The junior weyrwoman had snorted in response and recovered her humor, only repeating darkly, “But I still don’t know why you left the arrangements to me.”

“I have it on highest authority that it’s a Weyrwoman’s duty to be sure that her replacement is well-trained,” Fiona told her, grinning. “After all, you never know when you’ll need a new one.”

Jeila grabbed her right arm tightly with both of hers and implored, “Promise me you’ll give me some warning before you do anything!”

“I’ll try,” Fiona temporized, her grin slipping. “But there are times …”

Like the night before. She hadn’t expected to find Kindan awake; she’d been avoiding him, not certain if she ever would find the courage to discover if his prior passion was only dragon-flamed, but Lorana practically threw them at each other, insisting that she had to help in the Kitchen Cavern.

In the morning, Fiona was surprised to find that Lorana had crept in with them sometime during the night.

“Are you all right?” Fiona asked as she felt Lorana shift against her.

“I’m fine,” Lorana said.

“You are?” Fiona asked. Confused, she added, “Then why did you … you don’t mind?”

“No,” Lorana said. Fiona pressed herself against the older woman in thanks.

“Besides,” Lorana added, “if anything were to happen to me, I’d need to know that there was someone there for Kindan. And the child.”

“Always,” Fiona said firmly, realizing how much trust Lorana placed in her: That Lorana would choose her as a surrogate. “And in response, I’ll ask—”

“I’ll love any child of yours, no matter who the father,” Lorana said. “You’re a special one; Kindan’s right to love you.”

“Love me?” Fiona could only mouth the words.

“Of course,” Lorana said. “Hasn’t he always?”

“I thought he loved me for my sister, for Koriana,” Fiona said.

“Maybe once,” Lorana said. “But after the mating flight, no.”

“But he doesn’t seem to even notice me!”

“Notice you?” Lorana asked, smiling.

“I mean, until last night.”

“He did,” Lorana said. “But I don’t think he understands yet.”

“That he loves me?”

Lorana shook her head. “That he doesn’t have to choose.”

“I always thought that I would be married to a Lord Holder, one man, and maybe one love,” Fiona said.

“So did I,” Lorana said. “And I think I’ve found him.” She made a face as Fiona started to protest. “He wouldn’t be the man I love, if he weren’t in love with you, too.” Her eyes twinkled as she added, “What was it that little one said? ‘I’ll help you grow your heart.’”

“Aryar,” Fiona recalled fondly.

“You help me grow my heart,” Lorana told her. “Besides, I’ve never heard of two people speaking to each other the way we have.”

“I found no mention of it in the Records.”

“Perhaps we should ask Kindan.”