The week went by. Tylan spent her days either we with the kids and training the nurse or helping Tolin find other holes in security. There were several times he asked her to break into an area or still something as a test. She contemplated starting to do that for others. It would be safer than stealing and she wouldn’t get arrested. Emeton kept his distance. He didn’t avoid her but he didn’t seek her out either. If they ate together, he’d sit by her. He greeted her in the hall. In the evenings, if they ended up together with friends, he’d talk with her but he treated her as a friend, not as a lover or as a potential wife. Tylan had mixed emotions about that. She’d been flattered by the attention, but felt pressured too. Now, she could relax, but she was also saddened. His actions only reinforced her belief that he didn’t love her. Her revelation of her past had convinced him she was not wife material. The thing was, she did love him. Now, they were getting ready to leave. Kith was about to take Miramar home and was going through Pt’this’s list of things he was supposed to do when he dropped her off. “Uncle, I’ve been doing this for decades. I know what she needs. I don’t want her getting hurt anymore than you do.” Pt’this nodded. “It would be easier for you to see her if you would learn to use that magic of yours.” Kith told him. Pt’this growled. Tylan stepped in. “Kith, this isn’t the time for that.” Kith sighed and nodded. “I’m sorry. She’s right.” Pt’this relaxed visibly. Emeton and the nurse brought the kids to see them off. “I don’t want you to go,” Remmy said. “I know. But I need to. I’ll come back and visit though.” She hugged him. “You keep working with Bacna and you can show me what he learns, okay?” The boy sighed. “Okay.” She hugged each of the kids. Pt’this took Irkali and Bacna from Emeton. Emeton turned to her. The tears in her eyes were matched by the tears in his. “I’m going to miss you,” he said. He hugged her. “I love you.” He whispered. “I love you, too.” She whispered back. He pulled back in surprise. Then, dropping to one knee he pulled off a ring. “Tylan, will you please marry me?” The proposal surprised her, but not as much as her answer surprised him. She nodded. “Yes.” The surprise on his face showed for half a second. “No!” Remmy screamed. He threw himself at her. “Remtani!” Emeton scolded. Tylan held up her hand. “Wait.” She knelt by the child and put an arm around him. “Remmy, what’s wrong. I thought you wanted me to stay.” “I do. But you can’t marry him. Everyone who marries Daddy dies.” There were tears in his eyes. “Oh sweetie, marrying your daddy doesn’t mean I’ll die.” “But Mommy died and so did Nadal.” “I know and I’m sorry they did.” She sat on the ground and put him on her lap “I don’t want you to die.” He told her. “I don’t want to die either. And hopefully, I won’t. I almost died once. There was a horrible fire. But my brother and Shunati saved me. Maybe, if there’s a problem, Shunati can save me again.” “Wif bars?” “Probably not with bars.” “But you won’t die?” “I hope not.” “Okay.” She stood, picking him up. “I’m sorry about that,” Emeton said. “It’s all right. I can see why he’d think that.” Emeton took her hand. “If you want, I’ll have a new ring made, however you like. I know someone.” “This one’s fine,” she said and kissed him. “It’s a little big, but I know someone too.” Kith sighed. “I’ll take a look at it.” In addition to being a blacksmith, he also did some jewelry work. **** Two insanely busy days later, Tylan stood behind Kith waiting for the marriage ceremony to start. Emeton had decided he didn’t want to give her a chance to change her mind. He insisted they get married in two days. He practically shut down all other activity in the palace to get it done. He had even managed to have a dress made for her. There had been dozens of girls helping sew it. Kith and Shunati had brought her friends from Thager to attend. Even Star had made it. Something seemed different about her friend but Tylan couldn’t place it. Kith was standing in as an escort. It was supposed to be family but she didn’t have any. They decided he qualified since he’d introduce them. Tolin was acting as escort for his brother, while Tolin’s wife and Miramar helped the nurse keep an eye on the kids. Becoming a queen scared her but Emeton promised she’d get training. Elos was an excellent tutor. Pt’this was going to officiate. Tylan was surprised to learn he was a citizen of Menthanla as well as Baj-tisk. He was one of the few dragons who were. Now, she was facing a dream come true. She was getting married and going to have a family. She glanced at the kids. Remmy waved and pointed her out to Bacna. Then he took Bacna’s hand and made him wave too. She saw Emeton take his place and it was time to start. **** Kith smiled as he waited with Tylan. He was quite happy for his friend, both of them really. He’d met Tylan four years ago, shortly after she came to Thager with Ceebo. He and Star had tried to get her to leave him when they realized what he was doing to her. Kith had started to see her as a little sister so when she finally did leave Ceebo, Kith let her stay in the upper apartment of his house until she found her own place. He’d also arranged for a couple of sessions with the hags to help her get over what was done to her. That was their area of expertise, helping people get over trauma. They helped a little, but he couldn’t afford to keep sending her and they hadn’t been able to arrange another method of payment. Perhaps, it was enough after all. He was glad he could help her. He had a feeling there were other kids he could help too. But, there was no time for that now. The ceremony started. His uncle called her name and he led her to her new husband.