That evening, Ann met Jaidu in the garden. “Aunt Jaidu, how was class?” Ann asked. “It was interesting. I was a little lost but Master Elos is going to help me catch up,” Jaidu said. “And your classmates?” “I think we all got along okay. I really like Lamdi. She’s quiet but really nice. She was helping me when I was confused. So was Chormi but Master Elos kept telling him to stay away from me. He was just helping though. Lamdi says he’s nice. She wishes he was her brother. She didn’t say anything, but I think she has a brother who was mean and hurt her. “Some of the kids said I talked different. Do I?” “You have a Yarba accent. It’s a bit different from a Menthanlan one. But not as different as Andy’s and Jo’s.” “Are they from very far away?” Ann nodded. “We can only get there with magic.” “What about Sir Pt’this, Emissary Nim, and Mishtali? They all talk different.” “Mishtali and Thailyn are from an island called Tricon. Thailyn worked to get rid of his accent so people wouldn’t know he was a dragon. Uncle Pt’this and Nim are from Baj-tisk, the mountains to the west.” “But Sir Pt’this and Emissary Nim talk different from each other too.” “Nim uses the same accent as the lady who helped raise him.” “What happened to his parents?” “Nothing. They just needed help teaching him magic. “How are you doing knowing Shay is your mother?” “It’s a little strange. She’s always acted like a mother to me and sometimes I wished she was my mother, but now that she is, I don’t know. I guess I’m afraid I’m going to wake up and find it was a dream. And what about the woman I thought was my mother? Do I forget about her?” “I don’t think you could,” Ann said. “Is Mishtali really going to be my dad?” Ann nodded. “Dragons feel family is extremely important. If you’re related to one member of the family, you’re related to them all. Thailyn is my birth father. He had a sister named Mirimar. So, of course, she’s my aunt. Pt’this married Mirimar, so he became my uncle. Mirimar died, and Pt’this married Sapphire so now she’s my aunt too. Pt’this has a brother who also claims me as his niece. “Mishtali was Mirimar’s father so Pt’this became his son. Now, Sapphire is his daughter and Bremul, their baby, Mishtali claims as his grandson. He’d be your nephew.” Jaidu smiled. “This is a little confusing.” Ann nodded. “It is. Joanne is still learning it. Andy sort of understands, but he has trouble keeping track. Sapphire and I grew up knowing dragons so we kind of think that way.” “Did Sapphire grow up here at the palace too?” “No, she lived in Thager with Pt’this’s nephew, Kith.” “I’ve got so much to learn,” Jaidu said. Ann nodded. “Nim’s offered to teach you dragon things, flying and breathing fire and stuff, to help your parents out.” “I can’t believe I’m part dragon,” Jaidu said. “I know the feeling. I was twenty-four before I found out. It did explain a few things though, like why my magic is so strong.” “But I don’t have magic,” Jaidu said. “You must. Dragons can’t exist without magic.” “Maybe I’m not Shay’s daughter.” The thought obviously didn’t appeal to her. “You are. Shunati confirmed that yesterday when he read you.” “What if he was wrong?” Ann pretended shocked. “Shunati wrong? Don’t let him hear you say that.” Then she grew serious. “He’s not wrong. Andy can see potential magic. We’ll talk to him. It’s possible you just haven’t come into it yet. And, we’ll talk with Grandmother.” “Do you know where she is?” “She went flying with Grandfather. Whenever you need to find someone, ask the steward on duty. Part of his job is to know where everyone is.” “How does he do that?” Ann shrugged. “The chief steward has a spell on him to find people. The rest have a charm. Plus I think they have a mini spy network in the palace. Its walls have ears, you know.” “Does that mean?” “It means, watch what you say or do because it’s likely someone will over hear you, even if you’re alone.” “Is there nowhere safe?” “My lab, the potions room, Nim’s study and a few meeting rooms. My room is guarded against scrying, but there are other ways to listen.” “Scrying? You mean someone could be watching me while I sleep?” “If you want to protect your room, cover anything reflective, mirrors, jewelry, or coins.” Jaidu nodded. Andy and Thailyn join them. “Good evening, Aunt Jaidu,” Andy said as he sat near Ann. “Good evening, Prince Andy,” Jaidu said. “Please don’t call me that. I’m not really a Prince,” Andy said. “Yes you are,” Ann said. “Only because I married you. But, you don’t have to use my title,” Andy said. “You don’t have to call me princess either,” Ann said. “It’s not my title anyhow.” “What is your title?” Thailyn asked. “You are writing quite a while yesterday.” “My full name and title is Shimmering Highness, Princess of Mages, Ambassador Annlonna Mathis va Darina Thailyn ton Tylan Emeton Entista Thorgrey Entista Nimitinas.” “How do you even remember all that?” Jaidu asked. “I wasn’t born with all that. I was just Princess Annlonna Va Darina ton Tylan Emeton. It’s all been added a little at a time.” “Where did Mathis come from?” Thailyn asked. “That’s Andy’s family name. Relatives share the same name. When people get married the woman usually takes her husband’s family name.” “That’s kind of like us,” Jaidu said. “Only, we don’t generally marry outside of our clan.” “What’s your full name?” Andy asked. “Princess Jaidu Trita. What’s yours?” “Ambassador Prince Andrew Stephen Mathis. Thailyn, how about you? Anything besides the obvious?” Andy turned to the healer. Thailyn shook his head. “Nope. We don’t have apprentices or mentors on Tricon or use va either. I was either just Thailyn or Thailyn the Healer. It’s only here that I’m Thailyn va Shawtila Mishtali. “ “That’s her real name? Shawtila? It’s pretty,” Jaidu said. “Has anyone seen Nim today?” Andy asked. “He was supposed to help me with something, but he sent a message canceling.” “I haven’t seen him or Joanne all day. Could they be trying to beat Pt’this’s record?” Ann guessed. “Nim’s not feeling well. He had eta-vie poisoning and I gave him the antidote today. It’s not pleasant. Joanne’s keeping an eye on him. He should be fine by morning.” “Great. Then he’ll probably want to go back to Chicago,” Andy said. “Where?” Thailyn asked. “Where Joanne and I are from. He didn’t like the idea of Jo leaving her home and family so he wanted to live there.” Thailyn shook his head. “It’s not a good idea. That place really took a toll on Dad’s magic. Where Nim has had it in his blood, it will affect him harder and faster. If they want to go visit her family for a day or two, he’ll be fine, but he shouldn’t do more than that.” “Andy? Ann said all dragons should have magic but I don’t seem to have any. She said you could tell if I do or not,” Jaidu said. “I don’t see any magic.” He reached out a hand. “May I?” She nodded. “I don’t feel anything either.” “That’s not possible. A dragon can’t survive without magic,” Thailyn said. “If a dragon is born without magic, he dies within hours.” “She is half human,” Ann pointed out. “It doesn’t matter. I’ve seen it happen with babies who were only one quarter dragon. A dragon cannot survive without magic.” “Then she can’t be Shay’s daughter,” Andy said. “She doesn’t have magic.” “She is half dragon and my sister,” Thailyn insisted. “Thailyn, what happens if you drain the magic from a mage, or a potential mage?” “They go into a wizard’s trance.” “I mean all the magic.” “They go to a trance and die. Ann is the only one to ever survive that.” “When I removed that spell from Jaidu, I did it by draining all the magic from her. I didn’t detect any magic of her own so I just pulled everything from her. She didn’t even feel it.” He turned to Jaidu. “You didn’t, did you?” She shook her head. “I didn’t even know you did it. I still don’t know when.” “When we were in Ann’s room for you to change and we’re talking about Remtani, when I put my hand on yours.” “That should have killed her,” Thailyn said. “What happens if you give her magic?” “May I?” Andy asked. She nodded. He gave her some of his own energy. She glowed a moment and then it faded. “Ann, may I use yours?” “Problem?” She asked, reaching over to help. “My disappeared. Where it’s still not normal, I thought maybe somebody else’s might work.” “Let me.” Thailyn offered. “That way you take the right magic.” “I can tell the difference,” Andy said but used to Thailyn’s magic instead. The same thing happened. There was a growl as Shay landed. “What do you think you’re doing? Get away for my daughter.” Andy saw three spells shields go up around them. He was surprised since he hadn’t cast one. Then, he recognized one as Mishtali’s. “Ann, put up that fire shield,” Andy warned. He saw Shay’s eyes. She was on the verge of mad dragon.