In a few days, Ann was strong enough to travel. She insisted on trying to fly at least part of the way. Pt’this agreed, reasoning that she wouldn’t slow them down much and if she got tired she could join Andy and Sapphire on his back. She did better than he had expected, flying farther each day. It helped him out. He could carry the three of them, but three people were his limit and not something he could do for a full day, not anymore. He’d lost some of his strength being stuck in elf form, unable to fly for so long. On the final day, Ann wanted to try carrying Andy as a rider. Pt’this was skeptical that she would be able to do it. She was smaller than most adult dragons. Granted, she was bigger than any other twenty-four-year-old dragons. He didn’t know if she’d grow any larger. She was small for a human too. He didn’t say anything to discourage her. She would have to learn to do it eventually. Again, she did better than he expected though she struggled some. As they flew, Pt’this thought he heard a voice in his head. It was faint; so faint, he didn’t know if he really heard it. He glanced at Ann to see if it was her. Her telepathic voice was quite soft. She didn’t seem to be contacting him, however. “It’s about time I got you between my legs,” Sapphire teased, making him forget about the voice. Pt’this jerked in surprise. What was even more surprising was she actually was slightly aroused by the situation. He wondered if that had happened before and asked. “Sometimes when I’ve flown with you. It never happened with Kith,” she said. He relaxed a little. “We’ll be home tonight. Maybe we can get some time to ourselves.” He told her. “You’ll be home. I live in Thager,” she said softly. That hit Pt’this hard. He hadn’t thought about that. “You will stay in the palace, won’t you? At least a few days, please? Then I’ll see if I can get away and come with you to Thager.” “I guess I could do that, stay a few days.” She seemed reluctant. He understood. Maybe he’d look into getting a place in town. “What do you think Emeton would say if he were told Andy had his legs around Ann’s neck?” She asked trying to lighten the mood. Pt’this groaned. “Let’s not find out. It would take a week for him to calm down enough to hear the actual story. I just hope he never learns about that I let them spend the night alone. He’d have my hide.” “He’d have both our hides. I’m just as responsible for them as you are,” Sapphire reminded him. She too had vouched for Andy’s character. She too was responsible for keeping them out of trouble. Something else he had forgotten. Either he was starting to get old, or this trip had been harder on him than he realized. Perhaps Sapphire had been right to keep an eye on him. “Are you okay?” She asked. “Getting there.” He hoped.