She is not supposed to be here, so how is she? This human woman, found outside my nest. Is she from the sky like the metal crafts now flying around? Is she from the forest where my enemies are? Until she wakes, I do not know. And deciding what to do with her if she does… That is going to be a problem. Because if she is my enemy, I cannot let her leave, and if she is not… The secrets I keep close can’t come to light. But I will not kill her. I will not let a female—any female—come to harm. So, I believe I only have one option… I will need to convince her to trust me… to not fear me. I will need to convince her to be MINE.

I do not want a bride. They are difficult to protect. And those males who are mated have homes— clans. I have neither. My nest was destroyed. My territory usurped, and it is her peoples’ fault. Julia’s. The unmated female soldier within Zaku’s home. But when I discover nagas have arrived from across the land, and that she is going to choose one to help her get back to her people, I am unsettled by what she offers in return... Then hundreds of ships arrive. With the landscape changing, and the tides shifting, I must leave to find out what is going on. Except I am not alone. Julia will come with me. Because I do not want her to be with another. I refuse to imagine it. Even if the forest is dangerous, and it is entirely up to me to keep her safe, I will take her with me. But what if there is no safer place for her than in my arms?