Shunati transported up to Erilu to check on Deyama and warn her about Kritalla’s message. “Do you trust him?” She asked. “I’ve only met him a few times. Talk with Vor. He used to work for him.” “He did?” Shunati nodded. “He owned the inn Vor used to tend bar at. But I don’t want to take chances. You lost one baby and it nearly tore you and Vor apart. Losing another might finish it. And if you died too, even the deathwatch wouldn’t help him.” She nodded. “Let me check the baby. Don’t eat anything you don’t recognize and wear dragon skin, silk, and linen in layers.” “Wear what?” “A combination of dragon skin, silk, and linen blocks healing. Wear it so no one can hurt you or the baby with healing abilities.” Deyama nodded. Shunati took her hand. He paused for a moment and laid a hand on her belly. Vor walked in. “If I didn’t know you needed an unreadable, I’d worry about you touching my wife like that.” Shunati ignored the comment. Then he smiled. “Vor, it’s good you’re here.” “Is everything okay?” Shunati’s grin grew. “Very good. The babies are doing well.” Vor froze. “Babies? Twins?” Shunati shook his head. “Nope.” “But you said babies.” “Triplets.” “What?” Vor sat down hard. “You’re having triplets. Two boys and a girl.” Vor half-smiled. “Really?” “Yep.” Then Vor grinned wide. “Pt’this is going to be jealous.” “Is that all you can think of?” Deyama asked. “Shades no. I’m thinking of all the work we need to do to get ready. I’m thinking after all this time, we’re going from no family to a nice sized one. I’m thinking those boys better help me protect our girl from guys like me.” Deyama laughed. “Guys like you?” “Do you remember our first time?” “Yes, and I also remember it was my idea.” “You were helping me control my magic.” “And it worked. I hope we find a boy as sweet as you for her.” “That’s something else I’m thinking. Do you want arranged marriages?” Deyama shrugged. “I’m not against it. But I’m not going to set one up with the first kids we find, just so they’re pledged.” “Good, because the only one who’s close in age that I know of is Kory.” “No. I’m Queen. Our children need to be pledged to elves. I don’t have a problem with Ruzi. Or if Pisha and Thailyn have kids, it’s fine. But even if I convince the elders to eliminate the law, we still need to find elves for our kids.” Vor nodded. “I can accept that. Shades, the tree house is barely big enough for three and we’re going to have five.” “Sinta and I will help you expand,” Shunati offered. “If you don’t mind outside help, Thailyn built a cabin by himself. Ti’s pretty good with tools, but he needs a harness. And John was a carpenter for a bit.” “John?” Vor asked. “Emissary Shintanillic.” “He’s back?” “Deyama didn’t tell you?” “No, I haven’t yet. I was waiting to see what happened.” “The High Council made him an aid to Pt’this and Nim.” “Do they have that much work for them?” Vor asked. “No, but both have talked about retiring to pursue other interests. The council wants their influence at the palace, and they want them to keep up with the home and the school. They like what Emeton is doing for the kids and want to support it.” “I like it too,” Deyama said. “And so do the elders. It’s something we all agree on, enough that they’re willing to approve a budget to help renovate a portion of Dragon Castle so we can house the challenge there.” “They want to fix up the castle first? They do realize humans only live a hundred years or so, don’t they?” Shunati asked. “Apparently, Morina and Chapado feel it can be done quickly. The original builders were immortals and they’ve already spoken to them. The human and elf sections probably won’t take long. The dwarf section won’t be ready in time. And the dragon section is beyond repair. That’ll have to get completely rebuilt.” Vor laughed. “Yeah, Ann pulverized that section. If they can build something out of that dust, we’re hiring them to build the addition.” “I need to get back to Sen-gan. Take care and be careful,” Shunati warned. “And tell Vor what Kritalla said.” “Kritalla?” Vor frowned. But, Shunati was gone a moment later. “I’ll explain. You can go visit later if you want,” Deyama assured him.