Tylan returned to her room. She sighed, disappointed. Emeton was definitely treating her differently. She’d hoped she had been wrong because she did love him and wanted him to love her back. Star and Kith kept telling her she wasn’t unlovable. This just showed her they were wrong. She pushed the thoughts aside. There were only a few days left and then she’d never have to see him again. Besides, she had a job to do. She changed into something more appropriate and gathered what she might need. Then she waited. When it was late enough, she headed out. “Where are you going?” Kith asked behind her. “Out.” She said simply. “Out? Are you working? Ty, didn’t I tell you not to do that here? Tolin will know it’s you. He’ll tell Emeton and that will ruin any chance you have with him.” “What chance? He doesn’t love me. I’m not marrying a man who doesn’t love me.” “So you’re going to guarantee it by robbing someone? Ty, he does love you. Give him a chance.” “No, he doesn’t and I’m not trying to ruin anything. I’m helping Prince Tolin.” “Now? Doing what?” Kith frowned. “Yes now. Not everyone breaks in during the day. What are you doing up?” “Using the privy.” “Getting a drink, probably.” Kith shook his head. “I’m not drinking until we go back to Thager.” “Let me smell your breath.” Tylan insisted. Kith let out a growl. “I don’t hide my drinking.” “You might when your uncle’s involved.” “I wasn’t drinking.” He leaned close and breathed in her face. “Happy?” She nodded. “Now, I need to get going. I need to get out before I can break in.” “Where you supposed to start?” Kith asked. “Tolin didn’t say. He just said outside.” Tylan shrugged. “I was going to look around once I get out there.” Kith nodded and took her hand. He transported her outside, a short distance away so no one at the palace would see the flash. “I’ll stay with you until you find a way in.” He insisted. Tylan was a little offended. “You don’t trust me?” “I don’t like you being out after dark. Sen-gan is no safer than Thager at night.” He explained. She nodded. “Just be quiet.” Finally, she found a way in. She turned back to Kith. “Go someplace else to transport back in so the flash doesn’t draw attention.” “I know that.” Kith frowned. “Good.” She slipped back into the palace. She crept through the halls sticking to shadows and avoiding guards and servants. She didn’t want to use the excuse of meeting Tolin again. During the day, she’d been seen as a chaperone. At night, she’d be seen as a lover. She didn’t want to start rumors that he was being unfaithful. She wore her ring to watch for magical protections. Kith or Mirimar could have cast some kind of shield is one warning alarm. But she didn’t see anything. There was a guard outside Emeton’s door. He watched what was going on near Emeton’s room, but paid little attention to the ends of the hall. She picked the lock to a guest room as quickly as if she had a key and slipped in. She left the room again by the door to the garden. There were still people out there, despite the hour. No one paid any attention to her as she made her way to the king’s room. She waited a moment until the area was empty of people and let herself into Emeton’s room. It was disturbingly sad how easily this was. She’d always thought she was a successful thief because of her skill. She wondered now if it wasn’t because security was so lax in so many places. Perhaps, when she got back to Thager, she’d look to helping the nobles and merchants there improve their security. She could talk to Prince Tolin about a letter of recommendation. It would be a legal way for her to earn money while using her unique skills. She made her way to his bed, leaned close and said softly, “if I were an assassin, you’d be dead.” He sat up, startled. “What the…?” “Emeton, it’s just me.” She assured him. “Tylan?” He frowned. “What are you doing here?” “Your brother was concerned for your safety. He wanted me to see if I could get in here. It was really too easy.” Emeton’s found grew. “Tolin!” He shouted. The guard at the door entered. “Sire?” “Get Tolin.” Emeton growled. “Yes, sire.” The guard bowed and hurried off. Emeton went out the garden door. “Tolin! Get down here!” He bellowed. By this time, his shouts had attracted several people. Tylan noticed they kept their distance. She had heard rumors of Emeton’s temper. She had a feeling she was going to get to witness it. Tolin appeared. “Problem, sire?” He came down the stairs. “Don’t play innocent. You know what the problem is.” Emeton growled. “Perhaps we don’t need an audience.” Tolin headed into Emeton’s room. Emeton and Tylan followed. “Now, what is the meaning of this, having her break into my room in the middle the night?” Emeton demanded. “She didn’t explain it? Or did you start yelling too quickly?” Despite Emeton’s volume, Tolin spoke as though they were having a normal conversation. “She told me you two were testing security. Why couldn’t it be done during the day?” “We did do it during the day. She got in quite quickly. I wanted to see if security was better when you were here.” “You…” Emeton hesitated. Then, he started speaking a different language. Tylan recognized it as Dragon but she’d only picked up a little from Kith and Emeton spoke too fast. She had no chance to pick even a hint of what he was saying. Tolin replied in Dragon also. “Would you like me to leave so you can speak freely?” She offered. “No. You’ll need to tell us how you got in.” Emeton told her. He went back to speaking in Dragon. They conversed for several minutes. Emeton seemed to calm down, though he was still clearly unhappy. They turned to her. “How did you get in?” Tolin asked and she explained. “Tolin, you need to do great deal of work on palace security,” Emeton said when she was done. “I’m open to suggestions. This was supposed to be your job, remember?” Tolin pointed out. Emeton nodded. Tylan wondered why their father had crowned Emeton king. “Tylan,” he said turning to her. “Tolin’s predecessor let security, and the whole army, get lax. Tolin’s been good about improving most things, but security causes some trouble. Our training was truly inadequate for the job. Would you be willing to stay longer in Sen-gan and help him out? You wouldn’t have to stay at the palace. We could rent you a place in town, if you’d be more comfortable.” “The offer is tempting but I really don’t need to stay to advise you. Better locks on the door and more vigilant guards are what you need. I can help you pick out better locks but I know nothing of training guards.” Tylan told them. She didn’t want to stay. She wanted to be away from Emeton. “Perhaps you can return sometime and test out the improvements.” Emeton suggested. She nodded. “Perhaps. But any thief can test them.” Emeton nodded. “True, but if rumors are true you’re the best thief in the kingdom.” “Rumors usually exaggerate.” Tylan pointed out. “Can we trust another thief?” Emeton challenged. “How sure are you that you can trust me?” Tylan asked, though she’d never betrayed a client before. “You’re smart enough to be trustworthy.” Tolin told her. “But it’s late. We can discuss details in the morning.” Tylan nodded. “Of course. Goodnight.” **** “Are you insane? Are you trying to get me killed?” Emeton asked once Tylan was gone, continuing the questions he’d started in Dragon. “She’s not going to kill you.” Tolin waved him off. “No the dragons will.” “Pt’this and Kith?” Tolin looked at him like he was crazy. “The High Council. The chastity law is a treaty law and it’s punishable by death. I’m lucky they haven’t said anything yet.” “They aren’t going to demand your death on a rumor.” Tolin assured him. “One rumor they might ignore, but you were setting us up tonight too.” “I asked her to test security. There is no law against that. I gave you a legitimate reason to have her in your room.” “She’s not ready for that. She doesn’t even want to come back to help. I could tell. I’m going to lose her.” “Give her time. This Ceebo Kith was talking about; he hurt her, didn’t he?” Emeton nodded. “Then show her you’re not him. And don’t hold her too tightly. Let her go back to Thager. In a few weeks, we’ll go there and you can visit. It’ll take a while to make the changes. Then I’ll invite her back for tests. We’ll get you chances to court her.” “Thanks.” Emeton nodded. “I want you happy, little brother. I promised Mom and Dad I take care of you. That includes helping you find a decent wife.” **** Emeton sat in court. He was still in a bad mood from the night before and was trying not to take it out on those before him. He saw Tylan and Mirimar enter. Tylan was wearing one of Mirimar’s dresses. She looked very nice. It helped improve his mood, despite knowing she’d be leaving the next day. He saw the two whispering at one point in wondered what they were talking about. “Mirimar’s just explaining things to her.” Pt’this whispered. Emeton envied the dragons’ telepathy sometimes, being able to talk to anyone, anywhere. But, he reasoned, he’d never get a chance to be alone if he had that ability. His subjects would harass him continuously. As the day wore on, he noticed the two women talking frequently. He also saw Mirimar looking to Pt’this several times and when he looked at his advisor, he could tell Pt’this was conversing with her. “Cut it out.” He whispered between petitioners. He knew dragons considered it poor manners to talk telepathically around those who couldn’t. Pt’this also wasn’t supposed to do it in court as it was a distraction and some petitioners could tell he wasn’t listening. “Sorry, sire. Mostly it’s been explaining things to them.” “Mostly.” Emeton echoed. And the rest, he was flirting with his mate. Pt’this grinned. He knew what Emeton was thinking. “It’s not what you think. Mirimar’s trying to get her to consider giving you a chance.” “Tell her not to push too hard.” Then a page announced the next petitioner and they had to end the conversation. By the time court was done, the ladies had left and Emeton was dismayed, despite the fact he’d see her at dinner. **** They were getting ready to leave. Before taking Tylan to Thager, Kith was going 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 from Emeton and Kith took Bacna. 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.” She assured him. “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.” She shook her head. “But you won’t die?” “I hope not.” “Okay.” He nodded, still looking skeptical. 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. Just a note: the next one will need a violence flag so it might not show if you have that checked.