Crito opened the bedroom door and froze. The room was stripped of all personal possessions. At first, he thought he was in the wrong room. Then he saw his bear sitting on the bed. Looking in the wardrobe, he found his clothes, but nothing of Chapado’s remained. He frowned. What was going on? He started for the main entrance. The steward on duty would know if she was still in the palace. If she wasn’t, maybe Tercala could help him find her. He didn’t need either. He caught up with her on the stairs. She had a bag over her shoulder and another in her opposite hand. “You’re leaving?” He asked. “I’m going back to Ertonia,” she told him. “You’re just going to leave and not even say goodbye?” She sighed. “Crito, it’s…” She stopped. “Yes, I was.” He switched to his mage sight, fearful she would transport away before he could find out more. He saw an anomaly in her magic. “Are you pregnant? You’re pregnant and you were going to just leave and I’d never know. You were going to hide my baby from me. Do you see that much of my dad and me?” “Crito, no. It’s not that.” “Really? Then what is it?” He crossed his arms. “It’s you. You’re a soldier and that’s not bad. But that’s all you are. You’re not a husband or dad and you have no desire to be either. I’m not going to force you into it. I’ve raised children on my own before.” “You wouldn’t be forcing me,” he told her and pulled the ring out of his pocket. “I was looking for you to propose. And not because I got you pregnant. I had no idea. I love you. And if I’m going to be a dad, I can’t think of another woman I want to be the mother. “My dad was a troll’s cur. The only reason he wanted me around was for how he could use me. My mom’s husband wanted nothing to do with me. I was a hired hand in the making. I want better for my children. I want them to know I love them and want them. And I want their mother to know I feel the same about her. That’s why I want to marry. Please, give me your pledge to marry.” Chapado’s face softened. “Come, let’s talk.” She led them back to her room. “Immortals don’t marry,” she told him. He frowned. Morina was married. “At least we don’t marry each other. Who wants to be stuck with the same person for several millennia? If two immortals fall in love, they live together for a few centuries and have a family. Eventually, they’ll tire of each other and go their separate ways. My dad was already making arrangements to leave when my mom found out she was pregnant with me. She told him he could stay if he wanted, but he didn’t. My mom raised me with Morina’s help. I didn’t meet my dad until I was close to five hundred years old. He tried to act like he wanted to get to know me, but he had another family he was focused on. It showed me you can’t force a commitment. “Some of my lovers have been immortal, some haven’t. Some I’ve married, but not all. Not all have helped me raise their children. Not all even wanted to be fathers. I’ve never pushed it. “I didn’t think you wanted a family and I didn’t want to push you. Dads who are forced into it usually don’t make good dads as we’ve both seen.” “Not always, but I have seen men who weren’t expecting it to be great dads. Look at Rejenn. He swore left and right he’d never be a father. But he is, and does a great job. And King Emeton hadn’t planned any of his kids from what I hear. Neither did Pt’this. Ann was a surprise to both her dads.” “They all wanted to be dads. They just wanted to wait a bit.” “I never said I didn’t want to be a dad. I just couldn’t see how I could if I couldn’t control my curse. And knowing who my dad was didn’t help. But you helped me learn to control my curse and to see it could be a gift. And I see Andy and Cari and how sweet that little girl is despite who Andy’s birthfather was. And even to some extent, who Ann is. I worry less because of it. And I love you. I know I could never live as long as you but would you be my wife for the few years I have left?” “If I’m going to be your wife, I hope it’s more than a few years.” “Even if I don’t get killed in battle, I’m already forty-five. I’ll only live another three or four decades. That can’t be much to someone who’s lived as long as you.” “No, it’s not. Even if we extend your life, it won’t be much. It makes me wonder why I bother with mortals. But I do. I fall in love and set myself up to get hurt. And I’ve done it again. Yes, Crito, you may have my pledge to be your wife, if you will consent to let me extend your life and you’ll make an effort not to throw it away in battle.” “I’m a soldier. Risking my life fighting to the death is part of that. But I will do my best to not be foolish and to come home to you.” Chapado nodded. “I can teach you to use your abilities in battle to give you an edge,” she offered. Crito shook his head. “If I use my abilities, others will learn of them. I’ve almost got caught the few times I’ve tried.” “Let me teach you. Then, at least you’ll have a choice. What good soldier turns away weapons?” Crito nodded. “We can do that.” *** “Mommy!” Cari came running into the room where they were holding Ann. “Cari!” Ann picked her up and hugged her. “I miss you.” “I miss you too. You have to break Drepal again so you can come out.” “I wish I could.” Andy hugged and kissed her. “I miss you too.” “I miss you. How is Imian?” “She’s improving, physically. We won’t know her mental state until they wake her.” “Did they find him?” Andy shook his head. “You should have let me kill him.” “Mommy, you can’t,” Cari insisted. “Sweetie, do you remember when you said Lyra hurt me? Part of that was making me kill people.” “But you can’t kill him. What about Ruzi’s eyes?” “His eyes? Is he having problems again?” She glanced at Andy who shook his head. “Not yet, but the potion won’t last. They need to use his dad’s eyes, not his sister’s,” Cari explained. “Did Grandpa say that?” Ann asked. Cari shook her head. “He can’t see it yet.” “But you can?” Andy asked. Cari nodded. “We’ll talk with him,” Andy promised. “One incentive to get better, Crito proposed to Chapado. She wants to wait until you’re free before getting married, but she’s pregnant, and Crito wants to be married before the baby’s born.” “Tell them not to wait for me. They need to live their lives.” “Chapado said you’re family and you’re going to be an escort, so you better hurry up.” Ann smiled. “And John and Carry are getting married soon. John asked that we be escorts for him along with Kar. Joanne and Nim are going to join Marshall as Cari’s escorts. Your dad is performing the ceremony. He said it’s his kingdom and he never gets to do it. That put your mom into planning mode. We’re doing our best to keep her from getting carried away.” Ann sighed. “I don’t know how to change. I wish I did. Deep down, I know it’s wrong, but I can’t make myself care. I’m so tired of everyone hurting my family and friends. I need to do everything I can to protect them.” Andy nodded. “I know. But now, you can’t protect them at all.” “I know. Jo and I have talked about that.” “I talked to Shunati about you not sleeping. He said he’d give you something.” “I don’t want to sleep. I don’t want the nightmare.” “I’ll see about staying with you,” Andy offered. “It won’t help, not after this long.” “The healers all say you need to sleep.” “I know. I’m just not ready.” “You get ready, mommy. Put on your sleep clothes and we’ll tuck you in and read you a story,” Cari promised. Ann smiled. “Maybe when you visit next time.”