The next morning found Dorothea too tense and nervous to eat, which, of course, didn’t remain unnoticed by her companions.

“Theaaa,” Shark sang. “Here comes the birdiiie. Woosh, pew, pew!” They continued to make ridiculous noises while waving a spoonful of oatmeal around, edging it gradually towards her mouth.

“Really, Shark, I’m fine.” She managed to smile like normal, but her stomach wouldn’t stop twisting. How was she supposed to act like nothing was wrong? In the morning light, reality was heavy. Ariana, with her inscrutable gaze, was a fearful presence, and Iree and her mysterious intentions were always on the back of her mind. Gren Fall, Sirpo, and the other Ghurians with their terrifying strength. There was a lot yet to face.

After forcing herself to eat enough to appease Shark before Cerid swooped in from a meeting with the fort guard, they were off to the Creed mansion. Wanting to build a better relationship with her best friend’s lover, Dorothea struck up a conversation.

“So, um, Cerid… We never talked about this, but you were there. I know Rhys and I got a lot of, um, flack, from the public and from fellow soldiers because of what happened originally at Sunmer. But I never asked for anyone else’s feelings on it myself. How did you feel?” Though not a question that necessarily put herself in a flattering light, it was a consideration that everyone deserved from her. “And you too, Ariana.”

Ariana shrugged. “Whatever.”

Cerid narrowed his eyes as he thought. “I am not at liberty to say, I think. If your magic did not influence your lifespan, I would not be hesitant to blame you. That said, for your own wellbeing, you did the right thing at the time. Though it is regretful what you had to do to retrieve Sunmer, so who is to say what was right. Oh! On that note, thank you for being sure to return Captain Tamlin to us safely. It is a comfort to have you back to form.” Cerid paused, crossing his arms as he nodded to Rhys. He smiled at him, then Dorothea. “I am only glad that you and the captain are safe. That is what is most important.”

That he always said things with such sincere honesty and unflinching sweetness… Dorothea could see the reason for Shark’s interest. Cerid seemed unabashedly, unashamedly good.

“Cerid, come on,” Ariana scoffed, and he jumped. “You have to stop calling Rhys your captain. That’s your position now. It’s not a good look to be so deferential to someone like him.”

“I’m, uh, I’m right here…” Rhys mumbled.

“Someone like him?” Cerid echoed, sounding unsure as to whether he needed to be angry or not.

Ariana rolled her eyes, not deigning to elaborate.

“She means that Rhys hasn’t really been on top of things, Cerid,” Shark supplied. “That he’s not been setting the best, uh, example.”

“I mean that he can’t be trusted,” Ariana corrected.

“Never would have known you felt that way,” Rhys replied cheerfully.

“He surely can be!” Cerid declared. “Though I...suppose you are entitled to your opinion.”

Ariana rolled her eyes. “Gee, thanks for giving me permission to think for myself.”

“Come on, that’s not what he meant and you know it,” Shark snapped.

“Let’s calm down…” Dorothea urged. They had almost made it through a single conversation without fighting.

“And what do you think, hm?” Ariana asked without looking at her.

“About what?” She maintained a calm mask in front of the girl who might be her enemy. “Well, either way, Iree would know better than me what the best thing to do is, since she’s the commander. So I trust her judgement when it comes to the placement of her troops.”

“Right.” Ariana smiled when Dorothea regarded her with confusion, but she didn’t say anything else.

Shark, as always, chose the best and worst time to stir the pot. “Alright, you know what? I don’t know what you’re up to, but I don’t like it. I preferred it when you were just silent and hateful. Try going back to that, will you?”

“Excuse me for trying to make this partnership more tolerable,” Ariana replied.

Shark laughed. “Sorry if I don’t exactly buy into that as one of your motivations.”

Dorothea cut in with nervous laughter. “And now we’re here! At the house! So please stop.”

“Indeed,” Cerid sighed.

The first thing Dorothea noticed was an array of rocking chairs swaying gently in the wind. They lined the porch in a pattern of yellow and white and extended farther around the house than she could see. “How many people live here, Cerid?”

“Ah, well, there are my nine siblings, any of their spouses and children, my grandparents, my parents, my mothers’ families, my…” Cerid trailed off when Shark sputtered. “Yes?”

“You have nine brothers and sisters?”

“Yes. Is it that…shocking?”

Shark grinned, and Cerid’s cheeks flushed with pride as he smiled back. “Good! You got it. I’m very shocked. Very.”

As they entered, Dorothea barely had time to take in the abode’s resplendence since Cerid was striding with purpose towards a staircase lined in purple velvet. The railings were a gleaming silver with bronze ivy trailing down their rungs, and intricate carvings of golden daisies bloomed generously along the twined vines.

Progress was halted as a young girl in a ruffled blue dress with pink bows in her hair appeared at the top of the stairs. “UNCLE CERID!” she howled, leaping down two steps at a time and finally taking a flying leap when she was close enough.

“Oh my.” Cerid rushed forward a few steps to bend and outstretch his arms. He caught the girl against his chest, smiling at her delighted laughter. “How is my favorite niece today?”

The girl grinned. “Look.”

Cerid peered down at her. “You have lost another tooth, and you just pulled one yesterday. It seems you are falling apart!”

“Daddy told me soon I won’t have any teeth to eat and I’ll have to eat mashed foods like Grandpa, but Momma told him he was a demon and said I’d be fine.”

“Chetwin said that? You listen to your mother. She has far more sense.”

The girl giggled. “I know.”

Cerid set her down and straightened to full height. “Calla, this is Miss Dorothea, my good friend Shark Olyen, Mister Rhys, and Miss Ariana. Everyone, this is Calla.”

Calla became aware of the strangers before her, and she hid behind Cerid’s leg, peeking out furtively. “Hi…”

“Hello.” Dorothea waved, smiling.

Calla pointed. “Are you gonna marry her, Cerid?”

“No!” he barked, then cleared his throat. “Of course not.”

“Oh.” Then the accusatory stab of her finger landed on Ariana. “She’s not supposed to be here. Daddy says people like her are no good.”

Cerid bent to look into her eyes and spoke gently but seriously. “That is not true, Calla. Miss Ariana can go where she pleases. She is a friend.”

“This is a waste of time,” Ariana muttered. With that, she scaled the stairs, her shoulders stiff and her back straight.

“Right…” Cerid sighed. “Please run along, Calla.” He smiled when the child pouted. “I promise to play later.”

“Can I dress you up? And you’ll make me tea and cookies?”

“Whatever you like. For now, your uncle has boring adult things to do.” He smiled as she bounded outside, yelling reminders of his binding promise on the way. “She is a good child.” His eyebrows shot up when Shark tapped his shoulder. “Yes?”

They spoke in a low voice. “That whole exchange made me just adore you, like, infinitely more, just so you know.”

“Wha…?!” Cerid looked around wildly before sprinting up the stairs.

“You shouldn’t tease him like that,” Dorothea chided while trying to bite back her amusement. Rhys’ quiet laughter was egging her on, though. The mere sound of it filled her with immense relief and comfort.

Shark winked. “I think I tease him just enough. Both of you keep quiet about the whole thing, yeah?” They were mostly focusing on Rhys, who nodded.

“I won’t breathe a word,” he guaranteed.

Shark nodded, smiling. “Figured you’d be cool. Thea wouldn’t go for anyone lesser.”

“Oh, I…” Rhys glanced at her as Shark bounded after Cerid.

“They trust you a lot,” she said softly. “To say that in front of you. It’s not easy.”

He nodded. “Then I’m honored.”

She smiled through a newfound wave of affection. “Come on.”