Dramon leaves to get my cane. Now that I'm alone, I do my best to clean up. My knee doesn't hurt bad enough to need medicine. This surprises me since the ride had been pretty rough.

I squirm when I think of today "rides." First I rode Dramon, and then his flying beast.

I struggle to stand without my cane and glare at my destroyed knee. I hate this. I hate this part of me. It has only been a few months, but it feels like I've been trapped for a lifetime.

Dramon returns with my cane, and I take it with a 'thank you' that I don't mean.

"There are things I must tend to. I will let you rest."

I nod. "See you tonight, then."

"You are free to use what you want."

"Thank you." This time, I mean it.

He glances at the blankets that are sticky from the evidence of our consummation, and then he leaves.

I sigh and sink back into his bedroll.

What am I going to do here? A Rider Queen that can't ride? The only thing I can do is lie on my back and let Dramon pump babies into me. I can't join him in battle, training, hunting, or building.

What in Xelor did King Centres see in me, a woman with clipped wings? Leading had been my calling once upon a time, but although I still have the spirit, I don't have the body.

I look at the lingering bits of blue dust on the floor. I've never heard of this sexual stimulant. Would Dramon be alright? What if his urges get too distracting? Would he come to me for help?

I shake my head clear. If I keep thinking about sex with Dramon, then I'll have to wipe between my thighs again.

I look around for a strip to bind my hair. I don't want to tie it, but I don't want the poor Rider King to be painted in blue dust all day, either.

I take the strip from a bag and tie it. The hairstyle feels strange, but I guess I'll have to get used to it.

What other customs did Dramon's Clan have? As a human who has only lived among one Clan, I'm not familiar with the rest. I'll have to ask Dramon to give me a run-through. The last thing I'd want is to insult his people.

I sit in boredom for some time, until a friendly, older woman brings me a plate of food. I thank her and eat the delicious meat. It's more tender than what I'm used to. I wonder what animal it is.

The animals I hunt are always on low ground. I've heard there are stranger creatures out there. Rider King Zoro and his Clan settle around open water, where enormous fish are rumored to swim. I've never been to an ocean or the volcanic lands of Rider King Rexon, and I rarely traveled through Dramon's mountains.

After a few more minutes, I peek outside. It's still daytime, and I'm desperate for a shower.

"Queen?" The older woman from earlier appears.

"You can call me Venus," I smile at her. "Could you show me where the nearest lake or river is?"

"Lake?" She tips her head, and the decorative ornaments and thin bones in her blue, braided hair flicker.

"A lake for what?"

"To shower."

"Oh, no, my Queen. We do not do that here. Our beasts do not like large bodies of water since they do not fly too well with wet feathers."

Hmm, that seems to be another Clan difference. The beasts of my Clan love cooling off their scaly, rough skin. We always settled around a body of water for access.

"I will have some men bring you water. Would this please you?"

"Thank you..."

"Jema," she completed.

"Thank you, Jema."

She left, and I didn't have to wait much for the water and soap to arrive. I rinsed myself off quickly and then washed the blankets. I've never been a fan of dresses, so I search for a pair of pants. I snort when I pick out a pair that belongs to Dramon. They're so large that they would better serve me as a blanket.

I settle with tying together a shift dress that covers my scarred knee. By the time I'm done, it's dark outside.

The sound of someone entering the tent startles me, because I'm used to living alone.

Dramon is back, and he looks irritated. Is he upset about the wet ground? Or that I made a dress?

He ran a hand through his short hair and grumbled, "My riders spotted Zoro nearby."

I raise an eyebrow. "What is he doing so far from the islands? He never comes so far in-land."

"I don't know."

Now I understand why Dramon is upset. He's going to have to welcome Zoro with a feast. This is expected when Clans cross each other.

I would be upset, too. Zoro is an asshole.

"We will leave the day after tomorrow." He sheathes his battleaxe and sits on his bedroll.

His heavy boots thud on the floor, and the tent feels tight and suffocating. Just like my sex did around his–

I drop my gaze to my hands and let the awkward silence do the speaking for me.

Cloth shifts as Dramon strips down to a state of undress that I don't dare to check.

He must have washed off the blue dust, and I wonder if the effects are starting to hit him.

I hear the sharp sling of a blade as he sharpens his axe, and I use that distraction to lie on the bedroll. Hopefully, by the time he's done, I'm asleep.

I close my eyes and stay on the far side of the bed. Dramon doesn't say anything, so we lie there as husband and wife by title but strangers by reality.

We don't touch throughout the night. I know this because I don't sleep deeply. I never do. It's one of the trade-offs of being a warrior. When Dramon rises at first light, I get up with him.

There is an uncomfortable soreness between my legs. I should ask for an ointment, but I'm too embarrassed about it. I've never had this dilemma. No male had ever fucked me so thoroughly.

I guess I'll just have to ignore it.