Thailyn paced. “Knock it off. You’re driving me rocky,” Darkham warned. “But, they’re going to banish me.” “No, they won’t. Stop worrying before you make yourself sick. Don’t make me put you on bed rest.” “I don’t need bed rest.” “Not yet, but you don’t need this either. Sit, drink your tea and silver root. Have faith in your daughter. That girl is the most manipulative person in the world. I don’t know if it’s her immortal blood or some skill she developed trying to survive all she’s been…” “What do you mean immortal blood?” Thailyn demanded. “I didn’t know when we first met, back when she was a runaway in Thager. When I found out she was the white princess, I realized she was Darina’s daughter. I treated Darina, her mother, and her grandmother. I had no trouble telling that they were immortal. I’m surprised you didn’t know.” “I did know.” “And you still had a baby with her?” “Ann wasn’t exactly planned. And I didn’t find out until after Darina was pregnant. Dar didn’t know. Her mother forgot to tell her.” “She didn’t say anything when Dar brought home a dragon?” “She thought I was an immortal. She was so sick by then, she barely remembered anything. And reading much beyond her illness was difficult.” “So how did the world’s strongest healer accidentally get someone pregnant?” Thailyn grinned bashfully. “Never have sex right after shedding.” Darkham laughed. “Shades, even I know that. And I don’t shed.” “If it comes out during the trial, I’ll be executed.” “No, you won’t. Treaty laws don’t allow for the forbidding of marriage,” Darkham pointed out. “They may want to execute Ann, but they won’t have any grounds. She’s been pardoned for all crimes. At worst, she’ll get banished from the clan, but she is a Menthanlan princess. She can’t be banished from here.” “You know an awful lot about the law for a healer.” “I spent thirty-six years banished myself. I need to know what they could do to me and my family.” “Do you want to help with my defense?” “I’ll help any way needed, but Ann’s good. Chances are, she’ll have them apologizing to you before the end.” Thailyn laughed. “I’ll be happy if they just leave me alone.” *** Wyrm sat in his cell. He’d taken a few more trips out of it, but he still felt like he belonged in his cell. He also still wore his collar and wristbands most times, though Jo convinced him to try leaving them off some too. Sometimes, he sat in the room they’d waited in for the contemplation ceremony. He made himself more pie and he had a few other things to eat. Twice, he took dragon form. He considered flying but didn’t. He didn’t know what he was doing. There was a knock on the door. “Come in,” he called, remembering to use Menthan. Thailyn entered. He looked much better than he had the last time he’d been in there and even better than he had during the ceremony. “Are you supposed to be in here?” Wyrm still asked. He didn’t want his brother to get in trouble or have more health problems because of him. Thailyn nodded. “After the last time, they dragged me out to the barracks and held me prisoner.” “They arrested you?” “They might as well have. No, I was staying with Darkham. We used to be partners. He’s generally the one to heal me if I can’t heal myself. He and his wives kept a close eye on me and made sure I did what I was supposed to.” “So you’re all better?” “For the most part.” “And your heart?” “There’s a little more damage. You said something about how much stress my heart could take. You just about found it.” Wyrm was shocked. He’d almost killed his brother. “It wasn’t all your doing. You broke my sternum. But there was a lot wrong before that. I shouldn’t have been down there. Between the battle in Ertonia and healing people after we escaped, I should’ve been in bed.” “I’m really sorry.” “It’s okay. I’m actually here to apologize to you. Your trial’s going to be delayed because of my trial. Are you familiar with the War of the Living Night? When Nor’than attacked Menthanla?” Wyrm nodded. “That’s when he ended up on Earth, and Dad became his prisoner.” “Right. During the war, I did some things I shouldn’t have. The Dragon High Council banished me. I ignored that to stay and keep an eye on our sister, Mirimar. She’d been injured terribly. The council did their best to make my life as miserable as possible, but as long as I avoided her or any other Baj-tisk and let people think I was dead, they didn’t force me to leave. “Recently, I chose to ignore that command and come out of hiding. Now, the council wants me gone. Emeton is insisting on a trial. The council won’t wait until after your trial. I’m sorry. Mine is coming first.” “That’s all right. It isn’t bad here. It’s mostly like where I grew up, only no one beats me, or hurts me. I can wait.” “You probably won’t have as many visitors,” Thailyn warned. “Most will be busy with my trial.” Wyrm shrugged. “I never had any visitors in Ertonia. Sometimes, I’d go for days without seeing anyone, except maybe whoever brought me food. I’ll be okay.” Thailyn growled. “If Cramda wasn’t dead, I’d make sure he was. If you want company, you can try contacting Dae or Ti telepathically. It might work.” “I don’t know how to use telepathy,” Wyrm admitted. “If there’s time, we’ll try to teach you. Otherwise, in addition to making different rooms, you can make people appear and make them talk.” A blonde woman with purple eyes appeared. She smiled. “Hi, I’m your big sister, Mirimar. I wish we could have met in person.” Then she disappeared. “She’s the one who died?” Thailyn nodded. “Pt’this was her mate. That’s how he became our brother.” “I still don’t know who all is family.” “You’ll learn,” Thailyn assured him. “And you’ll be there to help.” Wyrm grinned. He could see his brother was worried about his own trial. Thailyn smiled too. “I hope.” He stood. I should go. I shouldn’t push myself.” “Thanks for coming.”