They retrieved his bag and went to the house Darina shared with her mother. It was in a decent neighborhood and had once been a nice house. Now, was a little rundown. Thailyn guessed Darina’s dad had made decent money but that had changed when he passed away. Darina led him inside. “Mom, where's Anisa?” “She left. Vibby wasn't feeling well.” Her mom told her. “Mom, Vibby moved away six years ago.” Darina’s mom turned and looked at her. “I know that. That doesn't mean he can't get sick.” Darina shook her head. “Mom, I'd like you to meet Lyni. Lyni, this is my mother, Fria.” Thailyn bowed. “Please to meet you.” He took her hand and instantly regretted touching her but he refrained from pulling away. She wasn't an unreadable. Darina must have gotten that from her father. “I thought maybe you could use this,” he said and pulled the cane from his bag. She frowned when she saw it. He hoped he hadn't done something wrong. “That's the strangest looking cane I've ever seen,” the woman said. “I found the four feet help with balance. This way, Darina doesn't worry so about you falling.” He explained. She took the cane and leaned on it. She walked across the room. Then she smiled. “This might work. Thank you.” Darina smiled too. “Dinner’s just about done. Dar, set the table. Young man, help me bring the food over.” Fria instructed. Thailyn smiled at being referred to as a young man. He was more than 1200 years older than she was. Still, he helped her. Dinner went well. Fria didn't ask him too many questions about himself. He answered the ones she did ask to the best of his ability without disobeying the Council. “Fria,” he finally said. “May I have your permission to court your daughter?” He could feel Darina’s surprise at the question. He would have liked to ask it when she wasn't around, but he didn't know when he'd get the chance. Fria shrugged. “You know she can't cook, right?” He nodded. “I can cook.” Fria turned to Darina. “He learns to cook.” “I wasn't given a choice.” Thailyn explained. “When my dad learned I was a healer, he decided I would be a potions maker too. My healing magic started as a baby so I was raised learning to do this stuff. And if you can make potions, you can cook. I'm not interested in your daughter for her cooking skills.” “No, just her bedroom ones.” The woman eyed him. “Mother!” Darina cried. It was all Thailyn could do to keep his temper. “No, that's not it either.” He stood. “Perhaps I should go.” “Lyni, wait.” Darina took his hand. “Mother, apologize.” “I still need to get a room.” He turned to Fria. “Thank you for dinner.” “Lyni! Mother!” Darina cried again. This time she looked in tears. She was as upset with him as she was with her mother. He didn't understand why. “Darina, I'm sorry.” He didn't know what else to say. He took her in his arms. She let him hold her a moment before pulling away. “I'm sorry to,” Fria said. “And yes, you can have my permission to court my daughter, if you truly want her.” This last part she said with a twinkle in her eye and Thailyn understood she was teasing now. “Thank you. But I really do need to get going to get a room if I want anything decent.” Thailyn insisted. “Oh, just stay here,” Fria said. “Where would he sleep?” Darina asked. Thailyn wondered the same thing. The house was nice but it wasn’t big enough to have a guest room. “In your room. You two are already sleeping together.” Fria shrugged. “No, we're not.” Thailyn insisted. “We haven't known each other that long and your daughter is anything but a slut. Yes, we spent the night together once, but it was an accident. We were at the inn I was staying at, talking. We went up to get a room to get away from the crowds and fell asleep. We did not have sex.” He could tell Fria wasn't sure if she should believe him. “Isn't that what I told you?” Darina asked. Fria thought a moment and then nodded. “Pretty close. If you’re not doing anything, there's no harm if you stay. Save yourself some money.” Thailyn wondered at her insistence on him saying but didn't question it further. He helped them clean up after dinner. Then they went to the sitting room to talk for a while until Fria suggested Darina go make sure her room was clean enough for company. Darina blushed and he wondered if she was to the type to leave a mess. Dragons typically didn't have many possessions but his parents were quite strict and insisted that he and his sister always put their things away and never leave the mess. Even 500 years after not seeing his father, Thailyn still felt the man's presence and was always keeping things neat and organized. It drove Lial crazy at the clinic. “Her room's not that bad.” Fria assured him once Darina had left. “She worries I'll trip and fall if she leaves anything out.” “You will,” he said matter-of-factly. She nodded. “She said you’re strong healer. You read me when we touched.” “It wasn't my intention. I had assumed you were an unreadable too.” “She got that from her father. How much did you read?” “Probably all of it.” He admitted. “It can take a bit to sort out.” “I worry about Darina when I'm gone. She's a fine woman but she has few friends and no suitors, well, except, now you. She spends so much time worrying about me.” “She has caused to.” Thailyn insisted. Fria nodded. “I think the cane will help for a while.” “It should. But, if your neighbor’s willing to help out, I think that's good too.” “I am still able to do quite a bit. Dar gets her magic for me. I can take care quite a bit that way, for now at least.” “The handshake was too brief for me to tell. Are you not seeing a healer or is he not able to do anything?” “He's doing what he can. Some isn't healable.” “You’re right. It’s not. I can slow down the degeneration.” He offered. She smiled. “I'm sure you could. And I believe you'll take good care of my Darina.” “I fully intend that.” Thailyn nodded. “What do you intend?” Darina asked, coming up behind him. “To take care of you,” he said and pulled her onto his lap. Surprisingly, neither she nor her mother seemed to mind. They talked a little while longer but soon all three were yawning. Thailyn was surprised Darina hadn’t fallen asleep right there on his lap. She was really fighting it. Soon, they said good night to Fria and went off to Darina's room. Darina had brought his bag in earlier. “Are you sure you're okay with this?” He asked as they crawled into bed. She nodded. “If it meant more time with you, I'd let her join us.” “What did I do wrong before?” He asked. He didn't want to make the same mistake again. “Wrong?” She frowned. “When your mom said I only liked you for your bedroom skills and I was going to leave, what should I have done differently?” “Nothing. At first I thought you were running away. Then I realized you were backing off in order to control your temper.” She explained. He put an arm around her and pulled her close. She snuggled against him. His hand rested on her belly. He thought of it swollen with a baby. “Do you want kids?” He asked. “I used to.” “But now?” He tried to hold back any concern. He always hoped he'd be a father someday. He loved children. “I’d lost hope in finding a husband. Now, I think maybe. Do you?” “I'm a dragon. Of course I want kids. But we need to wait for the bond to strengthen. Besides, we haven't known each other that long, only a week.” “We've known each other longer than that.” Darina smiled. He shook his head. “It's just feels like it because things are going so well.” “No, it really has. You're forgetting about the first time I tried to pick your pocket.” Thailyn grinned and rolled his eyes. “How could I forget that?” He sighed with contentment. “You don't know how good it feels to hold you after so long of avoiding touch is much as possible.” “I'm starting to get to the idea through the bond.” “I should warn you, you may feel some unpleasant things through when I heal people.” She rolled to face him. “It's worth anything I feel. I love you.” The revelation surprised him. Even if you counted when she first tried to pick his pocket it was just barely over a week since they had met. “I love you too,” he said honestly. **** Darina awoke the next morning, still in Thailyn's arms. She found it almost as enjoyable as he did. “I love you.” He whispered. She smiled and rolled to look at him. “I love you too. Did you sleep at all?” He shrugged. “Sort of. It'll take getting used to, sensing someone while I'm sleeping. I was able to get some rest and I should be able to sleep at the clinic tonight, assuming we don't have a patient that needs constant supervision.” “What's bothering you?” She asked. She was getting good at reading the bond. “What did your mom tell you about her health?” Darina frowned. “Her health? She's fine. She's just a little unsteady because of her hip.” “No, she's not. It is a little off but that's not a big problem. She has Nielboh, an illness that causes brain deterioration. It's why she gets upset at things she shouldn't and doesn't do some of the things she should do. She forgets how and doesn't want to admit it. It's also causing her problems with her balance which is why she falls. The cane will help some. “I can't heal it. But I can slow it down and undo some of the damage. It still won't be long until she needs more care than you can give alone. I'll talk to some colleagues and find a good nurse in town.” “I can't afford a nurse.” She told him. While her mother hadn't told her about the illness, Darina had worried about her falling because of her hip. She looked into hiring a nurse but even the less reputable ones were too expensive. That was when she'd made arrangements with the neighbor and Slippurse and Kith had started coming to help. “I can afford it.” He assured her. “I can't ask you to do that.” She insisted. “You didn't. I offered. We're family. Your mother is my mother. I'm going to help you out.” “We're not mates. We're not family yet.” She said shook her head sadly. “Close enough.” He told her. “And we will be before she gets that bad.” He focused on what he felt from her through the bond. What he felt filled with concern. “Are you thinking I might leave you?” He guessed. She nodded. “We've only known each other week, anything could happen.” He nodded. “Anything could but I'll tell you what will. You and I will become mates.” He assured her. “Do you work every day at the shop or do get some days off?” He asked. He hoped the more time they spent together, the more confidant she'd become. Plus, with more contact, the bond would become stronger which would also help. “I work six days a week.” “When is your next day off? I usually get the day off after I have a night on duty at the clinic but I can change it. I'd like to spend the day with you.” “My day off is the day after tomorrow.” He smiled. “Then so is mine.” “Lial won't mind?” She asked. “He's my partner not my boss. But it doesn't matter. Really, he'll appreciate not having to come in as early tomorrow. He's usually a bit hung over.” “We should get up. We don't want to be late.” She suggested. He nodded and rose. **** Anisa came after breakfast. She looked a bit haggard. “How's your son?” Thailyn asked her. “Fria said he's not well.” “He's not. He lives in one of the farming villages. He came into town to see a healer. He didn't want to wait for one to come out.” She explained. “What did the healer say?” She frowned. “I don't remember the name. He said it was like an adult version of sleepless fever.” “Reys tor?” Thailyn guessed. “That's it.” She nodded. “It's a tricky one to treat, almost as bad of sleepless fever. I can heal it, but you'll need to follow specific instructions to avoid a relapse.” “Would you? The healer he saw yesterday couldn't treat him. By the time he was done, it was too late to go to another.” “I can.” Reys tor was as difficult to heal as its cousin, sleepless fever. It was also just as easy to relapse and had the same potential complications. Few healers could cure the disease out right, without the use of potions. “I'll stop next-door before I go back to Illia. I leave instructions with him. Does he have any family in the village? They should follow the same cleaning procedures there.” “He’s single.” “He won't be able to travel for a few days. I'll be back by then to watch Fria, so it would be no problem for you to go help him.” “I haven't seen you around. Are you a friend of Darina's?” He smiled. “I'm a little bit more than a friend.” “A suitor?” She smiled. “Good. She's such a sweet girl and she needs somebody.” “And Fria should be better for you today. I treated her too.” “Oh good. She's a friend, but when she's had a bad day, she can be a handful.” “I imagine most days were pretty bad lately. Hopefully she'll have some good ones. If she doesn't, let me or Darina know.” She nodded. “I will.” “Darina really appreciate you helping.” He told her. Anisa smiled. “I know. She tells me almost daily.” He nodded. “I need to go. I'll check on your son and see you in a few days.” “Thank you.” “It's the least I could do for your help here.” He stopped by the neighbor’s house, healed Vibby and gave him to the instructions to prevent reinfection. Then he transported back to Illia. He always checked on Lial and the clinic before starting his day, though usually he just scried his partner. He didn't have many patients to check on. The villages around Illia were shrinking. The farm ground wasn't very good. People were either moving to town or farm villages near other cities. He ran a few errands and then went back to the clinic to help Lial. “I'm taking a couple of birth control potions.” He told Lial. “I thought you wanted to wait.” “I do. But I sure didn't want to the other night.” Thailyn admitted. “So she's your mate now?” Thailyn shook his head. “Fortunately, we waited.” “Just sleep with her and be done with it.” Lial insisted. Thailyn growled. “I can't.” “You dragons and your bonds.” Lial shook his head. “You don't understand what mating without bonding would do to a dragon. I've seen it. It's terrible.” “But you two are already bonded.” Lial insisted. “It needs to be stronger. With all the green bough I take it, it'll destroy the bond and that would be the same as if it never was.” “Take liquid shade for a while.” Lial suggested. Liquid shade was also a pain reliever and it didn't block the bond. “I can't. You think my temper is bad now.” Thailyn shook his head. “It can get worse?” Thailyn nodded. “Much. Shades, the last time I had it, they thought I'd completely lost control and went mad dragon.” “How did they tell the difference?” “I was talking and casting spells.” Dragons lost all cognitive ability and simply attacked everything they saw when they went mad dragon. “Fortunately, my dad was still alive then. He and an augmenter shielded me while another healer countered the liquid shade.” “It took your dad and an augmenter to hold you?” “Apparently. I may not have been mad but things aren’t too clear.” “You warned her about this?” “Not yet. I will. I told her about my temper. She almost saw it last night after some of the things her mother said about her. About the only thing that kept me in control was she's sick. She has Nielboh.” Lial cringed. “How bad?” “Bad. Three years now.” “Three?” He shook his head. “Whoever was treating her as been doing creative treatments to keep it under control. I’d like to meet him.” Lial smiled. “Sounds like I might be losing my partner again.” “I'm not planning quitting yet. I may ask her to come live here. But it never hurts to talk with other healers, learn new things.” Lial nodded. “Why do you think I keep partnering with the strongest healer in the four kingdoms?” “Shh. No one’s supposed to know about that.” Thailyn grinned. Lial was a combination of immortal, elf and human and was several hundred years old. Thailyn wasn't sure how he survived the half elf culling the elf king had initiated at the end of the war to rid the land of ‘impure’ half breeds. Perhaps no one had been able to go up against an immortal, perhaps his healing ability had helped. Being labeled an abomination was not something Lial appreciated and so Thailyn never questioned him on it. Lial was one of now three people who knew who Thailyn really was. Darina knew of course. There was a man named Kritalla, who like Lial, was a quarter immortal. Thailyn had met him just after the war. He helped nurse Thailyn back to health after the explosion and the final battle. Lial was one of the healers who helped him when they first came to Menthanla and he'd had his first bout with his heart. He partnered with Lial shortly after the war for about 20 years before the Council started harassing him and he'd had to leave town. Since then, he traveled town to town, partnering with one of the healers and usually taking care the farming villages around that town while helping the others healers improve their skills and develop non-magical treatments. He found he could usually stay only about 10 to 15 years before the Council found him again. Then, he had to move on. He had a different name he used in each of the towns and by the time he returned, no one remembered him, except Lial. He partnered with Lial each time he'd return to Illia. “It's probably time you moved on anyhow.” Lial shrugged. “I know. I'm thinking I may wait until we're married. I don't want to be moving a family around every few years so I want to try to stay here as long as possible. “I haven't talked with her about it but I thought maybe after that I'd take a few years off and we could live in my cabin. But I don't want to move her mother. She needs consistency. So it will be for a few years, not until she passes away.” Thailyn told him. “You’ll want to talk to her about this first. She may want to stay in Thager.” Lial advised. Thailyn nodded. “If she does, we will.” “This is the first time you've mentioned marriage. Have you proposed?” Thailyn shook his head. “Not yet. I'm assuming if she wants to be my mate, she'll marry me.” “Humans are different from dragons. They think differently. Some don't want a lifetime commitment.” Lial pointed out. “She said she understood. I am still planning on proposing. I got her mother's permission last night. I just need to find a ring.” “The best place for jewelry is Sen-gan. If not there, there's a jeweler there in Thager who does custom pieces that are quite artistic.” Thailyn raised an eyebrow. “In Thager?” Lial nodded. “He's actually a blacksmith, but does little jewelry work on the side.” “There are three blacksmiths in Thager. Which one?” Lial laughed. “Like you can find any of them. I'm surprised you can even find Thager.” “My sense of direction isn’t that bad.” Thailyn insisted. “I can see it from the air.” “I'm not sure of the name. It's the one with the forge inside. It's across from a magic shop. It's where I got that necklace made with the pearls.” “I know that place.” Thailyn nodded. “I can find it again.” “Really? And how would you do that?” Lial looked amused. “Darina works at the magic shop.” Thailyn grinned. “I can use the bond to find her. Even I can find my way across the street.” “I would hope so.” Lial chuckled. “I'm taking the day after tomorrow off, rather than tomorrow.” Thailyn told him. “So you can sleep it off in the morning.” Lial grinned. “You think I sleep on my night off?” Thailyn growled. “I don't want to hear about your women.”