Devi has about had it with mages. All she wants to do is her job, which is slaying the dragons that plague the country. She doesn't have time or energy to spare for coddling or pandering to the fussy mages she keeps getting stuck with as partners. Unfortunately, her last mage was also a noble with clout, and Devi has the feeling her days as a Combatant are numbered. Instead of reprimand or termination however, she winds up with a new assignment and a new partner: Noeme, who is competent, friendly, distractingly attractive—and far too good to be true. Note: This story was first published in the Vixen anthology