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They briefly told him about their bonding, Beth's death, and what Lord Borden's reaction would be if they got married a week after Beth died. He listened patiently until they were done.

"I see," he said when they had finished. He then turned around, closed the door to the room, and turned back to them. "Better?"

"Huh?" Ethan and Alana said at the exact same time.

"I won't tell Lord Borden, and I assume you three won't either," he lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper and said with a twinkle in his eye. "I'll even whisper the ceremony to prevent any of Lord Borden devious spies -- who also happen to be priests -- from finding out."

Everyone chuckled.

Alana looked at Ethan, unsure what to do. *Thoughts?* she asked telepathically.

*He makes a good point but... Well, but nothing; he makes a good point.*

She beamed.

"Ethan, let me ask you a question," Luminar Kossel said. "Illuminar told that right before you came to this world, you asked for two things. What were they?"

"Um..." Et