I opened my eyes, blinking in the bright, warm sunlight that streamed into our open chamber. Beside me, Pavar sprawled out, heavily asleep, and I took in his naked beauty.

No more sneaking around. Pavar had announced to his brothers and the royal council that we had chosen one another and that was that. He was hardly the only Dragselian prince to take a human mate, and though it was an adjustment, it was better than if I had been an Infernian, at least. Perhaps a low standard, but my life felt too full to bother with others’ opinions of me.

Choosing to stay with Pavar meant certain things about my life would change. I had loved my job before, and I wanted to find a way to do the things I enjoyed and still be with him.

My personal career ambitions suddenly felt less purposeful than what I could participate in with Pavar. Actively participating in introducing democracy to a kingdom and healing interplanetary strife felt far more meaningful than earning the approval of the uppercrust snoots at Intergalactica. Laniope and Nurin had returned to Vaxivia and offered to take the story with them and publish in my absence, but I couldn’t bring myself to write it. I had lost my objectivity, and that was fine with me because I had gained so much more.

I still felt the news was a critical and important service, but there wasn’t a ready place for me in the Dragselian media and I didn’t want to abuse my position as the mate of a Prince, nor did I feel like I had earned my place there.

Instead, Pavar and I began an Intelligence unit independent of the military. I was not entirely unfamiliar with fame, but the suddenness of being a visible member of the Royal household was rather odd, and I couldn’t move with the anonymity I had once held, and Pavar was certainly not able to do so either.

With Tasha’s enthusiastic help, we developed other covert methods of gathering information for the protection of the planet.

Having Tasha, Jennifer, and Andie there made a world of difference. Though I was the last to join the group, they quickly took me in, and we all leaned upon one another as we adapted to the status of our now very public relationships.

Having previously worked in society gossip, I shared my insights with them, though I wasn’t entirely sure if Dragselians cared about the same gossip that Vaxivians did. I offered the most advice to Andie, who, having previously worked in the militia and lived in a rural area, was entirely unused to such attention or the fact that she could no longer just zip around Dragselia, pulsor on her hip, with no other concern or protections in place for her safety.

Though Zaruv had introduced a paradigm shift, and through public information and education initiatives, the public warmed to the idea of Infernian rehabilitation, there was still a level of animosity toward all the facets of change that Zaruv’s ascension had led to.

Covert extremist groups had formed in a few of the more rural colonies and areas of the kingdom, and of course, we knew there were also still Infernians who would wish harm upon all of Dragselia.

There were many fronts to monitor, and I loved the fact that my snooping was now in service of something greater than my own promotion.

Pavar stirred beside me, and as he woke, I couldn’t help but luxuriate in the reality I now found myself living.

Just then, a quick, sharp knock sounded at the door, and Pavar groggily summoned them in after we both quickly donned our robes.

Urna, my maid and occasional informant, came in with an urgent message.

“They’ve arrived, Prince Pavar! They’re here, now. King Zaruv is readying to meet with them, but he desires yours and Lady Mercury’s presence.”

“Here? Already? I didn’t think we’d see any Infernian refugees for at least another week,” I said as Pavar and I looked at each other with surprise.

Pavar considered. “They must have left the moment they heard about the change in Dragselian policy.”

I turned to Urna. “What do they look like? Are they in humanoid form or their natural state?”

“Well, I didn’t get a good look, but it’s a group of about fifteen, several with young ones in tow. They were cloaked, but from what I could see, they were in their natural state.”

I turned to Pavar. “That’s a good sign. I’m not sure they’d be well received if they were actively taking Naga serum.”

“Indeed. I wasn’t expecting children either, though.”

“It will be good for Dragselians to see that not all Infernians lead lives of brutality and violence, that many Infernians are no different, but for their appearance, from Dragselia’s citizens.”

We dressed quickly and made our way to Zaruv’s council chambers, the both of us now members of his advisory council.

“Are you nervous, batr?” Pavar asked, noting Zaruv’s pacing.

“Surely, you would be if you were in my position. I know they have come for their own safety and in pursuit of peace, but still, I’ve seen the aggression they’re capable of. What if we’re wrong? What if this just makes it easier for them to infiltrate and destabilize?”

“Well, they’re still just people out there. Families, even, and we cannot, as a kingdom, make any higher claims to humanity or compassion if we turn our backs on those in need,” Pavar said calmly.

I agreed. “They came here in good faith, and they’re likely risking much by taking this chance. That indicates to me that life on Infernis is not good for the ordinary Infernian that they would take such a chance.”

“You’re both right. Thank you,” Zaruv said, breathing fully and looking more collected.

The Infernians were sickly looking, and I wasn’t sure if that was part of their natural form or a sign of the poor living conditions they had endured. The children were wide-eyed and innocent, if slightly discomfiting to behold.

I found myself moved by the faith and desperation of the families. They could easily have died, and I couldn’t imagine risking so much.

Zaruv had established housing units throughout the city of Vahakun as well as in rural areas to assist with the refugee needs. Because they were our first group, they would stay close by the palace grounds for observation, though they didn’t realize it, and because the gene therapy hadn’t yet produced mass results.

Baby Molkarun had been born and revealed to possess some of the partial traits of an Infernian. It became clear that the painful fits during Brinae’s pregnancy had been due to two large, curling horns and the presence of hooked claws.

Brinae had struggled at first to behold the sight of her baby, who otherwise appeared normal, his skin the same shimmering gold as Mulkaro, further confusing his paternity. Once he was born, there was no question. Brinae was fiercely protective of her son, not wanting him subjected to judgment or ridicule.

Shockingly, after his birth, upon realizing she was now mother to a healthy baby, she became very hesitant to allow him to undergo Ragal and Tasha’s therapy.

Eventually, with the persuasion of Pavar’s mother, she changed her mind and allowed the first Dragselian trial. We were all nervous, but in the end, the baby slowly began to lose his Infernian attributes to the joy and relief of everyone.

These refugee children looked almost as fearful as their parents, and my heart ached for them as I wondered what kinds of traumas or horrors they had already witnessed.

Over the coming weeks, we kept close check on the families and individuals. Several had begun therapy, which was a multi-stage process, but it was proving very effective. Dragselians were exceptionally curious about their rehabilitated ex-Infernian brethren, and Jennifer worked on creating a community outreach program that would assist with their integration.

At the end of a particularly long day, Pavar and I settled into our quarters together, the sun setting overhead as we watched the first group of refugee children in the courtyard practicing late into the night, with Ragal as an instructor, to shift into dragon form.

“It’s wonderful, isn’t it?” I said, turning to him. “I’m so happy to see these children get an opportunity to have a better life.”

He nodded, coming up behind me and putting his hands to my waist. “I never thought I’d see this day, but it feels like a good start toward healing the rift between our people.”

“You should know that atmospheric detectors picked up on two of the refugees, a young woman and man posing as a couple, returning back to Infernis. It is possible they were spies.”

He nodded. “Yes, I’ve heard. We will have to dedicate a significant amount of resources to monitoring such activity, but for now, we need to rebuild trust between our people. We must be both cautious and generous. Every situation will be unique.”

“You think they’re going back to affirm the validity of the invitation then?”

“Well, we’ll see if we get a deluge of Infernians seeking asylum. Either way, we’ll handle it, you and me. For now, I have something else I’d rather handle,” he said, his hand parting the closure of my robes and sliding across my skin.

“What’s that?” I gasped as he set my skin afire with his caresses.

“Always with the questions,” he murmured, drawing me into the curtains of the terrace and out of view and lowering his head to my breast.

I laughed, husky with pleasure. “You know you love me,” I teased.

Laying me against the plush cushions of our bed and slowly sliding home until we were connected on every level, he whispered to me, “Indeed, I do know.”

* * *