I arrive in my tent, still unwashed, and stare at the furs with apprehension.

"Seer, if you are hearing me, I want you to know that I learned my lesson. There is no need to make me go through that horrible heat again."

I lie down on the furs and kick my shoes off. "He does not only want my body. I get it now."

What I don't understand, however, is where this takes us.

I fall asleep alone. There's no fire that night.

A whisper wakes me up. "My Queen," someone calls for me. I realize it's the female.

I rise and rub my eyes. "Huh? Yes?"

"Our King has asked if you would like to join him this morning for training."

My shoulders stiffen. I don't know why Dramon keeps welcoming me to his training sessions with his men. I turn him down every time, fearing that I would slow him down.

"I cannot. Please let him know."

I don't need further embarrassment.

She nods and disappears, and I'm left feeling of sad. Not much later, I hear a set of heavy footsteps coming my way. I know it's Dramon without turning around.

I'm still wary of keeping eye contact with him, but I've already avoided him for a day. Since Treysa rejected my request to trample me, I'll have to get used to being around this male that I horrifyingly assaulted.

"You said no again."

I nod and grip my cane tighter. "Yes. I will help the camp some other way. I can't join you in training."

"I never asked you why. Why do you say no every time?" he stepped in and touched one of the unpatched holes on my tent.

"You know why." I lower my head.

"I truly do not."

"Because I would slow you all down," I blurt.

Dramon lowers his hand. "Slow us down? Is that what you have been thinking this entire time?"

I nod. "My leg..."

"You know better," he interjects. "You swing on top of Treysa, you fight, and jump into brawls all the time. Give yourself more credit, because we both know that you are not helpless."

He leaves with that, and I'm left with the realization that he is right. I've been critiquing myself harshly and making my injury worse than it is. Weeks ago, I wasn't able to ride Treysa and had to use carriages. Now, I can climb her with little to no trouble. When did that transition happen?

Maybe... maybe I'm not bound to this cane forever.

Instead of working that morning, I discreetly watch Dramon train his men.

When I'm spotted by one of his men, I go to eat breakfast and finish packing. A few hours later, we're ready to get back on the road.

I go to check on Treysa and am surprised to find Dramon beside her. He's changed into a new set of clothes. His pants are grey, and his sleeveless vest is black. His arm ring glints under the sun as he points at Treysa.

I frown. Is he bullying my beast?

I come a little closer and strain my hearing.

"I know you are not the biggest fan of me, but I am still your superior," Dramon says.

Treysa scoffs and flickers her tail.

"Stubborn just like your owner," Dramon accused. "Fine, let us negotiate. I will feed you two blocks of sugar daily if you do this for me."

What is he going on about? While Treysa is an intelligent being, there's only so many words she can understand.

She turns around to avoid the lecturing King. She's neither intimidated nor impressed by him.

That's my girl, I smile.

"Fine!" Dramon pushes. "You are not interested in negotiations. I understand. Just..." he sighs. "What am I doing? This is insanity."

Treysa begins to walk off.

"Wait!" he jumps in front of her and expands his arms. "Just do me this favor. It is for the happiness of your master, yes?"

Treysa stares at him for a few seconds, and caves into whatever he asks for by sniffing him.

"Good girl," Dramon praises.

I don't know what these two are up to, but I'm very interested.

I wait for a few minutes for Dramon to leave and then guide Treysa to the front of the camp where everyone is preparing to take off. I catch Dramon giving Treysa a look.

I move to her side to swing atop her, but she shifts away from me. How odd. I try again, and the dots connect. Dramon asked her to not let me ride her, so I'll be forced to ride with him.

I find myself amused by this. The King— one of the wealthiest men on this planet, begged an animal so he could spend more time with me. He's enormous but has the heart of a child at times.

I play along. "What's going on, girl?" I ask Treysa. 'Are you not feeling well?"

Dramon sweeps in to save the day. "I would not mind riding with you," he offers.

I raise an eyebrow. "I'm sure you wouldn't."

"Just make sure to not ruin these pants as well," he teases. He's trying to embarrass me by reminding me of our steamy night.

I only chuckle along with him, because I caught him red-handed. "As long as you stop manipulating Treysa."

He shrinks. "You saw that?"

I nod. "I saw it."

Dramon looks like I broke his heart. With slumped shoulders, he retreats to the front of the Clan and swings atop his beast. He looks at me longingly and takes off.

I smile and shake my head. "Let's go, Treysa. You little traitor."

She lets me swing on top this time, and we follow the Clan. I enjoy the view in our travels. There are miles and miles of rock, but some sparkle under the sun with beautiful minerals. I wonder if Urth was as beautiful as Xelor?

My attention turns to a Clan member when they sweep down from the skies and run to Dramon's side. He must have seen something in the distance and is reporting news.

I gallop toward them."Did we find the woman?"

"We found humans, alright, but not the right one," Dramon informs me. "A human male and a young girl were spotted."

I'm confused. What's a man doing out here with a young girl?

"Let's go," Dramon calls.

We find them easily enough. The man raises his hands and waves at us eagerly. He must need help.

I ride beside Dramon as we approach.

"Winds. Which King are you?" the middle-aged man asked through his wide smile.

Dramon frowns. "I am Dramon."

"My King, I came a long way to give you this gift," he pulls the girl forward. "This is my daughter. It would be an honor if you could impregnate her with your children."

I study the girl. She can't be over thirteen, nowhere near being ready to be a mother. She should be playing with dolls, not getting traded off to strange men by her father.

As I try to contain my rage, I listen to Dramon's response.

"Wife?" he looks at me. "Would you like the honors?"

I smirk.

He and his Clan take away the terrified girl, and the confused father is left behind with me. He asks me questions, but all I do is place my cane down carefully before I start to swing. Within minutes, I have him begging for mercy. I don't kill him. I leave him crumpled in the dirt, alone.

I return to Dramon's side. He and his Clan took the girl away to spare her the violence.

"I will send her to Rexon's clan," Dramon says as he scans me in search of damage. "She will be safe with him until we finish our business. What do you think?"

"Well..." I wipe my swollen knuckles on my pants. "It is up to you. You are the King."

"Your opinion matters to me."

I scan the girl, who is looking dazed beside the only other woman in the group.

"I agree with you. Rexon would understand."

Dramon orders one male and one female to take the girl to safety. Meanwhile, I stare at her father's crumbled form in the distance. I'm happy with how Dramon handled the situation. He's not a monster who sank his claws into innocent flesh. Not mine when I was deliriously offering it to him, and not into this little girl, either.

With a sigh, I decide that he deserves a break. I slide off Treysa and walk to his beast. He pauses his conversation to look at me.

"Well? Are you going to help me up or what?"

He looks confused for a second. "You want to ride with me?"

"Nevermind, then. I'll just go back to—"

A large hand snares around my bicep and drags me up until I'm seated on strong thighs.