Nim returned late that night. Ann had told him Joanne was staying. He would’ve transported back, but he had used up most of his strength shielding the young ones. Joanne was already asleep when he returned. He knelt near the bed to wake her. He figured she wouldn’t want to wake to find someone had slipped into bed with her. She hugged and kissed him when she saw him. “Nim, please,” was all she said. It was all she needed to say. His resolve faded. He would have given her anything she wanted. Now, as he lay there trying to breathe, he realized he had given her what she wanted. Not just to become his mate, but as the night progressed, the bond had strengthened to the point where he not only could feel what she felt, he could feel what she wanted and been happy to oblige. He smiled. She looked at him a little stunned. The shy old hermit had a few tricks. “Never confuse inexperience with ignorance,” he told her. She nodded. She had been with other men. He had never been with a woman before, but last night, she would’ve never guessed. “How?” She was still catching her breath. He hoped his problem wasn’t affecting her. He grinned despite the pain. “Research.” “What?” “Most, I learned from… listening to Thailyn. He had a tendency to explain… things in detail. I was around… when he was teaching a group of young healers.” He stopped talking so he could breathe. It hurt as bad as when he breathed fire. The exertion and heavy breathing had irritated the scar tissue in his lung. “Are you okay?” She asked. He nodded. “I will be. I think it was my mating cry… that made it so bad. Up until that point, it was bearable.” “I’m surprised you didn’t wake half the palace.” He had been quite loud. Furniture in the room had rattled. “I cast a silence spell… to keep it here. But, I lost focus and let it go… at the end. I don’t know if anyone heard me or not.” “Well, no one came running so I guess it’s okay.” Nim smiled. “Everyone who lives in this wing… is either a dragon or mated to one. Perhaps the rest all hid… under their covers.” He rested a bit longer. It was starting to get a little easier to breathe. “So how did my eyes look?” He asked. Joanne had often commented on how sad his eyes looked, even in pictures he drew of himself where he was supposed to be happy. “You closed them. I didn’t see.” He kissed her. “Should we try again and see if I can keep them open?” “Not until you can breathe without hurting.” “I’m fine,” he insisted. “I can feel you. This is not fine.” “But it could be hours before the pain goes away.” “So? You waited twelve hundred years for the first time. You can wait a few hours for the second.” He grinned. “I might forget.” “You will not forget.” Nim had an eidetic memory so he didn’t forget anything. “Seriously, I have to be back in Baj-tisk this morning to help take a group of young ones to Bisfip. The pain won’t be fully gone until after I have to leave.” He really didn’t want to wait, but she was worried. He didn’t want that so he decided not to push her. “We can wait, but I really am fine. I’ve had this most of my life.” “It doesn’t feel fine. Pain means there’s a problem.” “There is a problem. There’s a lot of scar tissue. But that’s all. I talked with a healer about it. He said, as long as I can breathe okay, I don’t have to limit myself.” “You’re sure?” “That’s what he said. How about I get us some breakfast and we can see where things go after that.” He offered. Joanne nodded. **** Nim cut through the dining room on the way to the kitchen. He saw Ann, Andy, and Pt’this eating. He waved and indicated he’d be back after he got some food. “Pt’this, did you spend the night? You don’t usually eat breakfast here anymore,” he asked after getting the food. “No, but the house was in chaos this morning. Sapphire said I should eat here so I wouldn’t be late. I’m supposed to sit in with Tylan as she holds court for Emeton this morning.” Pt’this explained. “Where’s Remtani?” “Spending time with Jaidu.” “Nim, when did you get back?” Ann asked. He shrugged. “Sometime late last night.” “Did you hear thunder? The servants think I was trying to hit the palace with lightning again.” Ann suffered from horrible nightmares that only Andy’s presence helped stop. In the past, she had cast spells in her sleep to fight these nightmares. Often times the spell she used was lightning bolts. Nim thought. He didn’t remember any thunder. “No. I didn’t hear anything.” He then realized it was probably the end of his mating call but didn’t mention that. “I thought you weren’t getting back until tonight,” Andy said. “I have to go back to Baj-tisk this morning.” “Then why are you here?” Nim smiled. “Joanne’s here.” “That wasn’t thunder. That was you,” Ann said suddenly. Nim’s smile grew and he blushed. “Sorry about that. The silence spell slipped.” “Congratulations,” she said with a smile. “It’s about time,” Pt’this said. “Who’s the one that waited five years?” Nim asked. He hadn’t even known Joanne that long yet. “That was before I knew how she felt. After, it was only a few months. It would’ve been sooner if Lyra hadn’t attacked,” Pt’this said. “It was still five years,” Nim said. “At least I have the excuse of being sick for a good portion of the time. “I need to go so we can eat before I have to leave.” “You should take her with,” Ann suggested. “We’re going to Bisfip.” Ann shrugged. “Then you’ll need all the help you can get.” Nim nodded. “I’ll see you guys later.”