“Kritalla, I'm fine. I could come by myself. I don't need a deathwatch anymore.” Thailyn insisted. “Lyni, you don't get to decide that. Every dragon who loses a mate wants their deathwatch to end early.” “I'm okay. I'm not faking it. Helping at the clinic is helping me too. Darkham even offered me a job.” “I'm not taking any chances. If I'd gotten to Thager a few days earlier, I could've prevented all of this.” “None of this is your fault.” Thailyn assured him. “Thailyn, you're my friend. I'll help you when you need it. And you may need it when you see the baby.” Thailyn nodded. They were in Sen-gan waiting for the ceremony to start. The king and queen had decided to make the whole adoption and naming ceremony public, rather than just having a presentation afterward. Thailyn insisted on coming to see it. He couldn't raise his daughter but he couldn't ignore her either. Kritalla had insisted on accompanying him. He wasn't convinced Thailyn was recovered enough from Darina's death to be left alone for any length of time. Nor had Thailyn recovered fully from his injury. The Kritalla decided to come to help if Thailyn had any problems. “Besides, there's someone I want you to talk to.” Kritalla continued as a man approached. “Lyni, I'd like you to meet Elos. I think you two can help each other out.” Thailyn sized up the man. “How?” “I'm the palace tutor.” The man explained. “I have been for decades. I'm human. I was once married to an immortal. She cast a spell on me so I wouldn't age. Less than 20 years later, she died. I never wanted the spell but I allowed it for her. Now she is gone and I'm stuck at this age for who knows how long. I'd like the spell removed but I can't find anyone to remove it. “Kritalla tells me you'd like information from the palace, not sensitive stuff but mundane, day-to-day stuff and confirmations of rumors are true. If you can help me, I'll help you.” Elos offered. “I can't remove the spell.” Thailyn told him. “But I can tell you about a plant whose berries will cause aging. One berry should suffice. You can take a second if needed. A third will kill you rapidly and painfully.” “And what is this plant?” “It's called Sharflat. It's very rare. I don't know if any grows in Menthanla.” “Sharflat?” Kritalla frowned. “There used to be one in the palace garden but I don't know if it's still there. I haven't been there since it was just a summer getaway.” “What does it look like?” Elos asked. “Round leaves with white flowers that glow-in-the-dark.” Thailyn explained. “They change colors when you touch them.” Elos nodded. “I know of the plant. It's still there. What information do you want?” “Anything about the new baby they're adopting.” Elos raised an eyebrow. “Are you the father?” “I know who the father is.” Thailyn told him. “Why won't he come forward?” “He can't. I can't tell you more.” Elos nodded. “I'll tell you what I can. I need to go. I'm leading the ceremony.” He hurried off. “Thank you.” Thailyn told Kritalla. Then the balcony started filling. First came Mirimar. This was closest he'd seen her in 500 years. She leaned heavily on her cane. Pt'this accompanied her and had an arm around her. He carried a little boy that he placed on her lap as she sat in a chair set out for her. The man Darina had introduced him to as Kith followed, carrying another little boy. Kith didn't look so good. His drinking was taking its toll. Thailyn wondered if there was anything he could do to help him quit. He knew Darina and Mirimar both would appreciate it. The little boy he carried looked to be about a year old but so did the one on Mirimar's lap. Thailyn was confused. He'd been under the impression one of the twins was a girl. Then Emeton came out carrying a little girl also looking to be about a year old. She more resembled the boy in Kith's arms. Thailyn figured the other boy must be the one with the health problems. It could stunt his growth. Tylan followed carrying another older girl. She fussed when she saw her father, wanting to be with him so Tylan and Emeton traded children. An elf came out carrying a baby so tiny Thailyn could barely see her. He was followed by a little boy whose sole interest was the baby. The elf passed the baby to Pt'this. She was so tiny she wouldn't be able to keep warm. Pt'this could use his belly fire to do that. The boy accompanying the elf followed the baby. Pt'this adjusted how he was holding her so she could be seen better. She was so pale. Thailyn had never seen a child that pale, except albinos. He knew she wasn't one. He'd monitored every aspect of her growth. Could it be caused by her immortal blood? The stories never mentioned the crossbreeds on Tricon being so pale. He glanced at Kritalla to see his reaction. The man looked at him and smiled. “She's a cute one. Almost as cute as my girls were.” Thailyn growled lightheartedly. He turned back to the ceremony. “On this day, we officially recognize Annlonna va Darina ton Tylan Emeton, the adopted daughter of their majesties, King Emeton and Queen Tylan, born on this the nineteenth day of the third month of the year four thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.” The magistrate concluded at the end of the ceremony. “We welcome you, Princess Annlonna.” “Annlonna.” Thailyn smiled. “Perfect.” “Annlonna?” Kritalla asked. “Darina loved that name.” “I had a niece named Annlonna. Or maybe it was Dolonna.” Kritalla shook his head. “I didn’t see her often and she always went by Lonna.” “It's a beautiful name. I knew two when I first came here.” Thailyn told him. He wondered if either were Darina's grandmother. Then he saw Tylan looking at him. If she recognized him, there could be trouble. When she glanced away he pulled up the hood of his cloak and activated the spell of the obscurity on it. Then he slipped back through the crowd, careful not to bump anyone. He'd never liked being touched. He'd let his guard down and let someone touch him, not just physically but also his heart. He messed up and lost her. He'd never make that mistake again.