Chapter 81: The Ball

* * *

"Is it not a strange fate that we should suffer so much fear and doubt over so small a thing?" Selene quoted as she looked at her gray dress -- the one she had been married in and had been wearing ever since -- and began folding it so she could store it. She sighed, held it to her chest, then completed the quote mournfully. "So small a thing."

"Fear and doubt?" Alana asked from the other side of the changing screen that Selene was currently behind.

They were in their suite, trying on their new dresses for the first time. They were certainly beautiful, especially with The Queen's input. However, the need for additional coverage so the double-enchantable cloth could better protect them did put a slight damper on the mood.

"It's a line from a movie." Selene replied as she finished carefully folding her beloved dress so she could put it into the small, ornate chest that The Queen had someone place behind the changing screen. Sarah's dress was already in it, as she had changed first. They were going in reverse marriage order, so the earlier wives' dresses would be at the top.

"We'll get to wear them again." Alana replied. "I'm not sure when, but after the danger has passed."

Selene took another deep breath, and then slowly and hesitantly set her beloved dress into the box. She then slipped on her new dress. It was the exact same color, fit her perfectly, and the cut-resistant enchantment would protect her much better since it covered everything. The silk was incredibly soft and smooth, and it was probably even slightly more comfortable than her original dress.

It still wasn't the same.

"How do I look?" Selene asked with another sigh as she came out from behind the curtain.

"Better than any of us could on our best day." Kendra replied honestly and without bitterness. Perhaps a subtle note of longing, but no bitterness.

"Like you're saying goodbye to a dear friend whom you won't see for some time." Rachel replied, then added with a pointed look. "But you will see her again."

"Her?" Selene raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, she has to contain the girls." Rachel glanced at Selene's chest. "I'll miss my dress too. Ethan gave me the greatest compliment I've ever received the morning he first saw me wearing it."

"Which was?" Selene asked.

"I asked him if he thought it was beautiful, and he replied--" She smiled. "--I think the woman wearing it is beautiful; the dress merely showcases what's already there."

"Damn, Ethan has game." Selene chuckled, then looked at Kendra. "Your turn."

Kendra shook her head. "My dress already covers everything; I don't need a new one."

"And yet, you still have a dress there." Alana replied, nodding to the changing screen. "It would be a shame to rebuff The Queen's generosity."

"And you could do it in solidarity." Selene added.

Kendra nodded, then went to go change. She took just as long as Selene had, and not because it was hard to change. Sarah had taken that long as well, and everyone after Kendra did too.

"You look marvelous dears." The Queen said, returning to the room almost the moment that Alana had finished changing and stepped out from behind the changing screen. She gestured to one of the elven servants following her, and he retrieved the small chest containing all their dresses.

"I shall have this delivered to the captain's cabin of the Argo with a full guard, and it can remain there as a reminder of what you are fighting to achieve, of the brighter days ahead when aesthetic concerns will outweigh tactical ones."

Selene glanced at Kendra because she knew that would never be the case for her. Still, The Queen was correct. They might be about to embark on a war, but after that, they would have a family.

"There is much to celebrate even today." The Queen continued. "Thea's coming-of-age ball will begin in just a few short hours." A smile appeared on her face. "And given what your young friends Matthew and Yalia have uncovered, my sister's name might soon be on my lips again." Her smile was wide and deep.

"How did the meeting with the luminars go?" Alana asked, her face lighting up as well.

"It is still in progress." The Queen replied. "In fact, I suspect that Matthew and his bride will be only just finishing making their case."

Selene didn't buy it; The Queen was too well informed for that to be only a suspicion.

* * *

"So, let me summarize."

Ethan glanced at Matthew as he came to the end of his presentation to the High Conclave of Luminars. Yalia was right next to her husband looking at him adoringly, though standing half a step behind him as she tended to do.

It was late afternoon and the sun was streaming in through the large, stained-glass windows positioned at regular intervals around the circular room. Subtle and tasteful gold trim lined the room; just enough to add class, but not so much that it was gaudy or ostentatious. The floor plan had a single walkway leading to a circular area in the middle, which is where Ethan, Matthew, and Yalia were. Around that circle were seats on several levels, like a theater, so the ones in the back could still see the center.

Sitting in those seats were dozens of elderly luminars, all listening attentively. Some were obviously skeptical, but they did look like the type who would resist any change whatsoever. Ethan supposed that you got those in any group.

Thankfully, the proceedings were in English, or 'the common tongue' as it was called in the Ten Kingdoms. Ethan thought that might partially be because of him, since he was the only one there who didn't speak Elvish.

"Through the prophet Yaleed, Illuminar -- blessed be He -- commanded His faithful not to entice others to seek after the other 'gods' -- Nesteri -- and then said the following, according to the elven understanding." Matthew said, then quoted the passage. "His shame shall be forever on him, for he has violated the commandment of Illuminar; for whoever violates the commandment of Illuminar, his shame shall never depart from him all of his days. You shall not turn your face toward him, nor shall you name his name among you."

Ethan noticed that many of the people nodded their heads, but some seemed quite pensive. Hopefully, that was because they were reconsidering their position since Matthew had made the case quite strongly earlier, and was only recapping now.

"However, the common understanding outside the wood elven realm is as follows." Matthew continued. "His shame shall be forever on him, for he has violated this commandment of Illuminar; for whoever violates this commandment of Illuminar, his shame shall never depart from him all of his days."

The first time Matthew had recited this understanding, most of the luminars present had shaken their heads. Far fewer did this time.

"We know from the Sepo Cycle -- as perverse as the book is, since it was written by the hand of the Nesteri Sepo himself -- we know which clan the prophet Yaleed was from." Matthew said. "We have other writings from that clan that we can compare Yaleed's writings to. We know that they didn't have the demonstrative pronoun 'this' before Yaleed wrote, and instead used the definite article 'the'. We have a direct quote from Yaleed's clan that uses 'the' before Yaleed wrote, and 'this' after. Let me repeat: it's the same quote, only with 'the' before Yaleed wrote, and 'this' after."

Yalia beamed at her husband.

Matthew took a breath. "Therefore, Yaleed likely intended to mean 'this' commandment -- meaning the one not to entice others to serve Nesteri -- and not all commandments of Illuminar. If that's the case, then there's no reason that a person who committed a different sin couldn't have their shame removed."

No one spoke immediately.

Some of the luminars were shaking their heads, and Ethan guessed they would've been rolling their eyes if they were younger or less mature. Some other ones had inclined their heads in concession, were nodding slowly, or otherwise had receptive expressions on their faces. About half of them had thoughtful frowns, or pursed lips, or were stroking their chins.

Ethan couldn't help but smile. When he'd first met Matthew, the young man hadn't been able to challenge a luminar in front of a bunch of townsfolk he knew well in Dotmier. Now, here he was addressing the High Conclave of wood elven luminars. That was quite some growth.

"Lamosea's translation into Fey." One of the luminars eventually said. He looked ancient, though still seemed mentally all there.

"Beg pardon?" Ethan asked.

Everyone looked at him like he was a rube from the sticks.

"Lamosea's translation into Fey was the first full translation of the elven books into another tongue." The same luminar continued. "He translated it only a few decades after the prophet Yaleed wrote, and his translation was sanctioned by the precursor to this Conclave. If memory serves, it uses 'this' in that passage."

"It does." Another luminar confirmed.

"Aye, it does." Yet another one said.

"That particular translation choice has often been a point of discussion." Another luminar mused. "Much ink has been spilled and many words exchanged as to why the precursor of this Conclave would sanction such a flawed translation." He paused, pursed his lips, then stroked his bearded chin. "Perhaps, the most obvious solution is correct, though it has not been seriously considered in my lifetime. Perhaps they did not consider the translation flawed?"

Murmurs broke out among the rest of the luminars as many turned to someone next to him and whispered. However, they didn't necessarily seem to be negative whispers, judging from the overall tone. Many were, but definitely not all of them.

"What says the honored Plesius?" One of the luminars said once the murmuring had died down.

Ethan looked at him, and he seemed more pensive than anyone else in the room.

He didn't answer for several long seconds, and when he did speak, it was slowly and deliberately. "The Book of Light informs us that in an abundance of counselors, there is safety." He paused. "Wise tradition informs us that morning is wiser than evening." He looked around at the luminars. "We should discuss this at some length, then fast, pray, and sleep to gain the wisdom that a morning after a restful sleep brings."

There was a general nodding of heads.

"Have you anything else to add, honored guest?" Plesius asked Matthew.

"No sir." He replied.

"Then I will ask the visitors to give us the room so we might discuss this in more depth." Plesius said.

Ethan and Matthew bowed while Yalia curtsied, then they turned and left the room. The moment the door had closed behind them, Matthew let out a sigh of relief.

"I think my armpits are soaked through, I was so nervous." He said after a moment.

"I couldn't tell." Ethan chuckled.

"Do you think it was enough?" Yalia asked.

"I hope so." Ethan replied. "Honestly, I'm not sure how much else we could do at this point. You two made a pretty strong case, and that one luminar bolstered it."

Matthew nodded. "I guess all that's left to do now is pray."

Yalia nodded, then beamed. "And go to the ball!"

Ethan smiled at her enthusiasm. Thea had issued a general invitation to everyone who had been at the dinner the previous night, and of course everyone had accepted. Ethan's own wives were getting ready at that very moment, and they'd chosen tonight to start wearing their new dresses for the first time. It made sense, but he wished they didn't need to change them. Honestly, despite how much safer they were all going to be in them, he was going to miss the old dresses. He was going to miss them rather a lot.

* * *

Fiona looked at herself in the mirror, making sure that her dress fit properly and looked good enough. It did. Obviously there were things she could've complained about, but the dress was stunning yet simple, and looked very good on her. It was an important thing not to outdress the woman of the hour -- The King's ward -- and she hadn't, not that she could on beauty alone. Given the collection of jewels available to her as the First Lady of Narlotten, she probably could've tried, but she certainly didn't want to.

Next to her, Lord Delmar had simply made his disguise gem project a different outfit. Someone who observed him closely might think that he only had two changes of clothes: one for everyday and one for formal occasions. Ironically, they were wrong; he had both infinite and none at all.

"I'm ready milord." She told him.

He nodded once. "Come."

He offered her his arm, which she happily took since he didn't do that often, and they left their room to head onto the weatherdeck. Waiting for them on the weatherdeck were four people she hadn't expected to see.

"Your Highness." Lord Delmar bowed to Prince George, and flanking him were both of his wives, Princess Silvia and Helga, and next to him was his oldest son, Thomas.

"Alex, Fiona." The Crown Prince nodded respectfully to them. Fiona curtsied as she smiled; she would likely never not find it entertaining that Prince George called Lord Delmar by a nickname for his first name, Alexander. Of course, his real name was 'Dalgard', but she'd never heard anyone call him that.

Huh.

It occurred to her that she could be trying that.

Prince George came a little closer and lowered his voice. "I want your word, sworn on Helene and Fiona, that you won't attack Ethan. Otherwise, you aren't welcome."

Lord Delmar looked at him for a moment before replying calmly. "I give my word that I will not initiate hostilities; I will respond if attacked."

Prince George nodded. "Good enough, but swear it on the memory of Helene and by your vows to Fiona."

"I so swear." Lord Delmar replied.

The Crown Prince nodded. "Then, unless you object, we will walk with you to the event; Helga has been dying to get together with Fiona again."

"That is acceptable." Lord Delmar replied, and then they set off with both the imperial guard and Narlotten guard in tow, plus a few members of Lord Delmar's court. Sadly, Lady Ekthros was among them.

* * *

"Damn, you all look amazing." Ethan said to his wives as they posed so he could see them in their new dresses. The new dresses were the same colors as the previous ones: forest green for Alana, royal blue for Beth, lilac for Taloni, a darker red for Rachel, purple for Kendra, charcoal gray for Selene, and gold for Sarah. However, the new dresses covered basically all of their skin except their hands, necks, and heads, and Taloni's wings of course. He regretted that necessity, but cut-resistant cloth couldn't protect what it didn't cover.

The dresses had been cut marvelously to emphasize each woman's best features, and even somehow their unique personalities. He wasn't sure how The Queen had managed it, but given that she was Alana's aunt, that somehow made sense anyway.

The skirt portion of the dresses were all full length, and had been fitted with enchanted cloth that would pull together when activated, turning the full skirts into something resembling loose pants. Kendra's and Selene's dresses had done this before, and it made sense for everyone to have the option, just in case.

Someone had clearly spent a lot of time -- probably hours each -- doing his wives' hair and even a little makeup, which slightly surprised him. This was the first time he'd ever seen them with makeup on, and it was so expertly applied that he would never have noticed if he didn't see them without it all day, every day.

"But?" Alana asked. "I feel like there's a 'but' coming."

"Hopefully six later tonight." He winked.

"Oof, sorry boss." Selene replied with just the right amount of sass, then added in a passable imitation of a certain Wakandan leader. "We don't do that here."

He chuckled, then looked at Alana. "You look great in these, but I miss your old dresses."

Every one of his wives nodded.

"Cheer up though, we'll wear them again." Beth said, then explained about the small chest that The Queen had provided.

"Good." He nodded. "Now, shall we get going?

They agreed and he led them out of their suite and towards the venue, which was half of the palace grounds. Not really, but it was a lot. The elves had put up paper walls in frames -- like the Japanese do -- surrounding a large area of the grounds. Through the paper and partially above it, he could see the cheerful dance of innumerable lights hung from the trees overhead.

"Thea and Sarah wanted their wedding to look something like this." Alana said to Ethan as they approached. "The wedding will be thematically similar for continuity."

"I approve." Ethan smiled as he looked at his betrothed.

Sarah even managed to smile back.

*She's been doing better today.* Alana thought to him privately. *But she's still bothered by the idea that if she gets rid of her demon, something might happen to one of us because she won't be able to help.*

*And what happened to Candice made that fear all the stronger.* He completed the thought, then looked at his betrothed. Objectively speaking, she wasn't very attractive, but he knew her demon was altering her appearance. He found himself wondering what she would look like without the demon. Hell, what would she be like without the demon?

He looked at her, though she was oblivious and walking slowly without looking up. She could be so kind, and yet she was so hurt. He was glad that she hadn't become a shell of herself after what Lady Ekthros had put her through, but it had hurt her and changed her. Some of those changes were for the better -- she wasn't afraid of her own shadow anymore -- but some of them weren't. Ethan was 100% certain that she would've instantly and wholeheartedly agreed to the demon's removal when he'd first met her. Now...

"What?" Sarah asked.

"Nothing, just thinking... and looking." He winked.

She blushed slightly and looked down again, but the edge of a smile appeared on her face too. After a moment, she glanced up at him again. He was still looking. Her smile widened slightly and her cheeks got slightly more pink.

He stepped a little closer to her and offered her his arm, which she took.

He didn't say anything else, mostly because he wasn't sure what to say. She was smiling slightly, and that was good enough for him right now.

*Remember, Lord Delmar will be here.* Kendra thought to everyone. *Try to remain where someone can see you at all times, just in case.*

Ethan smiled; things that were sure on Earth included death and taxes. Here, Beth's curiosity, Tee's devotion to Illuminar, and Kendra's fierce commitment to protecting her family could be added to the list.

Sarah clung to his arm a little as they went to the entrance where the palace guard was confirming everyone before allowing them in. That was the point when Ethan realized that the walls couldn't be mere paper, though he had no idea what they could be. Enchanted paper perhaps? Or maybe something entirely different?

"We don't have our invitation." Ethan grimaced.

"You're pretty recognizable, so I doubt we'll need one." Alana chuckled.

Sure enough, they didn't.

The palace guard did stop them and someone who looked like a mage stared intently at all of them for several seconds each before waving them through; probably looking for magical disguises. Interestingly, he did look at Sarah longer than the others, but apparently decided that the alterations to her appearance -- whatever they were, Ethan didn't know -- weren't a security risk.

They stepped through the security checkpoint and Ethan couldn't help but smile. It was very "Thea".

The whole area was a slightly chaotic and gorgeous display of The Queen's decorating genius. Unlike most parties Ethan had been to, the food, tables, and even the seating hadn't been clustered in distinct areas. Instead, they had all been mixed with each other so that the food tables and seating looked like they had been haphazardly placed... except something about the layout made it seem like there was an undefinable order and it looked good.

It broke all the rules of parties, and yet somehow worked extremely well.

That was very "Thea".

The tables and chairs were also an almost chaotic mix of colors. They were all in the colors of nature, so greens, browns, tans, and then splashes of colors you'd find on various flowers. No two were alike, and yet every single chair seemed to fit with the other chairs around its table and the table itself, but wouldn't fit with the other tables or chairs around it. Again, it broke all the rules in a slightly chaotic way, but it just worked somehow.

Dozens, maybe hundreds, of lanterns that looked vaguely similar to Japanese paper lanterns had been hung about the area. None was particularly bright, but the collective total of them covered the area in a diffuse warm glow. Something about it reminded Ethan of fireflies at twilight, though he wasn't sure why.

For as strange as the decorating was, he found himself relaxing a little as he looked around. Like Thea herself, there was something warm about the whole area that made him feel like it was okay to let down his guard a little.

"The Queen is a genius." Selene marveled.

"No kidding." Ethan agreed.

"So, you probably don't know this, but the elven society has unwritten rules about decor." Alana said as she looked around. "This party comes right to the edge of breaking literally every single one of them, but somehow hasn't broken a single one."

"Well, it is the coming-of-age ball for Thea." Sarah said, her small smile widening slightly.

"Our wedding is supposed to be something like this, huh?" Ethan asked Sarah.

"Yes, but with more of me and less of Thea." Sarah replied.

Ethan nodded. "I like it."

"Me too." Sarah's smile widened a little more, to the point that it was almost as large as a normal smile.

"Where is Thea?" Selene asked.

"She won't come out until she is officially presented to society." Alana replied. "That'll be shortly after the ball begins."

Selene nodded.

"So, is there assigned seating?" Ethan asked after a moment.

"No." Sarah said. "The Queen thought it was more appropriate not to arrange the seating, given that it's Thea's coming-of-age ball."

He chuckled. "Fair."

* * *

Fiona couldn't help but smile at the decorations as she, her husband, the Crown Prince and his family, Lady Ekthros, and the rest finished going through the security at the entrance. It was just lovely. Beside her, Lord Delmar stopped. He appeared to take a slightly more measured breath than usual and he flexed the fingers of his right hand slowly. Fiona followed the line of his gaze, and then sucked in her breath as she realized who he was looking at.

It was Ethan Ejder and his family.

The man who had killed her first husband, her Sean.

Fiona could feel her chest get slightly tight and started breathing more heavily. Suddenly, her hands felt slightly cold and clammy, and her mouth felt dry. She could hear her heartbeat in her ears and swallowed. Hard.

"Fiona." Lord Delmar said, then rested a hand on her back.

That helped.

It provided something on which she could ground herself, though her heart was still beating furiously in her chest.

"Lady Delmar, are you okay?" Prince George asked.

She nodded mutely, even though she was very far from okay. "I--" Her voice came out hoarse, so she cleared her throat and tried again. "I'm thinking I will be."

"My father and grandfather always say that the best way to defeat your fears is to face them." George's oldest son, Thomas, said. "Perhaps take someone you trust with you, and speak to him."

Fiona looked at the lad, who was barely old enough to be called a man.

"I can accompany you." A familiar voice said from nearby, and it made Fiona jump slightly.

It was Tabitha.

She turned to see her laconic former bodyguard standing nearby with Ellis next to her.

"Tabby!" Fiona gushed quietly as she felt herself relax slightly. "What are you two doing here?

"Good evening ma'am." Ellis head bowed. "We were invited to be guests by Miss Pelathea yesterday evening. If I can be of service, I would be more than willing to assist you in meeting Mr. Ejder or his wives. If you would prefer, I could ask whomever you wish to join us here, or in another location if you would prefer."

Tabitha nodded curtly once.

Fiona breathed a sigh of relief. "I'm really appreciating that."

"Alex, I don't want you to tempt your self-control, strong as it is." Prince George said to Lord Delmar. "Perhaps it would be best if you didn't seek an audience with Ethan, nor accompany Fiona."

Lord Delmar nodded once, then turned to the Aldmiri who had been appointed as Fiona's bodyguards. "You will closely accompany Fiona everywhere she goes this evening."

They nodded.

"Ma'am, would you like to seek an audience with them now, or later?" Ellis asked.

Fiona swallowed. "If I'm waiting, I'll be losing my nerve."

Ellis nodded. "Then come, we shall escort you."

Fiona looked at her husband. "Are you minding milord?"

Her husband subtly flexed the fingers of his right hand and clenched his jaw. After a moment, he addressed Ellis. "Before my wife approaches, please advise the false prophet that if he harms a single hair on Fiona's head, it will be the last thing he does." He narrowed his eyes. "Regardless of witnesses."

Fiona felt her heart melt slightly at his words, despite the situation.

"Yes, Lord Delmar." Ellis nodded, then turned and walked toward Ethan and his wives.

* * *

Ethan had a smile on his face as he sat around a table that seated eight; enough for him and his wives. They had stopped at one of the food tables and encountered more than one waiter, which meant they all had grabbed hors d'oeuvres aplenty. All of them were fantastic, even the ones without meat.

*Drago, behind you.* Kendra thought to everyone in a casual tone.

Ethan turned his head to look and saw Ellis walking toward them, and behind him...

The moment Ethan saw Lord Delmar, they locked eyes. Ethan had never seen colder eyes, yet they weren't only cold. The nigh-unto arctic frigidity of the gaze was nuanced by a fire the heat of which he'd rarely seen. Ethan imagined that he himself had looked somewhat similar after Kendra had been injured, or Candice had lost part of her leg.

He could tell what that look meant. It was the look of a man who couldn't be bargained with. He couldn't be reasoned with. He wouldn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. In fact, Ethan got the distinct impression that Lord Delmar wouldn't stop, ever, until he was dead. This was a long-simmering rage that was calm, settled, and utterly intractable. He was seeing the willpower of a dragon fuel a calm, settled rage the likes of which Ethan had never seen before.

Rachel.

It had to be.

Ethan couldn't think of anything else that could have possibly created this level of visceral hatred. He certainly couldn't think of anything that could produce that kind of emotion in him that didn't involve someone harming his wives or unborn daughter.

Somewhere in the back of his mind, Ethan had been thinking that, perhaps, he could have peace with Lord Delmar somehow. Maybe grandchildren like Lord Kalus had suggested the previous day, or something else.

Now he knew better.

That would never happen.

Lord Delmar, the black dragon himself, was going to kill him, or at least try. Obviously not here and now, thankfully, but he would. Ethan didn't know when, but now he knew it was coming. There was no doubt of that. None at all.

*He's been here for a minute or two.* Kendra thought to everyone. *I think Lady Delmar wants to talk to Sarah.*

*Okay.* Ethan replied, still looking at Lord Delmar.

The other dragon's gaze was withering.

"Ellis." Ethan greeted the man when he arrived, but didn't take his eyes off of Lord Delmar.

"Mr. Ejder." Ellis head bowed. "Lady Fiona wishes to come speak with some at this table. However, Lord Delmar wished me to warn you first, that--"

"--that he'd tear me limb from limb if I hurt her?" Ethan guessed, taking his eyes off the other dragon to look at Ellis.

"Not in those specific words, but in essence, you are correct." Ellis confirmed.

"I have no problem with Lady Delmar." Ethan replied, then remembered that he and Alana were responsible for her first husband's death. "In fact, I sort of owe her an apology." He paused because it had been self-defense. "Sort of." He looked at Ellis directly. "I swear that I have nothing against her, and absolutely no desire or intent to hurt her."

Ellis nodded. "I will tell Lord Delmar." He head bowed, then turned and walked toward Fiona and Lord Delmar.

"I actually think we owe her an apology." Alana said. "It was self-defense, but..."

"Yeah..." Ethan sighed. "I'm not sorry we defended ourselves, but I'm pretty pissed that innocent men died because we did."

Everyone around the table except for Kendra nodded; she didn't say anything.

* * *

"I'm not knowing if I can do this." Fiona said, mostly to herself as she wiped her cold and slightly clammy hands on her dress again; thank Illuminar that it was self-cleaning and therefore water resistant.

"You need not." Her husband replied.

"I'm wanting to be talking to Sarah, and I was promising to see if I could get Rachel to be dancing with you." Fiona replied, then took a deep breath.

Ellis returned at that point and relayed Ethan's words, then added. "For what it is worth, I do believe him; he does not appear to harbor any resentment against Lady Delmar."

Lord Delmar nodded in acknowledgement, but didn't reply.

"If I'm not going now, I'm not sure I will." Fiona said, but still couldn't bring herself to move.

Barely a moment later, Tabitha stepped behind Fiona and gave her a gentle push in the direction of Ethan. She went. Slowly at first, her legs feeling like lead and her heart heavier still, but she had promised her husband that she would ask Rachel to dance with him, and she did want to see Sarah.

She focused on her breathing as she slowly walked forward. Her heart was still beating furiously in her chest and her hands were still sweaty, but she was doing it. She was going to meet the man who'd killed her first husband.

As she got closer, Ethan and his wives all stood. She wasn't sure if it was politeness or awkwardness, but they did. Sarah smiled at her, but she seemed preoccupied.

Finally, she arrived.

Fiona had Ellis, Tabitha, and her Aldmiri bodyguards around her, plus her husband not far away, and he was a Drago, so she felt safe. However, she didn't know what to say.

"Hi." Ethan said after a moment, sparing her the pressure of speaking first.

"Hi." She replied, not sure what else to say.

That was followed by an awkward silence.

A long awkward silence.

"Lady Delmar, I'd like to apologize to you." The wood elf in the green dress said after some time, and Fiona knew she had been there when Sean was killed.

Fiona didn't know what to say, and Alana apparently didn't either because she hesitated for several seconds.

"Um, it wasn't Ethan who killed your first husband." She finally said, and her voice sounded a bit strained, like her throat was tight. "That..." She took a deep breath. "That was me. He shot an arrow at Ethan, and I returned fire. He almost killed Ethan." She glanced at him, then back at her. "It was self-defense, but I'm really, really sorry." She blinked a few times; were her eyes getting watery?

"I am too." Ethan said after a moment. "Again, it was self-defense, but I wish it hadn't come to that."

Fiona didn't know how to feel.

All of her emotions were swirling around inside of her like a tempest and she honestly didn't know what to think.

* * *

Ethan waited for Fiona to speak; that was a lot they had just dumped on her. Well, a lot emotionally. She was standing there looking like she'd been slapped, but her lip was quivering slightly as well, her eyes were wide, and she didn't seem able to form any words.

Sarah walked up to her and gave her a hug. Fiona seemed to melt slightly as she hugged her back, and her eyes got watery too. Sarah hung on for almost a minute before stepping back. Fiona sniffled slightly, but kept herself mostly composed.

She looked at Alana after a minute. "I... I'm thanking you for that. I'd like to be saying I can forgive you, but..." She hesitated.

"I completely understand." Alana said. "If something happened to Ethan..." She trailed off and glanced at him, then back at Fiona. "Well, I understand."

Fiona nodded, but didn't reply.

That led to another awkward silence. It wasn't as long as the first one, but it definitely wasn't short.

"The decorations are beautiful." Sarah observed, and Ethan and his other wives all nodded.

"They are." Fiona agreed, but didn't elaborate.

That was followed by yet another awkward silence.

Eventually, Fiona looked at Rachel. "Um, yesterday I was suggesting to your father that he might be wanting to talk to you today, and he was wanting to; maybe during a dance?"

Rachel's eyes widened and her mouth fell open. "He was?" She said hoarsely, disbelief all over her tone.

"Aye, he was wanting to." Fiona nodded.

Rachel moved her mouth as if to reply, but nothing came out.

"That would be a 'yes'." Alana said helpfully.

Rachel nodded mutely and vigorously.

"I'll be telling him then." Fiona said.

A fourth awkward silence followed this exchange. It was no less awkward than the previous ones, and possibly more so.

Honestly, Ethan didn't find that very surprising given the connections between all of them. Come to think of it, it was pretty surprising that Fiona had come to talk to them at all. She'd heard their story though, so hopefully that had helped.

"Why don't you and Sarah walk around the place and talk a bit." Ethan suggested when the silence had dragged on too long. "I know you aren't comfortable around us, and I know Sarah would love to talk to you."

Fiona nodded.

Sarah smiled; awkwardly, but she smiled. Then the two of them left the immediate area.

"As awkward as that was, I don't think it could've gone any better." Selene mused.

"Yeah, probably so." He agreed. "I'm a little surprised it was so chill in fact."

Most of his wives agreed, but Kendra still had her focus on Lord Delmar's party.

*Drago, Lady Ekthros is here.* She nodded toward her.

He snapped his head to look in that direction and located her immediately. She was a relatively tall woman with sharp, angular features and auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail. Her eyes were dark gray, which wasn't a shade he'd ever seen or even heard of before.

*She says she means us no harm.* Selene thought to everyone. *And no, she didn't break through my mental defenses, she just figuratively left a note at the door.*

Ethan frowned.

*She also said that her offer is still open.* Selene continued. *Once we finish in Nalatia, if we leave the Ten Kingdoms and don't come back, she'll make sure Lord Delmar doesn't come after us.*

*She's the head of his intelligence, so she quite possibly could.* Kendra pointed out. *Of course, that's assuming we trust her to keep her word, which I don't.*

*No kidding.* Ethan resisted the urge to growl.

*I don't think she'll try anything here though; too many witnesses.* Kendra added.

*Good.* Selene piped up. *This is a gorgeous party and I'd hate to miss it because I was always looking over my shoulder.*

*Again, no kidding.* Ethan glared at Lady Ekthros, then pointedly turned away and sat back down. *I really hate that bitch.*

*We understand.* Alana agreed.

* * *

"Thank you for doing this." Candice said to Ahjah as he wheeled her toward the entrance of Thea's ball.

"It was my pleasure, and requested by the lady of the hour." He replied.

Candice smiled. She couldn't believe that she'd been invited to a real Metherion -- an elven noblewoman's traditional coming-of-age ball -- nor that she had been given a gorgeous new dress just for the occasion. It felt like too much. Honestly, she felt a little guilty about that.

"We will have to wait; our social superiors approach." Ahjah said, then nodded his head toward a group of elves approaching the entrance.

She didn't mind waiting, as there were plenty of interesting sights even before she had entered the party, the group of elves for instance. They all had chocolate brown hair and despite the relative lack of jewels, gold, or silver, they all looked fabulously wealthy. You could just tell by the clothes they were wearing, despite them not being ostentatious.

One of these elven men looked around, and she thought he bore a small resemblance to Alana, but couldn't think of why that would be.

* * *

"I wonder if Luminar Kossel is here yet?" Yalia thought out loud as she walked beside her husband toward the party. She wanted to skip along because of the new dress that either Thea or The Queen had arranged for her. She wasn't sure which one of them had arranged it, but she was incredibly grateful nevertheless.

"I don't know, but he said he would be here." Matthew replied. "I don't know which of the partygoers he thought might help Sarah, but it sounded like he needed to be the one to ask him." He paused. "Or her." He got a thoughtful frown on his face. "Did he say if it was a him or a her?"

"I don't think so." Yalia replied as she thought about it, but she couldn't remember. Her memory for everything surrounding the Book of Light and reading had improved vastly since marrying Matthew, but it hadn't in any other area.

"Oh, there's Candice and Ahjah." He pointed out. "And it looks like there's a bit of a line, so let's go see them."

Yalia nodded. Of all the people following Ethan, Candice was one of the few who seemed genuinely approachable. All the rest of them were fabulously gorgeous, or worlds ahead of them in life experience, or had other things that just made them different.

Candice was a normal person, and Yalia liked her for that.

* * *

*Alana, your grandfather is here.*

The wood elf smiled, happy to see Halvaer and Railen again, so she turned to see--

She stopped.

*Not those grandparents; the other ones.* Kendra added.

Her father was just now entering the ball, and with him... Hmm.

Her father looked much as he ever had. She had his chocolate-brown hair and hazel eyes, and he always got a small, happy, and proud smile on his face whenever he looked at her.

His father, her grandfather, wasn't like that.

Not at all.

For starters, he carried himself very differently. If Alana hadn't known better, she would've thought that he owned the party and everyone there just by his posture and gait. Oddly, she didn't get the impression of arrogance from him though. He moved like he owned the room and everyone made way for him, but she didn't get the impression that it was from fear. Or at least, it mostly wasn't fear. When they moved out of his way, it seemed to be more out of reverence than anything else. Well, perhaps some apprehension, but not quite fear.

He had the same chocolate brown hair and hazel eyes that Alana and her father had, but very little else about him was familiar. True, her father looked a lot like her grandfather, but that's where the similarities ended. That seemed like an odd thing to Alana, but she couldn't think of another way to describe it.

Where her father was warm and kind, her grandfather looked like he appraised every single thing in his sight; not necessarily for its monetary value, but for something else. Where her father was happy to consider her ideas, her grandfather seemed like he wouldn't bend a single hair's breadth if it didn't suit him. Where her father made those around him comfortable, her grandfather inspired those around him to either follow him or get out of his way.

That was her grandfather.

Nakhim Nalfigar.

She didn't like that. His blood was running through her veins, and that made her uncomfortable enough to shudder slightly. That was her other grandfather? Sure, Halvaer Kalon was strict and had an air of military discipline about him, but he also had a good heart under the stern exterior. She somehow doubted that was true of her paternal grandfather.

*Problem Alana?* Ethan thought to everyone.

*I'm not sure I'll like this grandfather as much.* She replied.

*Well, maybe you'll like your aunt and grandmother more.* Selene suggested sardonically.

Alana turned her attention to them, and they didn't improve her mood. Her paternal grandmother had her nose in the air and was clearly looking down on everyone and everything around her except her husband. Her aunt, Navaro's sister, was very beautiful. However, the expression on her face soured that beauty quite a bit, though Alana couldn't think of what to call it.

*On Earth, we called that a 'resting bitch face'.* Selene supplied helpfully. *The aunt, not the grandmother.* She clarified.

*Shouldn't she have arrived with her husband?* Beth asked. *It looks like she came with her family.*

*She's a widow.* Alana replied. *Her husband died only a few years after she married him, leaving a rather enormous fortune to her, plus some resources that House Nalfigar had been wanting for some time.*

Kendra narrowed her eyes. *That was convenient for House Nalfigar.*

*Railen said there was nothing suspicious about it.* Alana replied. *Apparently, he was a slightly sickly elf anyway. But, she never remarried and didn't have any children before he died.*

It was at about this point that Alana noticed her grandfather, Nakhim Nalfigar, had noticed them. He looked their way for a handful of seconds, then motioned to one of his attendants, said something into his ear, and then the attendant began walking their way.

* * *

Ethan had been married to Alana -- and more importantly, bonded to her -- long enough to have a pretty accurate guess as to what she thought of her father's side of the family. If he was right, he had the same impression. He distinctly remembered Railen Kalon telling him about Navaro, that 'the pomegranate had fallen very far from the tree', and Ethan absolutely saw that. He wondered if part of that was Kalaya's influence, as Alana's mother was both fiercely protective of her daughter, and also quite nurturing as well.

That Nakhim had sent an attendant their way was interesting though.

*It will be an invitation of some sort.* Rachel thought to everyone. *Think very carefully about how you respond, as he will likely have the invitation phrased to make you look weak if you accept, or rude if you decline.*

*Politics.* Ethan suppressed a sigh.

The attendant arrived a moment later, and bowed deeply. "Honored prophet, the highly honored Nakhim Nalfigar wishes to extend the honor of joining him at his table for a time."

Ethan didn't miss that Nakhim -- which had a slightly guttural sound on the 'kh' -- had been called 'highly honored', not merely 'honored'.

*If you accept, you'll look weak because you're going to him at his table.* Rachel pointed out. *If you decline, you'll look rude.*

*When two roads diverge, take the third path.* He replied, then spoke out loud. "We're honored by the invitation. Please express our gratitude to the honored Nakhim Nalfigar for extending it."

Ethan didn't move.

The Nalfigar attendant waited several moments, obviously expecting more.

"Did the honorable Nakhim Nalfigar have another message for you to convey?" Rachel asked.

"He did not." Notably, the attendant hadn't looked at Rachel. Apparently, House Nalfigar had decided to stick with the old way of viewing shame.

"Then we thank you for faithfully carrying out your duties, honored messenger." Alana said. Her tone was polite, but it was a clear dismissal.

The attendant bowed to Ethan, then returned to the Nalfigar family.

"He'll be in trouble for leaving without getting a firm response." Rachel said with slight amusement, then looked at her husband. "That was very smart, acknowledging and thanking him for the invitation, but not replying definitively."

"That means a lot coming from my wise redhead." He winked at her.

It was amusing the things that would make his wives blush. They were long past the point where anything sexual would do it, but a sincere compliment sometimes still had that effect, and it was very cute to see. Rachel's blush was subtle, but there.

"I didn't want to piss him off, or be rude, since we'll still need his approval for you-know-who to get married." Ethan explained.

*Voldemort isn't the marrying kind...* Selene thought to him impishly.

Despite his best efforts, he chuckled, which of course led to explaining the joke. For once, it was incredibly wonderful to simply sit around a table with his wives -- though minus Sarah at the moment -- and have a good time. They had done it regularly on the Argo, and he missed it desperately. Honestly, he was looking forward to returning to his airship with his family again more than almost anything else.

*I just checked with Thea, since she's waiting at the moment.* Selene thought to everyone. *She says she has an idea to introduce us to Nakhim without offending anyone, but she needs to think about how to do it properly. She said she'd get back to us.*

Ethan smiled, remembering the lawyer-like case she had made to Adrian Kossel that Sarah should be able to annul her betrothal to Rindrin. *Yeah, she can be a pretty smooth operator.*

*We don't need to worry then.* Alana said, and it looked like she had relaxed slightly. *Thea knows what she's doing.*

Ethan agreed.

* * *

Candice found herself at a table with Victoria and Colonel Forsythe, plus Talven, Salma, and their children. Candice wasn't sure what had happened between Victoria and the Colonel, but the platinum blonde would occasionally stare daggers at him while he looked mildly irritated. By contrast, Talven, Salma, and their kids were positively glowing.

Since Candice was sitting next to Victoria, she waited until the Colonel was talking to Talven before whispering to the newly-betrothed woman. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Victoria huffed, still glaring at her betrothed.

"Okay?" Candice replied, unsure whether she should ask more.

After a moment, the platinum blonde turned to her. "He wants me to bond with him at our wedding." She huffed quietly.

Candice opened her mouth to reply, but wasn't sure what to say. After a moment, she settled for the obvious question. "Is that a bad thing?"

"That he wants me to tie my soul to his?" Victoria replied like it was a crime of some sort. "Look, I suppose I can close my eyes and endure the wedding night with him, but sharing my soul?"

Candice resisted the urge to laugh. Given how she had reacted to a simple kiss from the good Colonel, she highly doubted that Victoria would 'endure' anything in the bridal chamber.

"That's just so... so... personal, and with him?" Her expression turned sour.

"Marriage is personal." Candice pointed out.

"Yes, well, he can have everything about me except my soul; I want to keep that." Victoria shot back.

"Well, you would get a part of his too." Candice pointed out.

"Well, yeah." Victoria admitted.

"And, doesn't that mean he wants to be close to you?" Candice asked, thinking of someone she wanted to be close to and how she would feel if he wanted that too.

"I mean, I suppose so." Victoria grumbled.

"Why are you upset that your husband wants to be close to you?" Candice asked, wishing that a certain someone wanted that with her.

Victoria didn't respond, but she did cock her head to one side. "I guess I hadn't thought about it like that." She eventually admitted. "I was just so mad that he wanted a part of my soul, that I..." She frowned. "Maybe that's not all bad." She paused. "It's just, he makes me so mad I could scream sometimes, and I don't even always know why."

"Maybe bonding will help?" Candice suggested. "I've heard that bonded couples understand each other better and don't miscommunicate as much." She sighed. "It's part of why I've always wanted to learn magic."

"Well, no matter which airship you end up on -- assuming you still want to come -- someone will be able to teach you." Victoria said. "I'd be happy to if you come on the Cloud Song with him--" She indicated Colonel Forsythe. "--and me."

"I'll keep that in mind, thank you." Candice smiled. "Does it take a long time to learn?

Victoria waggled her head back and forth. "Well, it depends on--" She stopped speaking as music filled the air.

There had been gentle background music playing, but the orchestra had largely stopped and instead, the elves playing the flutes raised in volume as the rest went silent. They continued for several seconds, then lowered their volume back to a background level as The King -- Candice still found it hard to believe that she'd had lunch with him and The Queen -- walked to the center of the clear area that was presumably for dancing.

For a moment, that made Candice's face fall. She loved to dance, but couldn't with only one leg.

"Welcome, honored guests." The King said loudly enough to be heard by everyone.

"We are honored to be invited, and thank our most generous host." Many of the partygoers responded in unison. At the same time, many elves said something in elvish, also in unison; Candice assumed the elves were saying the same thing in their tongue.

The King head bowed to the group at large, then continued in a jovial tone. "The day we have long feared is upon us. Our most beautiful city's young men now find themselves capable of courting my beloved ward, Pelathea Numiarian Asimentae, called Wild-Child." He paused, probably for effect. "May Illuminar -- blessed be He -- have mercy on their souls."

Everyone laughed.

"However, in His infinite wisdom, the God of Light has seen fit to spare the young men of this city that danger, and instead seen fit to pour out his ire on only one young elf, who has secured the hand of my beloved ward." He paused again, and even from this far away, Candice thought she could see a twinkle in his eye as he continued. "Let us all pray for this man, for he shall surely need our prayers."

Again, everyone laughed.

It was odd, but despite what he was saying, no one would think that The King was doing anything but teasing Thea. The partygoers clearly didn't take his words seriously either. Candice even got the impression that they held some affection for Thea, which made perfect sense after having met her.

"But, humorous anecdotes aside, the God of Light is notorious for taking great tragedy and turning it for the good." The King said a little more seriously, and he had an undeniable note of sadness in his tone as he continued. "My Wild Child's parents met a truly tragic ending in a most unfortunate accident. While the Book of Light tells us that Illuminar -- Blessed be He -- does not cause such things, except rarely as judgement against the wicked, His book also tells us that He takes such tragedies and redeems them, bringing joy even out of unspeakable sorrow."

He smiled, though there was still that note of sadness. "Thea has brought more joy to my life by her presence in it than I would have thought possible, and also to The Queen's life. Though, she has brought almost equal frustration as well." He said with no bitterness, only amusement.

Everyone chuckled.

"Throughout her many, many, many--" He paused, probably for effect. "--many shenanigans, she has always displayed a heart that is as pure as the purest gold, refined in the furnace of Grafsen himself."

"Who's that?" Candice asked in a whisper.

Victoria shrugged.

"A famously skilled elven smith." Colonel Forsythe whispered.

The King continued. "Her mind is as sharp as the keenest dragon steel blade, and her tongue more capable of talking herself out of mischief than is healthy."

Everyone laughed.

"Today, it is my most exceedingly great honor to formally introduce her to society as a fully grown woman, with all the privileges and responsibilities which accompany that status. With such a status, my house will undeniably lack a certain amount of kind-hearted chaos that it has endured for many years. Yet, I know myself and The Queen will long for such chaos to return before long." Though his voice was controlled and stately, Candice could hear the mixed emotions in his tone.

"Thus, for the first time, please raise your hands; not for the child, not for the young woman, but for the woman, Pelathea Numiarian Asimentae, called Wild-Child."

Everyone stood and began clapping as behind him, something that looked like steps rose into the air. They were silver colored and the size of steps, but nothing was visibly supporting them. They rose one at a time, and for the first time, Candice realized that in one of the trees above and behind where The King was standing, there was the most elegant treehouse she had ever seen. Though, calling it a 'treehouse' seemed woefully inadequate, almost insulting.

The lights immediately around its entrance went out, though there was still plenty enough to see well. Its door opened and Thea stepped out, and then slowly began to walk down the steps that were rising up to meet her feet.

Her beauty took Candice's breath away.

Thea was absolutely gorgeous of course. Easily as beautiful as Selene, and even more so at this very moment. She was wearing a gorgeous turquoise dress that exactly matched her turquoise eyes. The dress was somehow cut to make her look older and more mature, more 'womanly', though it didn't emphasize her assets at all.

Something that shimmered had been applied to her sun-kissed cheeks, and it caught the light and made her look ethereal. Her dark brown hair with a hint of red had small turquoise gemstones and diamonds that enhanced the effect as well. She looked almost too beautiful to be real, and the dress and makeup someone had clearly applied only enhanced that effect further.

Candice stared in awe.

She considered herself attractive, but this elven beauty had reached heights that Candice herself could never hope to reach in her wildest dreams on her best day. There seemed to be a collective intake of breath from everyone around her. It seemed like the whole party was momentarily stunned into silence.

Candice certainly was.

* * *

"You could have married her."

Ethan smiled at Selene's whispered comment. "I could've, but I'm happy with who I have." He replied, then looked at Sarah, who had heard Selene's comment. His betrothed had returned from her talk with Fiona during The King's speech.

"You couldn't want me more than..." Sarah looked at the absolute vision that was Thea.

He smiled at his betrothed. "Actually, I could."

She frowned.

"Look, yes, Thea is more beautiful than you are." Ethan said. "I'm not blind, and I'm not going to lie and pretend that she isn't. But, as they say, beauty is only skin deep. There's a lot more to a woman than just how pretty she is. And while Thea is a good person, I picked you because of who you are. I'm glad I picked you. And given the choice, I would still pick you."

Sarah smiled, then bit her lip. "Even with..." She swallowed.

"Yes, even with your demon." He replied, turning his tone serious. "I wish like hell you'd get rid of it, and I'm a little disappointed that it's still sticking around because you can't bring yourself to want it to leave, even if I understand why..." He looked her in the eye. "...but yes, even with your demon."

She nodded, but then didn't meet his eye.

He put his arm around her since she was sitting next to him. His other wives always made sure she sat next to him since she didn't sleep next to him every night like they did. She was initially a little reluctant, but soon leaned into him.

*Hey, Illuminar.* He thought to no one in particular, or maybe someone very particular. *I don't suppose you could do something about Sarah's demon? It's tearing her up inside and I hate seeing her like this.*

He sighed.

He wasn't sure if Illuminar would answer, but he really, really hoped he did.

"Oh, look, Luminar Kossel is here." Beth pointed out.

Ethan looked up, and sure enough, he was indeed here.

"And now, it is time for the first dance of the evening, as is proper according to tradition." The King said, then turned to Thea, who had finished descending the enchanted stairs and was now next to him. "As Wild Child's guardian, the honor is mine."

He extended his hand, Thea took it, then the orchestra began to play and they danced. They were good. Very good. Their familial affection was obvious, and it did Ethan's heart good to see them dancing.

"You know, that could be you with Ruth in not very many years." Alana mused.

Ethan took a deep breath, then let it out slowly. He wasn't ready for thoughts like that. Not now, and possibly not ever.

After that dance ended, the floor was opened up and Ethan found himself obligated to take his wives onto the dance floor, not that he minded.

* * *

"Excuse me Miss, the lady of the hour has a gift for you."

Candice turned to see Ellis standing next to her wheelchair. "She does?"

"She does." He confirmed, then held up an ornate leather bracelet with a gemstone in it. "It is a weight reduction item, stronger than usual. If you had a willing partner, it would allow you to dance."

Candice stared at him. "Really?"

"Yes Miss." Ellis replied. "She asked me specifically to present it to you, and also to be your first dance partner."

"She did?" She asked, not understanding why Thea would do that. Though, The King had just talked about Thea's heart of gold...

"She did." Ellis confirmed.

"Why?" Candice asked.

"I believe that she suspects that you and I might form an attachment that would lead to something more permanent." Ellis replied. Oddly, he didn't seem bothered by that possibility.

"With me?" She asked after a moment. "But why?"

He extended his hand. "Perhaps, if you put the bracelet on, we could theorize on the dance floor."

She blinked.

Victoria plucked the bracelet from her hand, clicked it onto her wrist, and then spoke with a grin. "She would be happy to accept."

Candice looked at the bracelet, then Victoria, then Ellis. Finally, she nodded. She hesitated a moment, then reached out her hand tentatively, even hesitantly, and finally placed it in Ellis's hand. He gently pulled her to her feet, and she came far more easily than she would've thought possible; the bracelet. It was an odd feeling, weighing so little and yet having the inertia of her whole body.

With the enchantment reducing her weight and Ellis's hand, it was easy-ish to sort of hop along with him. After only a few steps, she even figured out how to make the hop look like she was walking. Well, sort of.

They reached the edge of the dance floor and Ellis turned and took up a proper dancing stance, and she slipped into her proper stance. With him holding her in frame, she felt almost weightless and she could let him support her.

He started dancing, but she didn't know the steps. Thankfully, she didn't really need to know them because Ellis led very well, and she could hide any awkwardness with her long dress and him holding her up.

"Perhaps she thinks you prefer military men." Ellis said.

"What?" Candice asked.

"This dance was to theorize why Thea insisted that I ask you to dance." He replied as he moved her expertly around the dance floor, though slowly given the cadence of the music.

"Oh." Candice replied. "Maybe, though all of the military men I met were Ivernian soldiers."

"Perhaps not then." He replied.

"Why did she think that you might form an attachment to me?" Candice asked, swallowed, and then finished the thought she wished wasn't true. "I'm... I'm a cripple."

"Indeed you are Miss." He replied without judgement. "However, I am unaware of any passage in the Book of Light which condemns cripples as unworthy of love; are you aware of such a passage?"

Candice shook her head; the Book of Light said very much the opposite if she was remembering correctly.

"Further, from what I have heard, it would require a woman of uncommon courage and conviction to voluntarily put herself in the position to lose a leg such as you did." He replied. "It is exceedingly rare to have a woman's bravery so thoroughly proven before marriage. That has a certain attraction, though a purely practical kind, to some men."

"Some men?" Candice asked.

"Yes Miss." He replied, but he didn't elaborate and she couldn't tell if he was referring to himself or not.

"Oh." She didn't know how to reply to that.

The dance was nearing its end when someone in the same uniform as Ellis approached him alone on the dance floor. "The Crown Prince summons you, though he specified that it would not take longer than one dance."

Ellis nodded. "Would you keep my dancing partner entertained in my stead so she won't be forced to miss a dance? She is the woman I spoke of earlier, with whom Pelathea requested that I dance."

"Happily." The man replied, then offered his hand to Candice, who took it since she really did love dancing and wasn't sure how often she would be able to in the future.

"Excuse me Miss." Ellis head bowed, expertly handed her off to the other fellow, then walked toward the Crown Prince and his party.

"He is a good man." Her current dancing partner said. "Ellis I mean. I have not worked with him long, but he has displayed the highest standard of character in that short time."

Candice smiled. "That's good to hear."

The song ended, and a much slower song started. It seemed like one where they wouldn't move around the dance floor much, which was nice. With the new song, many more couples moved onto the dance floor.

In front of her, she noticed an older human luminar approaching a tall woman with auburn hair and severe features. The auburn-haired woman was at the edge of the dance floor speaking with someone, and the older luminar approached from behind her.

"Hello Hope." The older human luminar said once he had gotten rather close.

The auburn-haired woman sucked in her breath, then turned to look at him, her eyes slightly wide and tone full of both confusion and surprise as she spoke. "Adrian."

* * *

Ethan twirled Rachel on the dance floor, his wise redhead smiling as he did so.

"You know, I sometimes wish I could split myself apart so I could do things like this with everyone regularly instead of splitting my time."

"Marry fewer wives next time." Rachel teased, her usually serious disposition having lightened somewhat with the dancing.

"Oh, I think I would stop at three next time; it seems like a good number." He teased back.

She smiled as she danced the slow dance with him, relaxed into his arms.

"We don't get the chance to talk very much anymore." He said after a moment. "Not like we used to."

"Again, too many wives." She replied. "Not that I'd want to live without any of them, but it is a lot."

"It is." He agreed. "Honestly, being serious, I really do think that one is ideal, and no more than two, or three at most would work for ordinary, non-dragon people."

"I think you're right." She replied. "Practically speaking, especially once children come, there just won't be a lot of time with more than two or three." She said, then blushed slightly. "It... it's fun with all of us though. You know, when we're together."

"It is, mealtimes are amazing." He replied while keeping his face neutral. "That's what you meant, right?"

She chuckled.

"You don't laugh a lot, you know that?" He pointed out.

Rachel nodded. "I know. It's just, with everything going on, it's sometimes hard."

"Including your father?" He asked.

She nodded.

"Are you looking forward to dancing with him, or dreading it?" Ethan asked.

"Both." She admitted, her tone quiet and pensive.

"You know, it might be best to do it sooner rather than later." He pointed out. "Dreading something does tend to ruin a night, and it might be wonderful."

"It might be terrible." She countered.

"You'll never know until you try." He replied. "I'm not exactly his biggest fan, but I know how much it tears you up inside that you're estranged. There's no hope he'll warm to me, but I'm hoping you and he could maybe patch things up."

"He disowned me." Rachel said quietly. "He told the whole world that he doesn't want me as his daughter."

"But remember what Fiona told Sarah; he does want you as his daughter." He reminded her.

She nodded, but didn't look convinced.

"I think I'll sit the next dance out so you can dance with him." Ethan said after a moment. "It probably wouldn't be wise to have both of us on the dance floor at once."

Rachel nodded. "Okay."

*Alana, could you ask Sarah to ask Fiona to send Lord Delmar to the dance floor.* He thought to everyone. *I'm bowing out of the next dance so I don't get in their way.*

*Will do.* She replied.

Rachel took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Hey, chin up." He said softly. "No matter what happens, you'll always have us."

She nodded.

* * *

Adrian? Candice thought as she saw the older human luminar talking with the auburn-haired woman. That name sounded familiar, but she couldn't place where she'd heard it before.

"I didn't know you would be here." The woman -- 'Hope' apparently -- replied.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Adrian replied with a smile. "Dance with me." It was more than a request, but not quite a command, and he extended his hand as he said it.

The woman, Hope, took his hand, and the way she did so seemed like an automatic thing, like a reflex ingrained by habit more than a conscious decision. Adrian led her onto the dance floor and pulled her expertly into the proper frame, and she slid into his arms like Candice would slide her foot into a well-worn, well-loved shoe.

The couple started dancing nearby, and because of the dance, they were nearby and likely to stay close.

Candice's dancing partner had clearly picked up on the fact that she was listening to the conversation. He slowly maneuvered them slightly closer and angled himself so that she could see them over his shoulder. In this position, it wouldn't look odd to anyone that she was both watching and listening.

"It's been a long time, Hope." Adrian said after a few moments.

"I go by 'Mara' now." She replied.

Candice frowned; a name change? Who changed their first name?

"I know." Adrian replied. "It's Hebrew for 'bitter', and your chosen last name is Greek for 'enemy'. But whose bitter enemy are you?"

Hope didn't answer.

Candice thought that 'Hope' was a much better name than 'bitter enemy'. What kind of person would choose a name like that?

Apparently, Adrian was curious as well. "I do not think it's me, perhaps life itself?"

"It hasn't been kind to me." Hope replied.

"No, no it has not." Adrian's tone was mournful and understanding. "I visited his resting place recently, and saw that someone besides me has been keeping the area clean."

"He deserved--" Hope swallowed. "He deserves nothing less."

"I agree." Adrian replied.

After a moment, Adrian pulled Hope a little closer, and they danced like that for a bit. After a few more moments, Hope closed her eyes and leaned into him slightly.

"Why are you here Adrian?" Hope opened her eyes and looked at him after several long moments. "What do you want?"

"We have a mutual friend, recently betrothed, and with a heartbreaking history." Adrian replied. "Your actions made things worse for her, and you owe it to her to fix it."

"I can't fix it." Hope replied. "It's absurd superstition."

"The first step to getting rid of a problem is knowing it exists." Adrian replied. "The next step is wanting it gone. She needs to want the problem gone, even if you think she's wrong about what the problem is."

"And you think I can help with that?" Hope scoffed.

"I know you can." Adrian replied. Something about the way he said it stood out. It was a simple declaration of truth spoken with utter conviction and not a trace of doubt.

Hope didn't reply to that.

"After what happened, you owe her that much." Adrian continued.

"I don't really care; she's not my problem." Hope replied, though her tone was less than convincing.

Adrian just looked at her.

"I don't." Hope repeated.

"Then you wouldn't need to convince me." Adrian replied with a smile. "If you don't feel like you owe her, then you certainly owe me. Help her for me."

"Why?" Hope asked.

"Because I asked." Adrian replied. "And because I think they have a chance at what we once shared." He looked at her pointedly. "You aren't as heartless as you pretend, and I know you want to help her."

The music ended.

With its ending, some sort of spell seemed to have broken. Hope's face changed subtly, but significantly. Something about her expression hardened, and she narrowed her eyes slightly at him.

"It would be of no benefit to me, so no." She finally said.

"Her problem makes her more dangerous to you and your allies, so do it out of self-interest if nothing else." Adrian replied, then looked at her significantly again. "And you do owe her."

"I'll take it under advisement." She replied, but her tone indicated that she would do no such thing. She then turned on her heel and walked away. A moment later, Adrian slowly shook his head, then moved off as well.

Candice wasn't sure who they were, but for some reason, that whole exchange had caught her attention.

* * *

Ethan watched Lord Delmar rise from his seat after Fiona had talked to Sarah and then him. He glanced Ethan's way, that same implacable cold fury in his expression. Rather than matching his expression, he nodded toward the dance floor where his fourth wife was waiting. Lord Delmar narrowed his eyes slightly, then he did walk toward his daughter.

"That will be a very interesting conversation." A very familiar voice said from behind him.

"It will." He replied, then turned to look at Thea. She was absolutely radiant, even managing to outshine Selene tonight. Though, Selene had gone out of her way to not enhance her appearance in any way. "How does it feel to be a full woman?" He teased.

"I'll let you know after my wedding night." She replied with a hint of sass, though she blushed slightly. Then she paused, then added. "Or after my first child? I have heard many older women say that becoming a mother changes a person in ways that are subtle, but profound."

"It does." Selene agreed. "I once heard of this study where brain scans showed that women who've had children undergo changes almost as significant as what happens at puberty. Obviously not the same, but similar in the amount of change."

"I believe it." Alana said. "It's incredible just how much my perspective has shifted, and I haven't even given birth yet."

"How has it shifted?" Beth asked.

"It's... it's hard to describe." The wood replied, then added impishly. "I guess you'll just have to experience it for yourself..." She winked.

"Dominus?" Beth asked, her face lighting up.

"Maybe not until after we're not in constant danger." He replied. "I can't wait, but I'm not sure it's wise now."

"I'm not really in danger." Beth countered. "I stay on the Argo, and when I'm on the--" She paused. "When I'm scouting, I can't be hurt."

"She makes a good point." Sarah said with a wistful sigh.

*Sarah does that a lot when babies or motherhood are mentioned.* Selene thought to him privately.

*I'd love to help her with that... and you too.* Ethan replied.

Selene let out a small sigh, then snapped her head toward Ethan. *Damn, I do it too.*

"Thank you so much for inviting us." Alana said to Thea.

"I wouldn't have you miss it for anything." Thea beamed. "But, the reason I came over here is actually more political than personal." She subtly flicked her eyes toward Nakhim Nalfigar's table, where Ahjah was speaking to the elf. "I wanted you two to meet on relatively equal terms, so I'm officially inviting you to join me over there." She nodded toward a relatively open space that was much smaller than the dance floor."

"Sounds good." Ethan said, and made to get up.

"Not yet." Thea replied. "I want Rachel there and she's busy."

Ethan glanced toward the dance floor where Rachel had started dancing with her father. He couldn't help but wonder how that was going.

* * *

Rachel did her best to get her body under control, because it was wanting to shudder, shiver, or perhaps vibrate so much that she burst into flame.

Her father was walking toward her.

She had almost forgotten how large he was. He towered over her by a whole foot, and he was powerfully built as well. He carried himself well, his confidence and self-assurance obvious from his posture and gait alone. Suddenly, she was five years old again, and he was the most amazing man in the world, only she had always felt like she had done something wrong. She didn't know what, but it felt like that.

"Rachel." He said with a subtle nod of the head when he arrived.

She swallowed. "Father."

"May I have this dance?" He extended his hand.

Suddenly, her mouth was as dry as cotton balls and she didn't know what to say. Her mind was racing a thousand miles a minute and she could see all the ways this could go wrong, and very few where it could go right. She was remembering the last time they had spoken. The fight, the anger, the magical attacks she'd launched that had simply done nothing to him, the ring of fire he'd used...

Oh, wait.

He was a dragon, so how... Lady Ekthros? Maybe? Maybe she had been there out of sight and had been the one to do the fire? That was the only thing Rachel could think of because it would've taken an Archmage, and she didn't think her father was one. But wouldn't that mean that Lady Ekthros was involved in forcing her from the castle? Was she behind it?

"Rachel?" Her father said again, but his tone was different this time. There was a subtle note of softness in his tone that she rarely heard from him.

She bit her lip, then slowly, haltingly, raised her hand and set it in her father's massive hands. The first thing she noticed was that she didn't feel scales. She knew the difference between skin and scale, especially since she was married to a dragon. But with him, she felt skin, not scale. How incredible was his disguise gem? She had heard that the previous court mage was a genius, but this really was incredible work.

They had reached the dance floor by this time and her father pulled her effortlessly into the proper frame, just like he always had on the rare occasions that she'd dance with him growing up. She looked up at him and he seemed to be staring intently into her eyes, as if looking for something. She wasn't sure what though, unless...

"They aren't black." She tried to say, but her mouth was so dry that she had to pull some saliva into it before trying again. "They aren't black. I have never used dark mana, and I never will."

"You are bonded to a necromancer who has compelled you." He replied.

"He can't compel me." Rachel replied. "I'm..." She looked around, trying to think of how to phrase it so as not to give away his secret to any prying ears. "You know that, however far back, there is a dragon in my family tree. The same is true of Alana, and Ethan can't compel either of us."

"It would be child's play for a dragon to convince you of such a thing using weak compulsions that he allowed you to break." He replied as he expertly guided her in the dance.

She didn't have an answer for that.

Damn.

Silence fell for several moves as she struggled to figure out what to say. If he really thought that Ethan had tricked her via compulsion, he could easily dismiss anything she could say as the result of compulsion.

"You do not look unwell." He finally said.

"I'm not." She replied. "Um, I mean, I'm not unwell. I'm mostly very happy."

"Mostly?"

She nodded. "Um, we keep getting attacked, and there have been injuries, and dangerous travels are coming, but I love my family."

She thought she saw a muscle twitch in his jaw as she said that last part.

"They are wonderful." Rachel pressed. "Even if Ethan is as evil as you say -- and he isn't, but even if he was -- his other wives aren't. Even in your understanding, he could be compelling all of them."

"That is not untrue." He finally replied, then twirled her as the dance dictated.

"I know I won't be able to convince you about Ethan, but please, at least think of my fellow wives as innocent." Rachel asked, trying to keep her voice from becoming a plea.

"The elf, Alana, seems more suspect than the rest because she has participated from the beginning." He replied. "The others I might consider so; it has not been proven in the elf's case."

Rachel's heart sank. "Who told you all this? Lady Ekthros? Do you know what she has been doing?"

"I am aware of the accusations against her, but have been able to clear her of wrongdoing by my own investigation in a manner not possible to overturn." He spoke with utter and complete confidence that left no room for even the possibility of him being wrong.

"How?" Rachel asked. It seemed impossible that he could be so sure.

Her father locked eyes with her, and for the tiniest, briefest moment, she felt like he might be trying to compel her, but then it instantly stopped. Why would he have-- oh. That must be how he had 'investigated' Lady Ekthros, and the momentary micro attempt at compulsion was him answering Rachel's question because they were surrounded by people so he couldn't just tell her.

If Lord Delmar had compelled Lady Ekthros to tell the truth, that must be why he believed her so strongly: he would think that there's no possible way that she could defeat his compulsion. That only left one question: how in Illuminar's name had Lady Ekthros beaten a dragon's compulsion?

"You always were intelligent." He said after a moment, and she hadn't realized he'd been watching her closely.

"Thank you." She replied, a smile appearing on her face.

"I made a mistake at our last conversation." He said after a moment. "My reaction to learning you were attempting to study dark magic was too strong."

Rachel stared at him. "I've never studied dark magic."

"Do not lie to me." His tone was stern.

"I'm not lying." She replied. "I've never studied dark magic, or even wanted to."

He narrowed his eyes, then dipped her, as the dance called for.

"Father, I didn't, and I would never..." She trailed off, wilting slightly under his gaze.

"The evidence was incontrovertible." He stated, his tone as unyielding as Narlotten's dragon steel vault.

She looked at him for a moment. "It was provided by Lady Ekthros, wasn't it?"

He nodded once. "And her honesty was confirmed as only I can." He looked her directly in the eyes, and for a fraction of a moment, she felt another micro attempt at compulsion before it stopped.

"You could confirm it the same way with me." She suggested.

He raised his eyebrow at her.

That's when she remembered that she had been able to resist a Drago's compulsion even when only half-bonded to Ethan. Being bonded to one dragon made it impossible for another dragon to compel her, which they had found out with Kyrupto when they'd met him on the Argo. Even Beth and Taloni were easily able to resist it.

"I can't prove it, but it isn't true." Rachel finally said, then bit her lip.

"I should not have driven you from the castle." He said after a moment.

She looked up at him. "I... that was on purpose?"

He nodded once and then spoke quietly. "I feared what I must do if your study of dark magic became known."

Rachel knew the penalty for dark magic in Narlotten: death. If he had driven her out of the castle in case that became known... She swallowed. "You... you were protecting me?"

He nodded once. "As I always will."

Rachel blinked. "Always will?"

He nodded once. "You are my daughter." He said as if that explained everything.

Suddenly, Rachel's eyes became a little blurry and she blinked to clear them. "You..." She swallowed, and the only reason she was still upright was that he was guiding her across the dance floor. "You still care?" It came out as an almost a scared whisper, partially because her heart froze in her chest as she considered how he could answer.

He nodded once. "And always will. I have, perhaps, not communicated that clearly. The fault for that lies with me, and me alone."

Suddenly, Rachel couldn't think.

Her brain seemed to have stopped working, like a wagon with a broken wheel.

He cared?

She searched his face for several seconds, but he seemed to be telling the truth. Her throat got tight and she started to feel a little lightheaded as she considered the possibility that...

"But, you disinherited me." She managed to get out.

"Did you read the proclamation, or rely on a secondary source?"

"Secondary." She replied, her heart not sure if she could take this, but wanting to jump for joy anyway. News usually traveled by word-of-mouth in the Ten Kingdoms, and so it was entirely possible that there was something in his proclamation that had been lost in transmission.

"I specified that while any potential offspring would be barred from the Narlotten throne, you yourself would always be welcome in my house." He paused. "I was exceedingly angry during our previous conversation, and thus said things which I should not have said. I regret that." He paused for a moment longer. "And I would ask your forgiveness for them."

Rachel stared.

Her mouth was slightly open as she blinked and her heart soared while her mind was still like a wagon with a broken wheel in the mud. Just a few months ago, the idea of her father apologizing to her would've been unthinkable. It was something that had never occurred to her. Ever.

But he cared.

He actually cared.

She dropped the dance frame and threw her arms around him in a tight hug.

He cared.

* * *

Candice simply followed Ellis's lead as he navigated expertly around the disturbance on the dance floor that had occurred because of Rachel and Lord Delmar. They weren't close to them, but their stopping had disrupted the flow enough that there were ripples in the other couples. Rachel was currently hugging him, and he was rather awkwardly patting her back in lieu of actually hugging her back.

Candice smiled.

It didn't take a genius to see how many issues Rachel had with her father, and it was good to see that some kind of restoration had happened. Probably not fully because she doubted that he would stop hunting Ethan, but some.

"The happiness of others makes you happy." Ellis observed.

"Doesn't it make everyone happy?" Candice asked.

"Unfortunately, no." He replied.

"Oh." She replied. "I'm sorry to hear that. Did you know someone like that?"

He nodded. "I did, more than one, but it makes for poor dance floor conversation."

"Okay." She replied, then enjoyed the dance. "Thank you for this, I know it can't be easy." He was indeed doing most of the work, even with the weight reduction amulet that she was wearing. She was doing her best, but with only one leg, she wasn't the most graceful dancer. "I promise I was a good dancer once."

"I believe you were, and I do not mind." He replied, and he sounded sincere. "Answer me one question though, honestly and truly."

"Okay." She nodded.

"How deeply are you in love with Ethan Ejder?" He asked, his tone completely normal.

She bit her lip and looked down. "I... He's..." She couldn't help but smile as she thought about him.

"That was a very honest answer." He replied, sounding slightly amused.

"I'm sorry." She said.

"You have done nothing that would require an apology." Ellis replied. "My father once counseled me never to court a woman who was truly and deeply in love with another man. I shall take his advice, though it shall not prevent me from enjoying a few dances here tonight."

She smiled at him. "Thank you, that's very kind."

"You are welcome miss." He replied. "If I might make a suggestion: I would not travel on the Argo. It would not do your heart good to be near him so often. Time and distance will be good friends to you, since marriage to him is simply not an option."

Candice nodded. "I agree, but I want to travel with him so badly."

"What we want is often not the same as what is best for us." Ellis replied. "And the thing which is harder in the short term, often ends up being both easier and better in the long term."

Candice felt a smile appear on her face as she looked at him. He was a genuinely kind man, and given his position, he was assuredly a good man too. "I almost wish I wasn't so taken with Ethan." She said after a moment.

"Ah, but the wishing does not make it so." Ellis replied. "Many a man, and I suspect woman too, has wasted hours, months, and years of their lives on wishing for what is not so, and often what cannot be so. I would not wish that fate on you, for time is the most precious commodity that a mortal possesses. It makes the lowest peasant equal to the greatest lord, for none can gain more time, no matter how much he would wish to."

Candice's smile widened; he was wise as well. "I--" she had been about to say that she wished she'd met Ellis before Ethan, but thought better of it, given what he'd just said. "I don't suppose you would know how someone might fall out of love?"

"It happens when the object of affection deeply and callously hurts the one besotted." Ellis replied. "However, I am beginning to suspect that he would not do so."

Candice shook her head. "He wouldn't. That's part of why..." She trailed off, knowing it was a bad idea to finish that sentence.

"Then time and distance would be a good start." Ellis suggested. "If I had the cure for a broken heart, I would be swimming in gold."

"No, you wouldn't." Candice said after a moment. "You would only charge coppers, or give it away for free, wouldn't you?"

Ellis got a strange sort of smile on his face, and she couldn't place it. "I am flattered that you think so Miss."

She cocked her head to one side and gave him a quizzical expression, hoping he would elaborate, but he didn't. However, he did dance several more dances with her, even after their discussion about Ethan, which she greatly appreciated.

* * *

Rachel felt like she was floating on cloud nine. Well, maybe cloud eight since her father still wanted to kill her husband, but she felt better than she had in a very, very, long time. The rest of the dance flew by. They didn't say much more, and she was okay with that.

He cared.

He really cared.

He bowed to her as the dance ended, and she curtsied back.

"If the false prophet allows it, you could, perhaps, join myself and Fiona for a dinner on the Helene some evening before you depart."

Rachel stared at him for a moment, then found herself wondering if, perhaps, Fiona had had an impressively large effect on him. Or maybe it was that his secret -- that he was a dragon -- would be revealed to the public at some point after they returned to Narlotten, and that was making him reconsider things. Maybe it was something else entirely. Whatever it was, she was glad of it.

"I would like that." She replied when she finally found her voice. "And I'm sure he will, as long as I have a lot of security for the walk there, given the ambushes."

He nodded once. "I will send the Narlotten guard to reinforce the Lightguard. Send word when you are ready."

"I will." She promised.

He head bowed to her, then turned and walked back toward his table, where Fiona was waiting. For Rachel, it was incredibly strange to think of Fiona as her stepmother, even though that's what she was. Fiona was likely only a few years older than Rachel herself, and Rachel was only nineteen. Even if Fiona got married late, like perhaps 20 or 21, she still likely wasn't older than 22 or 23 at the oldest. She seemed like she was much more mature for her age than most women, but she still couldn't be very old.

And Fiona had a son, meaning that Rachel had a stepbrother.

That was a strange thought.

She shook her head to clear it and made her way off the dance floor as the next dance began. She noticed Candice and Ellis dancing, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. She didn't catch much hint of attraction, but they looked like they were having fun. Nearby, Matthew and Yalia were dancing as well. They weren't as good, but were clearly trying and clearly enjoying themselves as well.

She also noticed Lady Ekthros near her father's table, though she seemed slightly lost in thought and was staring at a random lantern with a thoughtful frown on her face. Interesting.

"How did it go?" Alana asked the moment Rachel returned to their table.

She told them, and found herself on the verge of happy tears again as she did.

"I'm glad." Ethan said with an extremely wide smile. "I'd prefer he was a little less murdery, but I'm glad."

"Me too." She sighed.

"Well, while you're feeling wonderful, want to meet Alana's other grandfather?" Thea asked, looking absolutely stunning.

"Let's do it!" Rachel grinned. She felt like she could take on the world right now, and win.

* * *

Ethan had a subtle smile on his face as he and his wives walked with Thea toward an open area near one of the larger food tables. Nearby, Ahjah was coming with Nakhim Nalfigar and several of his entourage, including Navaro, Alana's father. But neither of those were causing his smile. No, that was because of Rachel. There was a lightness about how she was moving and behaving that he'd literally never seen from her before. Ever.

It was so good to see that he wasn't sure he could properly describe it. Rachel was nearly skipping beside him and had a smile on her face. That just hadn't been her since he'd met her. She was always the tortured soul, and thankfully, it seemed like some of that torment had been removed from her. Again, it was incredible to see.

They arrived just ahead of Nakhim and his entourage, so Ethan turned on his heel and stood there waiting for him. He hadn't intended it this way, but that sort of gave the impression that he had come to Ethan. He was okay with that.

"Honorable Prophet." Ahjah said with a head bow. "Might I introduce the highly honored Nakhim Nalfigar, called House Head."

"And this is Ethan Ejder, called Illuminar's Prophet -- blessed be the God of Light." Thea added, finishing the introductions.

It was interesting; Nakhim didn't even spare a glance at Ethan's wives, but looked at him instead.

"Ethan Ejder." Nakhim's voice was smooth, moderately deep, and he enunciated every single syllable carefully. "You have brought much disturbance to Nalatia as of late."

"I have." Ethan replied. "I hear prophets have a habit of doing that."

"Prophets do, yes." Nakhim's tone seemed to indicate that he wasn't thoroughly convinced that Ethan was one. "But still, using the Sepo Cycle as part of an argument?" He made a thoughtful sound. "Would a true prophet of Illuminar -- blessed be He -- do such a thing?"

*That's a trap whether you answer yes or no.* Rachel thought to everyone. *I would ask him how he knows that.*

"How'd you hear that?" Ethan asked.

"People talk." Nakhim replied.

Ethan resisted the urge to frown; he could absolutely see Nakhim using this information in nefarious ways. Like, really nefarious.

"Truth is truth, no matter the source." Ethan replied. "You might not like the source, but that doesn't make it less truthful."

"Spoken like a politician, not a prophet." Nakhim replied.

"I haven't observed most politicians to be overly concerned with truth." Ethan said.

"And subtle attacks against our fair kingdom's leaders?" Nakhim frowned, and Ethan was only half sure it was performative. The assumption that Ethan had meant the wood elven leaders when he said 'politicians' was quite the stretch.

"That is better than subtle attacks against Illuminar's prophets." Rachel replied.

Nakhim ignored her completely.

"No answer?" Ethan asked.

"I have no need to reply to a woman full of shame." Nakhim's response came across like a simple statement of fact without emotion attached to it.

"Then I'm afraid you'll need to provide two or three witnesses to that shame." Ethan replied, recycling the same argument he'd used to get the luminars to reconsider.

"According to the Conclave, that is a matter open to debate." Nakhim replied. "I have elected to remain with time-honored tradition, honoring the wisdom of our forefathers instead of bending to the whims of the young."

"Given your honored status as the head of a house, surely you are intelligent enough to recognize that the argument has merit." Alana said.

He didn't answer her.

"Highly honored." Nakhim's wife corrected in a slightly unfriendly tone without looking at Alana. Her eyes were cold.

Ethan hesitated for a moment, trying to decide if he should play nice or say what he was thinking. After a moment, he realized that not being blunt wouldn't help because if he wouldn't even look at someone he considered shamed, he would never let Navaro and Kalaya marry. "Well, if you're unwilling to accept the Book of Light when it speaks clearly to an issue, then 'highly honored' seems a little out of place, honored Nakhim."

Ethan might not have noticed without his enhanced reflexes, but there was the tiniest muscle twitch at the corner of Nakhim's mouth at this pronouncement.

Ethan arranged his face into a thoughtful expression, frowned, then added. "Actually, even 'honored' seems like a little much for someone who is intentionally ignoring the Book of Light." He looked the elf directly in the eye, then added. "Nakhim."

He intentionally left off 'honored'.

That got a reaction.

The elf's entourage looked incensed, Navaro's eyes were wide, and Nakhim himself narrowed his eyes slightly. "House Nalfigar would make a poor enemy."

"Have we become your enemy by speaking truth to you?" Beth spoke up, and it sounded like she was quoting something.

*Master, that's a quote from the Book of Light.* Taloni thought to everyone.

*It's one of like, five quotes I know.* Beth explained.

Nakhim looked at the blonde teen. "It is uncouth for one so young to speak such to her elders."

"And it's more uncouth to attempt to silence your critics when you can make no answer to them." Alana countered.

"I don't want to be your enemy." Ethan metaphorically stepped in. "In fact, I'd like to join our families together." They were already joined, but Ethan was pretty sure that publicly outing Navaro as Alana's father would be a bad move. "Your son still loves Kalaya, and I'm pretty sure he'd still marry her if you would permit it and if her shame could be removed."

"A marriage alliance with a prophet." Thea spoke up. "Who among the faithful followers of Illuminar -- blessed be He -- could not seriously consider such an alliance?"

Ethan smiled; that was very clever from Thea.

"Your first wife's mother is shamed." Nakhim said to Ethan. "Therefore, no such alliance will take place."

"Unless the Conclave rules that a shamed person's shame can be removed." Thea said brightly. "I have heard the argument, and it seems likely."

"Perhaps." Nakhim replied. However, something about the way he said it gave Ethan pause. It sounded like he knew something, or perhaps that he was confident that they wouldn't side with the argument that Matthew had made.

*Danger Will Robinson.* Selene thought to everyone. *How much says he's playing politics in the Conclave behind the scenes?*

*I'd take the bet, but I hate losing money.* Ethan replied, then spoke aloud. "It was interesting to meet you, not-honored Nakhim. I'd love to address you as honored, but since you don't care what the Book of Light says..." He shrugged.

Nakhim had an odd look on his face. He clearly wasn't happy with the lack of the honorific. However, he also seemed oddly... pleased? by something at the same time.

"I am sure we shall meet again." Nakhim said, then turned and left.

"Okay, how much of a train wreck was that?" Ethan asked after he was out of earshot, eliciting confused looks from everyone except Selene. "Oh, right, train wreck..." He frowned. "An airship wreck? I mean a disaster."

"From one perspective, it was a complete 'train wreck'." Ahjah replied.

"But on the other, I doubt you were ever going to convince him." Thea completed the thought. "Maybe it's better than he learned that you would stand up for yourself."

"Speaking of, we might have a problem." Ethan frowned. "There's a very real chance that he might be interfering with the luminars right now. I'm not sure how, but I'm sure he's connected."

"He funds one of the largest seminaries in Nalatia." Thea said. "Luminars usually can't be bought, but they'll definitely hear him out just because he funds that seminary." She frowned. "Or rather, whichever luminar -- or luminars -- Nakhim will send to make the argument. I'm not sure how many he'll be able to convince, but it's possible he'll convince enough."

"Politics." Ethan sighed. "I hate politics."

"Politics is simply the contest to determine policy." Ahjah replied. "If you do not care about policy, then you need not care about politics. But, of course, policy affects us all."

"We should say something to The King about Nakhim possibly interfering." Ethan said after a moment.

"He probably already knows, but I'll talk to him." Thea volunteered.

"Thanks." Ethan said to her. "Damn, I was naive enough to think that just making a good argument would be enough."

"Ethan, this is the wood elven realm." Thea replied. "We have our problems here, like anywhere, but we are very serious about Illuminar. Nakhim's luminars will need to make good arguments, even with his influence."

"Well, let's hope it's enough." He replied.

"In the meantime, can I borrow you for a dance?" Thea asked him.

"Sure." He smiled.

"Can I go talk to Fiona?" Sarah asked. "I want to invite her to our wedding, and I'm not sure when I'll see her again."

Ethan hesitated for a moment. "That'll mean Lord Delmar would come, wouldn't it?"

"Oh." Sarah's face fell slightly. "I suppose it would." She didn't look bothered by that though. Maybe she thought he wouldn't like it?

"Ask anyway." Ethan said after a moment. "Look, if Prince George will be there to keep him in line, it'll be worth it since you want her there so badly."

"Okay." She smiled, then turned toward Fiona's table.

* * *

"I would love to be having dinner with Rachel." Fiona beamed, hardly believing that her husband had asked. He had returned to the table, and after she had asked, he had given her a short summary of the conversation.

"I appreciate that." He replied.

"What was making you ask?" She was glad he had, but it did seem slightly out of character for him.

"Recent events have made me consider that, perhaps, a softer approach might be more effective." He replied.

Fiona beamed at him. "I'm glad to be hearing that."

He nodded once.

"Could we be dancing?" She asked.

He nodded once, then stood and offered her his arm.

"Oh, I can come back." Sarah said, and she'd apparently just arrived.

"There is no need." Lord Delmar said. "You may wait at our table if you wish."

Sarah glanced back toward her table. Ethan was heading onto the dance floor with Thea, and her fellow wives seemed to have broken up to talk to other people.

"You can be waiting here, I'm doubting I'll be able to get him out for more than one dance anyway." Fiona suggested.

"Thank you." Sarah replied, then sat down. Currently, the rest of the table was empty.

"Be seeing you soon." Fiona said, then went to the dance floor with her husband. It was wonderful to dance with him, and he was a surprisingly good dancer.

* * *

"Hello Clarice."

Sarah jumped at a familiar and very unwelcome voice from behind her. She turned around to see the last person she wanted to see.

"Oh, sorry, I thought you were Clarice." Lady Ekthros said with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

Sarah froze.

"Oh, do stay for a moment, I've been wanting to tell you how proud of you I am." Lady Ekthros beamed as she sat down at the table.

If Sarah felt frozen before, that was nothing compared to how she felt now. "P-proud?" She managed to squeak out.

"Of course." Lady Ekthros beamed, and this time, the smile did reach into her eyes. "I know how much you love Illuminar and thus wanted to get rid of your demon. I thought you were rather foolish for that because it's so powerful. I'm glad you changed your mind."

"Changed my mind?" Sarah said, barely getting the words out.

"I heard how you don't want to get rid of your demon for the greater good." Lady Ekthros explained. "It's so wonderful that someone finally understands how I see the world."

Sarah stared, understanding every word but not comprehending anyway.

"So many people are worried about doing--" She put the next part in air quotes. "--'the right thing'. You used to be like that, but I'm glad you've come around, and I'm so proud of you for that."

"B-but, but I want to do the right thing." Sarah stammered.

"Right, of course you do." Lady Ekthros winked, and her tone indicated that she thought Sarah was kidding. "I never thought the girl who loved Illuminar so much would see enough sense to realize that keeping her demon was the smart move. You were able to get over your devotion to Illuminar, and as I said, I couldn't be prouder."

Sarah tried to think of something she could say in her defense, but nothing came to mind.

"You know, I used to be like you." Lady Ekthros said with an air of fond reminiscence. "I was wide-eyed and naive, thinking that if I just did the right thing, life would get better. Then I wised up. I realized that actually, you need to get your hands dirty, and what God wants doesn't actually matter." She looked at Sarah. "I'm glad you understand that."

Sarah worked her mouth, but couldn't think of anything to say.

"You know, you're actually headed along the same path I was, though you're not as far along..." Lady Ekthros smiled at Sarah. "...yet. It's good to see that because when I'm gone -- no one lives forever -- maybe someone will be there to continue my work."

Sarah stared slack-jawed, her heart just about freezing in her chest.

"Actually, I do see something of myself in you." Lady Ekthros smiled as she said that, and then added something else, almost like an afterthought. "It's just good to know that someone is following in my footsteps, and I just wanted to say: keep up the good work!" She beamed. "I'm so very proud of you for that."

Sarah blinked, utterly stunned into absolute silence.

"Anyway, have a wonderful rest of your evening." Lady Ekthros said, then stood and walked away, leaving a dumbstruck Sarah behind.

* * *

"You're a great dancer." Ethan said as he tried to be Thea's equal on the dance floor. It wasn't going to happen, but he tried his best anyway.

"Thank you." Thea replied. "The Queen was insistent that I learn it perfectly. I've heard of military instructors who were more forgiving." She winked.

Ethan chuckled. "How does it feel to officially be an adult in the Wood Elven world?"

"Honestly, I thought I would feel different." The gorgeous elf replied, as she twirled under Ethan's raised arm. "Something feels different, but I think that's more tied to having everyone recognize me as a full woman in society rather than an internal change. I really don't feel that different." She paused. "But then, at the same time, I feel very different."

"You're a woman; they can get away with such things." Ethan replied with a smile.

Thea chuckled. "Honestly, I'm glad that Ahjah is so calm. I can get a little overwhelmed and it's nice to have him there to lean on when I'm not sure how I'm feeling or what I should do."

"Yeah, my wives do that a lot, and I'm glad I'm there for them to lean on." He said, then dipped her as he was supposed to in this dance.

"I almost feel bad about it though." Thea added with a slight frown. "I can lean on him, but I don't think he needs to lean on me."

"One thing I've learned from being married for a few months." He winked, since it really was a short time. "Is that equal support doesn't necessarily mean equal action."

Thea cocked her head to the side.

"I don't need the same thing from my wives that my wives need from me." He clarified. "We support each other, but that doesn't always look the same, and that's okay. Part of it is personality differences -- no two people struggle with the same things, so no two people need help the same way -- but part of it is just that men and women are different, so we sometimes support each other in different ways."

"Like how the cooks and servers are different parts of a successful diplomatic meal." Thea replied thoughtfully. "You need good food from the cook, but it must also be delivered properly at a state dinner to make the proper impression."

"Exactly." Ethan replied. "I'm sure that Ahjah leans on you in other ways, or at least will after you get married."

"He does." Thea nodded. "I hadn't thought of it like that, but he does."

"You'll get to know those little things about each other the longer you're married." Ethan said with a smile as they promenaded. "It's one of the most fun parts of being married."

"Most fun?" Thea raised her eyebrow.

"One of." Ethan winked.

She chuckled.

Nearby, Victoria and Colonel Forsythe were dancing. He was very good at it, and she seemed to vacillate between a wide smile on her face and an annoyed expression. The Colonel seemed unbothered, though perhaps a little exasperated. Ethan was pretty sure they were going to have a very interesting marriage.

"So, we need to pick a date for the wedding." Thea said. "I think Sarah has been subconsciously stalling because she wants her problem gone before you two get married."

"Well, are you and Ahjah free tomorrow?" He asked, only half joking.

Thea laughed. "I would love that, but The Queen wouldn't have it. She would need a little more time to pull a grand wedding together. Maybe the day after tomorrow?" She teased.

Ethan laughed. "Soon. Very soon. I don't have her in bed next to me when I wake up every morning, and I kind of hate that."

Thea got a slightly dreamy expression in her eye. "That sounds wonderful."

"It is." He replied.

The dance ended a moment later, and he bowed to her while she curtsied.

"Honored guests." Delabor said, his magically magnified voice easily audible but not too loud. "Please, clear the dance floor for a short time; The King wishes to speak on another matter. Wild Child, please join your guardian at the center of the dance floor."

"Later." Thea smiled at Ethan, then headed to the center of the dance floor, which was rapidly emptying of dancers.

Ethan headed toward his own table, where his wives were waiting for him. Notably, he didn't see Sarah. A quick glance over at Lord Delmar's table revealed that she wasn't talking to Fiona either.

"Where'd Sarah go?" He asked when he'd arrived.

"I don't know." Alana looked around.

"She didn't leave the party." Kendra said. "Some of the Lightguard are at the entrance and they would have let me know."

"Oh?" Ethan asked.

"I talked to Halasses about it this morning." Kendra replied, and it made sense that she'd asked the captain of the Lightguard.

"My beautiful butterfly." He beamed. "Do they have fighting butterflies here? Because you would be one if they exist. Like, a butterfly with a stinger or something."

Kendra smiled.

Everyone else chuckled.

Ethan looked around again. "Anyone see Sarah?"

They looked as well, but no one did.

*Selene, can you ask the second group chat?* He thought to everyone.

*Myla says she saw her walking around the periphery a minute ago; she seemed lost in thought.* Selene replied not long afterward.

*Okay.* Ethan frowned slightly, but decided to let it go for now.

*You think something is wrong?* Alana asked.

*Maybe; that's not like her.* Ethan replied.

*Unless she was looking at the decorations.* Selene suggested, though she didn't sound convinced.

*I'll ask later.* Ethan said, then stopped since The King was clearly about to speak. He had whispered something to Thea a few moments before, and now Thea was beaming as much as he'd ever seen her.

"Honored guests." The King addressed everyone. "It is considered poor taste to take a woman's coming-of-age ball and make it about yourself. However, on this occasion and with Pelathea's blessing, I will approach that line."

Thea was beaming.

"For those visiting with us today who are not aware, our fair kingdom has a tradition called the 'rite of adoption'."

Alana and Rachel gasped, and they weren't the only ones either. Ethan was going to ask, but The King began speaking.

"Through this rite, a man might adopt someone into his family as if he or she was a true son or daughter, legally indistinguishable from a biological child." The King was smiling.

Thea was smiling so widely that Ethan thought her smile muscles might ache the next day, and her eyes were getting watery as well.

"My Wild Child has agreed to become my actual child." The King said, pride in his voice. "Details will be forthcoming, and all invited here shall be welcome to the ceremony.

Everyone clapped long and loudly, and Thea threw her arms around The King in a hug that was probably out of order for the occasion. Thea didn't seem to care, and The King hugged her back.

"Now that I have come to the edge of decorum, the next phase of Pelathea's coming-of-age ball shall commence." The King said, then pulled a small envelope from his robe and gave it to his ward. "May the wisdom contained herein help to establish you in life."

Thea thanked him, then The Queen came forward and did the same thing. After The Queen, most of the guests began to line up, and one by one, they all handed a small envelope to Thea. A servant holding a basket was standing nearby, and had come forward so Thea wouldn't need to hold all of them.

*What's going on?* Selene asked the group chat. *I think I can guess, but...*

*It's traditional to give a woman a small letter containing some bit of wisdom that will help her in the next stage of her life.* Alana explained. *It happens for both men and women whenever they hit a new stage of life. Everyone present is supposed to help prepare them for it; not with gifts, but with words of wisdom.*

*Dang, I like that.* Ethan mused. He'd felt rather out of place in that awkward transition from boy to man, and he could've really used something like that. His dad had been fantastic, but more wisdom from more sources seemed like a good thing. Then it occurred to him that he hadn't written one. *And double dang, I didn't think--*

*Don't worry.* Alana held up an envelope with perfectly neat handwriting on it. *Rachel and I wrote a letter, then we wrote this.*

*Yes we did.* Rachel grinned. Her tone was flirtatious and happy, which again was new for her. Wonderful, but new.

*You know, I love being married.* He smiled widely as he realized that this kind of thing was one way that he leaned on his wives. *And Alana, thank you for taking care of that.*

*You're welcome.* She smiled at him.

* * *

The King stood and watched from the edge of the dance floor as his ward -- soon to be his daughter by adoption -- accepted cards from all the guests. His heart swelled with pride as he watched the sophisticated woman handle everyone in the line with grace and elegance. The King's own wife could hardly have handled them better, and he could think of no greater compliment than that.

"My King?" A soft, feminine voice said from behind him. He smiled; he hadn't heard his wife arrive. She was good that way, and he found himself glad that she was firmly on his side.

He looked at her fondly. She was one of the most beautiful women in the entire kingdom, as it was only considered proper for The King to have the best, according to tradition. However, that wasn't why he loved her so. It didn't hurt, obviously, but it wasn't the reason.

"We will gain a daughter only to lose her again." The Queen said with a sadness in her face that he perfectly understood.

"It is better to have loved and lost, than to never love at all." The King quoted a famous poem. "It applies not less to fatherly love toward a daughter."

The Queen came up beside him and leaned against him, and he put his arm around her. Her presence helped.

"Thea's departure will not be like our other daughters." The Queen said after a moment.

The King nodded slowly. " Indeed; 'tis but a short airship ride to daughters and grandchildren. With our Wild Child..."

"I feel a sense of sadness at her departure that I didn't with our other daughters." The Queen said. "I think you are correct, we shall not see our final daughter as much as we would like."

He nodded slowly, his heart simultaneously becoming heavier and lighter as he watched his beloved Thea interact with others as an official full woman for the first time. She had grown up so quickly. It seemed like only yesterday that she was playing with dolls and wanting tea parties in her room. Now she was among the most beautiful elven ladies in the realm, betrothed, soon to marry Ahjah, and then sail off with the Prophet of Illuminar -- blessed be He -- into the Wilding Lands.

"You invoked the Rite of Adoption partially to protect her, did you not?" The Queen asked.

"You know me well my beautiful queen." He replied with a small smile on his lips. "You know I wished to regardless, but given her plans, I wished to give her as much protection as my office would allow."

"A good father would not do any less." The Queen smiled.

They watched for several moments, the joy of the occasion mingling with the looming heartache of Thea moving away from them. "It is a strange thing that a father spends so much time preparing to send his children into the world, and yet always wishes to keep them close." He made a thoughtful sound. "And it is stranger still that by preparing them, we are creating a cause of great sorrow for ourselves when they leave. Perhaps strangest of all is the pride we feel at that departure."

"Our little girl is all grown up, soon to have children of her own." The Queen replied.

"I have for many years told Thea that I wished her greatest punishment to be that when she becomes a mother, she would have children that behave exactly as she does." The King half smiled. "If that curse comes to pass, it will be a great blessing as well."

"It will." The Queen agreed, then sniffled slightly. "It truly will."

The King felt his eyes get slightly moist as he watched his beloved ward.

"I shall miss her antics." The Queen said a moment later.

"As will I." The King agreed. "But I shall miss her more."

The Queen nodded, then sniffled slightly again. They stood watching their soon-to-be daughter, his arm around The Queen's shoulders, both silently mourning the coming parting while feeling proud of their beloved Thea.

* * *

Ethan found it very interesting that in a coming-of-age ball in elven society, there was nothing except food that he would've found on Earth. Everything was different. The formality level was higher, and Alana told him that it was that way even among commoners; you dressed well for them. There were no presents, there was no drinking to speak of, even though there were a few alcoholic drinks, they were accents and not a single person even approached tipsy.

Instead, it was a celebration of impending maturity, not present immaturity. Everything about the event seemed designed to call someone to rise, to be better, to encourage them to be the best possible version of themselves. It was quite the contrast to what he was used to seeing on Earth.

"Do you see that?" He asked Selene when he had explained his observations.

"Oh, definitely." She nodded vigorously. "This is nothing like the party atmosphere I saw at university. Nothing like."

"I like this better." He smiled as he looked around at the slowly dwindling crowd.

"Me too." She agreed. "Honestly, I would've loved a whole ton of people giving me some advice on how to be an adult at that age."

"You and Thea are the same age." He pointed out.

"Yeah, but she's an elf." Selene replied. "Their 23 is our 18."

"Fair." Ethan replied, and then looked around. "Okay, I'm getting worried; where is Sarah? I haven't seen her for over an hour."

"One hour and twenty-seven minutes." Kendra corrected, then nodded her head toward a corner of the area that was relatively dark and deserted. "She's over there."

Ethan looked over there and spotted her instantly. She appeared to be wandering aimlessly, not even looking at where she was walking.

"It might be time to collect her and head back to the Argo." Alana said, sighed, then corrected herself. "The suite. I wish it was the Argo, but..."

"Yeah, me too; and good idea." Ethan agreed. "I'll go get Sarah."

He made his way through the dwindling party guests toward Sarah, but she was clearly in her own little world because he made sure he made some noise while approaching her, but she didn't react at all. Finally, when he was only a few feet away, he cleared his throat.

She didn't react.

"Sarah?" He said.

She jumped like a firecracker had gone off next to her and spun around. He only had a moment to register that her eyes were puffy, her cheeks wet, and her eyes a little red before she spoke. "Ethan." She rushed forward and threw her arms around him, holding on like her life depended on it.

"Hey, what's wrong?" He asked as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I'm ready." She said a moment later, her voice cracking and obviously full of tears.

"Ready for what?" He asked, holding her tenderly.

She sniffled, then spoke with her voice still cracking. "I... I want my demon gone."

TO BE CONTINUED...

Note: This chapter began and ended on day 145 of Ethan's life in the Ten Kingdoms. I submit new chapters on the last Wednesday of every month, and they usually drop after the 2-3 day review process. Thus I'll submit the next chapter on June 24th, and it'll probably drop on the 26th or 27th.

I'd like to extend a very special thanks to my editors, and also several of my patrons, two of whom didn't want to be credited by name. So, to both Anonymous patrons, Joseph, Waniel, and "Veron De La Morte": thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it.

STORY TAGS: dragon, magic, elf, teen, romance, virgin, harem, blonde, brunette, redhead