Thailyn checked all the kids. Most were fine. Lamdi was a healer and a sensitive. It was why she didn’t want to touch anyone. Dae was an augmenter, hiding it from everyone so had avoided healers. Thailyn took care of her health needs. Now, he waited in the yard for Jo to finish. “What exactly is going on in that house?” A woman asked from the next yard. “Excuse me?” Thailyn asked. “I don’t mean to be rude. The other neighbors and I were wondering. About a year ago, this nice looking couple moves in. It’s a little odd, since he’s an elf and she’s a human. You don’t see elves intermarrying much with the law and all. Then, another couple moves in only this time she’s the elf and he’s not. Next, we start seeing all kinds of kids there and not one is related to any of the adults. The elf man leaves every day. I’m assuming he works somewhere, but he’s dressed fit for the palace. Sometimes, the human woman is too. There are all sorts of people coming in and out including one that looks like the shimmering princess and someone who looks like the crown prince. And I swear I’ve seen the royal coach. “The kids seem like they’d be a rowdy group, but the adults work to keep them in line. It reminds me of when I lived in Bisfip and the dragons would bring their kids for the day. “This is the first time anyone has been out for me to ask, but this is the first time I’ve seen you so maybe you don’t know.” Thailyn smiled. “They act like dragons because they are dragons. Well, three adults are at least. The only human adult is the woman. The kids are all human accept the baby. He’s half dragon. “I don’t know about the coach, but I’m sure you’ve seen Princess Annlonna and Prince Remtani here. This place was Prince Remtani’s idea. They’re trying to get kids off the street, give them a place to stay, keep them out of trouble. The princess is the elf man’s niece. They aren’t causing problems are they?” “Not so far. I don’t see the kids out much except when they do yard work or on wash day. And a few times a week, they all go off and are gone for the whole day, except sometimes the younger couple. Thailyn nodded. “If the kids cause any trouble, talk to one of the adults. They’ll straighten it out. If it’s the younger couple, talk to the elf man. He’ll take care them.” “And if it’s the older two?” “Talk with the prince, I guess. Though, I’ve known them for years. I doubt you’ll have any trouble. “Would you happen to know where a cloth merchant is that deals in dragon skin?” He ventured. She nodded. “The closest place is two blocks that way and then head towards the palace for three blocks.” “Thank you. I’m new in town. I came to visit family and have decided to stay. Do you know anybody looking to sell?” She shook her head. “I can’t say I do, except maybe over near the gate, but I wouldn’t recommend buying there, unless you like sleeping with your sword.” “Bad area?” “If it ain’t nailed down, it’s gone in two days. If it is, you got three.” “I keep that in mind. Thank you.” Jo came out at that time. “It looks like my guide is here. Thank you for the information.” “You’re welcome and thank you too,” the woman said. They stopped at the merchant on the way to the palace and Thailyn ordered gloves made for Lamdi to protect her from the others and delivered to the home. As they approached the palace, Nim flew overhead. Joanne watched him land on the balcony. “Why does Nim hate his coloring so much?” She asked him. “Metallic colorings are never popular. I don’t know why, but it’s the same on Tricon. But, Nim is the color of eta-vie. Imagine seeing someone whose skin looked like poison. That’s what Nim looks like. On top of that, Nim is huge. I think he’s the biggest dragon I’ve ever seen. Dragons prefer smaller sizes to large. And most find visible muscularity unattractive.” “Why?” “Easier mating. You and Nim are quite different in height. Certain positions are awkward. It’s the same with dragons only we’re not as flexible so we don’t have as many options. I’ve had people tell me they prefer mating in human form because they have more variety.” “It’s strange. The things others find unattractive are the things that appeal to me most.” “That’s because you’re human.” “What color are you?” “Purple, like my mom and my sister was. Most of the family seems to be. I don’t know about Jaidu. We won’t be able to tell that until we can get her a vial. You can usually tell by our eye color, but it doesn’t always work with half breeds.” “I don’t think I’ve seen too many purple dragons.” “It’s not a very common color. It’s extremely rare here.” “Does that make it more or less attractive?” “More. The less common the color the more attractive it would be. I’m glad Ann has a mate. Emeton and I would be fighting off suitors with clubs.” “She thinks she’s ugly.” “I know. It’s because she grew up human. Around here at least, humans don’t find uniqueness attractive.” “Will her kids be able to become dragons?” Thailyn nodded. “They will, but unless they mate with dragons, the grandkids won’t. You need to be at least quarter dragon to use a vial. Something for you to keep in mind.” Joanne nodded. “How many kids do you plan on having?” “I really don’t care. As many as we have.” Jo shrugged. “What about Nim?” “We haven’t talked about it. I know he wants some. He still getting used to the idea that he found a mate. He’s lived so long being alone.” “He does know that’s what mating is for, right? Do I need to have a talk with him?” Joanne smiled. “He knows. It’s just one step at a time. Once Pt’this said he hoped for a dozen kids. Nim didn’t say anything, but I could tell the idea appealed to him.” “What do you think of that? You’re the one who’s going to be carrying all of them.” “I’ve never been pregnant before so I don’t know. Nim will feel it through the bond so it will depend on how he handles it too.” Thailyn nodded. “Darina didn’t have many side effects so I didn’t feel much.” “What about childbirth? They had to block the bond for Pt’this. He almost passed out.” “Darina was already dead,” he said softly. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize. Ann doesn’t talk about it, just that her mother died when she was born.” “I imagine it produces less questions then saying ‘they cut me from my mother’s dead body’,” Thailyn said. Joanne stared at him. “It also avoids reactions like that,” he said. “I’m sorry. May I ask what happened?” “Did you know Tylan used to be a thief?” Jo nodded. “I did. She’s the one who removed your dad’s collar.” “She and Darina used to work together much like Ann and Sapphire. Once Tylan became queen, she gave it up and so did Darina. Except one day someone comes to Darina wanting to hire her for a job to steal something that had been stolen from him. It was supposed to be a simple job so Darina agrees. She was eight months pregnant but Ann was half dragon. She still had four months left so travel was okay and I was going to go to help and I could keep an eye on the baby. Two days before we were supposed to leave, we were at a tavern eating dinner. A fight broke out near where we were sitting. Before we could get out of the way, I got hit in the sternum. Because of my heart condition, it has to be one of the worst places for me to be hit. There was no way for me to go. Darina couldn’t delay going and the man who hired us wasn’t the type who you could tell you changed your mind. So Darina went without me. She went to Tylan for help. The two, along with another mage named Thorgrey went. I don’t know all of the details, just the man they were stealing from turned out to be an immortal. He hit Darina right in the chest with lightning bolt. How it didn’t kill Ann too I have no idea. The blast was the last thing I felt of Darina. That pain and the loss of the bond sent me into shock and I lost consciousness. I’m not sure how but they cut Darina open and got Ann out of her before she died too. Like with Vaila, Shunati, Mila, and Pt’this kept Ann alive and warm. I think Mirimar and Kithmar helped too. They had no idea how early she was. They thought she was human. They thought she was only a month early. They took good care of her, better than I could have at the time.” “I’m sorry,” was all Jo could think to say. Thailyn nodded. “Nim wants to know what’s wrong. I explained to him.” “Thank you. I thought he was probably talking to you,” Jo said. “You can feel him using telepathy?” Jo nodded. “That was one of the first things I could feel once the bond started. Is that unusual?” “Very.” “Andy feels Ann.” “Andy feels the pain Ann experiences because she’s half human. Are you feeling pain?” “No. I can’t describe how it feels. I can just feel it.” “Can you hear him?” “No. We tried.” They reach the palace and went their separate ways. Joanne found Nim in their room. “Catch anything?” She asked, kissing him. “A bunch.” “So you won’t need lunch?” She teased. “Did you have something else in mind?” Nim asked. He put his arms around her. “No, I’m hungry. I didn’t go hunting.” She started to pull away. He growled and held her tight. “Do not tease me, woman.” He carried her to the bed. She laughed. “We’re supposed to meet the others after lunch.” “We’ll be done,” Nim promised. “In time to eat?” “Not if you don’t stop talking.