The morning sun had barely kissed Kadaar's white peaks when Hyperia made her way down the silent marbled halls to her daughter's room. Tylla's marriage to Roland Davadas was to commence in a fortnight, and there was still much to arrange. It was certainly taking place during a chaotic time. Oran had received word of the eruption of Great Vulcan, the first time in over a Zar, and the dragon, Quetzex, depicted in ancient lore, was confirmed to be more than just a myth.

The attack on Nazeera the week before had been devastating, but Nargos and most of his family had survived. Hyperia and her king, Scipio, had taken the news of Starlex's rescue with much joy, but they wouldn't relax until the girl had returned, safe and sound, to Oran palace.

Returned to me, Hyperia thought as she burst into Tylla's chamber, her jet-black hair streaming down her back. She wore her robes loose to hide the lie that she was pregnant.

"Wake up, daughter!" Hyperia crossed the room and parted the balcony curtains, allowing golden light to fill the room.

Tylla stirred slowly with a groan. She had stayed up late the previous evening, drinking wine with Rigel.

The day before, Rigel had received a grim letter from Jabe telling him he was traveling to Nazeera. His family home had been destroyed by the dragon's attack, and his mother, a widow with two younger children, needed him.

"Mother, don't you need your rest?" Tylla groaned, rubbing the sleep salt from her eyes.

Hyperia cast her violet gaze on the empty wine goblets on the balcony.

"I'm about to send that useless Rigel back to Mynimium," Hyperia groaned, seating herself in the silk-covered tuffet. When her daughter didn't respond, she clasped the silk sheet and pulled it off the bed. Her daughter was naked underneath.

"Mother!" Tylla sat up and covered herself with crossed arms and pulled up knees.

Hyperia chuckled. "You are a true Illymium, my darling. Shameless!" She bent over and retrieved a sleeping gown from the floor and tossed it at her daughter. "Here. Brides must at least act modestly. I don't care what you do when my back is turned."

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"I don't feel like an Illymium." Tylla slipped the gown over her head, catching some of her thick black hair in the lace trim. "And I certainly don't look like one."

Hyperia humphed and glanced about the untidy room. "No, you have your father's looks and health, which is good. But if you were only to look inward, you would discover an entire world of imagination," Hyperia fingered a corner of her velvet robe, "and magic."

Tylla yawned and thought, I wish I could access that magic now and make you disappear.

"What are you thinking about, my darling?" Hyperia fixed her sharp violet gaze on Tylla.

"I'm thinking if I don't have my tea soon, I will die."

There was a soft knock on the door.

Hyperia rose. "Ah, and here it is. See, your magic does work."

"Not completely," Tylla grumbled.

* * *

The tea and toast helped Tylla's headache, and when she felt energized enough to face it, she and her mother commenced with the wedding plans. The dressmaker would be arriving later that afternoon for a final fitting and they had to go over the lengthy guest lists.

"No Nazeers are invited," Hyperia said.

"But what about Jabe? He's one of my closest friends," Tylla said.

"The situation is too fraught at the moment."

Tylla poured another cup of tea. The herbs had seared a pathway through her headache, allowing her to think clearly. "Have you heard anything about Starlex?"

Hyperia sighed. "None since she and those Skaards escaped from Nazeera. And unfortunately Flenn Illymium has taken to his bed. The magic nearly killed him. When Flenn awakes, we'll seek more answers, but for now ..." She stood and straightened the fluted pleats of her gown. "You must bathe, and I need to pack for a short journey."

"What journey?" Tylla was on her feet and stretching now. Her mother was always full of surprises.

"Oh," she waved an impatient hand through the air, "your Aunt Roselynn is so lonely in the country. The poor dear's not well; she needs me."

Tylla ran her eyes down her mother's figure, hidden in her loose gown. "But should you be traveling in your condition?"

Hyperia padded a few steps toward Tylla, pinched her chin with thumb and forefinger, and fixed her violet eyes on her daughter's soft brown ones. "You know I will do anything to keep this family strong and together."

Tylla, resisting squirming away from her mother's attention, replied, "And you are loved through all of Oran because of it."

The pinching fingers relaxed, and the pale eyes warmed. "I try," Hyperia cooed. "Now, get ready. You have a busy day ahead of you."

Tylla waited until her mother left and then flopped back onto the bed. She gazed at the mural on the ceiling depicting the Heavens. One of the angels in the picture reminded her of Carmelle. The headache returned, and she closed her eyes, dozing off for a bit until Simmy arrived to draw her bath.