“Maybe,” I respond defensively. “It’s really none of your business.”

“If he kidnapped me, that makes it my business.” His eyes narrow. “Is that how he knew who I was? He’s picking through your thoughts?”

I shake my head, because I don’t want to answer him. I just want him to go away. “Are you ready to fly back?”

“You’re really going to pretend like this isn’t a big deal, Sasha?” Tate raises an eyebrow at me. “You’ve threatened my life, and right now you’re working with the enemy. That’s permanent exile by Fort Dallas standards. If I report you, you’ll be shot on sight if you try to return.”

“Then don’t report me,” I say lightly. “You won’t have a play partner if you do.” All of the whores in Fort Dallas are wise to his predilections.

He will never touch you again, Dakh growls, eyes growing black.

I know, I tell the dragon, but I’m uneasy at what Tate is threatening. Permanent exile from the only city I’m familiar with? The only city for hundreds of miles? The thought’s a terrifying one.

I will be with you, Dakh says. You have nothing to fear.

I nod absently, but he doesn’t really grasp what it means to be exiled. It’s a big step—a terrifying one. I’d have no safety net, no people to fall back upon. What if I run out of supplies? What if I get injured? There are so many what-ifs that Tate’s not-so-subtle threat makes me feel cold inside. “Let’s just get going, all right? Dakh, can you carry us?”

The dragon lowers his head, pushing between me and Tate. His eyes flicker black. There is no “us” with the two of you. You are mine.

“I misspoke,” I murmur. I’m secretly a little pleased he’s so possessive. For once, it feels good to be wanted.

Dakh leans over and casually grabs Tate in his claws, and I have to smother a cruel laugh when Tate’s expression is one of abject terror. I get the fear. I really do. I used to feel like that around Dakh.

You did not wet yourself like this one, the dragon tells me.

Oh my God. Tate peed on himself. My eyes go wide. Now I really want to laugh, but I bite it back. Tate’s a quietly vicious sort, and I don’t want to give him any ammo to use against me.

He will never touch you again, Dakh growls in my head.

Right. Sorry. It’s just taking a bit of getting used to. I think about Tate’s threat—about exile from Fort Dallas. I’m still scared even though Dakh says he’ll take care of me, and we’ve got a store full of goods. What if something happens? If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the After, it’s that everything can change in a heartbeat.

I can still kill him, Dakh offers, and his claws tighten around Tate’s militia uniform. Tate makes an awkward squawking noise and slams a hand against the dragon’s golden scales.

No, we have an agreement.

Yes. An agreement I am much looking forward to. He leans down to gently whuff his breath against my hair.

I feel a prickle of arousal at his words despite my fears. I’m going to try my hardest to enjoy, I tell him. But we’re not doing anything with Tate around. Can you grab me and let’s get going? I lift my good arm, indicating I want to be picked up.

I’m surprised when Dakh grabs me with his other foreleg, his claws gentle compared to the way he’s handling Tate. For some reason I thought I’d have to share space with Tate on the ride over.

Never, Dakh says, and holds me close against his breast as he unfurls his wings. I said he would not touch you again, and I mean it.

I nod absently, watching as the store recedes, and we take off into the air. I’m jerked around a little, but I know Dakh’s trying hard not to fling me about, because this is a much gentler ride than before. I feel a pang of regret that Tate knows where our store is now, because what if he gets a crew to come out this far and raid? I won’t be able to stop them.

I will, Dakh purrs in my mind. They will take nothing that is yours. But if it will make you feel better, I will circle around the human hive in a different direction to confuse him.

That’s a good idea. Thank you.

Of course, my mate.

I glance over at Tate, and he’s watching me instead of the ground, his eyes narrowed. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but I’m pretty sure it’s nothing good, and it sends a shiver up my spine. The sooner he gets back to Fort Dallas, the better. He’s out of his element right now, and if he’s vicious when he’s confident, I can only imagine what he’s going to be like if he feels cornered. I know Dakh says he’ll keep me safe, but it’s still hard to trust when I’ve known Tate and his ways for a lot longer.

The flight back to Fort Dallas does seem to take forever. We careen about in the skies over and over again, and Dakh definitely seems to be taking the long way back. He also wheels about and does cartwheels to throw Tate about. Since I’m clutched against his chest, I’m a little more protected from being flung about, though my stomach is still queasy at all the loops.

Not too much longer now, my mate. Dakh’s thoughts are comforting. Unless you wish for me to drop him and turn around now…

“No,” I say with a horrified laugh, and regret my outburst when Tate shoots me a dark look. He knows we’re communicating around him, and it’s clear he doesn’t like it. I wonder if I should say something or confront him, but I doubt I’ll get a real answer, not when he’s clutched between a dragon’s claws.

Dakh begins to circle lower, even though the fort itself isn’t in sight yet.

Are we stopping? I ask, curious.

We will not go closer. If I do, the alarms will go off and they will use their fire spitters. They do not hurt me, but you are vulnerable.

Oh. I didn’t think about that, but they would shoot at us for sure. The graze on my hip is proof of that. I see.

The human has two good legs. He can walk the rest of the way.

I manage to keep my response to myself. Tate probably won’t like that, but Tate probably hasn’t liked any of this. I can’t help but shake the feeling that letting Tate go is a bad idea, but how can I let him be casually murdered? Just because he hurt me in the past—and it was a hurting that I agreed to? He’s never approached me otherwise. He’s mean and a sadist, but that isn’t enough to kill someone over.

I hope I’m making the right choice.