The humans approach the gate. My hearts speed up seeing Olivia walking next to the female in white. Delilah walks next to them as the three talk in what appears to be a friendly manner. Ladon is a step behind them, looking grim.

"Shit," Lana says.

She and Astarot are standing behind me. Bashir and Melchior flank me, standing right behind Visidion and Drosdan.

"What?" I ask her.

"He's not with them," she says.

Looking again, she's right. Gershom is not with the group approaching the gate. All of the females that arrived with us are but there is no sign of Gershom.

The gate cycles open but time moves at a crawl. Anticipation is making my scales itch. They can't be doing what I think they are. Thoughts race through my mind as I work to figure out our next move. What will Visidion do?

We can't live in a city that allows violation of the Edicts. It would undermine everything that makes the Tribe work. We'd regress, lose ourselves to the bijass.

The woman in white leads, coming out of the airlock. She marches up with the others forming a line behind her. I lock eyes with Olivia. She's biting her lower lip, her hands twitch, she's nervous.

The bijass stretches its fingers into my mind, seeking cracks in my defenses. Reciting the Edicts, I keep it at bay but if they try to take her from me…

"Commander Visidion," the female in white says, stopping ten feet in front of him. "I am Rosalind, leader of the humans of Drakonov."

"Welcome Rosalind," Visidion says, stepping close into her personal space. While not the largest of the Zmaj, his size is imposing compared to the human female. "I hope you bring good news that will bring our peoples together."

Rosalind doesn't flinch or move away, she matches his dominance with her own. Interesting.

"We have considered your request. We cannot, in good conscience, honor it," she says.

"I see," Visidion says, lowering his face close to hers. "This is your final answer?"

"Our Council has voted, this is not up for discussion," Rosalind says, but do I detect something else in her voice?

Olivia is all but vibrating, I can feel the barely contained emotions raging inside her despite the distance between us. What does this mean for us? Will they try to keep her?

Visidion breathes deeply and his chest nearly touches the white-clad human female. Does she shudder?

"Okay," Visidion says. He turns so that his mouth is close to Rosalind's ear. "We will not take up residence in your city. I request you allow our people to return to us and we will be on our way." His voice is low and soft.

"Surely we can work this out," Rosalind says, turning so that her face is mere inches from the Commander's.

Ladon crosses his arms and turns his head to the side. An outward sign he's unwilling to negotiate further.

"No," Visidion murmurs while staring at the female. "Our people cannot live without the Edicts. I will not expose them to violations or put my people at risk. It is obvious our differences are great, too great to work out easily."

"I see," Rosalind says. "What does this mean for our future?"

"The future is ever changing," Visidion answers. "We will leave peacefully, as long as you return our people to us."

"I can't do that," Rosalind says.

The murmurs of conversation stops.

Drosdan hisses, a low and dangerous sound as he steps forward, his massive hands balling into fists. Ladon, his wings spreading out part way, steps forward to meet him.

"Wait!" Rosalind says, holding a hand up but not putting any space between herself and the Commander.

"What is this?" Visidion nearly hisses in her ear. "You would take what is ours and deny us entry?"

"No," Rosalind replies. "That is not my intent. I would ask that the human females who came with you have a choice. Any Zmaj of the Tribe may make the same choice. They can stay with us, live in the city, as long as they will contribute they would be welcome."

Drosdan hisses again and takes another step forward. Ladon matches his movement.

"Stop," Visidion says, his voice is quiet, but it carries well. He still has not taken his eyes from Rosalind.

Drosdan stops, looking over his shoulder to the Commander. Visidion motions with his staff and Drosdan returns to his place, shoulders slumped, but he doesn't even think about disobeying.

My lungs won't take air, waiting in anticipation for what comes next. I'm ready to lead the attack if I have to. With small hand gestures, I make my intent clear and Bashir and Melchior are ready too. I'll take Olivia by force if I have to. She is mine.

"Free choice?" Visidion growls.

"Yes," Rosalind replies.

Vibrations run through my muscles as my body prepares, ready to move into action. I visualize possibilities, dozens and dozens of them, preparing for every outcome. No matter what happens, I'm ready.

"Okay," Visidion says. "Give the females their choice."

"And the Zmaj?" Rosalind asks, pressing the issue.

"None of the Tribe will live outside the Edicts," Visidion says, no hint of a doubt in his voice.

He's right. We won't. The Edicts are our life, they bring us together, keep us from falling to the bijass. That any of us would choose otherwise is outside the realm of the possible.

Rosalind's jaw tightens. Finally she puts a small space between herself and Visidion, turning her back to him and facing the females behind her. Before she can say a word, Olivia runs.

Ladon's eyes widen, Drosdan turns to face a possible threat, taking a step forward.

"Ragnar!" she yells.

My hearts explode into double time, pounding in my chest, blood rushing to my limbs and head. I'm running towards her then she's in my arms. Sweeping her off her feet I encircle her in my wings as our lips smash together with bruising force. I want to drink her in, claim her here and now. She is mine, my treasure, never again will I let her anyone part us.

Our kisses are hungry, edged with desperation and need. Her presence fills an empty ache. She is my everything. Her arms are around my neck, her lips on mine, my hands on her rear.

She pulls back. "I love you," she says.

"I love you," I say, then everything stops.

My eyes widen, my mouth drops open, and my hearts don't beat.

She spoke to me.

Zmaj.

Perfect Zmaj.

She laughs, kissing me, with quick soft pecks of her lips.

"I love you Ragnar, my perfect, beautiful male," she says.

"How…"

She laughs, the sound of her voice music to my ears.

"A machine," she says. "We can talk. At last!"

"You are my treasure," I say, my hearts soaring. "You are perfect."

My chest expands and I know at any moment I will explode. A body isn't made to contain such emotions.

"Always," she says, between our kisses.

Her fingers trail over my cheeks, down my neck and arms. Moisture streams down her face from her perfect, beautiful eyes, and still we kiss.

Finally filling the void of missing her, I set her on her feet. We kiss one last time before I fold my wings and let the outside world back in.

All of the other human females who traveled with us have crossed over from Rosalind's side to stand behind Visidion.

"This is not the end," Rosalind says, holding her arm out to Visidion.

"Every day brings choices," Visidion agrees as he takes her arm.

"We need each other," Rosalind says. "Is there no way we can resolve these differences?"

"Yes," Visidion purrs. "Give us this Gershom."

"I can't," Rosalind says, her regret obvious.

"We will find a home," Visidion says. "I'll send a messenger once we have."

"Okay," Rosalind says.

Something passes between the two leaders. Their grip on each other's arms seems to linger, their eyes stare into each other. Visidion leans in and says something no one else can hear.

Neither moves for an extended moment.

Eventually, Visidion turns and walks away and the Tribe sets to work, packing up tents. The females coming with us stand in a huddle. Olivia grips my hand tight before she walks away to join them.

Astarot and Lana are talking with Rosalind. Almost, I think they're arguing, then Rosalind's shoulders drop. Lana embraces several of the females from the City. Astarot and Ladon embrace then part. Lana joins the other females remaining with the Tribe and Astarot comes over towards me.

"Ragnar," he says.

"Astarot," I answer.

"Perhaps you could use another hunter?" he asks.

Glancing at Bashir and Melchior, they both nod their agreement before I put an arm out. Astarot grips my arm and we shake before I pull him into an embrace.

"Welcome," I say.

"Thanks," he answers.

"We need to get busy, the Tribe needs a home."

"Lana and I have an idea," Astarot says, smiling.

* * *

The journey south is slow. Moving so many people, especially with the females, isn't easy. By the time the suns are setting I can see mountains on the horizon. We stop for the night and make camp.

"Take the tent," Bashir says, a grin on his face. "Melchior and I will sleep out here."

Melchior pats me on the back then they go a distance away and set themselves up to sleep.

"What was that?" Olivia asks, having finished putting away our cookware.

"We have the tent to ourselves," I say, unable to keep the grin off my face.

"Oh," she says, grinning too.

We don't waste time climbing into the shelter. As the flap falls behind us her hands are on me, diving into my pants and grabbing my cock. She strokes me while I strip the layers of her clothes off. We kiss, passionate, deep kisses as our hands explore each other finding the points that bring each other pleasure.

Lying her down on the blankets I kiss my way down her beautiful, perfect body. She tenses as I kiss along her sides, suppressing laughter.

"That tickles," she says.

I adjust my kisses, moving to a less sensitive path as I make my way towards my goal.

The soft scent of her fills my nostrils, building my arousal higher. Desire pounds in my blood pushing me to hurry. Mastering it, I let it build while working my way around her core. Licking along her delicate lips then down her legs and back up towards her center.

She wriggles under my ministrations. As I continue kissing up and across her I tease her lips open with a finger, dipping it into her wetness.

"Ragnar," she groans.

My cock pulses in response, desire flaring as she says my name.

Unable to control myself any longer I drive my finger deep into her while lapping her folds with my tongue. Curling my finger inside her and finding the hard nub with my tongue. Her nails dig into my shoulders as her back arches, driving her up.

Flattening my tongue against her I lick up and down while wiggling my finger. She tenses, hips buck, then she's thrusting up into me with a wild abandon. I push her until she's over the edge. Her muscles quiver as her pleasure rips through her body.

Hooking my free arm around her waist I hold her close until it passes, and she relaxes.

"Take me," she says.

Sliding up, my cock goes straight into her. Her eyes widen, her mouth forms an O, and she cries out in pleasure. My eyes close as her body grips my cock tight, taking me in one smooth slide, burying myself in her.

Her fingers lace behind my neck. Our bodies rise and fall together, coming into each other and out as we join. Panting pleasure, we find our rhythm, joining until desire overtakes me. She thrusts up as I drive in and then I'm exploding my love into her, filling her with it.

Our foreheads rest against each other. Together we are stronger.

She is my more, more than I knew I needed.

She is my life.