In my escape, I manage to steal one of the news tablets from the merchants. According to the header, Dramon's wedding is in six days.

As soon as the news registers, my chest constricts. I can't breathe, and it has nothing to do with the sack I use to hide my figure.

The news of the wedding is suffocating me.

How much time has passed since I vanished? It couldn't have been that long because I was gone for seconds. How is it that he recovered from losing me so fast? Did I really mean that little?

Dramon chased me to the ends of Xelor and was literally inside of me when I was taken. I don't get how his determination could have dried out so fast.

I stumble through the desert and collapse on the sand. My legs stopped moving, but my mind keeps running. Why did he move on? Maybe this female is prettier than me. Maybe she's smarter. Maybe both of her legs work.

Did he even search for me? Did the search stop when this woman walked— not stumbled, into his life?

No. Stop bringing yourself down for him.

A raging part of me wants revenge. If he moved on so fast, then maybe I should move on with another male overnight. Maybe Rexon would be more excited to see me than Dramon would.

I hate that I have no will to bring this plot to life. At least not anymore. I let Dramon sneak on me and started to feel something for him. I was a fool for not listening to my instincts. That first time I ran, I should have not looked back.

I squeeze my eyes shut as if sand got in them. I won't cry over this.

With a shaky breath, I force myself to stand. My instincts tell me that I'm out in the open, where the enemy can spot me. Currently, every man on the planet is the enemy. I need to get this situation under control.

I retrace my steps until finally find the shack where I left the girl. The spot looks undisturbed, so she hasn't been visited.

"It's me," I call out, so she doesn't panic.

"What happened?" she asks. "How is The Capital? Did you find the other girl?"

I open the shack and throw off my covering. I'm in a desperate need of a shower. The filth from the pools doesn't burn anymore, but it's starting to stink, and the filth from the sack sticks to my body.

I pass Beysha the tablet. "There's a big wedding," I explain. "That other girl? They found her."

I shudder when I remember all the other women that were left behind. The screams will keep me up at night for the rest of life. There is so much that I have to process— the bloodbath, the evil creatures, and Dramon's new fiance. I feel like my skull is about to crack.

"King Dramon is to wed the only female that has been found," Beysha reads.

But why Dramon? Why does he get to marry her instead of some high and mighty noble that's desperate to continue his family line? Dramon is one of the strongest males on Xelor, but I'm sure men were fighting left and right for the honor to marry the last woman. That war would have taken years to settle. Exactly how long have I been gone for?

I scan the tablet once more. According to the publication, I've been gone for two years and two months.

How? Only minutes have passed for me.

"Our distinguished King will be marrying Lady Life at his palace..." Beysha continues reading.

His palace? Distinguished King?

"Why are they writing as if Dramon owns the damn planet?" I ask.

He technically does, along with the three other Rider Kings. Centres' title is a formality, because the true strengths were the riders.

"It looks like he does," Beysha frowns. "He's the new king. That is odd. I didn't know King Centres had any male heirs."

"He doesn't," I reply. "Something is terribly wrong."

"Everything is terribly wrong! The women," she hugs her arms. "They're all dead. We will be too, if we don't find your husband. How did it go? Did you speak with Centres?"

I push the tablet forward. "Here."

"What?"

"There he is. My husband." I hate the lump that forms in my throat.

Beysha looks down, and then at my sour expression. "Dramon? You're married to King Dramon?"

"I was," I spit. "He can keep his... what, Lady Life? Is that what they called her?"

Beysha rubs her head. "I don't understand."

"We were gone for minutes in whatever world we were taken to. Meanwhile, two years passed on Xelor because time processed differently. I guess my dear husband couldn't wait to get his itch scratched and moved on fast."

I'm so bitter it's pitiful.

"No, that seems too simple," Beysha argues. "Something more complicated could have happened that made him marry this girl. You should speak to him. Get explanations."

"I know I have to," I grit. "And I can't wait to rip that bastard apart, but first, we have to get clean and get some food. I'll sneak back into The Capital and get somethings for us. Stay put here. If anyone approaches, defend yourself with this." I hand her the board I had been using as a cane, and pull a new one.

"Maybe I should go into The Capital," Beysha suggests. It's brave of her, but I know she's not mentally prepared.

"Do you know how to fight?"

"Um... no."

I figured. She doesn't have the figure of a fighter. I'll have to teach her some self-defense when we're stable.

"Don't worry. I'll take care of it."

With a deep breath, I tie my hair tighter, cover myself, and stumble through the sand. At least it's getting darker. I'll be able to hide easier in the night.

No one gives me another glance as I walk around. There are plenty of merchants here, but the best target is an old man by the wall.

I feel guilty as I approach, but I know this is necessary.

I look at the products as if I'm about to buy, and I pick up a fruit. When the merchant gets distracted by a customer, I steal two round fruits.

This should do for at least a day. Now, I need water.

I'm about to continue my theft when I hear a growing chatter behind me. The people are calling a single title.

"Your honor!"

I look up and drop a fruit when I see him flying over us. Dramon is straddling his beast with a female sitting in front of him. He scans the crowd, looking bored. The female— Lady Life, as they call her, is much happier with the attention. She waves frantically, and even blows a kiss.

I swear Dramon's eyes sweep over my figure.

He doesn't recognize me, and I watch him fly away as his fiance enthusiastically waves as if she's already the queen.

The tour is up, princess.

I can't wait until I get those two alone. I have a lot of words to share.

With a final glance at Dramon, I turn back to the cart and continue my theft. Once Beysha and I are clean, fed, and sheltered, I'll have to sneak into the palace and chat with my ex-husband.