Thailyn watched proudly as Pisha and his brother became citizens. He was less affected by Sinta’s citizenship, but he was still happy for her and Shunati. They had worried that the elders would make Sinta return to Erilu. Shunati felt he couldn’t return. He’d been gone for fifty years. He was an outsider. Now, they were safe. He was proud of Tercala. He felt this step was a sign of the boy’s growth. He had felt quite lost when they first found him. Cramda had been abusive but he was the closest thing Tercala had known to family. Suddenly, the man was dead, and Tercala was in a strange land, being told almost everything he’d known was a lie by people he’d been told were his enemies. The only reason he agreed to let Shay adopt him, not that he truly had a choice, was he feared they’d sedate him again. He was too strong magically and physically to restrain any other way. He hadn’t liked it. Thailyn noticed the name on the application was Tercala va Mishtali ton Shawtila. He hadn’t included Wyrm. Thailyn would’ve guessed their dad had insisted on that, but Tercala had applied without telling his father until after the paperwork was done. Thailyn glanced at Mishtali. The man actually looked pleased. Thailyn felt a twinge of jealousy, but quickly suppressed it. This was their day. Mishtali was stingy with praise. Tercala deserved it. Thailyn turned his attention to Pisha. She was finally safe. She was free to become his mate, when her hip was ready and the bond was strong enough. Soon. He smiled. She glanced at him and smiled too. Maybe very soon. Finally, the ceremony was over. He went and congratulated the three. He hugged Pisha and almost kissed her, remembering at the last moment that she didn’t want to do that in public. “Do it,” she whispered. He looked at her, startled. “Kiss me.” She smiled and pulled him to her for a kiss. “Mom, Dad,” Ruzi complained. Pisha blushed. “You told me I could court her,” Thailyn reminded him. “So I can kiss Lamdi?” Ruzi asked. “Sure.” Thailyn nodded. “When she’s nineteen and you have Pt’this, Ti, and her father’s permission to court her.” “I’m probably Chormi’s too.” Ruzi sulked. Thailyn laughed and nodded. “Who’s Chormi?” Pisha asked. “He’s one of Lamdi’s foster brothers. He’s quite protective of her. He used to be a bit of a troublemaker. Lamdi helped reform him.” “She was the youngest there, besides Bre. She was terrified of everyone. No one understood why she didn’t want to be touched. The adults all encouraged us to respect each other’s needs. We all had problems. Not touching someone at all was hard. Eating was the worst. The table was quite crowded. One day, Chormi got fed up with her constantly cringing and grabbed the table from the sitting room and dragged her chair to it. He said he was trying to get rid of her but she thanked him for it. It was the first time she’d spoken to anyone there.” “What was that you said she called you?” Thailyn asked. Ruzi blushed. “The soft one. She meant I was an unreadable so it didn’t hurt to touch me. But I got a lot of teasing for that. Some of the things I didn’t even understand then. When I did, I was a little less sorry I made Chormi beat up Fenta.” “You did what?” Pisha was shocked. “Fenta was always picking on me and he was pushing me one time. Because I’m an Augmenter, I can control other people’s magic and make them do things. It was how I protected myself when I was alone. One day, Fenta wouldn’t stop pushing me and I was afraid he would do more. He often started fights. Chormi came out. He was another who picked on me and like to fight. I was afraid he’d start too. So I took control of his magic and made him fight Fenta. Only I lost control and he really hurt the boy bad. “Morina saw what was happening and stopped it. I thought she was going to hurt me too. So I tried to take control of her magic too. But I couldn’t because she’s an immortal. Lamdi couldn’t heal Fenta so Morina took him to the palace. I really didn’t mean to hurt him so bad.” “Ruzi, it’s over. You served your punishment and Chormi’s. You learned your lesson and so did Fenta. Just make sure you never do that again,” Thailyn told him. “I have no intention of doing that.” “Good. Now, come on. We’ve been invited to eat with Sinta and Shunati. They said to come right after the ceremony.” *** Like most of the servant quarters, Shunati and Sinta had a small kitchen. That’s where they went. Thailyn was surprised to see his parents and Tercala join them. He assumed the dinner was to celebrate Sinta and Pisha’s citizenship. He supposed they decided to include Tercala since he’d also become a citizen. Pisha, however, was concerned about their presence. Dinner progressed and Thailyn started to relax. Or he would have, except Pisha was getting more agitated. By the time it was done, he wished they had brought Pisha’s knitting to help her relax. She knew something was going on but couldn’t tell him. “Ruzi, Tercala, why don’t you two take Vaila in the other room for a bit?” Sinta suggested after dinner. Shunati watched them go. “Thailyn, you’ve been courting Pisha almost since she woke up. As her only available older relative, it’s my responsibility to make sure Pisha is treated properly. So, we talked with your parents to arrange a pledge.” “You what?” Thailyn started having trouble breathing. He calmed his heart the best he could. “You agreed to this?” He asked his parents. Mishtali nodded. “It’s clear how you two feel. You should do things properly this time, by both cultures.” Thailyn nodded. He’d tried to do that the last time too, but Darina hadn’t cooperated. “Okay, what’s next?” He asked. Finally, he felt Pisha relax. She’d figured out what was going on and had been concerned how he’d react. “Next, you propose,” Shunati said. “Now?” “You can wait, but if she’s anything like her cousin, you might not want to.” Thailyn nodded. He’d heard how Sinta had threatened to hurt herself so Shunati would have to spend more time with her since he had avoided proposing at first. “Pisha, will you marry me?” He asked. She smiled grandly. “Yes.” “I don’t have a ring yet. We can pick out something together,” he offered. “Elves don’t generally exchange rings, but if you’d like that, we can.” “Dragons don’t either. But since we live among humans, maybe we should.” He figured they’d probably get married like humans too. It was doubtful they’d be allowed to use the wedding house at the college, though he would look into it. “I expect you to treat her well,” Shunati warned. “And watch your temper.” “I’ve learned to control it,” Thailyn insisted. Mostly, he added silently. “Ann told me you’ve been taking liquid shade,” Shunati said. Mishtali growled softly, but Thailyn ignored it. “It’s just a small amount to help me breathe. Shocks like suddenly being pledged causes problems with my heart.” “Do you need me to check your heart?” Shunati offered. “Don’t touch me. It’s taken care of.” “The shades are only three weeks away. You need to stay off the liquid shade and let it get out of your system before they come.” Thailyn nodded. “I took my last dose the day before yesterday.” “Get Darkham to help you if you have a problem. Don’t up your level,” Shunati pressed. “I’m okay. Really. I caught it quickly enough that I was able to stop the bout.” “He does feel okay,” Pisha assured them. “Good. Don’t be like Nim,” Sinta said. “What about Nim?” Pisha asked. “Nim doesn’t like attention, so he tries to claim he’s fine when he isn’t. More often than not, we need to talk with Jo,” Shunati explained. “I’m not being Nim. I’m not having a bout. I’m not on liquid shade and I’ll talk with Darkham if I have any problems,” Thailyn promised. “Why Darkham?” Pisha asked. “Most healers experience feedback shock if they touch or try to heal other healers,” Thailyn explained. “There are ways we can protect ourselves if we know the other is a healer, but Darkham is an unreadable so he doesn’t cause feedback. Whenever he can do it, he’s the one to treat me. Feedback shock is hard on my heart.” “Thailyn, you lost Darina too early,” Mishtali said. “Don’t do that to Pisha.” “She needs you. And so do your children. Take care of yourself,” Shay admonished. “Yes, ma’am.” Thailyn nodded. “I am truly doing my best.” “I also don’t want to lose any more children.” “Mom, really, I’m trying to keep that from happening. I have had Darkham helping me keep an eye on my heart. I don’t want to die.” The only thing missing in his life was his sister, Mirimar. Nothing could change that. But he had his parents, siblings, children, even a new chosen, no, a new pledged. He couldn’t ask for more. Ruzi joined them when it was time to leave. He grinned. “Congratulations, you two.” “You knew about this?” Pisha looked surprised. “He set it up,” Thailyn guessed. “He did?” She frowned and turned to her son. “You did?” The boy’s grin grew. “Sinta said elves don’t mate until they’re at least engaged.” “Well, that leaf has fallen.” Pisha shrugged. “Wait, you two did? When?” “I was referring to Vishom.” “Vishom’s gone. I want my mom and dad to do things right.” “Do you two mind flying back? I feel I need to stretch my wings.” Thailyn asked. Pisha hesitated. “Mom, it’s fun,” Ruzi encouraged her. “It’s okay,” Thailyn said. “Your mom’s a little nervous. We won’t push her. I’ll get you home and then go flying later.” No.” Pisha shook her head. “We can fly home if you want. I am nervous, but I can’t let that stop me.” Thailyn led them to the landing balcony and took true form. He lowered himself as much as possible. “Ruzi, help your mom up and sit behind her. Pisha, it’s not much different than riding a horse. Sit sideways for your hip and hold onto my spikes.” “Like reins?” Pisha asked as she seated on his back. He turned to look at her. “I am not a horse. Those will help you stay on. You can’t steer me. I need to follow the thermals.” “This doesn’t hurt? She tugged on one. “I can barely feel it. If you managed to rip one out, it’ll hurt, but I think I’d need a dragon in true form hanging from one to do that.” “What about my cane?” “I can carry it.” He reached over his shoulder. Ruzi settled into place and reached around his mom to hold Thailyn spikes too. “Ready?” Thailyn asked. “Ready,” Pisha agreed. “Hold on.” He took off. The flight was short. It had taken longer to get Pisha on his back than it did to fly home. Ruzi helped his mom down and Thailyn took human form. “Are you okay?” He asked. She felt like she was but he wanted to double-check. She nodded. “I’m good.” “Dad, can I go see Lamdi for a little bit?” Ruzi asked. “I don’t care, but ask your mother.” He wanted Ruzi to start seeing Pisha as an authority figure. “Mom?” Pisha nodded. “Don’t be out late.” Ruzi hurried off. Then, Thailyn picked up Pisha. “Thailyn,” she protested. “Sorry, but I think riding wasn’t so good on your hip,” He explained as he carried her in. “Are you mad? I’m having trouble reading you.” She asked. “Mad? No.” “You said you don’t like arranged marriages.” “Not for kids. You and I are already together.” “What’s bothering you?” “Ruzi wants us to follow elven tradition. How can we do that? I don’t think they’ll let us use the wedding house.” Pisha smiled. “We don’t need to. Arranged marriages are automatic fifteen years after the arrangement is agreed on or fifteen years after both people are of age, whichever is greater.” “So, fifteen years from today we’ll be married?” Pisha nodded. “Unless we decide to end it before then.” Thailyn growled at the idea. “So, in fifteen years I’ll finally get to call you my wife?” He laid her on the bed. “If you want to follow elven tradition.” Pisha nodded. “Do we have to wait that long to become mates?” “No, you horny dragon. There’s nothing wrong with a pledged couple mating. Besides, we need to follow dragon traditions too. Once we mate, we’ll be married.” “Good. Soon then.” He joined her in bed.