Geris, however, stepped forward with perfect timing and bowed to Rian's grandparents, then his mother. “Greetings, Lord and Lady Langras. And to you, Duchess Mila.”
“Geris.” Rian's mother held her hand out to Geris. “Very nice to see you. I'm glad you were able to bring my son home.”
“I as well, Your Grace.” Geris kissed her hand. Then he straightened and looked at Rian. “Admittedly, it was not easy.”
“I had to determine how to approach this situation and who to bring along to help me,” Rian said as he tucked my hand around his arm.
“And you needed an inventor?” His mother glanced at my hand.
“He's also Rian'sconsort,” Adler said.
I glanced at Rian and found him staring at me imploringly. Subtly, I nodded, and his expression slid into relief. I almost snorted. As if I'd rebuke his claim in front of his family?But then, I was the one who rejected him while loving him. Maybe Rian didn't know me all that well. Or maybe I didn't know myself.
“You've taken a consort?” Mila grinned. “How wonderful.”
“An Argaiv consort,” Emmavane muttered. “With a dog.”
Mila ignored her. “So, Galin's here for emotional support?”
“I wanted him to meet you,” Rian said. “But mainly, Galin is here to oversee the investigation. It was his insight that directed our attention toward a non-magical solution.”
“Non-magical?” A powerful voice said, punctuated by sharp footsteps.
Everyone looked down the hall to see Rian's twin walking toward us. Well, it was nearly Rian's twin. When the man drew closer, I saw that his eyes were brown instead of green, the same shade as Adler's. And those dark eyes swung immediately toward me, looking me over from head to toe before settling on Rian.
Vashana stood up and watched the new Dragon.
“Father.” Rian strode over to the man and embraced him.
“Good to see you, Son,” the man said, then smirked and tapped the top of Rian's hat. “What a pretty hat.”
“It's the fashion, Dad.”
“I suppose that puff of silk at your throat is fashionable too?”
“It's called a cravat, and yes.”
“It's ridiculous, is what it is.” Rian's father's lips twitched.
“Leave him be,” Mila chided with an indulgent smile as she joined them. “It's getting old. Every time he visits, you tease him about his clothes, Ravand.”
“That's called tradition, Mila.” Ravand, Rian's near-duplicate, said as he put an arm around his mate. “Now what's non-magical?”
“We believe the situation with the rotting trees has a non-magical cause,” Rian said.
“Interesting concept,” Ravand murmured.
“Yes, yes. But before you get into that, come and meet Rianvar's consort,” Mila said and drew her mate to me. “This is Galin Savas and Vashana.”
“Hello, Your Grace,” I said and extended my hand.
Ravand ignored my hand, lifting his brow instead. “Consort?” He glanced at his son to add, “You've never even taken a concubine.”
I dropped my hand and lifted my chin.
“Galin is important,” Rian said. “I have a . . .senseabout him.”
Rian's family went still around me, then, as one, their heads swiveled my way. Most stared at me in shock, but Mila beamed. She opened her mouth to speak, but her mate cut her off.
