Ann transported up to meet Marshall. She was glad to be trusted with the responsibility. Few trusted her these days. The feeling was mutual after those she called family let the healers do what they did to her. It was going to take time. Those who had helped her recover from Lerjao were supportive. They hadn’t cared back then. And while some were a little wary now, it was nothing like how the nobles and foreign leaders were acting. “Are they really getting married?” Marshall asked. Ann nodded. “Finally.” “Finally?” Marshall frowned. “Carry’s had a big adjustment. “One she should have been given the chance to make years ago. I’m not talking about her. I’m talking about John. He should’ve proposed long ago.” “Perhaps you’re right there,” Marshall agreed. She transported him back to the palace. “They’re getting married here? Carry said something about the magistrate.” “My dad wants to perform the ceremony. My mom wants to throw a party. One of my brothers eloped, so she feels she should get to host one more wedding. My dad’s related to too many in the palace so he never gets to marry anyone.” “And what am I supposed to do during the ceremony?” “You’re her escort. When her name is called, lead her to my dad.” “And then what?” “You guard her in case anyone tries to abduct her.” “What?” Ann grinned. “That’s your official job. It used to be a problem long ago. The bride’s whole family would guard her. But that hasn’t happened in centuries. My uncle has been living here for three hundred years. He’s never seen it. “In truth, all you have to do is stand there and watch your daughter get married. There will be plenty of guards and over a dozen dragons. Most people won’t mess with one dragon, much less a dozen, especially when one is the groom.” Marshall shifted uncomfortably. He clearly wasn’t used to the idea of nonhuman people. “John is the type of man every father wants his daughter to marry,” Ann assured him. “He’ll always treat her right and never hurt her. For dragons, family is the most important thing and that goes double for the spouse. “I’ll see you downstairs. I have to change too. The page will be waiting to escort you when you’re done.” *** “Oh, shades.” Pt’this suddenly jumped up and hurried away. Moments later, he was helping Bacna to the table. “I’m f-fine,” Bacna insisted. “My leg’s just a little sore.” “You almost fell,” Pt’this growled. “Where’s your brace?” “It’s on his leg. That’s all that kept him from falling,” Lillan told him. “I told you to take it easy.” “What’s wrong with your leg?” Yilina asked. “Nothing anyone c-can do anything about.” Bacna frowned. “May I?” She asked, holding out her hand. Bacna took it and allowed her to read him. Her eyes were wide. “It’s a wonder you walk at all.” She looked to Thailyn. “Did you do this?” Thailyn shook his head. “Shunati did.” She nodded. “Very impressive.” “May I?” Raylee requested. Bacna sighed and took her hand. “I d-didn’t know I w-was tonight’s entertainment.” “Bacna, be nice,” Lillan scolded. “Sorry. W-With the nobles back to c-calling Ann a f-freak, they’re whispering about me being a l-lame simpleton again.” “It’ll pass,” Pt’this assured him. “We are not being a distraction,” Sapphire insisted. Pt’this grinned and gave an exaggerated sigh. “Okay.” Mishtali growled. “You will treat this wife with more respect than your last one.” “They were her idea,” Pt’this claimed. “You could have said no. You will treat Sapphire better,” Mishtali insisted. “He’s been better with her,” Tolin assured him. “And Tercala better treat my daughter properly.” He indicated where Tercala and Shuli were dancing. “They’ve been spending a lot of time together.” Mishtali waved it off. “They’re friends. She’s helping him study.” “Friends?” Tolin frowned. “You call that friends?” They all turned to see them kissing. Mishtali growled. “I’ll talk to him.” “You didn’t know about that?” Ann asked. “That’s been going on for a few weeks. I was still locked up at the time.” “And you didn’t say anything?” Tylan asked. “I reminded him they couldn’t mate unless they were married. I thought everyone knew.” Tercala put an arm around Shuli and let her out of the room. “Where do they think they’re going?” Tolin asked. “He said just outside to get some air,” Shay assured him. “Both of you need to relax. We’ll talk with him later. Don’t ruin the wedding.” “Talk to who?” Janta asked, joining them with Barin, Chapado, and Crito. “Tercala, and Shuli,” Tolin said, still watching them. Barin smiled. “They make a cute couple.” “You knew?” Tolin asked. “Of course I knew. I used to work here. I still gossip with the servants.” “Don’t worry, your highness. We’ve been keeping an eye on Princess Shuli,” Crito assured him. “You knew too?” “No, Sir. We keep an eye on all of the princesses. Nothing I heard indicates inappropriate action.” Ann shrugged. “Talk with Shunati. He knows all the gossip.” “He does,” Emeton agreed. “Should we call him over to ask?” “No. If Shunati had heard, he would’ve told Crito. We’ll talk to the kids tomorrow.” Tolin waved it off. “Hush, woman. It was the last dance. I only asked for three,” Kritalla insisted. “You’re lucky I gave you any. You had to push it.” Morina said, frowning. “You never gave any restrictions beyond the amount.” “Problems?” Tylan asked. “Morina doesn’t like to dance. Kritalla loves to,” Chapado explained. “They have trouble compromising.” “He could dance with someone else.” Kritalla shook his head. “She gets jealous. The first time, she thought I’d picked someone prettier than her. The next time, I picked someone very ugly. She thought I grabbed her backside.” “You did.” “I did not. My hand was on her back the whole time.” “Crito, you don’t dance much. Would you mind if he dances with Chapado?” Tylan suggested. “No,” Kritalla insisted. “Morina is more jealous of her than anyone. “I’ll dance with you again if we could change the subject,” Morina offered. “I’ll hold you to that,” Kritalla agreed. “What do you want to talk about?” “I can dance with you. Morina, you wouldn’t be jealous of him dancing with a mated dragon, would you? Ann offered. “Especially considering she’s his granddaughter, even if he did avoid telling her.” “I couldn’t. She told me to keep her relation to the royal family hidden. Do you know what she would’ve done to me if I disobeyed? Who do you think gave me this?” Kritalla pointed to the scar near his eye. “She hit me with a chair.” Ann turned to Morina with an eyebrow raised. “It was an accident,” she claimed. “How do you accidentally hit someone with a chair? Barin asked. “I thought he was someone else. This happened back when he was still a soldier, before we were married. We were sent to arrest someone and were told he was in a certain building. We split up to look for him. I heard someone coming from the next room and levitated a chair at him. It turned out to be Kritalla, rather than who we were supposed to arrest. He wasn’t even there. Moments later, the building collapsed on us.” “John and Carry have left. How about we head to the barroom,” Tylan suggested. “We could give the servants a chance to clean in here.”