko needs for his human/Draxos breeding program. I begin entering data into my simulation computer for preliminary analysis before running full trials on the synthesis of human and Draxos genetics. My current medical trials are intended to adapt a vaccine, not genetic manipulation for the sake of reproduction.

There are many calculations to make. I fall asleep at my desk, running analysis into the night. I wake with my head resting on my holographic dashboard, data feeds running up around my face. I wipe the drool from my cheek and look around, groggy and in serious need of a cup of black tea.

My tests are still running and there is nothing more I can do. I groan and push myself away from my desk, stumbling out of the lab into the daylight. I momentarily forget how I got here and remember that Donte dropped me off. The sun glares in my eyes so I fabricate a pair of sunglasses from the nanotech on the hem of my skirt and hail a robotaxi for home.

When I arrived at my palace, I find Plume waiting for me in the front hall.

“So, my lady finally returns?” Plume states in a low voice that startles me before I see him.

I gasp, exhausted, craving tea, and in no mood for his sexiness. I grit my teeth and try to see him through my sunglasses. He’s shrouded in shadow. I know that he’s from an elite military squadron known only as Shadow.

Something about him frightens me. While at the same time, that same thing draws me to him. I've tasted Plume’s poison on my lips. All he would have to do to end my life would be to make the poison viable instead of unviable. He crosses the space between us and takes my hand in his.

“Have you forgotten our appointment?” he asks me.

“I was doing research all night. My brother brought me some important information, and I couldn't get away from the lab until now.”

“Do you wish to postpone our date?” he asks.

“No. That's not going to be a possibility. I can only imagine how Uri would react if he had to wait another day.”

Plume chuckles and nods. His dark eyes wander over my body and then focus on my face.

“You should wash and change. You'll feel better. I will tell Quintin to prepare you a meal and to bring plenty of black tea to your rooms.”

I make my way to my rooms and begin my bath. When I emerge from my washroom, there is a tray sitting at my table with gow cheese pastries and sea eggs. Gigi crosses the room and pounces at my feet. I kneel and pet her silky soft fur.

“What am I supposed to do about all these males?” I ask my pet.

Gigi’s response is to squeak and bounce up and down. She doesn't give me answers, but she does bring me comfort. I pat her sweet little head and she bounces off to find her favorite squeak toy. I throw the toy for Gigi again and then make my way to my closet.

Flicking through my nanotech designs, I settle on a simple dress and pair it with tanned gow leather sandals. I prefer real leather shoes over nanotech shoes. They tend to be more comfortable and fit better.

The dress I chose is a deep blue in the same hue as my skin only several shades darker. It contrasts nicely with my white scales and long white hair.

Sitting at my table, I down several cups of black tea and begin to eat. When I finally feel somewhat awake, I start to consider my day. My last date was a monumental event in my life. The first time a man touched me like that. I climaxed myself twice the night before, yet what Donte did to me moved me far more than anything I’d ever done alone.

I had to run away the moment we’d finished. I still feel bad about it and wish I’d been able to give Donte more of myself. I still long to feel his arms around me and to look into his comforting, multifaceted eyes.

Today, I have a date with Plume. Anticipation rumbles in my belly. I want to give more to Plume than I was able to give to Donte. They all deserve so much more than me. I wish the Bones of the Gods had not cursed me with this choice.

I take them all or they die.

I shake my head, unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation. I want it to go away so I can focus on my work. I never asked for this responsibility.

After eating and ruminating on my predicament, I join Plume at the entrance to the palace. We approach his speeder on the landing pad in silence. There is a calm and quiet agreement between us. Neither of us makes any quick movements.

He helps me into the speeder, and I sit beside him as he drives. We fly over the palace and steer into the forest.

“You grew up on Arcadia, didn’t you?” he asks.

“Yes, not far from here. My parents were in genetic research until they retired to explore forgotten libraries and recover lost information.”

“Do you miss them?”

“Sometimes,” I say, wondering why he’s so interested in my family. “I’m proud of my parents and my brothers.”

“I’ve met Admiral Sysko, he is a good man.”

“How do you know my brother?”

“I served with him during my last tour. He is a brave and decisive leader. Exactly what the Draxos need to win this fight.”

“My brother is my hero. I sometimes wish I could fight the cyborgs alongside him. But instead of fighting with lasers, I fight with my mind. I fight with science for the future of our people.”

“You are a driven woman, Joon D’fray, my lady queen.”

“I’m no queen,” I mutter.

“You are, my lady. You will always be the White Queen of Arcadia. You will always be the queen of my heart.”

“Now you sound like Reese,” I tease him.

He tilts the nose of the speeder and we descend into a deep green pine forest. The Draxos live together in cities and leave the outskirts to nature. The forests of Arcadia are managed but are largely unsettled.

We emerge from the speeder into a lush forest, fragrant with deep pine and citrus. The winter lemon grows wild in these woods and the scent of the blossoms fill the air. I take a deep breath of fresh air and glance at Plume. He’s carrying a handled box as he walks down the ramp.

“What is that?” I ask him.

“A picnic. We can partake after we have a stroll through the forest. This trail leads to a nice view.”

He slips his hand into mine. He isn't nearly as large as Donte, but his strength is unmistakable. I can feel it coiled just below the surface.

We stroll through the forest. The sky above is deep blue and the weather is mild. Refreshing ocean air blows on the breeze and over my body in my nanotech sheath dress. Birdsongs and the chattering of the forest creatures fills my ears. It gives me a sense of peace that I sorely need.

“I'm glad we did this,” I say.

We come to a cliff that overlooks a deep valley, sprawling between two sloping ridges. My breath catches when air sweeps up into my lungs. I’m blown away, my eyes wide.

There is a picnic table and bench made of pine wood planks. Plume sets down the tablecloth and proceeds to set us two places at the stone table. I sit and gaze out at the view, letting my heart take in the beauty. We eat delicacies from the kitchen and drink wasp honey mead mixed with sweet nectar. It's a perfect accompaniment, and I feel myself relaxing even more deeply.

Plume’s presence is hypnotizing. I gaze into his eyes, and feel so good about myself with him. It's like he's bringing me into his world more and more with each breath. The subtlety of his thrall is refreshing.

“What did your brother have to tell you?” he asks me.

“I can't really say right now. But it does involve my work.”

“Are you closer to finding a cure for the plague?” he asks me.

I contemplate the implications of finding a fertile species who already have dragon genes, for several long moments. It dawns on me that the humans my brother brought to my attention truly could be the answer I’ve been searching for.

“I could be,” I whisper as the sun tilts toward the horizon.

He cups my face in his hands and draws me into a long, wet kiss. His venom tickles my tongue with its spicy, erotic flavor. His kiss has me gushing, my nipples pricked, and my breasts swollen, begging to be touched.

He pulls me to him and I slide onto his lap. I feel his cock under me, separated by just a few sheets of nanotech cloth. We could be naked in an instant, our sexual organs grinding over each other. I gasp at the idea of it, bucking my hips into his rock-solid shaft. He grips my breast and ass, squeezing until I whimper with desire.

Our tongues lash each other hungrily. I scratch my nails down his back, wanting to pierce the skin, my need is so great.

He runs his tongue up my shoulder and nibbles my ear with his sharp dragon teeth. I moan, my body begging for more. My inner dragon screams for release, thrashing about and spraying ice across the backs of my eyes.

My thrall torments me, irks at me and won’t allow me to rest. I’ve been agitated like this since the tournament. All I can think about is work because giving in to my hunger for these males would make me go wild.

Plume slides his finger down his wrist and his nanotech clothing disappears. I feel him bulge under me. I want to give in. But I can’t.

He slides his hands under my skirt and grips my ass as I slide back and forth on his naked cock. Plume pulls my dress down in front and sucks my nipples as I rub myself on his sleek, hard flesh. He pulls me down on him, adding to the pressure as he sucks and plucks at my nipples with his mouth. I grind over his cock and he pulls me back and forth on him, holding my hips in his strong, agile hands. I’m growling and screaming, my head thrown back as I ride him.

All in a rush, my orgasm stabs me like an assassin. My body clenches and throbs, and my nipples pulse with energy. Trying to catch my breath, I feel moisture on my leg. I look down to find white fluid on my dress and Plume’s dark chest.

He slides a finger through the semen and slips it over my lips. I gasp, unsure of what to do. But my tongue darts out and decides for me, tasting Plume’s musky seed. Once I’ve tasted it, I want more. I lean in to glide my tongue over his chest, lapping up his cum.

I suck it into my mouth hungrily, wanting to taste more of my mate. As I slide my tongue over his taut nipple, I feel light headed. I kiss him hard on the mouth and hop off his lap. Trying to catch my breath, I lean against the table. An instant later, Plume is beside me, dressed again and holding my shoulders.

“My lady,” he says, concern in his voice. “What is the matter?”

“I got a little dizzy. I think it’s all the pheromones.”

“I will get you home right away, my darling,” he says holding me close.

“Thank you, Plume,” I say softly.

He picks me up and carries me back to the speeder. I’m quite sure I could have walked, but it is nice to be in his arms. He sets me down in the passenger chair and starts for home.

Night has fallen when we arrive and I am exhausted. As we exit Plume's speeder, I am met by Uri on the landing pad. He's angry and I can feel it simmering in spirals toward Plume. Uri approaches, his square jaw set and a grimace on his red lips.

“Where have you been?” he demands.

“Plume and I had a scheduled date.”

“I cannot wait a moment longer to be with you,” Uri demands.

“You have to wait your turn,” I inform him. “Reese is the next in line for a date.”

Plume stands by, ready to protect me from Uri. But it's ridiculous, they are all supposed to be my mates. My fated ones. Even Uri.

“I will not wait any longer,” Uri informs me.

“Well, you’re going to have to,” I tell him, stepping away.

He grabs my arm and turns me toward him. Plume steps between us and tries to push the larger dragon away. Uri pushes Plume violently and Plume stumbles backward. In the blink of an eye, Plume has a dagger to Uri’s throat.

“Give me the word, my lady, and I will end him,” Plume growls through gritted teeth.

“Thank you, Plume, but that won't be necessary. Please let Uri go.”

It is my responsibility to keep the peace with my thralled males. I must stay in control. But I know I have to give them what they need or everything will descend into chaos.

“I will go with you, Uri,” I tell him. “Plume, the date was lovely, and I thank you for it.”

“But my lady, you shouldn’t go. You were just ill,” Plume protests.

“I was momentarily overcome, but I am quite well now. I will go with Uri. Goodnight, dear Plume.”

Uri looks satisfied and smirks at Plume. Plume doesn’t look convinced at all and slowly lets go of Uri. He puts his hand to his heart as he looks into my eyes and then walks away. I've never seen Plume so upset. I hope I can make it up to him somehow.

I’m irritated with Uri, but I’m willing to go with him for the greater good. I’m convinced the cure for the problem is me.

“Where are you taking me, Uri?” I ask him.

He walks toward me, his breath hot and his eyes burning.

“I'm taking you all the way, my Queen,” he says in a raspy voice.