John and Carry spent the next couple of days together. She asked a lot of questions and John patiently explained everything he could. It was more than his other wives. They hadn’t known much about Torthoc. They were coming to the time she’d have to go back. He kissed her, tears in his eyes. “I’m going to miss you.” “Come back with me,” she requested. It broke his heart. “I can’t. Your dad shot me.” “So? People survive gunshot wounds.” “He got copper in my blood. Copper is poison to dragons. There’s too much over there. My body will react to it. It’s why Nim kept getting sick.” “But he’s been back.” “For visits. And I’ll be able to do that soon too. But I can’t live there anymore.” “What about us?” “You can stay here. I don’t think a long-distance relationship will work.” “All or nothing?” “I’m sorry. I wish it could be different.” “If I go back, I won’t feel you?” He nodded. “That thought that you’re dead will come back?” “You’ll know I’m not. You’ll know I’m here. And it will fade. In a few months, it will dissolve completely. And eventually, you’ll forget all about me.” She frowned. “And you’ll forget about me.” John shook his head. “The bond will fade, but I’ll never forget you. I won’t let myself. I have a picture of you in my wallet. I’ll have it preserved so it will last.” She shook her head. “I can’t do this. I can’t leave you.” “You realize I’m homeless here. I have no money, no job, just what I’m wearing. I don’t even know if I can go back to my clan. I defied the council. I was the one who was supposed to make sure the others did what the council said, but I helped them instead. It was during a war so I could be banished.” “Do you think you will?” “I don’t know. I’ve noticed all those involved live here in Sen-gan.” “We’ll work it out. I’m not leaving you.” He smiled sadly. He was happy she was staying. But he didn’t want to put her through the grief if he was banished. “Shintanillic, the high council wishes to speak with you,” Nim said from behind him. John turned. Nim wore the emissary medallion, an indication he was acting on official business. John had once worn that medallion. He was glad the job was no longer his. Pt’this stood with Nim in full court dress, wearing the ambassador’s medallion. Ann stood slightly behind them also in full court dress. John sighed. It was time to face the council. He kissed Carry. “I have to go. If I can’t come back, I’ll send word.” “The council will not be permitted to keep you from your chosen,” Ann told him. Why was she there? She had said she was Menthanla’s ambassador. She would go to defend Menthanlans, but he was Baj-tisk. “Do you want me to come with you?” Carry offered. John shook his head. Even if he were willing, it wouldn’t be permitted. Dragon business was for dragons. “Prince Andrew and Lady Joanne will keep you company until we’re done,” Pt’this told her. “I’ll be okay,” John assured her, not sure if he believed it himself. Andy and Jo came a moment later. John kissed Carry one last time and joined his escort to Baj-tisk. Pt’this transported them just outside the chamber and led them in. They stayed in alternate form, so he did too. “Shintanillic,” A council member addressed him. “Since Princess Annlonna is a half breed, she has difficulty with group telepathy. Do you have a problem with these proceedings being spoken aloud?” “No, sir.” He’d hardly used it in the last 500 years, mostly with Mishtali, and that had been limited. “Very well. You have been accused of treason. 500 years ago, you were asked to have the Tricots leave Dragon Castle and bring the Baj-tisk home. Not only did you fail to even attempt that, but you also allowed one of the Tricots to come to Baj-tisk to this very chamber. Do you deny this?” Before he could reply, Ann stepped forward and spoke. “Healer Thailyn’s sentence was administered illegally, violating treaty laws. As an emissary, Shintanillic’s responsibility was to make sure the treaty laws were obeyed. His actions regarding Thailyn were in performing that duty.” The council members frowned but had no argument. Thailyn’s banishment had been declared illegally, and John had tried to tell them that. “Furthermore,” she continued, “the Tricots were on free land, not Baj-tisk. The human king still wanted their help. The high council overstepped its authority by trying to send them away. “The only crime Shintanillic can be accused of is failing to bring Tominptarthisbur back to Baj-tisk.” John resisted the urge to smile. In moments, Ann had gotten his crimes reduced to something that would get him sentenced to labor, something that would allow him to be with Carry. He could live with that. “Do you accept guilt?” He was asked. Say no, Ann sent. This can be fought. John hesitated. Fight it, Nim sent. Their emissary was telling him to fight it? That was odd, but he trusted Nim. ‘No, I do not accept guilt,” he finally said. “Permission to speak privately to the defendant. He hasn’t had time to prepare a defense,” Ann requested. “And you have?” “I haven’t been under a healer’s care. I was made aware of the charges when I was asked to represent Menthanla to assure the treaty laws are being followed.” “You may have a moment,” they agreed. She led John to a corner of the room. Send softly. I have problems with individual sending too. Okay. Why do you want me to fight? Because you’re not guilty. I’ve studied the war extensively and spoken to many who were there. Mishtali and I were the ones to get Thailyn’s sentence thrown out. I can help you too. Are you sure? Trust me. He nodded. Okay. They returned to the others. “Shintanillic is not guilty of failing to do his job. The only Baj-tisk who had not returned to the city was Sir Tominptarthisbur. He was an adult at the time and was following the orders of his mentor to help evacuate the castle. His own actions were investigated and he wasn’t found guilty of any crimes. He even received a knighthood for his actions.” She turned to Pt’this. “Ambassador, did you receive the emissary’s request to return to the city?” “I did. I told him I had to finish the task Mishtali had given me.” “Since Pt’this hadn’t been accused of any crimes, the emissary would have no right to force him to return. “In addition, since that time, Tani has acted in a manner in which all Baj-tisk are encouraged to live. I first met him living on Earth. I didn’t recognize him as a dragon, but I should have. His behavior alone should have told me. He went out of his way more than once to help people in need. He acted as a bodyguard at the women’s shelter Jo worked at, protecting women and children he didn’t know. He kept an eye on Mishtali during his captivity, even when it was dangerous. And he saved Prince Andrew’s life, flying into a burning building where an immortal and a white wyrm were fighting, even though he couldn’t cast to shield himself.” “Thank you, your highness,” a member said when she finished. Ann led John back over to where they had conferred. A moment later, chairs were brought in. “You were shot 3 days ago,” she explained. “It seems odd to see you dressed like that.” He smiled. “And me coming before the council in this.” He indicated his slacks and the jersey he had bought during his escape to hide the blood from his wound. The blood hadn’t all washed out of it. “You should’ve seen Andy when he asked King Emeton for my hand. He was in jeans and a sweatshirt. My dad didn’t know better and wouldn’t have cared if he did. It’s the same with the council.” “Thank you for your help, regardless of what the council decides.” “You saved my husband’s life. That alone is reason enough to help you, but without you, he wouldn’t be my husband.” “That was his choice, not mine.” “No, but you encouraged him to come back with me. I wouldn’t have survived without him.” “I’m glad it helped.” “I heard you talking with Carrie, you’re not broke. When we learned you were still alive, we started the procedure to unfreeze your account.” “My account exists after 500 years?” “Missing people accounts get placed on a special hold until either the person is found or until enough time has passed that they’re sure you can’t be alive. You had about another thousand years.” “Are you serious?” And nodded. “The same thing was done with Mishtali’s accounts. I don’t know how much is in the account, but if you need a job, the home needs a handyman. Ti’s too accident-prone. I can’t tell you how many times he’s fallen off the roof. And it still isn’t done.” John nodded. “I did some work as a handyman for a bit.” “And I can ask around about something for Carry. What did she do on Earth?” Before John could answer, the council called them back over. “Shintanillic, upon review, we agree that Princess Annlonna is correct in her statements and find you not guilty.” John smiled, happy and surprised. He hadn’t expected the council to yield their position. In the past, he’d found they were extremely stubborn. “Now that nasty business is finally over, Shintanillic John Masters, you prefer to go by John now?” John nodded. “I do.” “Very well. John, you were our emissary before the war left you stranded elsewhere. The job is currently taken by Sir Nimitinas. However, he and Sir Pt’this working together cannot seem to get their jobs done. We’d like to offer you a job as their aide.” “Does my father know you’re stationing someone else at the palace?” Ann asked. “We are not stationing someone else at the palace. We are hiring an assistant. He will go to the palace as needed to aid the others and go home at the end of the day.” “Sort of like what I do.” Pt’this shrugged. “Yes.” The council member looked as if he didn’t approve of Pt’this living in town. “We’ll look for housing for you. We understand you have a mate.” “A chosen,” John corrected. “Our apologies. We were misinformed.” Another looked at Pt’this who was examining the ceiling. “You really need to learn the difference between chosen and mate,” Ann told him. “I said ‘bonded’. And I said he was acting like Nim had when Jo went back to Earth after they’d become mates. I never referred to Carry as his mate.” “May I ask why I’m still stationed in Sen’gan?” Nim asked. “Do you want to be stationed somewhere else? We thought with your teaching jobs, you’d want to stay there.” “I want to know why I’m stationed anywhere. I was told the assignment would be done after the wedding, and that I wouldn’t be needed. They’re married and all treaty laws were followed.” “Sir Nimitinas, this is council business. There are others here.” “Do you want me to wait in the other room?” Ann asked. “So you can eavesdrop? No. We’ll talk with Nim at a later time.” He turned back to John. “Would you like the job?” “Yes, Sir.” John hoped Carry would accept it. He didn’t have a lot of choices. Once his account was available, he wouldn’t be broke but he didn’t have a large sum of money either. Living as a dragon, in a cave and hunting, it would last a while, but having a human wife meant needing a house and clothing. It would cost money. “Very good. You will report to Sir Pt’this and Sir Nimitinas for your responsibilities once you’re out of a healer’s care. We’ll let you get back to your chosen.” “Yes, Sir, thank you.” John nodded. He almost bowed, but remembered dragons don’t do that, not to the council. The others took him back to the palace. Carry wasn’t where they had left her but wasn’t far. “When were you made a knight?” Ann asked Nim. Nim blushed. He never liked attention. “After the battle of Trito.” “We’ve been addressing you wrong all this time and you never said anything?” Nim waved it off. “Calling me master rather than sir is the least of your transgressions. You’ve been calling me Nim for just as long.” “Would you prefer Nimitinas? Or Dentrias?” Ann asked. Dentrias? The name was vaguely familiar to John. There had been a baby by that name. What had happened to him? Was that Nim? Nim shook his head. “It doesn’t matter. If I cared, I would’ve said something. I’m used to Nim and I don’t need to be called sir.” “Shall we find the others and let them know what happened?” He suggested. John agreed readily. Carry had relaxed some in response to his emotions but was still anxious. “Are you okay?” Pt’this asked Nim. “I’m not sure Jo’s going to be happy about staying at the palace.” Pt’this shrugged. “So live in town.” “I can’t. If I’m stationed here, I have to live in the palace. You moved out. One of us has to stay.” “So let him do it.” Pt’this gestured to John. “Me?” John frowned. “I’m just an aide.” “He doesn’t qualify,” Nim agreed. “We’ll make do, like always.” They found the others and Pt’this excused himself, saying he had court. “What’s wrong?” Jo asked Nim. “I’ve been told I’m still stationed here.” “I thought you wanted to stay in Sen-gan.” “I do, but you want to live in town. I have to live here.” He gestured to the palace around them. “It’ll be okay. We’ll make do.” “This way, Jo doesn’t have to learn to cook.” Andy grinned. “I can cook,” Jo insisted. “Putting a box in the microwave doesn’t count.” Andy laughed. “Even Ann can do that.” “Hey!” Ann protested. “I’ve made entire meals on the stove. And I’ve been learning with the kids at the home to adapt to the differences between the stoves here.” “Is everything okay?” Carry asked John, taking his hand. John nodded. “The council wanted answers for my behavior during the war. That’s settled now, and they asked that I be an aid to Pt’this and Nim. I hope you don’t mind but I accepted. I should’ve talked to you first.” “It’s okay. I don’t mind,” she assured him. “The council said they’d help us find a place to stay too,” he told her. She nodded. “Okay.” She looked at him. “Are you sure you’re okay?” “We’ll talk later.” “Don’t keep stuff from your mate,” Nim reminded him. “She’s not my mate.” “It’s been eight years. What are you waiting for?” “We want to get married first.” “Like there’s a difference.” Nim rolled his eyes. “So you and Jo didn’t really have a human wedding?” Nim frowned. “Of course we did. It was for Jo. She’s human.” “So is Carry.” “Then get married. I can do it for you.” “You can?” Cari asked. Nim nodded. “As an emissary, I’m considered a noble. Any noble can marry you, as long as they aren’t family.” “Don’t you have to be Menthanlan too? Or did that change?” John asked. “I am Menthanlan. Dual citizenship is allowed again. I’m both Baj-tisk and Menthanlan. Ann is Baj-tisk, Menthanlan, and Tricot. I think she has the most along with Andy. He’s American, Menthanlan, and Baj-tisk.” John shook his head. “You just like to confuse people.” “Don’t forget Sapphire,” Ann said. “She’s Baj-tisk, Menthan, Yarb, and the Western Clan.” John frowned. “She’s what?” “Her parents were ambassadors from Yarba, so she’s Yarb. She was adopted by the Baj-tisk. She was raised by Kar’s son so Kar said she was part of the Western clan. And she applied for citizenship here.” “I think it might be better to wait until we’re settled first,” John said. He could tell Cari felt similar. It would be a big adjustment for her. “The shades are only three weeks away,” Nim warned. “The shades?” Carry asked. “It’s a magic thing. It energizes mages and makes dragons extremely horny. They’re really quite beautiful, though,” John had missed seeing the shades. Carry glanced at Jo. “I’ve never been here for them, but Nim scried me the last time. They are pretty. But they’re like a drug for mages. The stronger the mage, the worse it is for them,” Jo told her. “But they don’t remember much the next day.” “We’ll be fine,” John assured her. “The effect is less in Baj-tisk. We can go there if you want.” Carry nodded. “We’ll see.” John felt sorry for her. She was so lost here. She hadn’t signed up for this. He felt a surge of protectiveness. This was his fault. He would take care of her. “We should get you back to earth,” he told her. “Your dad will start to worry.” She nodded but felt worried, worried for him. The bond was so much stronger here. “I’ll come with you so you know I’m okay,” John offered. “No, John, you won’t. You can’t. It’s too soon,” Ann warned. Her voice almost seemed threatening. “John, we’ll take her to get her things and say goodbye and be back in a few days,” Andy assured him. “While we’re gone, Nim and Ter can fix your magic, so she won’t have to feel the trance.” He nodded. He didn’t want her to feel that. He didn’t want to feel it either, but he needed to get it done. He said a quick goodbye, and she was gone from his sight. Moments later, she was gone from his heart too.