“Shh,” Lorana said softly, pulling Fiona closer to her. “Why shouldn’t you love him? You’ve got a big heart and you give it to everyone.”

The sound of footsteps broke the moment and Fiona looked up to see K’lior and Cisca standing by them.

“I’m sorry,” K’lior said, “I spoke without thinking.”

“He does that sometimes,” Cisca agreed, punching him lightly on the arm. “But, you know, he always means well.”

“Will you forgive me?” K’lior begged Fiona.

“Of course she will,” Lorana spoke up firmly. “She knows that sometimes we hurt those we love the most.”

“At least I do now,” Fiona said, dabbing away her tears.

“Come on back with us and we’ll give you a proper Fort lunch,” Cisca said, gesturing toward the Kitchen Cavern. “Besides,” she added, “Ellor would never forgive me if she didn’t get to feed up Lorana, here.”

“Oh,” Fiona said, trying for a lighter tone, “so this is all about Lorana, is it?”

“Of course it is,” Cisca said, holding out a hand toward Fiona. “It’s only because she can talk to all the dragons, you know.” When Fiona accepted her hand, Cisca maneuvered the smaller Weyrwoman until she had her arm wrapped around her shoulder. As they walked back to the Kitchen Cavern, she leaned down and said quietly, “You have a knack for making your life difficult.”

“My father preferred the word ‘interesting,’” Fiona said, glancing up into Cisca’s warm brown eyes.

“Well, just so you know, I’m not jealous,” Cisca told her. “I’ve seen a few of these relationships with the blue riders and green riders and—”

“They don’t last,” Fiona finished for her. Cisca’s eyes widened. “I know, I’ve seen them, too.”

“Just so you know what you’re getting into,” Cisca said. She looked measuringly at Fiona and then added more kindly, “Although, sometimes they do work out.”

“I know that, too,” Fiona said. “It takes a lot of work.”

“All relationships take work,” Cisca said. She shrugged. “Really, when you think about it, anything you care to do well takes work.”

“Now, you be good and listen to your father,” Merika called up from the ground below as Bekka settled into her perch behind Seban and in front of Fiona on Talenth’s golden neck.

“I will,” Bekka promised.

“And you,” Merika said, wagging a finger at Seban, “be good and listen to your daughter.”

“I will,” Seban called back with a chuckle.

“And both of you,” Merika went on, waving a hand in disgust at Seban’s amusement, “remember that there are those who love you and they’re only between away.”

“We will!” Bekka called back loudly.

“You too, Weyrwoman,” Cisca called, jumping up and down to gain Fiona’s attention.

“We will!” Fiona called back just as loudly, causing Cisca to gape in surprise and then laugh.

Come on, Talenth, let’s go! Fiona said to her queen as she waved goodbye to the Fort Weyr riders and weyrfolk gathered to see them off. Fort Hold.