Thayle walked through the hall, finding Tavis and Ayawa sitting at the table. They admitted to hearing the argument between Lilly and Gersius, then asked if everything was alright. Thayle confidently said she believed the problem would soon be over. She now understood what was keeping them apart and, more importantly, how to solve it. Ayawa was skeptical and asked how she planned to resolve such a heated relationship, but Thayle was in a hurry. She told them she would explain it later and hurried out to find Prime Arlin.

He was standing in the grand hall speaking with two guards and giving them instructions. Thayle waited until he finished, then politely asked if they could talk privately. He agreed with a smile and took her to his private office, where Thayle asked him once again for his help.

“I have been working on a problem for some time now, and I believe I know how to resolve it,” she said once they were comfortably seated. “I need to use the cliff gardens for the day. Could you arrange for them to be cleaned and then left empty?”

“You seem to have many problems with our guests,” Prime Arlin remarked but never lost his smile. “I assume you are planning to marry the dragon and Gersius.”

“You know?” Thayle said in alarm.

“Dear, Thayle,” Arline began and leaned back in his chair. “I knew the moment I saw them together.”

“Then you saw the dance their aura is doing?” Thayle replied.

Prime Arlin nodded and explained how it was impossible to miss. He described their aura's as trying to drown one another, but there was something off about them. Gersius was full of doubt and guilt, the weight of which was drowning his light. Lilly was clearly struggling with feelings that were dominated by anger. He wondered how they could have come together so strongly yet have such misgivings about what they felt.

“It's a sad story,” Thayle replied with a shake of her head. “It was so beautiful at first, but then tragedy struck.” She sighed and began to recount how Lilly and Gersius met. She didn't have all the early details, so she told what she knew leading up to his arrival at her temple. From here, she was more informed, explaining Lilly's funny way of calling people rodents and her innate curiosity. She described how Lilly didn't know what love was, but after dancing at a wedding party with Gersius was starting to glow with it.

Prime Arlin nodded and commented on how he wished he could have seen those early days. He was moved by the idea that a dragon and a human could somehow see in one another something worth cherishing.

Thayle agreed and went on with the story, describing the terrible ordeal of Whiteford. She made sure to emphasize how badly they both came out of it. Lilly had lost her last hope of ever being able to fly again, and Gersius had lost his faith. He began to doubt himself and his decisions, setting him up for disaster later.

Prime Arlin was shaken by the account, commenting that such a trial would test even the strongest person's heart. He was also struck by the barbarity of the order of Astikar and the terrible suffering they caused.

Thayle agreed with a shudder and went on to describe the shell of a man that was Gersius. He released Lilly from the bind and told her to go home, but she wanted to stay. Lilly was the one who showed the first signs of open affection, leaning into him at night to keep him company. She also pointed out that she honestly felt Gersius was healing faster because of Lilly.

“What do you mean?” Prime Arlin asked.

“I saw her light flowing to him like I have never seen before,” Thayle replied. “When she was close, he made great progress. When she was away, he made what you would expect.”

“So her love for him was somehow aiding in his recover?” Prime Arlin said as he pondered the idea. “It must have something to do with dragons.” He considered it a moment more then insisted they not discredit the effort Thayle made to help them. The use of the holy water to wash and mend the wounds certainly helped. Thayle agreed but pointed out that even so, his recovery was nothing short of miraculous.

Now the story moved to Gersius's kidnapping and the discovery that Lilly had hidden a lover's mark on him. She could feel him like any woman in love would and went to his rescue. Prime Arlin was particularly interested in this part, asking how Lilly came to be in possession of the mark. Thayle admitted to giving it to her on a whim, following a gut feeling.

“That was the goddess guiding your hand,” Prime Arlin suggested with a smile. “She knew Lilly would need it.”

“I have wondered that myself,” Thayle said

“Wonder about it no more. I am telling you that such an act was guided and meant for a reason. I am beginning to think your involvement in all this was also meant to be. You have been given this task for a reason, and the Goddess is counting on you to see it through,” he said with a smile that quickly faded. “But this is where our story goes wrong, isn’t it?”

“I’m afraid so,” Thayle admitted as she tried to hold back her own feelings. She recounted what happened next and how Lilly came to learn about Gersius’s involvement with her wings.

“The Father Abbot is to blame,” Prime Arlin suggested, but Thayle had to explain how hard it was to get Lilly to see that. She was angry and looking for somebody to blame, and Gersius had just admitted it was all his fault.

“Terrible,” Prime Arlin said with a sour frown. “To inflict such a cruel wound on a love so nearly completed. How did you manage to heal such a thing?”

“Lilly ran away,” Thayle admitted. “I had to chase her down and force her to confront her feelings. She was able to admit that she still loved him but couldn't see past the pain. I had to shift the blame to the Father Abbot, but Gersius kept shifting it back by apologizing for it.”

“Now I understand the guilt I see in his aura,” Prime Arlin said with a nod. “

“It's been a terrible ordeal,” Thayle said and took a deep calming breath. “I have been trying to help them heal, but Gersius wants to run, and Lilly needs him to say he wants her to stay.”

“No doubt he is driving her away to escape his guilt,” Prime Arlin suggested.

“He is doing exactly that,” Thayle agreed and described some of her conversations with Gersius.

“And what about you?” Prime Arlin asked as Thayle finished.

“What about me?” Thayle asked in defense.

“Thayle,” Prime Arlin said with a smile. “I saw the display of light when you returned to the temple from your trip. I know what Lilly thinks of you, and I can tell you feel something in return.”

“I have made the decision to put that away,” Thayle said defiantly. “My only interest is seeing them back together as they were meant to be.”

Prime Arlin got up and walked to Thayle, putting a hand on her shoulder to offer comfort. He expressed how he admired her strength and desire to put others' needs before her own. He felt that she had the qualities of a prime and that Ulustrah might call her to lead one day.

“Thank you,” Thayle said as the thought of having to take a post of such importance sent shivers down her spine.

Prime Arline gave her a reassuring squeeze then paced the room as he returned to his thoughts.

“So, it would appear the Father Abbot has done quite a few wicked things of late. More so, he has clearly demonstrated to what measures he will go to see his will done. This makes the order of Astikar far more dangerous than I earlier suspected.” He paced in silence a moment as Thayle watched his aura flash between colors of concern and outrage. “I have not been willing to get involved in this matter beyond sheltering you for a bit, but I fear our role will soon grow larger.”

“What do you mean?” Thayle asked in alarm as his aura grew deeply troubled.

“The man has lied to us and seeks to destroy a love Ulustrah has entrusted to your care. I cannot turn your friends away, but I am also not ready to face the order of Astikar.” He paused to look at Thayle with an expression of sadness, then let out a sigh. “Perhaps it is time you reconsidered your station. The day may soon come where you will need to exercise your authority to save them.”

Thayle was stunned by his comments as she wrung her hands in worry. She explained that it hadn’t come to that. She believed that if she could just get them united again, they would set a course that would resolve this matter. All she needed was the cliff garden for a few moments so they could be alone.

“You do intend to marry them then?” Prime Arlin asked.

“No,” Thayle replied with a pleased smile. “Lilly is going to bow her head and ask him to bind her again. She wants to do it because she loves him and wants him to keep her safe.”

“Such a beautiful thing,” Prime Arlin muttered and looked up. “She really intends to do it?”

“She needs it,” Thale replied and explained how Lilly was learning emotion from the bind. Without it, her heart was growing cold, and it was, for this reason, she was having trouble reconnecting. Gersius needed it as well because, without the bind, he was slowly beginning to see Lilly as just a dragon.

“So the binding is the secret of it,” Prime Arlin said as he thought it through. “She was learning how to love from what she felt of him. The very idea is amazing to consider.”

“And it was helping Gersius see the woman that is Lilly,” Thayle added. “He still sees her, but his guilt is clouding his vision. I need to get them alone so she can admit she wants to be bound. Then, once he takes her back, they should start growing again, and this will all be over.”

“What powerful demonstration of love,” Prime Arlin replied. “A dragon so in love with a man that she wants to be bound to him. To think this is going to happen in our temple.” He paused, then looked up with bright eyes. “This calls for a celebration.”

“Lilly would love it if there was music so she could dance,” Thayle agreed. “It will help unite those two to dance together again.”

“Then music and dancing you shall have,” Prime Arlin agreed. “I will also arrange for food, drink, and come to bless them myself. Ulustrah's love has guided them here, and I will not see it go unrecognized.”

“I knew you would understand,” Thayle said in great relief. “I just need to find something for her to wear. I want to make this special for them.”

“Hmm,” Prime Arlin said and rubbed at his chin. “Perhaps some of the other priestesses have something suitable. You should visit the east wing or the acolyte's chambers. I bet one of them would be delighted to help you in a matter of the heart.”

“I was going their next,” Thayle admitted as she rose. “Oh, and I need some small blue flowers to braid into Lilly's hair.”

“You want to make this special,” Prime Arlin replied as he led her to the door. “Fear not. You shall have all the flowers you need. Now go. Find your dress and get her ready. I will send people to sweep the gardens and bless the flowers immediately. I will also arrange the other services and wait until I get word that the task is done. Then, we will have our celebration.”

“Thank you so much!” Thayle said excitedly and hurried off to find the perfect dress. She passed through the temple hall, nodding to a few of the guards before heading into the eastern tunnels. She decided to avoid the wing devoted to the more senior women and went right for the acolyte's chambers. She passed two such women, wearing the acolyte's robes of white, and made her way to a decorative door. She paused outside a door painted a warm yellow with a single drop of water prominent in its center. The water was supposed to represent the purity of love and the tears it often brought. Thayle remembered her days in these chambers and doubted purity was a good symbol. She took a deep breath, remembering how long it had been since she used this space. Some of the women inside might remember who she was. Hopefully, one, in particular, wasn't here.

With no reason to wait, she opened the door and entered a luxurious space, set aside to provide a refuge of comfort. Slender columns of green and blue supported ornate arches that held up a painted ceiling. The floor was a mosaic of green and white, but much of the surface was hidden under thick rugs. The center of the hall went down three steps to a space filled with cushions and pillows of every size and color. Planters full of lush growth were placed along the walls and in towering ceramic pots that stood in the corners. The far end of the hall was a fountain of silver that bubbled from a mountain spring. It was carved to resemble the cupped hands of a woman with the water spilling over the fingertips. It fed a large communal bath that caused Thayle to blush and remember how often she used it in the past. The entire space was lit by the familiar balls of water that glowed with warm light. They were placed high above the archways, shining down like sunlight to give the space complete illumination.

Twenty doors lined the walls on both sides, leading to rooms that housed two women each. It allowed the temple to house forty acolytes, but they rarely had more than half that number, and few women shared a room unless they wanted to.

As Thayle entered, a dozen women in robes of various colors looked up and quickly rose to their feet. She searched them for anyone who was familiar and was grateful that not a single face stood out. Most of the women were in white robes indicating they were practically brand new. A few wore the yellow of a woman with six months or more of training, and two were the green of a full priestess. None of them wore the ivy leaves of a high priestess or the hood of a priestess with a commission. Thayle wore both, and the women immediately noticed the sign of rank and bowed their heads. One of the greens approached and quickly fell to one knee with her head bowed and long hair trailing to the floor.

“Greetings, priestess. How can we be of service to you?” the woman asked.

“Get up, child,” Thayle said with a pleased smile. “I have come on a mission of love. I need a dress for a woman as tall as a healthy man. It needs to be simple but elegant and fit for a wedding.”

“A wedding,” the woman before her repeated as she stood tall. “A great blessing to be able to assist in such a mission. So, this woman is very tall?”

“A full head taller than me,” Thayle replied.

The woman looked away as the others standing in the pillows began to whisper. Then, finally, she turned back with a nod and pointed into the cluster of women.

“Sister Gurdy is very tall, and she likes to buy dresses. She might have something fit for this wedding.” She turned to face the group and snapped a finger calling the woman she was speaking of out. “Come, girl. She won't harm you.”

Slowly a woman made her way forward as the others continued to whisper. She was thin with a sweet expression that hinted at a gentle demeanor. Her big eyes were brown, matching her shoulder-length hair that was immaculately trimmed. She was in the white of an acolyte and, most importantly, was very tall for a woman.

“How can I help you?” Gurdy asked as she fell to a knee before Thayle.

“Start by getting up,” Thayle replied and waited for the woman to stand. “Now then. Would you be willing to sell me a dress so I can help two people come together in love?”

“I would be honored to show you my dresses,” Gurdy said with a bowed head.

“My name is Thayle, and I don't serve at this temple, so let's drop all the bowed heads and honorifics. Just show me what you are willing to part with, and I will see if anything is suiting.”

“Yes, of course,” Gurdy replied while struggling to look Thayle in the eye. She led Thayle to one of the doors and quickly took her inside. The room was rather plain with two simple beds, a desk, a chair, and two large wardrobes. Gurdy opened both wardrobes to reveal they were packed with dresses of every kind.

“Goodness, you do like to buy dresses,” Thayle laughed as she began to pick through them.

“I like to look pretty,” Gurdy replied shyly as her aura showed embarrassment.

“Oh, be at peace, acolyte Gurdy,” Thayle said with a sigh. “You have nothing to be embarrassed about. You are doing a great service to Ulustrah by allowing me to look through your dresses, and besides, I like to look pretty too.”

That seemed to take some of the colors from the woman's aura, so Thayle went back to picking through the gowns. She dismissed many for being too fancy, full of frills and lace fit for a ball. Instead, she wanted something simple and elegant to highlight Lilly's beauty and work with her hair color. When she exhausted the first wardrobe, she moved on to the next, setting a blue dress aside as a maybe before her eye caught another.

It was a simple bluish-green garment that flowed like silken water and shimmered in the light. It had narrow bands for the shoulders and nothing for the arms, but the color was perfect for Lilly's hair. The front hung a little low, exposing more skin than Lilly was accustomed to, but that would only make her more alluring. Thayle held it up to the light, marveling at its almost metallic sheen that was reminiscent of Lilly's scales.

“This is perfect,” she said and held it out for Gurdy to see. “Can I buy this one from you?”

Gurdy looked away as if the garment had somehow shocked her. With a nodding head, she offered to give Thayle the dress for free as a gift of love.”

“A gift?” Thayle asked. “Gurdy, I can see how nervous you are, and your aura shows almost shame. So what are you not telling me?”

Gurdy twisted nervously and began to wring her hands as Thayle waited patiently for an answer. The woman finally admitted that she bought that particular dress because she was lonely and wanted more attention from men.

“Gurdy, you naughty girl,” Thayle laughed as the poor acolyte's face went bright red. She looked like she might run from the room, so Thayle quickly took a hand and held her fast.

“Be at peace, Gurdy,” Thayle urged and rubbed at the back of the woman's hand. “You are not forbidden to enjoy being a woman, and you have done nothing wrong. You would be surprised to know I wore far worse things than this to catch the attention of men. I even made the mistake of letting some of them catch me.”

“I never let them,” Gurdy stammered. “I just wanted the attention, and things happened.”

“Shhh,” Thayle said with a calming voice. “I will give you ten coins for the dress, and you buy yourself something nicer. Then go out and get all the attention you want.” Thayle smiled and fished ten gold coins from her pouch, pressing them into the trembling woman's hand.

“You let them catch you?” Gurdy asked as she pocketed the coins.

“Well, you never set out to let anybody catch you, but sometimes you get caught. If you intend to draw the attention of men, sooner or later, you will be caught too,’ Thayle replied as Gurdy nodded.

“Are you done making this girl squirm?” came a melodic voice that sent the cold chill of dread down Thayle’s spine.

Thayle froze as Gurdy turned to address the speaker as Governess Alayse with a hint of panic in her voice. Her heart sank, and slowly she turned as well to face the woman who blocked the exit from the room. She was dressed in the green robe of a senior priestess with golden vines and emblems. However, the symbol of a sword under a doe's head denoted that she was of the order of battle. She had golden hair that hung in gentle curls about her beautiful face. Her bright red lips smiled ever so slightly under a delicate tiny nose. Her eyes were blue but not like Lilly's. Instead, they were darker like pools of water under the moonlight, full of mystery and hidden motives. She stared at Thayle with a predatory gaze as she asked acolyte Gurdy to leave the room. Gurdy bowed and hurriedly fled the room, slamming the door behind them as if to lock Alayse inside.

“So, you have finally found your way home,” Alayse said as she took a more relaxed stance. “I was wondering when you would show up.”

“Hello, Alayse,” Thayle said as she regained her composure and began to study the woman’s body language. “Still nursing a grudge?”

“I never hold grudges,” Alayse replied as if the question was beneath her. “I just didn’t want to miss my chance to speak to you again. You seem to be rather good at hiding from me. I am starting to think you are avoiding me.”

“Don't play that game. You know exactly where I am,” Thayle replied sharply. “And I am not avoiding you. I simply decided to take a posting with a little less violence.”

“Funny you should mention that,” Alayse retorted as her expression soured. “From what I hear, you are involved in some serious business. Your presence has caused the guard to be tripled, and the temple closed to the public. Would you care to tell me what kind of trouble you are in this time?”

“My business is my own,” Thayle responded in a confrontational tone. “Don’t make demands of me. I don’t answer to you anymore.”

“Oh, I wasn't making a demand,” Alayse said as she folded her arms and began to scowl. “I am just stating the facts. It seems you have hidden something in the west wing, and nobody is allowed to talk about it.”

“Prime Arlin wishes to keep that a secret, not me,” Thayle retorted as she returned the scowl. “If you want information, you're going to have to get it from him.”

“I already tried,” Alayse sighed with a toss of her head. “He always did have a soft spot for you. Rumor has it you turned down a marriage proposal. I guess he didn't understand your preferences. Still, you could have married into power and helped rule this entire region's temples.”

“None of that is any of your business, and my reasons are my own,” Thayle replied.

“Normally, I would agree, but your business tends to lead to bloodshed. Even now, the order of storms has been called, and my entire company brought back to the city to defend our temple. We are on a war standing, and from what I hear, it may very well be with the order of Astikar. As Governess commander of the second company, I have a right to know why my soldiers are being deployed.”

“If you want answers, go and demand them from Prime Arlin,” Thayle replied without remorse.

“So stubborn,” Alayse sighed and relaxed her gaze. “I can see from your aura that you aren't going to tell me a thing. Why is it you don't trust me?”

“Because you opposed my promotion and worked diligently to deny my posting. You decided you knew where I belonged and tried to trample my feelings on the matter. I am sorry, Alayse, but you are no friend of mine.” Thayle lashed back with a hint of venom and was sure anger was starting to tint her aura. Of all the people she wanted to avoid, Alayse was chief among them. Now the confrontation had come, and she wasn't about to back down an inch.

“I only thought you were being promoted prematurely,” Alayse argued. “I just wanted to make sure you were ready for such a position.”

“You wanted to make sure I picked the position you wanted me to have,” Thale argued. “Then you opposed my leaving and taking a quiet position at a country temple.”

“Of course I did,” Alayse snapped, her anger sudden flaring. “You only took that posting to run away from your past. You proved your worth a dozen times, and it isn't sweeping the floors of some backwater temple. Such a position is beneath you, and you know it.”

“That isn’t for you to decide,” Thayle argued back. “I have the right to choose my own path.”

“And your path proves I was right. You weren't ready because, in the end, you ran from your rank. That temple is a place for you to hide from your past and the responsibilities you don't want.”

“I am not hiding,” Thayle countered. “I simply choose a new path. I no longer feel the need to fight Ulustrah’s battle with a sword and shield. I have done far greater work with kind words and gentle hands.”

“I am sure you have used far more than your hands,” Alayse said as if disgusted.

“So what if I have?” Thayle retorted. “A little love can do a world of good.”

“You are better served on the battlefield,” Alayse insisted. “You are worth more than five trained sisters, and you think faster than all of them. Your place is in command of the third company!”

“My place is where Ulustrah leads me,” Thayle countered. “And right now, Ulustrah has given me a love to care for.”

Alayse seemed to back down as she considered Thayle’s words. Her aura calmed just a bit as she took a moment to respond.

“You and I should have known love,” she said as her lips curled into a pout. “We should have led the army together as sisters in arms and lovers in heart.”

“You were not my path,” Thayle sighed. “We were both very young, and our time together was a silly girlish fantasy.”

“As you clearly demonstrated when you left me to clean up your mess,” Alayse growled and looked away. “Why are you in the women’s wing anyway?”

“I am on a mission of love, and I needed a dress to help it along,” Thayle replied.

Alayse looked at the garment hung over Thayle’s arm and nodded in understanding.

“It is a pretty color. I take it the woman is rather tall?” Alayse asked.

“She is as tall as you. Maybe a little taller,” Thayle replied with a softer tone.

“You should have come to me. I have plenty of dresses you could use,” Alayse said as she looked away from the garment as if it wounded her to see it.

“I didn’t want to have this conversation,” Thayle said dryly. “However, I see it was unavoidable. I should have known you would come looking for me.”

“I came looking because I never wanted you to leave,” Alayse replied.

“I had to leave,” Thayle insisted. “You and I wanted very different things, and after what happened, I needed some quiet to clear my head. All I wanted was a simpler life.”

“I thought what we had was simple,” Alayse replied and looked back to meet Thayle’s gaze.

“It was simple,” Thayle agreed. “But you and I both know these relationships don’t last. How can they? We worship a goddess that encourages family and children. The path you wanted to walk is denied to us.”

“It isn't denied; it is almost mandated,” Alayse insisted. “Look what happens when one of our order chooses to have a family? No. I say love is Ulustrah's greatest commandment and is put above all other considerations. Did she ever punish us for the love we shared?”

“That doesn’t mean she approved,” Thayle countered.

“But you and I are the same,” Alayse pleaded. “Neither of us wants a family. We cannot endure the thought of being silent.”

“If the price was too high to pay, none of us would choose it,” Thayle said. “We both know that the vast majority of our order does. I am sorry, but I need to go. I have something very important to do.”

Alayse nodded and opened the door before stepping aside.

“Go then. Go and leave me with nothing but questions just like you did before,” she said.

“I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you,” Thayle said as she stepped into the doorway.

“Just go,” Alayse insisted and turned away. “Finish whatever it is you started or run from it. I will fight the battles that trail in your wake as always.”

Thayle quickly exited the room and paused briefly to thank Gurdy for the dress. She then fled the hall, relieved to be away from Alayse and the memories she brought with her. Without hesitation, she ran from the safety of the west wing and found Tavis and Ayawa sitting at the table, slowly eating strawberries.

“What is the dress for?” Tavis asked as Thayle firmly shut the door.

“It’s for Lilly,” she replied and took a deep breath to center herself. “I want her to wear it for Gersius.”

“What for?” Ayawa asked. “She doesn’t need something like that to catch his attention. What she needs is a good stiff drink to calm her down.”

Thayle took another deep breath and headed for the table. The time had come to explain her plan.

“I want her to wear it when she asks him to bind her again,” she said to stunned expressions.

“Lilly is going to ask him to bind her again?” Tavis asked as if it was impossible to believe.

“She is,” Thayle replied and held out the dress. “I discovered what is causing their arguments and why they can't seem to come back together. Dragons don't feel the same emotions we do, but Lilly was learning them across the bind. I don't know how it works, but she could feel Gersius's emotions over the link they shared, and it was helping her to grow. Without it, she is losing her understanding and slowly becoming more like a dragon again.”

“So restoring the link should help them understand one another again?” Tavis asked.

“I think so,” Thayle replied.

“How are you going to get her to ask him that?”Ayawa laughed. “The woman is so angry she can’t manage a simple conversation.”

“That's her dragon nature,” Thayle insisted. “I have already spoken to her about it and gotten her to admit she wants to be bound again. If I can keep her anger in check long enough to ask him, his binding should help drive the anger away.”

“What about Gersius?” Tavis asked. “I am not sure he believes in this anymore.”

“He doesn't,” Thayle admitted. “At least not at the surface. I can tell he is a man who knows how to hide his feelings deep down. His love for Lilly is still there, but it's driven from his heart and buried under guilt to avoid the pain. Once the link is established, he should feel something of her again, and I am hoping to see the woman Lilly is.”

“You are gambling on hope,” Ayawa sighed. ‘If you are wrong, they will be even more wounded than before.”

“It isn’t so much a gamble,” Thayle argued and explained how Lilly told her about feeling him over the bind.

“So they both need the bind to understand one another again,” Tavis surmised. “It would explain why they are having so much trouble.”

“It's something to do with Lilly being a dragon,” Thayle insisted. “I don't understand why but it's almost like love and empathy are unknown to them. The binding somehow helped her overcome that, and now she can't grow without it.”

“Well, I wish you luck,” Ayawa said and then held up a bowl full of blue flowers. “These came for you while you were gone.”

“I requested them from Prime Arlin,” Thayle said with a smile and had a thought. “Would you help me braid them into Lilly’s hair?”

“Why would you want to do that?” Ayawa asked.

Thayle sighed and recounted her plan to use the cliff garden and make the moment as beautiful as possible. Tavis laughed at the notion and asked if they would need witnesses for the wedding. Thayle assured them it had to be done privately as Lilly only trusted Gersius to know her true name.

“Bring the girl out here,” Ayawa relented. “I will weave her a traditional wedding braid common to my people.”

“It isn't a wedding,” Thayle said as Tavis laughed.

“If the girl is devoted enough to want him to bind her, then as far as I am concerned, it is a wedding,” Ayawa argued. “Goodness knows they were certainly acting like it before that terrible day.”

“I will go get her,” Thayle said as she saw the wisdom in Ayawa’s words. She hurried off to collect Lilly and get this process over with.

“That was awfully charitable of you,” Tavis said with a raised brow.

“Don't look at me like that,” Ayawa barked as she set the bowl of flowers down. “I told you why I don't approve of their relationship, but I will not deny it. Gersius has been hurting for a family for years, and we both know he loves that girl. Right now, he needs her as badly as she needs him.”

Thayle softly knocked on Lilly's door and asked how she was feeling. When Lilly didn't respond, she opened it slowly to discover Lilly standing in the center of the room. Her long silky hair hung straight down in a smooth curtain as if freshly brushed. Her hands were limp at her sides as she stood motionless.

Sweetheart, I need you to come out,” Thayle said as she carefully approached the motionless dragon. “Ayawa is going to braid some flowers into your hair.”

Lilly lifted a hand awkwardly and then put it back as if unable to respond. Thayle could see the conflict in her aura as a light flashed over her head. Thayle could tell she was thinking about the binding and trying to decide if she could go through with it. The rest of her aura was a different story, full of apprehension and worry. Thayle could see by how her aura flared that Lilly knew what decision she wanted to make; she was just afraid to make it.

“Come, Lilly,” Thayle said gently and took her hand. “I know what you're thinking about. Put it out of your mind, sweetheart, and come get ready. Trust me; I will help you through this.” Lilly nodded as Thayle led her from the room and brought her to the table to sit before Ayawa.

“Sit here,” Ayawa said and helped Lilly settle in. She then took hold of Lilly's long hair and began the work, dividing it into ropes and weaving a braid. “You have the perfect hair for this,” she said. “In my culture, braids are a common thing. Women wear them to communicate certain messages.”

“What does your braid say?” Lilly asked meekly as Ayawa wove in the first flower.

“My braid is a standard archer's braid meant to keep the hair out of my eyes,” Ayawa replied. “But there are braids to communicate a hundred different messages. Some are for specific festivals, and some are to signal that you are ready for a husband.”

“Will my braid say anything?” Lilly asked as Ayawa smiled.

“Your braid will say I belong to my husband,” Ayawa replied.

“But I don’t have a husband,” Lilly said as she struggled to turn her head.

“Hold still, girl. I want to make sure this looks right,” Ayawa grumbled and looked to Thayle. “You should probably tell her.”

Lilly looked to Thayle, who knelt before her and took her hands. She smiled softly as she began to rub and gave Lilly a reassuring squeeze.

“Lilly, what you plan to do is very special. It will unite you and Gersius in a way that is far greater than marriage. You may want to think of Gersius as being your husband.”

“There is no thinking to be done,” Ayawa laughed. “He will be her husband, and she will be his wife.”

Lilly began to twitch nervously as panic filled her aura. Thayle could see she wanted to flee, but Ayawa had a firm hold of her hair.

“Stop fidgeting,” Ayawa commanded as she continued to work.

“Lilly, please relax,” Thayle urged. “You will be fine.”

“I will not be fine!” Lilly argued and then yelped as Ayawa pulled her hair and told her to stay still.

“Why won’t you be fine?” Thayle asked. “What is bothering you about it?”

“I can’t be his wife,” Lilly argued. “You told me husbands and wives mate!”

Tavis pulled his hat low to snicker as Ayawa’s smile spread into a wide grin. She laughed while struggling to hold Lilly’s hair straight and finish putting the flowers in.

“Lilly, please listen to me,” Thayle pleaded. “This is very different. All I am asking is for you to think of him as your husband. You don't have to do anything you don't want to do. He's a good man who would never force something like that on you, even if you were married.”

“They will be married,” Ayawa corrected. “They will be more than married. They will be joined in a way that surpasses the blessings of the divine.”

Lilly started to breathe heavily as she shook from head to toe.

“I don’t know,” Lilly stammered. “I am not sure I want this.”

“Hush, child,” Ayawa scolded and pulled her hair straight. “Everyone in this room knows you want this. Yes, you had a bad experience, but you need to stop letting your fear dictate what you do. You need to let your heart lead you, at least just this once.”

Lilly tried to turn her head enough to see Ayawa, who was focused on the tail of the braid.

“Were you afraid when you married Tavis?” she asked.

“No,” Ayawa replied with a smile. “Tavis was afraid to marry me.”

“Of course I was,” he protested. “You threatened to kill me if I didn’t marry you.”

“You wouldn’t stop chasing other women,” Ayawa grumbled and shot him a scowl. I wanted to make sure you were mine.”

“You drew a knife and threatened to cut my hat from my head through my scalp,” he pointed out.

“You needed the motivation,” Ayawa argued. “And I wanted to make sure you understood I was serious.”

“After what you gave up to find me, I had little doubt of that,” he countered.

Lilly turned back to Thayle as her lips trembled, and she began to fiddle with her hands.

“Please, Thayle. I don’t know,” she whimpered.

“Sweetheart,” Thayle cooed and took her hands again. “We all know you love him, and this is the only way to get the link back. We know you need him to keep growing your feelings, so there is no point in pretending you don't.”

“Will he love me?” Lilly asked in almost a whisper.

“Trust me, Lilly. He already does,” Thayle replied.

“There. I have woven the flowers in good and straight,” Ayawa said as she admired her handiwork. “You would fit in well with my people. All women wear their hair long and straight unless they are being punished.”

“Then it’s time we got you dressed,” Thayle said as she stood and pulled Lilly up. “Come, I want to get you ready before Gersius comes back.”

“I want to give her something before you take her away,” Ayawa said as she rose from her chair. “Call it a wedding gift.” She rushed off to her room and returned a moment later, holding a delicate silver band with a finely crafted flower wrapped around a dark blue stone.

“What is that?” Lilly asked as Ayawa lifted it high.

“It is good for a wife to have a wedding crown,” she said and placed the delicate loop over Lilly's head. “It looks good on you. The blue matches your necklace.”

“Oh, it does,” Thayle agreed with a smile. “It’s perfect for her.”

“Thank you,” Lilly said weakly as she reached a trembling up with a trembling hand to touch the delicate crown.

“You are most welcome,” Ayawa said with a nod. “Now go and get ready before that fool comes back.”

Lilly nodded as Thayle took her back to the room. Ayawa watched them go until the door closed, then turned on a very surprised Tavis.

“Who are you are?” he asked with a funny smile.

“Don’t give me any grief about this,” Ayawa groaned. “The girl needed a little reassurance.”

“Aren’t those crowns special to your people?” he asked.

“Yes,” Ayawa said and looked back to Lilly’s room. “Now, leave me be.”

Thayle stood Lilly in the center of the room then held up the dress.

“I got this for you,” she said and pressed it to Lilly’s shoulders. “It slips over your head.”

Lilly looked briefly at the dress, then turned her gaze to a bed as her aura twisted in knots. Thayle was struck by the sudden change and asked what she was thinking about.

“Do I have to share his bed now?” Lilly asked.

“Oh, Lilly!” Thayle cried and put a hand to the dragon woman's shoulder. “Of course not. Your relationship will be just like it was before. You will each have your own bed, and rooms if you want. The only thing that's changing is you're being bound out of love, not fear. I know you're confused about this, but it will be just like before.”

“But you said he would be my husband,” Lilly insisted. “So he will be like Tavis is to Ayawa.”

Thayle could see where Lilly's logic was going and how Tavis and Ayawa were her only examples of a married couple. With a smile, she sat Lilly on the bed and tried to explain the differences.

“Listen to me,” Thayle began. “Ayawa is right. What you are about to do is greater than being married. But you and Gersius have a very different relationship. You should start by thinking of him as your husband and nothing more. Don't rush into anything, and let your heart guide your steps. If you need it, I will be on hand to help you understand what to do. You can come to me with any questions you have.”

“So I don’t have to share his bed?” Lilly asked.

“No,” Thayle insisted. “But I will be honest with you. A time may come when you change your mind and will want to share his bed.”

Lilly cringed at that thought, so Thayle decided to help her understand. She reminded Lilly that once she was bound, his feelings would return. If she was growing to love him without the bind, it would only be more intense with it. One day she was going to change her mind.

“But I am a dragon,” Lilly whispered.

“Who is in love with Gersius,” Thayle whispered back.

Lilly nodded and played with her braid absentmindedly.

“He is a good man?” she asked.

“You know him better than I do,” Thayle said with a smile. “Think of all the kindness he has shown you. Think of how he treasured you and the sacrifices he made to protect you. Remember, he did all that while under terrible pressure and struggling with a crisis of faith. Now you tell me. Is he a good man?”

Lilly nodded and looked at the dress, lifting a hand to feel the texture.

“This if for me?” she asked.

“Yes,” Thayle said and handed her the garment. “I want you to wear it for him to make your moment special.”

“Could I be alone for a moment,” Lilly asked as she ran her fingers through the material.

“Of course,” Thayle said and got up, pausing at the door to see Lilly with head down, staring at the dress.

As the door closed, Lilly looked to the small mirror on the wall and met her terrified eyes.

“I am a dragon,” she said.