Pushing Olivia gently behind me as I turn towards the dome, I'm ready.

The ancient airlock opens and two Zmaj come out. The one in the lead is aggressive, his anger showing in the color of his scales. He moves forward, a storm of emotion. His balled fists, tight jaw, stiff tail all give away his feelings.

He's close to losing control to the bijass. If he does, this will go bad quickly.

Visidion steps out of the crowd, his second, Drosdan, right behind.

"I didn't ask you here," the new Zmaj says, coming to a stop before the Commander.

"No," Visidion agrees. "You did not."

"Why do you camp here? You are not welcome!"

"We come in peace. Together we are stronger," the Commander answers, remaining calm.

The anger pulsing off of the new Zmaj calls to my bijass. That primal part of me surges in response to his threatening posture and words. Crying out to establish dominance.

"One, I am myself. Two, together we are stronger. Three, survival of the group matters," the Commander says, leaning on his staff as he recites the Edicts.

Drosdan hisses in agreement, or he's just being a general ass, I'm not sure. Drosdan leans towards the latter, depending on his size and strength to carry him through.

"What are you talking about?" the new Zmaj demands.

"As I've said, Ladon, we should talk. Violence is unnecessary here," the second Zmaj says, holding his hands out palms up.

"They came to my city," the one called Ladon snaps over his shoulder. "Uninvited!"

"I wasn't invited when I arrived either," the second says. "Yet you welcomed me. We have space, let us work this out."

"My space," Ladon snaps. "Shut up Sverre. This is no time for your diplomacy."

"Rosalind asked that I be here," Sverre says.

"This is not her city either!" Ladon retorts.

"Ladon," the Commander says. "We intend no threat to your domain."

"Yet you are here," Ladon says, leaning into his words..

"Yes, we are," the Commander nods.

"You're not welcome, I do not want you here," Ladon says.

Drosdan hisses and steps up beside the Commander. Ladon shifts his focus to the big Zmaj.

As if watching it happen in slow motion, I can see where this will end.

"Your size doesn't intimidate me," Ladon hisses, his scales flushing with a red tint.

"Let's see," Drosdan answers, his massive fists coming up.

"Drosdan, stop," I interject. "Edicts, together we are stronger."

Drosdan glares before nodding and lowering his hands. It's obvious he's struggling with his own bijass. Ladon shifts his glare from Drosdan back to the Commander.

Olivia rests her hand on my back, just below my wings. Glancing over my shoulder at her, she smiles reassuringly.

She is all that matters. I have to make this work for her.

"We have much to discuss," the Commander says.

"There is nothing to discuss, I don't want you here," Ladon repeats.

"Ladon," Sverre cautions.

The door to the city whooshes and everyone turns to look.

Two women are in the airlock about to walk out, unexpected enough, but what they carry in their arms changes everything.

Olivia gasps, stepping next to me.

Blinking I look again, then again.

Babies.

They're carrying babies.

With wings.

And Scales.

The babies have wings and scales yet they aren't fully Zmaj.

They're carried by two human females.

One baby is larger, the female carrying it has a long mane that comes past her shoulders, pale skin, and full red lips. The baby on her hip is several months old. It has to be. It's been so long since I've seen a child that I can't really tell.

The baby smiles, laughing, tiny, membranous wings spread then close. A tiny tail shifts back and forth excitedly. Its small, perfect little hands grip the blouse of the female tight. It has dark hair and its scales are a light yellow-tan color.

"Papa," the baby says.

The other baby is every bit as miraculous. The female carrying it is shorter in stature, with golden skin and her eyes have an interesting tilt. Different from the other human females. Her child is smaller, obviously not as old yet. Its hair is sparser and its scales have a darker tint with a stronger blue cast.

Ladon turns when the first baby speaks and everything changes.

Olivia says something in a soft exhale. I may not understand her words but I share the sentiment, as does everyone here.

"Those are…" I say.

Ladon turns to look at me, frowning, anger flashing in his eyes.

"What?" he asks, moving his body to block the view of the child.

Shaking my head, I struggle to find words that won't come out wrong.

"Yours?" I ask, giving up on finding better words.

"Yes," Ladon answers, leaning aggressively.

"That means…" Turning, I look at Olivia and a new, brighter future than I ever dared hope for shines. I hadn't considered the possibility that maybe we could…

Olivia, her hand on my shoulder, gasps as the woman with the larger baby says something in their human tongue. One drop of the moisture rolls down my treasure's cheek and I wipe it away.

She throws her arms around me and I take her in my embrace.

A future.

"So what are you boys all doing out here in the heat?" the female with the older baby asks in perfect Zmaj.

She stands next to Ladon, and it's more than obvious that they belong to one another. No Zmaj could miss the connection, the claim he has on her.

"We are discussing the terms of our entrance to your fair city," the Commander says, diplomatic as ever.

"And all these girls are just out here melting while they wait?" the other female asks, also in perfect Zmaj.

The Commander says nothing. Ladon looks away.

"Ladon, honey," the first female says.

"No," Ladon replies, not meeting her eyes.

She moves over to him, placing a hand on his chest. The baby on her hips holds its arms up towards him.

"Papa," the baby says, its voice high and almost squeaking.

Ladon takes the child, lifting it up, then kisses it on each cheek before holding it close to his chest.

"Ladon," the female says again. "Let us bring the women inside."

She puts a hand on his chest next to the baby. They look into each other's eyes.

"We do not have enough epis for them," he says, making a sweeping motion with his arm.

"We'll be fine," she assures him.

"Our supplies are low," he says.

"They brought their own," she answers.

He frowns and it's obvious he wants to argue more, but it's also just as obvious that she will win.

"Fine," he says at last. "The females only."

She rises on her toes and kisses him. Deep and passionate. When they part, she takes the baby.

"Come to mommy, Illadon," she says.

The baby coos and laughs, switching from his father to his mother.

Everyone is watching. No one dares speak.

Lana walks over and speaks with the two women holding the babies. The three of them embrace each other and it's obvious they are all friends. Olivia slides an arm around my waist and I rest mine across her shoulders.

Our two species can have babies.

Astarot and I lock eyes across the heads of the females. He smiles. He knew this was possible. He nods as if understanding what I'm thinking.

The females huddle together and talk. When they're finished the one talking with Ladon whistles, getting everyone's attention.

"All right boys," she says. "You will all stay out here and work our your differences. Meanwhile, the women are all coming inside with us."

Cold shock hits me. No.

Instinctively I tighten my grip around Olivia. She places a hand on my chest and I look down, feeling selfish at seeing her terrible condition. The heat is too much for her, she needs the better air inside the city. She needs epis.

She says something. Her fingers trail a hot line across my cheek, down across my neck.

I close my eyes, bracing myself for what I know I must do.

I let her go.

The hardest single thing I've ever done in my life.

She lingers against me then steps away, staring over her shoulder as she walks over to the women with the babies.

More females come out of the camp until they are all huddled together. As a group they're led to the airlock and through. Olivia is among the last, then they are all inside the dome.

Inside the city. Blocked off from me.

As the group heads into the city, she looks over her shoulder until we can't see each other any longer.

It feels as if a part of me is walking away, leaving an empty void where she should be.