Hera was back in the familiar desert, barefoot. Where had her shoes gone? The sun was shining brightly over the desert, and in the town ahead, the bright rays glistened off the buildings. Strangely, the hot sand and pebbles hadn’t burned her feet. In fact, she wiggled her toes into the sand and smiled as it brushed over her skin like a soft quilt.

For some reason, she wore a long, white flowing gown–something she would have never picked to wear. She preferred a comfortable shirt and her worn jeans. But in the gown, she felt like a princess or an angel. She froze, and her breath dried up in her throat. Great balls of fire, was she dead?

She checked for a pulse–thump, thump, thump–and sighed. Thankfully, she was alive.

Like before, the mysterious fog rose out of the ground, swirling around cacti, brush, and trees, then moved around her, shrouding her. She couldn’t even see her hand in front of her face.

Something was slowly moving through the fog. Fear chilled her bones. She looked wildly around her, her blood thrashing between her ears, but she had no idea where to go. If she fled, she’d could stumble and fall or run off a cliff or smash into a prickly cacti.

No, her only choice was to stay and face whatever was coming toward her.

She clenched her fists, ready to do battle. She wished she had her spell book, but in this spooky veil, she wouldn’t be able to read it.

No, the best thing was to fight.

“Hello, Hera.”

A feminine voice greeted her. Hera narrowed her eyes, trying to pierce the murkiness, but she couldn’t even see an outline of the woman.

“I’m not here to harm you,” the voice said.

Hera slowly relaxed and exhaled a nervous gasp of air. It was the woman from the previous dream, who had given her the spell book.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“Someone who has been watching you and is pleased.”

“You are? Why?”

“You did something I didn’t expect. You were willing to sacrifice for the Zalarians, and because of you, the deathly creatures are dead.”

“How do you know this?”

“I have my ways.”

“Why didn’t you help us? We needed you.”

Hera couldn’t hide the bubbling anger spilling over her.

“Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t interfere. My powers only allowed me to watch. Because what I’ve seen, the council has agreed for me to give you back your wand.”

“The council? Who are they?”

“You’re not ready to know about them yet.”

Hera sighed in frustration.

“But you soon will be. When you awaken, your wand will be alongside your spell book. I assume you will use it for the good of our people and the Zalarians.”

Her warning tone implied that Hera hadn’t done this before. What kind of person had she’d been?

“I don’t know who our people are, but I swear I will use the wand for good.”

“I will hold you to those words.”

Hera shivered as if another spell had washed over her.

“I will also grant you this,” the woman said. “I know you are grappling with whether or not you want to stay on Zalara. The council can bring you back to Earth, but it takes time for us to conjure that much power. We will come to you again, and you will give us your answer: Stay or Leave. The choice is yours.”

Before she could answer, Hera woke to pulsing pain and misery. Her lungs burned each time she took a breath, and her whole insides were inflamed. She moaned, wishing she could return to the dream. Even the fog was better than the consuming agony.

“Hera, Hera, answer me. Please?”

Damon was calling to her, and his voice was so desperate.

She slowly opened her eyes, and her heart nearly broke. He looked awful, as if he hadn’t slept for days. His eyes were bloodshot, and his cheeks wet. A slight stubble covered his usually clean face. He was holding her hand so tight she’d thought he’d break it.

“You’re alive,” he said, his voice choking. “I thought I’d lost you.”

“You’re crying?” she whispered. “How long have I been here?”

“For two days.” He rubbed her hand against his cheek, chafing her skin. “You’re the first woman who has ever brought me to tears.”

“Not even Cosima?”

He shook his head. “No, she brought me jealousy and anger, but you tore apart my heart when I thought I’d lost you. I couldn’t live without you.”

Hera couldn’t grapple what he was saying and thought maybe she was dreaming, but in the dream, she hadn’t been in any agony.

“What’s wrong with me?”

“You went into convulsions, then you lost a lot of blood. Tryker says the light that burst from your body burned you on the inside. He’s done all he can do to heal you.”

That didn’t sound good. Great balls of fire, she could be dying. She didn’t want to die. She gasped for air, as if someone was strangling her.

Damon stroked her hair. “Breathe, Hera, breathe.”

She remembered–her wand and the spell book. She took a long deep breath. “Damon…my spell book…”

He frowned. “Are you sure? The last spell almost killed you.”

“Please…my wand–”

“Your wand? What’s a wand?”

“It’s a…magical stick. Woman in my dream…gave it to me.”

“The one who gave you the book?” Anger flashed in his eyes, but it softened as he stared into hers. He kneaded her hand. “You’re so cold.”

His concern warmed her heart.

“Damon…”

Her voice was becoming smaller, as if her energy was being drained like a dying balloon.

“Damn it. If you insist–”

She nodded. He slowly released her hand, as if he were afraid to let it go, then hurried out of the sickbay.

She had no idea if there was a spell, but logic said for every spell there had to be an antidote. What good was magic if it couldn’t heal the wounded or the dying? She closed her eyes, trying to recall all the spells, but she couldn’t recall healing the sick. That didn’t mean it wasn’t there.

“Hera?” Damon asked softly.

She startled. “You’re back so soon.”

“You said to hurry.” He laid the book and wand next to her.

She frowned. The head of the dolphin was carved on one end of her wand. She ran her fingers down the smoothness of it. Sparks of energy swept up her fingers, and she gasped.

“Are you all right?” Damon gently touched her shoulder. “Do you want me to get Tryker?”

“No. I just remembered why the dolphin is carved on one end of the wand. It’s due to animal symbology. The dolphin means transformation and love.”

“Is that why you had it carved into the wand?”

She shook her head. “I just remembered. My mother did. She named me after the Greek Goddess who was the goddess of marriage. Mom thought I would value the sanctimony of marriage.”

“Do you?”

She shrugged. “Maybe marriage isn’t a good idea.”

“Meaning you’ve never used your power to heal a broken relationship.”

“I don’t know. Maybe. I can’t remember, and my brain’s foggy.” She closed her eyes, trying not to fall back to asleep, but her eyelids were so heavy. “I won’t find out if I stay in this bed all day. I need to look at my spell book.” She glanced at Damon. “Could you raise my bed? It’s too hard to read a book lying flat. I need to concentrate.”

“As you command.” He pushed a button, and the bed slowly creaked, rising until it was perpendicular.

She gritted her teeth, not wanting him to know that the slight movement sent waves of anguish through her. She took a shaky breath, then muttered, “Thank you.”

She picked up her wand, and it vibrated, then molded to her hand like it belonged there. Taps of power pussyfooted up her arm, giving her renewed strength.

“Find the spell to cure my illness.” She touched the edge of the book. It flew open, and the crinkling pages flickered over and over by themselves, as if someone was moving them.

Suddenly, it stopped on a page with a picture of a large red rose. She blinked. It was a true love spell. How could love cure what she had?

“What is it?” Damon asked eagerly. “Will it heal you?”

Frustration seized her. “I don’t know…It’s an unconditional love spell. Only a true love’s kiss will heal me.”

If this was supposed to heal her, then she was doomed.

Damon’s eyes burned bright. “Meaning only true love can help you. We could–“

Before he could finish, she interrupted him. “Faking it won’t work, since the spell only works on true love. You might as well send me back to Earth, so I can die among my own people.”

“You’re so sure the spell won’t work?” he asked softly.

She rubbed the bridge between her eyes. “Damon, you’re in love with…the queen.” Her throat nearly closed up after saying those words. The spell said that both people had to be in love–not one. “Fiddle-dee-dee, I know it won’t.” She looked at him, holding back her dreaded tears. “Could you talk to Taog? I want to go home.”

She had nothing to go home to, but she couldn’t bear to be here and watch Damon moon over the queen, then use her as sloppy seconds.

Damon bent over. “Then a kiss won’t hurt, will it?”

His warm breath brushed over her face, cooling her hot flesh. She looked into his deep golden eyes and couldn’t deny him. He tilted his head and kissed her, making her forget everything but him. Something flared in her heart, swelling larger and larger until she thought it would burst.

Damon pressed his palm against her cheek. Tingles flowed through her swiftly, making her breathing easier, mending her sore bruises, and chasing away the throbbing.

She broke away. “What’s happening?”

He gave her a knowing smile. “I don’t know.”

“I’m feeling better.”

He clasped her hand and squeezed tightly. “Blazes! The medical board–your vitals are growing stronger!”

“Damon, I don’t understand. You’re in love with the queen.”

He laughed. “Didn’t you say the spell required both people to be in love?”

Chills whooshed through her like a mountain breeze. She searched his face, too afraid to voice the suspicion gnawing at her mind. “Great balls of fire, Damon. Don’t make me guess. What are you trying to tell me?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” He kissed her knuckles. “I’m in love with you, my little witch. And don’t try and deny it–you’re in love with me.”

His arrogance prickled her pride.

“I never said that.”

He captured her lips again. “You didn’t have to,” he murmured. “Your spell spoke the truth.”

“Damon, what the hell are you doing?” Tryker’s angry voice broke the tender moment.

Damon jerked up. “Take a look for yourself, Doctor. My little witch healed herself.”

Tryker raced over. “How? She was near death.” He picked up the transcoder and looked up at the medical board, as if to check his reading.

Hera briefly flashed him a smile, but she couldn’t take her gaze off Damon. He claimed he loved her. The spell said he was telling the truth, but what if the book only worked on humans? Damon was an alien.

Tryker put down the transcoder. “I’ll be damned. You’re right. Her vitals are returning to normal. I need to notify the captain.”

Hunger burned in Damon’s eyes. “In the meantime, Doctor, I’d like to take my mate to my quarters?”

Tryker gripped his arm. “Damon, she’s healing–not completely well.”

Damon stiffened. “I’d never do anything to harm my mate.”

“I’ll be okay, Tryker,” Hera said. “We need to talk.”

“Talk, Damon. That’s all.” Tryker gave Damon a hostile glare.

Damon scooped her up in his arms.

“My book and wand!”

“Here.” Tryker picked them up and handed them to her.

“Thank you.” She hugged them close to her chest as Damon carried her out of sickbay to his room.

“Damon?” Anonghos called.

Hera snuggled deeper into Damon’s embrace, not wanting to answer zillions of questions.

Anonghos hurried toward them. “What are you doing?”

“She’s fine.” Damon glanced over his shoulder. “Talk to Tryker.”

Within minutes, they were in Damon’s chambers. He gently set her down on the bed. She put both her shaking hands on his cheeks. “Did you mean what you said in sickbay?”

“Yes.”

“I need to hear it.”

He frowned. “You don’t believe me.”

“I want to, but for so long you’ve pined after the queen. I don’t want to be lied to.”

“It’s forbidden for mates to lie to each other. Even if that wasn’t so, I would never lie to you. You’re my mate.”

She lowered her hands. “Being your mate doesn’t hold the same meaning as–”

Her voice trailed off. She was too proud to say those three words.

He sighed and pulled away from her. Cold air iced over her where his warm body had been. She wrapped a blanket around her body, her heart sinking. He was still in love with the queen. The spell must only work on humans.

He walked over to the opposite wall, and a drawer magically opened. She gasped, still not used to all the hidden surprises in the Orion.

He stuck his hand inside and pulled a small red-velvet bag out. “I have been hiding this because I foolishly thought I was in love with the queen.” He knelt in front of her. “But I was wrong. When I thought I lost you, I went mad with grief. It was even more powerful than when I found Cosima hurt on Zalara.” He opened the bag then turned it upside down. A round, smooth pearl rolled into his palm.

She looked at it curiously. “Is that a pearl?”

“No,” he said. “The Fates gave it to me. It’s a claiming stone.”

She lifted her eyes. “You mean it’s for your mate.”

“You. You’re all I want Hera. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I’ve never known a woman like you. You’re unpredictable, and I want to take forever discovering your little surprises. I love you. I swear I do. Will you be my mate?”

She raised her eyebrow. “I thought I didn’t have a choice.”

“That was true, but I want you to be happy. I’ll pursue you across the galaxy to make you mine.”

“You would?”

“Yes.”

Hera was speechless listening to him, and her heart eagerly wanted to believe him, but her stubborn mind refused. It was her pride. “What happens if I touch that?”

“Then we’re bound forever. A bond that can’t be unbroken.”

She clenched her fists tight. “I want to. I swear I do.”

His hand shaking, he put it on the nightstand. “Don’t answer right away.”

She couldn’t say yes. She couldn’t say no. So, she took the coward’s way out. “Kiss me.”

“Are you sure? Tryker said you were too weak.”

“I need you,” she whispered.

He covered her mouth with his, and he moved his hands gently over her body, building a desire within her.

“I want to take a shower.”

“Of course, I’ll–”

“With you.”

Desire flamed in his golden eyes. He whisked her into his arms and dashed to the shower, as if he were afraid she’d change her mind.

He turned on the water, and droplets cascaded over her shaking body. But each time Damon planted kisses along her throat or moved his hand over her skin, surprisingly, she grew stronger, and the pain slowly subsided. She wrapped her arms around his thick neck and captured his mouth. He slipped his hand down to her soft curls and stroked her. She groaned with pleasure. The juncture warmed between her thighs, and she pressed her core against his hard cock.

“Take me.”

“Are you sure?”

She hooked her legs around his hips, impaling herself on his cock. “Yes!”

He didn’t hesitate, and with one thrust, pinned her against the wall. The water sprayed onto his back, splashing onto her. He took her longer and deeper each time he moved his hips. She matched his hard rhythm, needing him to be inside her, needing to feel alive.

“Harder!” She urged.

Damon picked up the pace and drove her passion into a frenzy. He was the only man that plunged her into madness, and she couldn’t let him ago. Her orgasm came fast and furious. She leaned her head against his chest, listening to his heart beat as frantically as hers. They both gasped for breath, not saying anything for several long minutes until the water soon ran cold.

She couldn’t keep it a secret any longer. She lifted her head and stared into his passionate gaze. “I love you.”

His answer was to take her one more time until she was totally spent. He dried her off first then wrapped her in a thick robe that smelled of him. She laid her head against his chest as he carried her to the bed, naked.

Tomorrow, she’d give him the answer and take the claiming stone.