Julian stood at the back of the big room in the library, willing his mind to stay focused on the story. It was just some children’s book about a young elephant who didn’t feel that he fit in his own skin. It probably wasn’t all that poignant to most of the kids who sat and looked at the pictures as the old woman read it to them, though he knew it could be a good lesson for Kaylee. She had two different skins to learn to love, after all.

But his mind had been covered by a cloud all day, and as he thought about it, even last night. He hadn’t been able to get to sleep for several hours. Every time he closed his eyes, he could think of nothing but Charok and the numerous events that had happened there. None of the memories that came to mind were good ones. He was haunted by visions of Naomi, ill and dragging herself across the mountains, or the dead bodies of all his comrades as they lay in the red dirt. In the morning, after several cups of coffee, he’d thought he was finally ready to start his day. He’d chased the heavy feeling from his eyelids and he was determined to make sure Kaylee enjoyed their day together. But even something as simple as taking his daughter to story time at the library seemed difficult, and he felt restless as he waited for the book to be over.

“Which one is yours?” whispered a voice next to him.

“Hmm?” Julian turned to see a young woman smiling up at him. She had blonde hair that bounced around her shoulders and big brown eyes. She looked like she was dressed to go to the bar instead of the library. “Oh, the one in the front with the pink shirt.” He pointed at Kaylee, where she sat raptly watching the storyteller.

“She’s an absolute doll!” The woman had deep dimples when she smiled. “Mine is over there in the purple. Maybe we should get them together to play sometime, and you and I can have coffee.”

There was nothing wrong with her suggestion. After his discussion with Holden, he had started to think that perhaps his friend was right. Just because he had known Naomi back on Charok didn’t mean that he couldn’t find someone to be with here. But thinking it was a possibility was an entirely different thing than acting on it. This woman next to him was attractive, and it was clear that she knew what life with kids was like. She might be a perfectly good candidate for any other guy, but the idea made his skin itch so badly, he wanted to scratch it off. “Um, I’ve got a lot going on right now. I don’t think I’ll have the time.”

She pouted, shrugged, and turned her attention back to the story.

Julian tried to do the same, but his mind wouldn’t shut off. He could see Naomi on the inside of his eyelids every time he blinked, and his entire body seemed to vibrate with the need to find her. She was gone. She was dead. No matter how hard her looked, he would never see her again. But his blood was boiling in his veins as though she were right in the next room, waiting for him to come to her.

Unable to stand it any longer, he carefully picked his way through the crowd of children on the floor and scooped Kaylee into his arms.

“Story!” she wailed.

“Sshh. Let’s not ruin it for everyone else.” Julian trotted out of the library as quickly as possible, avoiding the curious stares of the other parents. He’d already made a scene, and it was only going to get worse. Kaylee loved story time. He tried to explain as he trotted across the damp parking lot and opened the car door. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I really am. But I’ve got an emergency.”

She looked up at him with damp eyes as he buckled her in. “Story?” One large tear clung to her eyelashes.

It broke his heart, but he knew as a father that there were going to be many more of those tears in the future. He got behind the wheel. “I’m sorry. We’ll come again next week, and maybe we can check out the book the librarian was reading. I know you don’t understand right now, but if everything works out, then you will someday.”

Julian fired up the engine and dialed Holden before he was even out of the lot. “Are you available to watch Kaylee today?” he asked without preamble.

“Sure,” the deep voice replied. “But are you okay? You sound like you’re upset.”

Julian tightened his jaw, knowing there was no good way to explain. “Yeah, I’m okay. Essentially. I’ve just got something I’ve got to take care of.”

“Sounds to me like you’ve got a woman. I don’t think I’ve heard that much urgency in your voice since we arrived on Earth,” he laughed.

Grateful that he had Holden on his headset so Kaylee couldn’t hear, Julian was tempted to argue. Naomi wasn’t just a woman. She was far more than that. She was also dead. But he could practically hear her calling to him, sending her need for him out through the universe. He didn’t know what he would need to do to find her, but he would do whatever it took. “Something like that.”

“Well, bring the kiddo on over and take your time. Leah was out late last night, so Finn and I were just going to do some baking while she slept.”

Kaylee’s tears dried as soon as she realized she was going to get to play with her cousin. Julian dropped her off as quickly as he could, ready to focus on these strange urges that were taking over his body and figure out just what the hell he was going to do about them.

But Holden stopped him on the front steps. “Julian, whatever is going on, just know that we’ve all been through it.”

Julian knew what he meant. There was a certain rage that took over a male dragon when he found his mate, and it made life very difficult for a little while. “I know. I’m not sure if this is that or something else. I’ll keep you posted. And thanks.” He took off, knowing his daughter was in good hands.

Back behind the wheel of his car, Julian started driving. He didn’t really know where he was going, and he paid no attention to speed limits. Allowing his body to take over and trying not to think about it too much, he wound his way back into town and down side streets. He was getting closer, and when his bones shook against one another, he stomped the brake. Julian looked up.

He had seen this house before. Hell, he’d even been inside it for a New Year’s Eve party. It was Autumn’s house, but her car wasn’t in the driveway as he pulled up. “This is weird,” Julian muttered to himself. He knew Autumn because of Beau, and he had borrowed a few books from her, but he couldn’t say that they had been particularly close. He got out and looked up at the front of the place, wondering what the hell was going on. There was no good reason for him to be at her house. And he knew there was really no good reason for what he was about to do. But he tucked his shoulder and prepared to break down the front door.