Darien's POV:

My own breathing was heavy in my ears, if they had planned on tiring me out before I got here, then they had halfway succeeded. Even my enhanced abilities had limits and I was clearly reaching them even though the Dranek had slowed her raptor down.

I could hear a large number of Dranek heartbeats ahead. At least fifty were spread out ahead of us. What were they up to? I was not in the right mood to be messed around with.

I lifted my head as my breathing stopped momentarily. I would know that sound anywhere. Serena's heartbeat. I put on a burst of speed that even surprised me. The mate bond was once more lending me strength and speed. The Dranek was startled as I suddenly overtook and passed her raptor like it was standing still.

All of my abilities focused on my speed so I could get to Serena faster. I rounded the bend to see her walking in my direction with an excited look. She must have been able to sense my approach. A dozen armed Dranek ranged around her while giving her some space. I ignored them as I headed for Serena.

"Darien!" Her relieved voice pierced right through me like sunlight after a rainstorm. I had missed her voice so much. I wrapped her in a hug the moment I reached her. The feeling of her skin against mine eased the pain of the bond and stilled my anger. I had missed her like a drowning man longs for air.

The way she clung to me also spoke volumes. Our separation had not been easy on either of us. Her emotions danced along my senses. She was very happy to see me. Relief, relaxation, and love colored her mind as she leaned her head against my chest.

She was finally back in my arms. I felt whole once more.

My muscles slowly relaxed and I felt hers relaxing as well. I could feel her contentment at being in my arms. She had missed me as well. I relaxed my hold somewhat as I looked down at her, although all I could see was the top of her head, "Are you okay?"

She lifted her head and I looked into her brown eyes. She replied, "I am all right. Are you uninjured?"

I lowered my head to gently kiss her forehead, "It would take a lot more than a mud torque and a warren of scrat to injure me."

She sighed in relief and rested her cheek against my chest. Her concern was touching, she truly cared about me. My mind went back to our still-present blue companions. They were keeping their distance, but had circled around us.

I murmured, "The Dranek claimed to have found you wandering around in the forest down here. Is that true?"

She nodded without lifting her head, "Yeah, I had no idea where I was. I was just following a trail when I stumbled across them. They have been very welcoming."

I had my reservations. A strange race welcoming another member from a race they had never seen before when she 'just happened' to appear on their side of the battlefield? That was if they even realized that she was a human and not a Tarulk. I was suspicious to say the least. Especially with what I had sensed from my guide earlier.

Serena wasn't quite telling me everything either, but I suspected that it was because of the nearby Dranek. I caught a few brief glimpses of images in her mind, but they passed too quickly for me to make anything out. The Dranek likely had excellent hearing, so I would have to wait to ask her in private.

The Dranek got some points for leading me to her, but it wasn't going to get them far. I still had no good explanation as to how a human managed to cross such distance on foot in a dark forest crawling with predators. Even a Tarulk would not have attempted such a trek at night. Few would have succeeded if they did try.

My distrust of the circling fighters was rousing the bond in a defensive fashion. The Dranek all looked nearly identical. I was certain that I could beat those present if it came to a fight, but I was worried about their bows. An arrow wound was usually minor for a Tarulk, but it was a serious matter for a human. There were enough bows present to possibly bring me down as well.

I pushed my senses out. It wasn't easy to get a read on the closest ones even over the short distance. To my surprise, they were happy. I picked up hints of pride and protectiveness, as well as a peculiar amount of hope. Most groups we had met so far had wanted to use Serena to try to force me to do something, but this group had no direct interest in me at all. They were interested in Serena.

That put me on edge. I was too strong for others to force, but the thought of anyone trying to force Serena immediately raised my hackles. I raised my head to eye up those around us. Most had their attention on the forest and their mental state reflected that they were guarding us.

Two in particular were watching us. I saw no trace of the female on the raptor that I had followed. I needed to know what this group was up to. My arms remained circled around Serena, I could easily grab her and run if this turned nasty.

One seemed to know that I wanted to talk and slowly walked forward. She was smaller than the others by a noticeable amount. Her slender build told of the extreme speed she likely possessed.

"Thank you for helping Serena." I carefully used my reading ability, not wanting to miss any images or emotions that might help me solve this puzzle.

"It was our pleasure. We would always guard and protect a singer."

It was the truth, from the undertone of her thoughts, they would go to extreme lengths to protect her. Such protective thoughts about a stranger they had just met were not normal. My eyes narrowed at the term they used though.

Serena noticed my muscles tensing and guessed at the cause, she whispered, "They called me that when they first saw me. They knew everything about my ability even though I had said nothing. It is something they have seen before in the past."

The small Dranek heard Serena's whisper and elaborated, "We can identify a singer on sight. Their abilities are highly valued by our people. We would never harm a singer."

Glimpses of trees and stone carvings crossed her mind. I didn't recognize the language or the trees in her mind. She was too focused on Serena's 'abilities' for my comfort. I didn't even know much about her singing ability, there hadn't been time or privacy to really talk much.

I stared at the Dranek in a measuring fashion, "Why do you value them so highly?"

My gruff manner and near hostility didn't seem to faze her. Her tail curled loosely around her ankles patiently as she calmly replied, "Their singing can often do things that greatly benefit any race they stay with. They can heal those who are seriously ill, call rain during a drought, help the forests, among many other things if they choose to assist."

My gaze sharpened, something was on her mind. Something they wanted Serena for. "What is it you plan to use her for?"

Serena was startled by my sharp question, but it turned to worry as she considered that they might be after her. As if they could take her away from me...

The Dranek blinked in surprise before sighing, "Your suspicious nature does not surprise me after being separated from her. I will be truthful. We would never force any singer, as you seem to be implying. We would only ask and hope they would hear us out. All the histories say that singers enjoy helping and using their powers to correct something if it is out of balance."

The Dranek gazed at me steadily with her slit-pupiled eyes as she continued, "We had planned to give you time to relax after your separation before bringing it up, but since you are asking, our leaders are planning on coming to ask your mate if she would hear them out. The forests on our home world are dying. It would take a singer to discover and correct the cause. If she declined, we would respect her decision. We would still offer her shelter and protection, for our race has always offered it to singers."

It was the truth. I could see it in her mind clearly now that she laid it out. It was the pure unadorned truth, every little detail of it. They would never harm her or force her. They would always protect her, just because of the ability that she so carefully hid.

My muscles relaxed as I slowly exhaled. I could trust this particular Dranek, as well as those nearby that I could read, as much as I could trust Alex. That was a lot more than I could say about most of the Tarulk out there. I carefully noted the ones I could read so I could recognize them in the future. I would still be cautious around any others.

Serena felt me relax and it reassured her. I nodded, "I can tell that you speak the truth. Thank you for that."

I was now certain that there was no direct danger to Serena, and with her in contact with me, my mood was approaching something more civil. The Dranek around me also relaxed fractionally, the one I was speaking with was quite relaxed and calm. She had been the entire time though.

The Dranek gestured towards the trail, "Please let us offer you our hospitality. My name is Saphira."

I glanced down at Serena, who nodded. She was relaxed around these Dranek. Considering how she had been treated by the Tarulk, I couldn't really blame her for enjoying the change. We walked beside Saphira although I could hear numerous guards ranging around us out of sight in the trees.