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When Vaan heads back to his rooms with the baby, Mhal takes me by the hand and leads me outside, into the early morning sunlight. Fort Dallas looks like it always does. The compound is crawling with militia, the grounds neat and tidy and bare of greenery or things that can burn. A few streets away, the rest of the fort huddles in the metal-covered shacks and repurposed buildings that cluster together, making up the remainder of the city. The smell of things hits me, and I can only imagine how bad it is for poor Mhal and his sensitive nose. I didn't realize how dirty and fragrant the fort was until we left and returned.
I hope we're not here for long.
Once the world is safe, we will find our farm, my mate assures me, his comforting hand on my shoulder. Look to the edges of the hive. What do you see?
I shield my eyes with my hands, peering up at the barricade. The dragons are gone, all right. The skies are clear and the once-guardians of the fort are missing. For a moment, it fills me with a hint of panic. "Today isn't a dragon attack day, is it?" I think about all the attacks that used to hit the fort regularly, before Azar came in with his dragons. Each one was terrifying, and I worried we'd be killed. I didn't realize how much it affected me until just now. The lack of dragons on the fort walls is unnerving instead of comforting.
No drakoni are near, Mhal says. I am touching minds with the others and we will keep watch over the hive. If another of our people comes close, we will know about it, I promise.
I give him a reluctant smile, guilty at panicking. This is what we wanted. I'm glad for those dragons.
I know you are. Do not worry. You are used to living full of fear. It will take time for you to realize you are safe.
"Jenny!"
A familiar voice calls out my name and I turn. A man in a militia uniform with a gun slung over his shoulder jogs up to us. He pauses as he approaches, his gaze flicking toward Mhal. It's Lucas Daniels, his expression wary. I glance over my shoulder at Mhal, who's gone quiet in my head, and his nostrils are flared, his expression dangerous. A tendril of smoke escapes his nose.
I put a hand on Mhal's arm. "It's okay. He's a friend."
He carries a human fire-spitter toward you. He calls you by your name and watches you closely. I like none of these things. Mhal practically bristles. If I cannot eat the Salorian, let me eat this one for staring at you too long.
It's Daniels, I remind him, shoving mental pictures in his direction, because he is very, very serious about eating Daniels. The one that loves Manda, my old roommate, remember?
He relaxes, but only a little. I did not recognize him. His scent is unfamiliar to me.
And my thoughts don't come with the scents he needs, and his vision is bad. He's just being protective. I love you, and I find it very sweet that you want to eat everyone that looks at me sideways, but if we're going to do this, we have to be a little friendly. Just a little.
Fine. I will not eat this one. That is my concession to friendliness. He gives me that imperious look of his. But if another stares at you too long—
You won't eat them either, because then I won't kiss you anymore. I take Mhal's hands in mine and then turn around, still gripping my dragon's hands while I greet Daniels, who must be wondering why we're so quiet. "Hi," I say brightly. "Meet Mhal. He's my mate. We're…married, more or less."
Daniels flicks an uncomfortable look toward Mhal, then slowly nods. "I'm glad you're safe. We didn't know what had happened to you and Manda was really upset. I'm glad you're safe. Manda will be happy to hear it." The smile he gives me is genuine, creasing his tanned face with happiness. "Have you heard the news?"
"About the dragons?"
He shakes his head. "About me and Manda. Azar held a meeting with the militia last night. Said he was wanting to make sure we were content with our roles as the fort's protectors."
They are the fort's protectors? They do nothing, Mhal interjects with the mental equivalent of an eye roll.
"And he relaxed his rules on marriage. Manda and I found a preacher last night and got married as quick as we could." He flashes a silvery band on his finger with a grin. "So no one can take it away from us if the rules change again later. She's moving into my apartments right now."
Happiness shines through him, and my heart squeezes with joy for my friends. "I'm so glad. Can I see Manda?"
