Thailyn went to Thager most evenings and almost anytime he had time off. When Fria found out he was staying at inns, she told him he needed to stay with them. He was happy to. That gave him more time with Darina and she didn't worry about her mother being alone. He did odd jobs around the house on his days off. They didn't ask him too and he didn't ask permission. If he saw something that needed to be done, he did it. They were his family now and you took care of family. The bond grew stronger and stronger. He still limited the amount of green bough he took but he found he didn't need it as much. And when he did take it, and only block the bond a little. He helped with cooking lessons but Darina wasn't progressing. He watched to see if he could figure out why but he couldn't tell. His mother once had a recipe she called ‘learn to cook stew’. When she was teaching him to cook, he'd made it every night for weeks until he could make it without mistakes. By that time, he was so sick of it he never wanted to taste it again. He'd made himself scarce when his sister had been learning to cook. He tried to remember the recipe to use it to help Darina but it had been too long since he had made it. He came home one day to find Darina at the stove. “Where's your mom?” “Napping. She said she's fine and not to wake her to check her. We went to the market today and the walking wore her out.” Darina told him. “So you may dinner?” He asked. Normally, if Fria wasn't up to cooking and Anisa wasn't there, they waited for him to get there to make the meal. She nodded. “You’re tire. I hope you like oatmeal. It's the only thing I can make that turns out edible. I have some preserves we can mix and it.” “Sounds good.” Thailyn smiled as he set the table. Surprisingly, it was. He did check Fria when she woke and found she was okay. Her illness's progression had slowed. Between him healing her and what the other healer was doing was helping. Thailyn figured she had another three years or so, although the last year wouldn't be pretty. He'd warned Darina, had a long talk with her about what would happen. She said she understood, but everyone said that. Few truly did. He wanted to be married by then. They'd be mates and fully bonded before that time and he wanted her to be his wife too. He'd been busy towards that end and he'd been careful to control his emotions so he could surprise her. “I want to take you to Illia.” He told her one day. “What about mom?” She asked. “Anisa's going to look after her and that nurse we talked to is coming this evening.” “Planning on being late?” She asked. He nodded. “Probably.” He took her first to the clinic so she could meet Lial properly, who was, surprisingly, on his best behavior. Then he wanted to take her to his cabin. She'd never seen him in true form before and hadn't flown with him. The cabin wasn't far so he offered to fly her there. She was nervous, but agreed. She did well for her first time flying. “Do you remember how I said I didn't have a home; that I live at the clinic?” He asked. Darina nodded. “I do own a place, but it's too close to Baj-tisk for me to stay long.” He explained. He showed her into his cabin. It was a simple one-room place. It had what he needed. “I built this place just after the war. I lived here and worked in Illia with Lial until the Council ran me off. I've used it a few times since but as soon as the Council thinks I'm in Illia, they check here. That's why I stayed at the clinic. Once they find, they won't leave me alone until I leave again. “They know I won't leave Menthanla while Mirimar is still here so they try to make me as miserable as possible.” “That's terrible.” Darina frowned. “After what I did, I deserve it.” “What did you do?” She asked. “When we first met, I told you how Kar was trying to teach Pt'this magic. Part of the reason why he was unsuccessful is Pt'this didn't like him and wouldn't listen to him. Kar and I didn't get along. I'm not sure why. I don't know if he was jealous that my dad brought us with when he was looking for mom while Kar’s dad left them in Baj-tisk every time he traveled or if it was because Dad was more successful teaching Pt'this then Kar was or if it was something else. But during the war he made the claim we were immortals. While his friend had been apprenticed to an immortal, most weren’t trusted. The problem was, his friend was shunned, made a virtual outcast because of his tie to his immortal mentor. Pt'this would go through the same thing and Kar didn't care. I tried to talk with him but it didn't help. I lost my temper and hit him. We got into quite a fight. The Council thought I overreacted and started an inquisition to see why. They didn't realize it was just my temper. They questioned and harassed us for months, even Pt'this and Kar's friend. “Finally, they decided we were cool we claimed. But they felt that if Menthanla had us Tricots, they didn't need Baj-tisk. They ordered all Baj-tisk to come home. The exception was Pt'this since he was apprenticed to my dad. “Kar's friend, emissary Tani and I went to the Council to appeal to them to change their mind but they refused. I lost my temper again. I came so close to going mad dragon I made myself have a bout with my heart. “Because of me, we were late getting back to help and my dad had to fight Nor’than with just the help of some humans. Because of me, my dad was killed and so was Tani, my sister was maimed and so many soldiers died, Kar left Baj-tisk his friend is an outcast and Pt'this…” He sighed. “I don't know about Pt'this, but I know he's not the same.” She took his hand. “I'm not saying what you did was right, but all you did was lose your temper while trying to help. It doesn't sound like you deserve the treatment you're getting,” Darina said. “It sounds like the Council is looking for someone to take the blame for their actions.” He smiled sadly. “Thanks.” She looked around, wanting to change the subject. “So this is where you lived?” He nodded. “And you built this?” He nodded again. “All by yourself?” He shrugged. “I'm a dragon. It helps to be bigger than the thing you're building.” “It's very nice.” They talked a bit and he made a nice dinner. He'd gone hunting and caught a shabba beast. It was a rare delicacy among both humans and dragons. He'd been lucky to find one. And he knew a good recipe for it. “Darina, you once said you wanted to be bonded to me. You also said he wanted to be my mate. Will you marry me?” He asked, offering her the ring. She stared at him a moment. His stomach twisted. What he felt from her wasn't what he expected. Then she shook her head. “No.” “No?” He thought his heart would break. “No. I do want to be your mate, but I don't think getting married is a good idea.” He frowned. Did she understand? It was the same thing. “Thailyn, listen to me.” She continued. “You told be mating was a dragon's way of getting married. It's simple and private and intimate. Humans have a wedding ceremony. It's fancy and it's public. It's not a way for you to keep a low profile. “It would also involve us going to the magistrate and registering, which means a record of your name. You told me mates don't keep things from each other. Once the Council finds you in the records, they'll know you told me who you are. They'll know you broke their command that no one know you're still alive. What will happen then? “Thailyn, I love you and I know you love me. I don't need a ceremony or our names in a magistrate's book to know that. I need you safe.” Thailyn stared at her. He didn't know what to say. He didn't even know what to think. “Why we have to get married like humans?” She continued. “You're a dragon. Why can't we do it like dragons, or like elves? How do the elves marry? Do you know?” “They spend the night in the wedding house. I don't think it would be allowed. And we’d also be registered.” “What about dwarves?” She asked. “Don't ask.” He frowned. “You wouldn't do it anyhow.” “What about the gnomes?” “They have arranged marriages, like the elves. They can't marry without the parents’ permission. I don't know many details, but I heard they only marry on a new moon or during the equinox or something, as a group.” “Do you know about immortals?” She ventured. “It depends. I know they always follow the custom of the other race if they don't marry another immortal.” “What if they marry another immortal?” “I don't know. I only know two immortals and neither is full-blooded. Lial was born here in Menthanla and has never been anywhere else, not even Erilu. He's also never been married. The other is married to a full-blooded immortal but doesn't talk about her much.” “So everyone does things different. Show me how dragons marry,” she said, moving to him. “Purr for me. Let me hear your mating cry.” She kissed him, slipping onto his lap. He let out a purr and later in the night, he let out a mating cry that echoed through the nearby mountains. **** Darina woke the next day to find Thailyn lying watching her. “Tell me you slept some,” she said. He was still sometimes having trouble getting to sleep if they were in contact. “Who could sleep with a beauty like you at his side? If you hadn't worn me out, I probably wouldn't have.” “Sorry.” She smiled. “No you're not.” He laughed. “And you enjoyed every minute of last night.” She kissed him. “And I'm going to enjoy every minute of this morning, too.” “Is it still morning?” He frowned. “Maybe.” He shrugged. “We should get back, shouldn't we?” She asked. “Anisa is coming today. The nurse will stay until she gets there. I told Anisa we'd be late.” “Did she know what we're doing?” “I told her I was going to show you around Illia and that I was going to propose. I didn't mention the possibility of us mating.” He explained. “It might be kind of hard to explain us not being pledged.” “We could say I didn't feel the timing was right with my mom being sick.” Darina offered. “Or you could agree to marry me.” He suggested. “Thailyn, we are married.” She reminded him. “I know, but…” “Do you want the Council to find you?” She pressed. “No, but we’ll be living as human. How will we explain it to our kids?” “Once they're old enough to understand, we’ll tell them the truth. We didn't have a wedding to protect you from the Council.” “But…” “Here.” She got out of bed and went to her cloak. She removed the clasp, a silver star. “Take this as a symbol of my love. I am yours, eternal as the stars.” “Take the ring.” He insisted. “How about I wear on a chain?” She offered. Thailyn nodded. “I guess that would work.” Dragons didn’t exchange rings anyhow. “You said Kith's uncle works for the Council? Maybe he could help you get them to leave you alone. You’re family.” “Yeah, family who got his mate maimed. If he ever sees me, he'll probably roast me.” Thailyn frowned. “You said his brother was involved too, but Pt'this raised his nephew.” “It's not the same. Kith wasn't even alive back then. Kith wasn't involved. I was.” “Well, maybe he'd do it for our kids.” “We don't have kids.” “Yet. We will.” She assured him. “Maybe, the next time I talk with Kith, I'll see if I can find out his uncle's feelings about you.” “You can't let him know I'm still alive.” Thailyn insisted. “I won't.” She assured him. “But it probably wouldn't matter. He probably would be too drunk to remember the conversation.” “Don't take that chance.” “I won't.” She assured him. **** Darina did try to talk with Kith but he was drinking more than usual and she didn't get to the inn often so she wasn't able to get any answers. Most evenings, she spent with Thailyn. He was still healing in Illia and traveling back when he could and would scry if he couldn't. Fria still didn't realize he was a dragon. She didn't take the time to wonder how he was traveling. Anisa was a great help when both of them had to work and tonight she offered to stay with Fria so they could go out for the evening. They went to the Dragon’s Wine for dinner. “There's Kith and Slippurse,” Darina said as they entered. “We should say hi.” Thailyn suggested. “Are you sure?” She asked. “I don't want to take you away from your friends and they’re going to have questions when you're eleven months pregnant and out to here.” He held his hand out far in front of his belly. “Eleven?” Darina frowned. Thailyn nodded. “Half dragon half human babies are twelve months in gestation not nine.” “Really?” She raised an eyebrow. “Is that okay?” “I won't really have a choice, will I?” “Not less we adopt. Be glad. Dragons are usually pregnant for two years.” “Why is it only 12 months for half dragons, rather than halfway between them, at…” She paused to do the math. “16 months or so. I don't know. I do know our kids will be born in human form and won’t be able to take dragon form until their magic starts.” He gestured for her to follow. “Let's meet your friends.” She led him to the bar where Kith at Slippurse sat. Slippurse drank Erulian wine so she wouldn't get drunk. It had magical properties that prevented the drinker from getting more than a buzz. That told Darina she was working rather than looking for man to sleep with. Kith on the other hand was quite drunk. Voramini wasn’t tending bar. He usually started watering down Kith's drinks after he was drunk enough that he wouldn't notice. This bartender didn't. Kith looked terrible. Darina wondered if they shouldn't help Slippurse keep him from getting any drunker. “Hi,” she said. “Star! Where you been?” Slippurse smiled. “Busy.” Darina shrugged. “Who's your friend?” Slippurse asked, looking him over appraisingly. “You're working, Ty.” Kith frowned. “You said you need money.” “I'm just being friendly.” Slippurse shrugged. “My name's Lyni.” Thailyn introduced himself. “I'm Fria's new healer.” “You're placing Dark?” Slippurse asked. “No, I'm supplementing what he's doing. I'm from Illia. I don't have a clinic here.” “Kith, what's wrong?” Darina asked. Too many questions for Thailyn could cause problems. “You mean why am I drinking so much?” Kith interpreted. “As if it was different from any other night.” Slippurse frowned. “One last night of being drunk. Then, I need to sober up. I'm going to Sen-gan.” “Queen Trilla's memorial?” Darina guessed. She felt bad for the royal family. The king had died a few years ago. His son, Emeton had been crowned. He and his wife Trilla had three children already. The second, a little boy, had all sorts of health problems. They said he was badly deformed and had no mind. They just had the third baby a few months ago and now Queen Trilla was dead. Kith nodded. “Emeton is taking it hard. Prince Tolin is acting as Regent with my uncle's help. I'm supposed to go help my aunt deal with the nobles so I’m going to have to stay sober.” “I heard a rumor that Governor Carem is pushing for King Emeton to marry his daughter,” Slippurse said. “He's not pushing.” Kith frowned. “He suggested it, once Emeton is through mourning.” “He's not really considering it, is he?” Darina asked. Kith shrugged. “I don’t know. He isn’t seeing anybody but his kids. I don’t know if he even heard the suggestion.” It didn't seem as if he approved. “We were just about to get dinner. Would you like to join us?” Thailyn offered. “I've already eaten.” Slippurse told him. “Kith is saving room for his rum.” “Don't drink too much.” Darina admonished him. “I'll pass out first,” Kith said. Darina shook her head and they went to the table. “I wish he would talk with the hags.” “Talk to who?” Thailyn raised an eyebrow. “The hags, Darkham's wives. They help people with problems, traumas or emotional stuff. He's getting worse.” She looked back at the two at the bar. “They both are.” “Both?” Darina explained about Slippurse his childhood and what Ceebo had done to her and how now she would sleep around. “She was eyeing you.” She grinned. “She was?” Thailyn looked surprised. “That's why Kith said she was working.” “Working? She's not a hooker is she?” “For as many guys as she sleeps with she might as well be. She'd be rich. She's the one that was trying to teach me to pick pockets.” “You have some interesting friends.” Thailyn glanced back at the bar again. Darina nodded. “A drunk dragon, a thief, and exiled dwarf, a wayward elf and a fugitive.” Thailyn grinned bashfully. “Okay, I'm including that. How did you meet them?” “Kith works across the street from the shop and I've made deliveries there. Vor tends bar and I met him here. Darkham is the healer we go to but he's also a friend of Vor.” “And Slippurse?” “She tried to rob the shop.” “You made friends with someone who tried to rob you?” He raised an eyebrow. “She was just a kid. Besides, you mated with someone who did that.” “I did and I plan on doing it again.” He grinned. “Of course, I still hope someday she'll marry me.” “Please don't start. We've discussed this.” “I'm not. I'm just saying the offer is still stands.” He assured her. “What do you think of King Emeton?” She asked changing the subject. “I feel bad for him, losing his wife so young. Not having been involved, it's only speculating, but Queen Trilla shouldn't have gotten pregnant so quickly. After all the problems she had with their second boy, she should've waited a few years to recover.” Darina nodded. “According to Kith, rumors claim she didn't want the boy because he was too deformed and would never be able to think so she got pregnant on purpose to make Emeton forget him.” Thailyn growled softly. “It's just a rumor.” She assured him. “Kith's my sister's nephew. He got that from her and it's true. Miri's addicted to gossip. She's the best source of information of the four kingdoms.” Darina frowned. “She's addicted to gossip?” Thailyn nodded. “Very strong mages need a way to counter the energy that builds up. You know how when the shades of night come, you absorb their magic and feel like you've had too much coffee? For dragons and most elves, we experience that all the time. We need to find a hobby or activity to help soothe us. The problem is, we become dependent on the activity and become addicted to it. “My parents worked a lot with Tricon's High Council so Mirimar spent most of her childhood with Tricon's version of nobles. They were a bunch of gossips. Miri would listen to all of it and repeat it too. She cause a lot of problems repeating stuff that wasn't true. Eventually, she started showing restraint, at least in what she repeated. She'll still listen to everything but will only repeat things that are true and won't hurt the person. “If she's saying Queen Trilla wanted to let the boy die, she did.” “I can't imagine thinking that.” Darina shook her head. “If we had a child with problems and you wanted to let him die, I'd be devastated.” Thailyn growled again. “A dragon would never do that to a child. Children are too precious to even consider harming one. “And there are very few birth defects I can't monitor for and correct. We should have healthy children.” Darina smiled. “Good. I don't know if I could deal with my mother and a problem baby at the same time.” “We should wait until after your mother passes to have kids. The change might be too much for your mother to handle.” Thailyn advised. Darina nodded. “You're probably right.”