There's a knowing smirk on the faces of the men when we return. I'm left wishing that their suspicion was true, but the only action I got today was an embrace.

We pack up and ride through the night to cover more land. There is no sign of intelligent life, only an abandoned town that fell after The Wipe. I'm starting to think this woman won't be found, no matter how hard we look.

We pass a few packs of wild animals. Although the men are trained and insist on clearing the path, I swing my blade for the distraction. Dramon hovers nearby, probably afraid I'll hurt myself.

"I won't fall," I tell him as I grip my cane tighter.

"I know."

"Then why are you standing so close to me?" I ask and look at where our arms touch.

"In case I fall and need a strong woman to catch me."

I laugh, and although I know he's speaking in metaphors, I reply, "and what makes you think I won't let you fall on your ass?"

Dramon leans close. "If I do, will you use your mouth to make me feel better? It's only fair after all I've done for you with mine."

He doesn't care to lower his voice for his men, so I retreat and walk as fast as my cane takes me. I don't know how I feel about his newfound playfulness. It makes me feel vulnerably feminine. I've never been like this, always having broken nails and laughing boastfully with my men. When I was young and living in The Colonies, I thought something was wrong with me. The women were treasured and cared for, but all I wanted to do was ask questions and become as tough as the walls that surrounded me. I eventually became more spirited and muscled than the girls around me.

Dramon shadows that part of me whenever he hovers or breathes too closely. He makes me feel what I never thought I would be. Shy.

We rest for a couple of hours in the morning, having struggled through quicksand and a lot of blood. I'm sitting on a boulder when Dramon falls in front of me. With the men nearby, he takes my leg and bends it.

"Wait," I whisper and look behind him nervously. This is so embarrassing. We usually do the exercises when we are alone.

"They already think you are strong. Your knee does not change this. Can you lift it for me?"

I lift it slowly. I'm getting more confident every day.

"Good job. Do it faster."

I speed up, but my eyes are on him instead of my knee. He's too distracted with giving me instructions and encouraging words to notice.

We sleep on the ground because putting up tents would take too long. Dramon is snoring beside me, more tired than he cares to admit. His body is healing quickly and soon he'll be able to take off those bandages.

When he shifts, I realize that I've been staring at his chest for too long. I turn to look at Treysa's scales and find her looking at me with judging eyes.

By the end of that week, we come to accept that the trail ran cold long ago. We lost the woman. The only thing that came from this trip is physical and emotional exhaustion, and the Seer experimenting on me.

We turn around, and I feel beat up about going home empty-handed. I really wanted to find that woman because I know what it's like to be alone and lost on a strange land.

Dramon notices and ups his efforts to distract me with his teases. I don't know why it's so important to him to see me smile.

I think abut his offer to go to The Capital. Although I'm still hesitant, I decide to accept his in invitation simply to avoid the gossip if he went alone. People will still talk once they see me, but I don't want the same for Dramon. He's been dealing with enough.

What the Fates do I wear to this thing? Do I still want to ask Centres to honor my divorce? Are all the Kings going, including the one that replaced me?

"What are you thinking so hard about?"

I shrug and give a half-truthful answer. "What I will wear to this ceremony."

"So you will go?" he smiles at me like I hung the moon.

"Yes. I could use a distraction and these circus shows tend to relax me."

Actually, I'm going to spare you the ridicule.

"I will have a dress made for you," he promises. "A gift."

"Alright," I shrug. "Just make sure it is simple."

Knowing how jealous he gets, he'll probably prepare a sack for me.

"Venus."

I lift an eyebrow. "Yes?"

"It is a classical ceremony."

"What!"

Classical ceremonies are very, very sexual and typical for younger couples. There're drugs, nudity, and couple-exchanging. Dramon's kind love their sex. The higher in nobility, the more they love it. I've never been to one for this very reason. Humans are shyer.

"Are you going to wear..." I clear my throat. "Much?"

"And look like a bitch next to Rexon?" Dramon crosses his arms over his chest. "No. I have nothing to hide about my extremities."

That's a lot of words to say, 'I have a big dick.'

"Then you won't mind if I also—"

"Absolutely not. You will be covered," he interjects.

I roll my eyes. "Here we go. Why must I be covered, but you can swing your junk around?"

Although I wouldn't dream of showing my goods to the planet, I don't want Dramon to have more freedom.

"I am not interested in any eyes but yours, but I do not want to share you with the world."

I pat his arm and pick up a crate. "No, you possessive caveman. You'll wear a loincloth or something, and that is the end of this."

He scowls. "Rexon—"

"Stop comparing each others dick measurements."

"You will stop thinking about that bastard now," Dramon growls. His gaze is intense, jealousy stark in them.

"Oh, but Rexon is sooo dreamy."

I crack up when he doves for me and dodge twice. I trip in my blind laughter, and Dramon doesn't hesitate to punish me with devilish fingers that dive into my sides. I fight him amid laughter, while begging for him to stop.

His men watch me make a fool of myself.

"You will kiss me," he growls like a damn beast. "I will erase his name from your mouth."

"Alright!" I cave.

His fingers stop, and I breathe heavily to catch my breath. My sides hurt, and my lips feel torn.

Dramon looks at me expectantly. He wants me to kiss his bruised ego better, but I have better plans.

Reaching down, I cup the erection poking my belly and I lie through my teeth when I say "this definitely feels lighter than— no, wait no. Let's talk about this!"

He tickles me until I'm weak enough that he can rip his kiss from me.