It's hard to see much in the darkness. I fly low, but there are too many shadows and the moonlight doesn't help. I'm afraid that there won't be much I'll be able to do tonight.

I do my best to spot the snowy white skin of the Wenches. Their technical name is Tontrons, but they're nicknamed Wenches for their rotten body odor and shabby appearance. Humans have their own set of unkind nicknames. We're both considered invasive species on Xelor. Our reputation is part of the reason why I became so hellbent on making my mark on this planet. It's why I'm flying in search of this woman, although my knee complains.

I've been flying for twenty minutes with Treysa following when I notice movement below. There's a metallic twinkle, like a fallen star. I realize too late that it's the head of an arrow. Someone is trying to shoot me down.

I dig my heels to turn, and Dramon's beast dips dramatically. One of its wings scrapes a canyon wall, and it loses control of flight. It wasn't made to fly at such low altitudes and in narrow spaces. I know little about how to maneuver this animal, so all I can do is let it run on instinct. Thankfully, it digs its talons into rock and I cling on tight as it runs to the leveled ground.

When we thud on the ground, I bend forward to make myself a smaller target and I raise my daggers. Treysa is right beside me, teeth bared and body ready for battle.

"I thought you were Dramon," a male says from many yards away. He sounds annoyed that I'm not Dramon. Although I can't see much of his face, I can tell that he's Dramon's race.

"You should be more worried about me than him," I yell back. "Identify yourself, coward."

Who the Fires shoots at a Rider King? Does this male have a death wish?

He stays silent, so I press, "Why did you attack me?"

He rudely turns and walks away mid-conversation. I'm outraged. If the jerk made an attempt against my life, then he should at least tell me why.

I throw a dagger as a warning, and I'm shocked when he stays still to take the hit. I hear the squelching of flesh when he pulls it out of his body, and I'm rendered speechless.

"Interesting. I've never been struck by a human before."

The man is insane.

He steps closer, but I still can't see much other than his strong build. That's not much of a hint. Most men from his race are built like the mountains of rock that surround me.

"How do you know Dramon? And why did you try to kill him?" I insist.

He throws a bloody dagger at my feet. "He stole from me. He took sweet bread."

I blink once, twice. "Wh— bread? You were going to shoot him down for bread?"

If Dramon really stole food, it must have happened ages ago. He is now an adult male with plenty of wealth and muscle to hunt his own food.

The stranger shrugged. "It was good quality bread."

"Wait," I call out when he turned around. "Before you leave, can you tell me if have you seen another human around here? If you tell me, I'll bring you plenty of—"

"She's mine," he snarls. This is the first time I hear his temper. Through the whole conversation, he's been cool; almost bored with me.

"What?"

"I'm hunting that plump little thief."

Plump little thief? I can understand the 'little' title. Humans tend to be one or two heads shorter than his race. 'Plump,' though? What an odd way to describe a woman.

Then there's this whole 'thief' situation.

"What, did she steal your cookies? Forget about it. I will pay or replace whatever she took."

As if he's disinterested in me, he walks deeper into the darkness. I realize that this woman is in danger from not only the Wenches, but this delusional male. I need to find her as soon as possible and return her to the Colonies. In this darkness, though, I won't achieve anything. I need more eyes out here, and more sunlight.

"Let's do a final scan," I tell the two beasts. "We'll return in the morning."

I fly back to Rexon's camp and find Dramon by the pond, pacing and talking with one of his men.

"You shouldn't have left by yourself," he scolds me when I land. "I was about to send all my men after you."

"Dramon," I interject and slide off his beast. "Have you ever stolen sweet bread?"

"I do not understand."

I figured that he wouldn't. He hasn't had to steal anything in a decade.

"I came across a male. I'm guessing he's young because I didn't get a good look at him. He was alone, odd speech patterns, reckless, vengeful, and... has a sweet tooth. He attacked me because he thought—"

"What?" Dramon steps toe-to-toe to me, and his bruising and bleeding look even worse. His hands cup my shoulders. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." I thoughtlessly palm his chest to keep some distance, only to drop them when I see the clenching of his jaw.

"I do not know who you speak of. I've met thousands of men in my lifetime."

I nod and step away from his hold. "I figured you wouldn't."

"I will speak to my Clan," he raises his chin. "I will keep my word and abandon my title."

"Waters, Dramon," I sigh. "I'm not taking you from your Clan. It was just a test."

One with results that I wasn't ready for.

"Help me find the girl first. That matters more than our egos. We will figure out what comes next when she is safe."

"I will find her," he replied with a voice so raspy that my thighs clench. How is it that he sounds so much like the time he was last between them?

"You need to rest and heal and—"

"There will be no rest for me," he interjects with finality. "We will fly out at first light with ten of my men."

"I'll talk to Rexon. He may be able to dispatch some of his Clanmembers for the search."

"He is busy securing his border. Forget about him. I can provide everything you need." He reaches for my hand, but I pull away before we touch.

"First light," I repeat. "I'll ride Treysa."

There's no way I'll ride between his thighs. It would be too distracting, too invasive.

"Venus," he calls for me when I walk away.

"Yes?"

"Thank you."

I shake my head. "I'm not yours again, Dramon. You haven't earned me." I leave him with that.