Excitement boiled through my chest like an overheating cauldron.

  The frontier was a wonderful place to run away to. Especially if, say, one needed to hide from a whole family of poison-brewing alchemical assassins, who might have taken issue with one’s refusal to join their ranks.

  However, the frontier was not a bastion of civilization where one could walk into an upscale shop and purchase whatever one’s heart desired. And while I was confident that my new hometown, Swiftband, would eventually prosper like few other frontier settlements in history, we were still a frontier town. We had a long way to go.

  So far, all the wealth in coin I’d managed to bring with me when I left the Belladonna manor had been nearly useless. Far less helpful than the ingredients and potions I’d brought along.

  But now a supply caravan was coming. A group of vendors bearing goods from the capital was due to arrive at Swiftband that very day. To say I was thrilled at the chance to put those coins to good use was an understatement.

  My mind hummed with possibilities as I hurried through the woods. Nasha had gone ahead to dismiss my students from their ‘safe poison usage’ class and to share the news of the caravan’s approach. She would then continue on to alert the town, leaving me free to follow at my leisure.

  Yet I couldn’t be ‘leisurely.’ The thought of all I could soon purchase kept making me quicken my pace. Among other things, my alchemy kit was in need of restocking. I especially hoped to find some mana crystals for sale. I hadn’t run out yet, but the everflame jar was steadily burning through my supply.

  If I had extra luck, perhaps I could also pick up a better cauldron, but I didn't have much hope for that. Those weren't exactly standard trade goods…

  I had to laugh at myself. When I’d made my escape from my family and the poisonous life they expected of me, I thought I was leaving alchemy behind. But out on the frontier, I had discovered something extraordinary.

  I liked being an alchemist.

  I was still reluctant to deal with poison. Other than refilling the town’s supply of the lethal concoction I’d made to supplement our defenses, I hoped to avoid any toxic brewing in the future.

  Yet my life in Swiftband had shown me all the helpful uses for the gifts my family had so thoroughly abused. I couldn’t wait to brew more of the healing potion I’d created with local ingredients. The rapidly growing town was always in need of healing products, not to mention a host of wood treatments and sealants for new buildings. With supplies from the approaching caravan, I could continue making significant contributions to this community.

  For the first time in my life, I was proud to call alchemy my profession.

  Of course, before I could rush off to town and wait like an anxious child about to be allowed into the cookie jar, there was someone else who needed to hear the news about the caravan. That’s why I found myself standing outside Alys’ home, where I’d been staying while she prepared to start building my house.

  The fact that I’d fallen in love with my temporary roommate had rather complicated my desire for a home of my own, but I couldn’t lie and say I hadn’t enjoyed my stay.

  Slowly, I pushed the door open. The smell of cooking wafted over me immediately as the stunning draconian perked up, looking over from where she was standing by the stove.

  I let myself drink her in, falling into her silver-flecked golden orbs and ruby red scales. From the corner of my eye, I noticed her tail swishing about as her wings rustled and twitched. I’d become rather adept at interpreting the movement of these appendages throughout the time we’d spent together. In fact, I could always read her moods better by her wings and tail than by her face.

  Seeing them now, I knew at once that she was in a happy mood.

  “Finally,” she rumble-huffed, a small puff of smoke escaping her nostrils. “I was wondering where you were. You were almost late.”

  “Didn’t think we had an appointment,” I quipped in return. Leashing my excitement over the caravan for the moment, I peered at the steaks, vegetables, and golden-brown doughy pockets all sizzling in a pan. “That smells wonderful, by the way.”

  “Exactly. It does. And I was about to take the food off the stove, and then it might have gotten cold before you showed up.”

  Her scales ignited in a flush as I suddenly enveloped her in a hug from behind.

  “Stop that,” she protested, her snout aglow. “I might accidentally burn you.”

  “No. I’m sure you won’t,” I teased, feeling particularly bold in the face of my excitement.

  Alys had usually been the one to initiate such intimacy. It wasn’t that I disliked such signs of affection. In fact, I craved them. It was simply hard to overcome my fear that I would somehow ruin things between us. I was a Belladonna, after all.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  A famously poisonous plant.

  “I’m the one who’s immune to heat and fire, you idiot,” she sighed.

  Now moving with excessive care, she lifted the pan from the stove. I let go of her reluctantly so she could carry it over to the table and place it on an exquisitely crafted wooden coaster. Her handiwork, of course.

  She then turned to glare at me for disrupting her dinner preparations, but her tail told a different story. It snuck towards me and wound itself possessively around my waist. I ran my fingers over its scales, admiring their paradoxical smoothness. I had seen these scales withstand some truly severe damage. They were far too tough to feel this soft.

  Her snout glowed brighter at the realization of her tail’s unconscious act, but she didn’t remove the appendage from my waist.

  “Why were you late?” she groused. “You typically rush right over when you are finished working.”

  I grinned happily. “Worried for me?”

  “Obviously! You get into trouble far too often.”

  “I really don’t, though. All the trouble I’ve encountered around here has happened when I was with someone else. I think so, at least…”

  I paused to reflect as her tail finally released me and we sat down at the table.

  The direbears had attacked when Nasha and I were trying to gather honey. I could easily blame the beagle beastkin for that whole episode. If she hadn’t been so busy stuffing her face with more honey than she was collecting, maybe we could have gotten out of there in time to avoid the bears.

  The kappa attack had occurred when I was with Kiri. And while the Royal Winter Fae bore no responsibility for that affair, I certainly hadn’t gone looking for any trouble.

  When Nasha was attacked by something while out on a scouting mission, I had just happened to be in town to hand over my potions. Again, not my fault. I’d actually helped immensely by using one of my newly developed, locally sourced healing potions.

  Then there had been the attack by the kelpie herd, followed quickly by the odd draconic-eel creature that had been driving them downriver. I’d been giving a class on the use of poison in combat at the time. If that wasn’t the definition of ‘minding my own business’, then I didn’t know what was.

  I nodded confidently. “Just as I thought. I didn’t start or wade into a single situation on my own. So, really, it’s all of you that get into trouble.”

  I waved in the direction of the town, making her snort in amusement.

  “Whatever you say. Let’s focus on the food.”

  “Truly, what a cunning draconic mistress this poor kobold serves.” I leaned forward and pitched my voice just-so. “Changing the subject each time she’s losing an argument.”

  My grin widened as her wings rustled with pleasure. She always enjoyed being acknowledged as a dragon. As for the kobold teasing… as she looked at me heatedly, I realized afresh how much she liked it whenever I referred to myself as hers.

  I had been very careful not to cross certain lines, even when she’d dragged me into her bed to cuddle a few nights ago. But in that moment, seeing her so radiant… I finally gave in. No amount of self-doubt was worth dragging down the pace at which our relationship brewed.

  I partially lifted myself out of my seat, leaned forward further, and planted a kiss right on her snout.

  She froze, her eyes widening in shock. When I started to pull away, however, her hands shot out to grip my shirt. Standing, she dragged me around the edge of the table, making our bodies meet as she reciprocated my kiss.

  Was it instant fireworks, heat, and so on? Admittedly not. I was a fae. She was a draconian. Both of us floundered for a moment while we struggled to figure out the logistics of what we were doing.

  Soon enough, though, I felt her melting against me as we both relaxed. We then took our time to explore this new activity available to us. When we finally broke apart, I could say with complete certainty that I enjoyed said activity immensely.

  “What was that about? I thought…” She trailed off, glancing demurely to the side.

  It was the first time I had ever seen that shy, slightly hesitant expression on her face. I could barely find my tongue.

  “Thought?” I managed to repeat.

  “That you weren’t ready for… more.” She suddenly found it a fascinating activity to fiddle with my shirt collar. “Or… I mean, I didn’t really think that was it, but… Maybe that you didn’t like the idea of kissing me? Because I am…”

  She gestured vaguely at herself, making my heart swell and break simultaneously.

  I had been so afraid of messing up and losing the first genuine source of affection in my life, I had allowed my doubts to make her doubt herself. That was unacceptable.

  No more moping, hesitating, or being a fool, I vowed silently. Not if it makes her feel like that.

  “Of course that wasn’t it,” I assured her, after beginning my answer with another kiss. “I was… I mean, this is the first time I…” I cleared my throat. “I just didn’t want to ruin anything.”

  “I see. Well, now that we’ve begun…” Her eyes sparkled with amusement and joy. “That was a good start, but it wasn’t the best. We could both use some improvement. And you know what high standards I have for my work. Maybe we should practice a little more?”

  I chuckled. “I would love to, but you already complained about me being nearly late for dinner. Besides, there’s something else we need to get to afterwards.”

  I tapped a finger lightly against her snout. She reeled back, looking utterly affronted.

  “You will not do that again,” she commanded.

  Arching an eyebrow, I gave her my best ‘mischievous fae’ grin.

  “At least not in public,” she amended reluctantly. “And what do you mean, ‘something else’? I thought you were done for the day.”

  “Oh, I am. However… Would my lady dragoness like to accompany her kobold to the town, so we might witness the arrival of the supply caravan? Perhaps we can even find the materials for setting up a proper bathroom. You might generate enough heat to make the river a viable bathing spot for yourself throughout the Winter, but the water’s getting a little too nippy for me.”

  A grin took over her own features. Her tail began to thrash behind her again, this time in pure excitement.

  “The caravan is here?”

  “Kiri spotted them. They’ll arrive in about four hours.”

  “Hrm. We have time, then. We can eat, and then we’ll prepare for the outing,” she declared imperiously.

  “As my mistress wishes,” I replied, stepping backwards into a deep bow. “But don’t think I didn’t notice you are just as excited about the idea of a proper bathroom as I am!”

  She shrugged as we both returned to our seats. “I like warm water. I might not need it, but I like it. Besides, bathing indoors is just more convenient. But you might not be prepared for what they charge for that sort of thing out here. I am willing to pitch in for the price. If you let me use it, of course,” she added quickly.

  She was trying to sound light and teasing, but I could tell she was genuinely worried about my finances.

  “You know you’ll be welcome to my bath whenever you want,” I replied, finding that concern irresistibly sweet. “Whether you help fund it or not. How could I ever deny my dragoness?”

  Making Alys flush was undoubtedly my favorite pastime.

  Or, after today… my second-favorite.