Darina and Thailyn woke to a pounding on the front door. Darina looked out the window. It was Voramini. She went and answered the door. Thailyn followed but stayed out of sight. “They're getting married,” Vor said. “What?” Darina frowned. “King Emeton and Tylan are getting married.” Vor repeated. “She changed her mind?” Darina smiled. She’s told the others of the proposal and Tylan’s response. Vor had also heard about it from his cousin. Vor nodded. “And so she can't change her mind again, the wedding is in two days. Kith and I are transporting all of us there tomorrow.” “What?” Darina asked again. “We've been invited to attend the wedding. We're Ty’s friends. Talk to your boss and get time off.” “What about my mother?” Vor shrugged. “If you can't find someone to stay with her, bring her with. Shun can help her out.” “I can't do that.” She insisted. “It was Shun's idea.” “We'll see.” It was the closest Darina would come to accepting now. Vor nodded. “I need to go tell Darkham. See tomorrow.” He hurried off. “You are going.” Thailyn insisted as she shut the door. “What about Mom?” She asked. “I’ll watch her.” He assured her. “You're not going?” “Are you rocky? I can't go. Pt'this and Mirimar will be there.” “If you're not going then I won't…” “Worry about your mother. You’ll know she's fine. You need to go. Be with your friends. Celebrate, please.” “You just think if I see Ty getting married, I’ll want to.” She accused. He smiled and scratched at his beard. “You know, I hadn't thought of that. Now you're going if I have to send you myself.” Darina nodded. “Fine.” **** “I have no idea what to wear,” Darina said as they entered the shop. “We’ll find something.” Thailyn assured her. He turned to the saleswoman. “What do you have that would be acceptable for her to wear to a celebration at the palace?” “You? At the palace?” The woman frowned, looking at Darina’s worn clothing and Thailyn's dragon skin. He really needed to start buying her some new clothing. “Yes, palace. You know what? Never mind.” He turned to walk out. He really was in no mood to deal with someone who didn't want to help another because she thought they were poor. “Wait,” the woman said. “Let me see what I have. But it'll cost you. These dresses aren’t cheap.” “I would hope not.” Thailyn frowned. The woman brought out several dresses. Thailyn looked them through and reject them all. “Have you ever even been to Sen-gan?” “Let me see what else I have.” Woman offered. She brought out a few more. Again, Thailyn look through them. “This one might work,” he said. He wasn't sure he really liked it though. “Maybe we should go to Sen-gan to look.” “There is one other dress, but…” Woman ventured. “Let's see it.” Thailyn insisted. She brought out the dress. He smiled. “Perfect.” He turned to Darina. “Try it on.” She did. It was a little bit big, too long for her short stature. But most dresses were. He knew she usually had to shorten them. He couldn't help but smile. He turned to the saleswoman. “We'll take it. And I'll give you four extra gold if it fits her by tonight.” Darina had other things to do to get ready. She didn't have time to be shortening a dress. “Four gold?” The woman's eyes grew wide. Four gold was a lot of money for that kind of work. Thailyn showed her the coins. The woman nodded. “Yes, Sir. It'll be ready by the fifth hour of the afternoon.” **** Darina met the others the next morning. Kith came and he and Vor transported them to the palace courtyard. Darina stared up at the palace a moment. It was huge. And she couldn't believe all the people. “It's a bit intimidating, isn't it?” Minx asked. Darina nodded. Aside from the one trip to Illia and Thailyn's cabin, she'd never left Thager. Vor went to find his cousin and promised he'd find them later. Kith took them up to some rooms they could use. That floor of that wing of the palace belonged to his uncle and they could use any of the rooms. He pointed out children in uniforms he called pages that could run errands for them or guide them around. The place was a whirlwind of activity trying to get ready for the wedding. Darina had assumed that because they were getting married so quickly, it would be a simple private wedding with just family and maybe a few friends. But Emeton was insisting on a big formal wedding. Darina's head spun with all the activity. Tylan managed to visit some but she was kept busy with the preparations. Kith and Mirimar also visited. She even took them up to the nursery to visit with the kids while Darkham and Vor visited with Shunati. The oldest, a boy who introduced himself as Remmy, was happy to have visitors. He showed them around and showed off how his brother could smile. He was a little apprehensive about Tylan marrying his dad. He really liked her but he worried she'd die because Emeton's other wives had died. Minx and Wench sat and talked with him for a bit to try to help him out. Mirimar and Darina played with Emeton’s second son, Bacna and his older girl, Irkali. Mirimar explained about Bacna’s health problems. He was almost done with a series of surgeries to straighten his deformed arms and legs. Mirimar said they still worried about brain damage but Darina saw intelligence in the way he watched everything and everyone. And while he couldn't sit up on his own, if Darina helped prop him up, he was happy to play catch with his sister, rolling the ball between them. It was clumsy and awkward but he managed. Irkali enjoyed it too. And while she didn't want to be held, she also seemed happy to have visitors. The twins, Piena and Janta seemed less responsive though Darina did a few rhymes with them that had hand motions. She’d do one on her own first and then move their hands in an approximation. They both smiled but neither was interested in doing many. The nurse explained they were close to naptime. She had Darina teach her a few so she could do them with the children later. **** The wedding was wonderful. Tylan looked beautiful. Darina was impressed with how Kith and Vor looked. She had never seen either dressed up. She felt a little self-conscious in the dress she wore but she got several complements. Thailyn scried her using a necklace she wore. He talked with her softly when the others were occupied. She felt a little like he was with her. And while she wished he could be there, talking with her friends and being reunited with his sister, this was better than nothing. She asked Mirimar and Pt'this a little about Thailyn. Neither seemed to display any animosity towards him. Darina wondered if perhaps Thailyn was wrong and they would help them. It was a fun celebration that lasted well into the night. It was something Darina remembered from before her father had died. He hadn't been a noble but he was a rather successful businessman, the type that would be invited to parties with the nobles. But that had all changed when he died. Fria and her mother, Lonna, had tried to keep the business going but some of the merchants her father had credit with hadn't wanted to extend credit to his wife and most had wanted her to pay what he owed right away. They managed to keep the business going but after that they were nowhere near as successful. The nobles didn't turn away from them. Fria chose to pull away. She'd been embarrassed by their misfortunes and had withdrawn from associating with them. But tonight wasn't a reminder of what was lost. Darina remembered the parties but they hadn't meant much to her. Tonight was a celebration of what was gained, a family for her best friend. **** Kith went out to the garden to get some air. He really loved the garden. He looked back at Darina talking with Tylan. She was holding Piena. She'd make a good mother. “She's pretty, isn't she?” Shunati asked, coming out beside him. Kith nodded. “You have feelings for her?” Kith glanced at him. “Is it that obvious?” “Just now? Yes. You two would make a good couple.” Kith shook his head. “She doesn't share my feelings. Besides, I drink too much. She doesn't like that.” “So quit. You can court her.” “I'd been sober six months while was in Baj-tisk. I get back to Thager and in two days, I'm drunk. I would have gotten drunk the first night but Darina wouldn't let me.” “You stayed sober here.” Shunati pointed out. “That was to get Emeton and Tylan a chance to get together. Tolin's got more guards on the kitchen than he does on the king tonight.” “You can do it if you choose.” Shunati told him. Kith nodded. “I know. But not fast enough for her.” “So don't do it for her. You'll meet someone else.” “I've been looking for 30 years.” “So have I. I still have hope. But I have even less chance than you.” “You're restricted to elves. I'm restricted to humans. I'm the traitor’s son. No Baj-tisk would want me.” “Give me your hand.” Shunati reach for him. Kith frowned and took the elf's hand. Pain shot into him and he jerked away. “That's what I feel every time I touch someone. I’d been pledged when I was two and I fell in love with her as we grew up. We had to end it when I realized I'd never be able to control my abilities.” “My mom didn't have that problem, neither does Dark.” “I'm a sensitive. I read people without touching them. Touching people overloads it. If I want a wife, I need an unreadable. You know how rare they are?” Kith shrugged. “Darina and Minx are both unreadables.” “Minx is married. Besides, if I tried to marry someone who wasn't an elf I’d get executed.” “King Arlin wouldn't make an exception?” Shunati shook his head. “I asked. And Elven unreadables are even more rare and other races. But I'm still looking.” Then he grinned. “Or rather my parents are since they actually live in Erilu.” “My parents would kill me if they found I'd taken a human mate.” Kith frowned. “My dad hates mixed races.” “He and Arlin would get along. But don't give up hope. You're young and there are humans born daily. You'll find someone.” He went back inside as Kith nodded. “But, stop drinking.” He called over shoulder.