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"You should get more rest. You need it."

It's like he can read my mind or my body.

Dramon fastens the ties of his hide pants, not even caring about a top. His dusty, well-worn boots are already on his feet. His arms already sinewy and veined, ready to take on the day.

He's more attractive than the gentle morning sun.

"I don't like to sleep in."

Sleeping in gives me too much time to think about what's broken. I prefer being on my feet and fixing whatever I can.

"I will train my men. Will you join me?"

I shake my head. I already know that I would slow them down.

"I will not take offense if you try to exert leadership."

I know he won't. Dramon is so purely masculine that he's immune to insecurity. I know because I used to be like that, too. Purely feminine in my own way.

"I will fish," I tell him.

I want to contribute to the Clan, but there's not much I can do with my leg.

Dramon stared for a second, but didn't argue. "I will see you tonight. I will prepare everything for Zoro's arrival."

He ducked out of the tent, and I followed minutes later. A few greetings and plenty of stares came my way. Some people were interested in my eyes, others in my cane.

I asked a boy about fishing rods, and he was more than eager to show me. The adults were more cautious around me.

"Are you looking for something?" An older man asked. I'm not surprised that he has more courage than the younger males, who didn't want to risk their friendliness getting confused as flirting by Dramon.

"Fishing equipment."

He helped me gather everything and offered to lead the way. I ignored the whispering couple nearby and gently rejected his offer. He probably had more important things to do.

Flying to the river would cut down travel time by half an hour, but I would rather walk. I still don't feel comfortable riding Dramon's beast. I'd rather ride Treysa.

A group of curious boys followed me. Walking through the mountains wasn't as awful as I expected it to be. The tall trees covered the sun, the morning-cool mist refreshed my skin, and the giggles of children entertained me.

Once at the river, I fished for a while. The children splashed by the shore, and I kept a close eye on them as I worked.

I was grateful for the tasks. It distracted me from what I left behind.

When my stomach started protesting, I gutted a fish and called the children over. They shyly accepted the offering and ate as they splashed.

I fished for about five hours before heading back. I made sure all kids arrived with me and then walked through busy crowds, clouds of smoke, clattering metal, beads, and leaves. Beasts flew overhead and people chatted loudly as they prepared for Zoro's visit.

I walked to the part of camp that was rich in the smell of spices, burning wood, and smoke. This is where the meals were cooked.

I held up my bucket of fish. "Who should I give these to?"

A man swept in. "Thank you. I will be sure to serve these tonight."

The thought of my effort being appreciated made me feel fuzzy. I smiled at him, maybe a little too brightly since he squirmed nervously.

I left to wash off the smell of fish, not caring to do much about my appearance. Would Dramon care that I wear no accessories?

I wash my old dress and set it out to dry, then peek outside when someone calls for me.

A man stands there with Treysa.

I thank him and spend some time cleaning her up.

"Fires, Treysa. Your talons are coated in rocks and dirt."

She made a soft purring sound. She must be hungry and tired after the long journey. I take her around the tent, and she begins to chew on the bark of a fallen tree.

"Venus."

I face Dramon, and realize that I've lost track of time.

"Be a good girl," I tell Treysa. "I'll be back tonight."

I run my hands over my dress. Dramon didn't seem to care about dressing up for Zoro, either. His hair is sweaty and wild atop his head, his shoulder dusty from a fall he must've taken, his pants wrinkled, and his sword dripping in green blood.

I don't mind the feral look.

He jerks his axe downward, and some blood flicks off. "Zoro has arrived. Are you ready?"

We walk together.A bonfire cooks in the middle of the camp, and a row of neatly piled furs have been set. In front of the seats are great plates and bowls steaming with food. The row of seats overlook a matted area, where performers would dance.

Zoro was already seated on the far left, and he stood to meet Dramon.

"Winds, Zoro."

"Winds, King." He turned to me. "Queen." His eyes flickered to my cane, as if he needed the re-assurance that I'm still dethroned.

He sat down on his pile of furs, a few feet away. Dramon plopped down in the center, stabbing his axe in the trunk of a tree where it was easily accessible. I sit near it, planning on grabbing it if Zoro pisses me off.

When I sit beside Dramon, eyes turn to me. I don't understand the attention. I reach for my hair to make sure its still bound, and realize that I pulled the tie off when I was washing Treysa. Is that why people stare?

"Our Queens sit on their husband's lap," Dramon explained.

Oh.

It's going to take me a while to get used to this marriage life. I've always been a free spirit. Now, Dramon's people expect us to be one.

Dramon looked away, not pressuring her into anything.

"Zoro, why are you so far in-land?"

"We are re-locating to the East. It was better to cut across instead of following the shore."

Dramon didn't ask anything else. He likes Zoro as much as I do, so he's not very interested in conversation.

I pick up a plate and I'm pleased to see my fish among the dishes.

Some performers stepped onto the mat. Men and women alike twisted their bodies to the sound of drums. Their dance is more tactical than sensual. Their warrior blood is undeniable.

I'm taken away by their art. They dance as Dramon, Zoro, and I watch in silence. My husband and I clearly weren't made out to be hosts.

The dancers fall away, and a single man steps onto the mat to do a solo. He steps off, and then a woman replaces him.

Dramon tenses. He freezes in the present, which makes me realize that he has a past with this woman.

She is beautiful. She wears a red tube top and skirt that is draped in the same pearls she wears around her neck. Her hair is loose around her shoulders, unlike most women's.

There's something sexual about her lingering stare, and an invitation in her smirk. There's a story written in the contours of Dramon's fisted hands and gritted jaw.

The dance begins, and my husband is still tense beside me.

The enchanting woman is a fish, a bird, a snake, a dragon braided into one. She's strong and swift, brazen and wild.

I will never be able to dance like that.

Pain roars in my chest, so I stand up to run away from my crippled state.

"Venus?" Dramon calls out.

"I'll just go check on Treysa. I'll be right back."

Not many people notice me when I stand. Why would they, when this woman is making love to the air with her hips?

The woman rips her top off. It's not very surprising. The people of Xelor don't sexualize breasts. They only cover them for protection. Only humans are shy abour bared breasts.

The beads on her neck dance between her perked nipples. She steps toward the platform, bends at the waist to leave her breasts swinging below, and blows a cloud of blue dust at Dramon's face.

Oh, fires no. I don't fucking think so.

My hair is free, so Dramon's people would assume I'm upset. Something tells me this woman isn't telling Dramon to please me. She wants him for herself.

I may no longer be a great warrior, but I'm not letting anyone disrespect me.

I walk to my husband and plop on his lap. His gaze drops to me. Everyone's attention is on me.

I am the dancer now.