Pt’this was in his study transcribing a book when he heard shouting coming from Nim’s room next door. He wiped the ink from his hands the best he could and hurried to Nim’s door. Fortunately, the door was unlocked. Sapphire could’ve opened it, but that would’ve taken time. He wasn’t sure they had it. He entered the room and saw Nim laying on the bed and Joanne in the mirror. “Nim?” “Pt’this?” Joanne turned to him. “He passed out.” “What happened?” It looked like she was only wearing a towel. Nim had his shirt off. His drawing stuff was on the floor, and there were drawings lying nearby. “We were talking, and he stood up, and it looked like he got dizzy. He said he was too drained and then he passed out.” Pt’this checked Nim’s magic level and found, as he suspected, he was in a trance but just barely. His Augmenter abilities were helping. “He’ll be okay, but I’m going to need to end the spell.” “Okay.” Joanne nodded. Pt’this cast a spell that negated the scrying spell, and the mirror went back to normal. He then set about to revive the other dragon. Nim sat up and looked around. “Thank you.” “Nim, you know better. How many times have you lectured Ann about this?” “This from the man who almost went into a trance trying to impress a woman he was already pledged to?” “You can’t learn from my mistakes?” “I wasn’t trying to impress her. We were talking.” “You’re half naked, and she practically was naked.” “She had been bathing or something when I first scried her. I was going to end the spell right away, but she didn’t want me to. But we were just talking like you guys said we should. I just didn’t realize how weak I was getting.” “That’s because you were drawing. You know how that affects you.” “It helps me focus, so I don’t lose the spell when we talk.” “You mean when you see her in nothing but a towel.” “I said she should put some more on. We were talking about shedding, and then we were talking about where the relationship is going. I was going to tell her about my abilities and why I’m such a loner when I went into the trance. I need to let her know I’m okay.” He started to get up. “No. You’re too weak. You need to rest. She said you passed out rather than you went into a trance. You didn’t tell her about that yet?” Nim shook his head. “Then she probably thinks you fainted. If you promise not to try tonight, I will help you contact her first thing tomorrow, okay?” Nim nodded. He lay back down. “And don’t tell her about your abilities yet. If she’s going to be your mate, she should know, but the palace walls have ears. Don’t say anything you don’t want the whole kingdom knowing.” Pt’this picked up one of the drawings. “What is this?” He held up the last page Nim had done. “The spell I used to scry her.” He would sometimes draw ornate runes if he needed to focus on something else while drawing. “That’s not Tricot. Is this from your immortal mentor?” Nim nodded. “She taught it to me.” “Can you read this?” “Some. Why?” “I have a book with this. Let me show you.” He returned a moment later with an ancient book. “Pt’bur and I found this while exploring the caves beyond Baj-tisk.” Nim looked at it. “Did you show this to anyone?” “No. It was just before Pt’bur got sick. I had thought about showing Mishtali, but I never got the chance.” “And no one has seen it?” “Sapphire. She found it at Dragon Castle and thought it was one of my spell books.” “It is a spell book, a very dangerous one.” “Forbidden magic?” Pt’this raised an eyebrow. “No, making potions and vials and a lot of spells you or I am not strong enough to cast.” “I can’t cast them?” Pt’this was the strongest dragon in Baj-tisk. The only dragon stronger than him was Mishtali, and now Ann. “What about Ann?” “Perhaps, if she’s careful. These are meant for immortals.” “We’ll talk with her tomorrow. You get some rest.” Pt’this left. Nim looked at the book again. The scrying spell had come from a book like this. He set it aside and picked up his drawings. He was glad Pt’this hadn’t seen the one he had started this evening. He never would’ve heard the end of it.