The stares and whispers made Ruzi uncomfortable. People in Illia weren’t used to half-elves. He’d gotten bored while his parents dealt with the magistrate and the buyer. He’d gone to explore the market and would meet them at an old partner of Thailyn’s. He still got a few looks in Sen-gan, but not many, but here was much worse. He decided to go to the healer’s clinic and wait for his parents there. It was close to the time for him to meet them anyhow. He entered the clinic and sat down in a waiting room chair. “I’ll be right out,” someone called from the back. “No rush,” Ruzi called back. “What’s the trouble?” The healer said as he came out. “No trouble. I was…” Ruzi stopped, seeing the healer was also half elf. The healer frowned. “What are you doing running around like that?” He demanded. “Are you trying to get yourself killed?” He grabbed Ruzi’s arm and dragged him to a side room. “Your hair covers your ears. But, no humans have orange and purple eyes. Hold still. I have a potion.” Still holding Ruzi with one hand, he pried open an eye. “No. I can’t…” “I know it stings, but it’s better than being killed.” The man levitated a vial towards his eyes. “No, I can’t. Stop.” He wasn’t supposed to use magic to control people but he had no choice. The healer’s magic was strong. It was all Ruzi could do to hold him. He couldn’t make him let go. He tried drawing magic from the man to help, but it was slow. Then he heard a growl. “Lial, let go of my son,” Thailyn commanded. “Son?” The healer looked up. “Retin?” “Thailyn,” Thailyn corrected. “Let go of the boy.” The healer shook his head. “He can’t run around like this. Thailyn, you know the dangers for half-elves.” “And you know the dangers of that potion, especially without reading someone first.” Ruzi could only control someone’s magic, not their healing. The only thing that might prevent Lial from reading him was that he was an unreadable. Apparently, that didn’t stop him. His eyes grew wide as he realized what he’d almost done. “Ruzi, release him,” Thailyn instructed. “He won’t hurt you.” Ruzi released the man’s magic and he let go of Ruzi. Lial took the vial from the air and put it away. “I’m sorry. Your dad’s right. I should’ve checked you first. How did that happen?” “My mom put that potion in my eyes when I was little, and then had an accident, so she couldn’t give me the counter potion,” Ruzi explained. “What’s going on? Is everything all right?” Pisha entered. Thailyn put his arm around her. “Just a misunderstanding. Lial, meet my wife, Pisha, and our son, Ruzi. This is my friend, Lial.” “Wife? Thailyn, are you trying to get killed?” Lial asked. “You know the law.” “Yes, I do. And it applies to Erulians and not Menthanlans. Pisha and Ruzi are both Menthanlan and Queen Deyama knows it. “I adopted Ruzi five years ago. I met his mother last winter. We’ve been mates for several months and last night we were married.” Lial smiled. “Congratulations. But you need to be careful here with the boy. The elves are always watchful because of me.” “Didn’t you say you’re not Erulian?” Thailyn asked. “The law doesn’t apply to you or whoever you have hidden in the back room.” Lial frowned. Thailyn grinned. “I can smell her.” Lial grinned guiltily. He went to the backroom and after talking with someone, led an elf woman out. “This is Seerta. We met a few months ago. She’s from my mother’s homeland.” Thailyn frowned. “You didn’t tell me your mom wasn’t Erulian.” “She was from Noria. She was here as an ambassador. They were trying to set up a trade agreement. It failed because neither Arlin nor the dragons wanted to let people use the passes. But she met my dad and stayed.” “Well, Ann’s convinced the elders to leave Menthanlans alone,” Thailyn assured them. “Seerta’s not Menthanlan. I don’t know if I am. My dad never said.” “You could become one. I did.” Lial frowned. “You?” “I did it so I could adopt Ruzi and because my family is here.” “I heard that. Someone claiming to be your little sister was in your cabin for a while with a giant of a man.” Lial made an image of the two of them. Thailyn nodded. “That’s Jaidu and Prince Remtani. They got married and wanted to get away for a few days. He has too many responsibilities to stay at the palace.” “So is that what you’re doing?” “I’m selling the cabin. I don’t want to live so close to Baj-tisk. We have a house in Sen-gan. We’re good there.” “So I’m never going to get my partner back.” “You can move to Sen-gan,” Thailyn offered. “And deal with all the elves at the college? No. Besides, Sen-gan has plenty of healers. We’re needed here too.” “You can always scry me for a consult,” Thailyn offered. “No, I can’t. That charm you gave me lost its strength.” “I had the spell removed. Anyone can scry me now.” “I’ll keep that in mind.” “Come in the back. They can catch up, and we can get to know each other,” Seerta offered. *** Lial kissed Seerta once the others had left. “That was close,” she told him. “Thailyn’s a friend. I trust him. I’ve known him for over five hundred years.” “But Pisha and the boy.” “Again, I trust them. The boy’s a half-elf. I didn’t read Pisha, but Ruzi had a mark like you did.” She frowned. “He’s here now?” “He’s likely in Sen-gan. The mark was fresh. Don’t worry. Thailyn’s a dragon. He’ll take care of the man to protect his son. Besides, Thailyn’s daughter is the shimmering princess and if rumors are true, she’s stronger than the immortals. She’ll take care of her little brother.” “But Ruzi’s adopted.” “She’s a dragon. They are amazingly protective of anyone they see as family. That might even include us. Thailyn and I live together and you’re my mate. They’ll find a relationship if we bring it up.” “I came here because I thought the hidden lands were protected.” “They are. The wards weaken during the shades. You’ll be fine. I’ll make sure of that, even if I have to go to Sen-gan and get their help.”