Lanni continued to hold Jahree’s hand, waiting for their eyes to adjust. Despite the slight dizziness, she smiled up at him. “Still unsteady?” Jahree teased gently, his grip tightening around her hand. They were just inside, and the familiar scent of home rushed over them. “Yeah, a little,” Lanni admitted with a chuckle. “But I’m getting better at trans-porting you.” Her playful confidence made him grin. She rapped lightly on the doorframe. “Knock, knock!” she called. From the back of the house, Sai’s voice responded. “Ann, is that you?” Moments later, she appeared in the doorway and gasped, her face lighting up when she saw who was with Lanni. “Jahree! Oh, we’ve missed you.” She hugged him warmly, her joy radiat-ing through the room. “Hi, Mama Sai,” Jahree replied, the tension he had been carrying for weeks dis-solving in her embrace. Sai stepped back and gave him a knowing look. “Did I see you two holding hands?” she asked with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. “Transporting me throws her off balance,” Jahree explained shyly, hoping to downplay their closeness. Sai laughed softly. “Transporting was never your strength,” she said, turning to Lanni. “And I imagine Jahree’s magic resistance makes it even more challenging.” Lanni nodded. “I’m still getting used to it. But I’ll manage.” Sai waved them inside. “Come on in, both of you. Let me fetch Tey. He’ll be thrilled to see you, Jahree.” As they moved into the sitting room, Jahree kept Lanni’s hand in his. The feeling of her beside him grounded him, especially with all the emotions swirling about his return home. Sai chatted as they walked. “Breyin was asking about you the other day, Jahree. Maybe we can send someone for him.” “Breyin?” Lanni asked. “One of my adopted brothers,” Jahree explained with a fond smile. “Jahree always looked out for him. When he wasn’t busy running away.” “I tried to get him to come with me.” Sai shook her head with mock disapproval. “You should’ve been staying,” she re-minded him, then hurried off to get her husband. Moments later, Tey entered the room, his face serious. “What are you doing here? Are you insane?” he asked, concern thick in his voice. Jahree blinked, momentarily hurt, but Lanni stepped in with a grin before he could reply. “Yes,” she said, nodding enthusiastically. “Oh, wait… you meant Jahree.” Tey let out a long breath, his frown softening. “It’s good to see you, really,” he said, pulling Jahree into a tight hug. “But what if Trean finds out you’re here?” “That’s why we transported inside,” Lanni interjected. “And besides, it’s been four years. He can’t still be after Jahree.” Jahree glanced at Tey. “Is Trean even out?” Tey’s expression darkened as he nodded. “He got out the other day. And he stopped by here, threatening us, saying if you ever came back…” Jahree’s stomach twisted, a protective instinct washing over him. He squeezed Lanni’s hand. “We won’t stay long,” he promised, though it pained him to think of leav-ing so soon, especially with Breyin not here. “At least stay for dinner,” Sai insisted, her voice cutting through the heavy mo-ment. “We’ve missed you so much, Jahree. You can’t leave without sitting down for a meal.” “Yes, ma’am,” Jahree replied, unable to refuse her warm hospitality. Tey noticed their intertwined hands and raised an eyebrow. “And what is this?” he asked, pointing to their clasped fingers. Jahree grinned. “We’re considering becoming chosen,” he said, glancing at Lanni, who smiled back. Sai gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. “Chosen? Oh, that’s wonderful!” Her eyes glistened with joy. “If my magic resistance doesn’t interfere,” Jahree added. “We’re not sure yet if we can bond because of it,” Lanni admitted. “Oh, you will be. Sit down. I mean it. You’re staying for dinner. We haven’t seen you in years. And Ann, it’s been at least ten. When did you get back to Menthanla?” “Well, I didn’t exactly.” She curled up on the couch next to Jahree. He put an arm around her. “I was still in Ertonia, and Prince Azlos scried me and asked me to go to Yar-ba. Morcri’s great-granddaughter was looking for a cook.” Tey laughed. “You a cook? Didn’t it take you fifty years to learn to boil water?” Lanni frowned. “No. I was thirty-five when I learned to cook. Grandma Shay and Andy taught me. It was fifty years before I made oatmeal.” Jahree gave her a quizzical look. “You make great oatmeal. Don’t you like it?” Jahree asked. “I do, but I was traumatized. I was trying to make it once before I could cook, and I started a fire. I made a mess of the stove, ruined a pan, and caught my hair on fire. Someone saw it and doused me with water. It was a long time before anyone would let me near a stove.” “I’m glad they finally did,” Jahree nuzzled her neck. Jahree felt his chest swell with happiness. But before he could say more, Sai gave a sly grin. “Ann, since you’re now a professional cook, will you help me with dinner?” “Of course!” Lanni said, winking back, and followed Sai to the kitchen. As soon as they were out of sight, Tey turned to Jahree, his tone shifting to con-cern. Jahree wondered why. “Jahr, you can’t do this. Ann’s a dragon. She can’t sleep with you.” “She can if we bond.” Tey shook his head. “You don’t understand. Dragons don’t bond unless they fall in love. You both have to love each other. And this isn’t something you can do for the night or two or even a few years. Jahree nodded. “I know, Papa. And I’m ready for that. I think I’m falling in love with her.” Tey’s stern expression softened, pride shining in his eyes. “Good. I’m happy for you, Jahree. You two make a fine pair,” he said with a smile. “Did you tell her about your past?” Jahree nodded. “All of it. She said she helped with my trial.” “She did. I asked her to. She’s the reason you aren’t in prison.” “She told me. Papa, I’m going to treat her well. If we can bond, I’m going to pro-pose.” Tey’s smile grew. “You make an old dragon proud.” “She also told me a bit about her past,” Jahree ventured. “All of it?” Tey pressed. “We haven’t known each other that long,” Jahree admitted. “She told me of her childhood and the problems she had when she ran away. And I met her twin sister.” “You met Drepal?” Tey clarified. “I did.” “You think you can handle her?” Jahree shrugged. He was working on that. “We’ll find out.” Just then, a knock sounded on the door frame, and a young man poked his head in. “Uncle Tey, can I stay with you until my dad gets back?” he asked, looking unsure. “Of course, Keteel. You’re always welcome here,” Tey assured him. “Where did he go?” Keteel frowned, frustrated. “I don’t remember.” “Do you remember when he’ll be back?” Tey ventured. “A week maybe, or was it a few hours? I’m confused.” Keteel seemed so lost. “Ether way, you’re welcome to stay,” Tey assured him patiently. Keteel visibly relaxed, and then his eyes landed on Jahree. “Hi, Jahree, I haven’t seen you in a while, I think. Did you run away again?” Jahree laughed softly. “No, I’m a soldier now. I’ve been stationed in Yarba. It’s good to see you.” Keteel the first person Jarhee had met on Torthoc. He was the son of Midta, the healer who treated all the children’s homes in the south. Both Midta and Keteel were white dragons. Keteel had some problems. Sometimes, he could think clearly. He was bright and remembered things like they just happened. But other times, he forgot things so quickly and got quite confused. Jahree went to stay within a few times when he ran away. Once, Ket thought Jahree was his little brother, Ganis, who never existed. Jahree took him to the home then for help. Occasionally, he got violent, usually because he got frustrated because he was confused. Sometimes, he got angry and forgot that it wasn’t on to hurt someone. That was rare, though. Keteel frowned as he tried to remember. “Weren’t you supposed to go away be-cause someone was mad at you?” Jahree nodded patiently. “Yeah, I’m just visiting. I wanted Mama and Papa to meet my chosen.” Keteel’s confusion lifted as he smiled brightly. “You have a chosen now?” he asked excitedly. “Who is she?” Jahree’s heart swelled. “It’s Princess Ann,” he said, using her proper title, knowing it would make things easier for Keteel to understand. Keteel’s eyes went wide with excitement. “She’s here? Can I see her?” “She’s in the kitchen,” Tey said with a nod. “Go say hello.” Keteel hurried off, leaving Jahree alone with Tey once more. A deep sense of joy and relief washed over him as he listened to the sounds of Lanni and Sai chatting in the kitchen. But there was still the shadow of danger looming over them. “We’ll have to be careful,” Jahree said softly. “But for now, I’m just glad to be home.” Tey nodded in agreement, his hand resting on his son’s shoulder. “We’ll keep you safe, Jahree. Whatever comes, we’ll face it together.” #hiddenlands #fantasy #magic #dragons