“And I do not take that reaction as a compliment,” True jested.

Farah’s expression melted to adoration as she turned her face to her king.

“I forgot, I want a husband like you too, Uncle True,” Aelia declared.

“How about you grow up first, my beauty, and then see what you wish,” True suggested.

“I don’t need to grow up,” she told him. “A boy asked me to marry him on the way here. I’ll be married in no time.”

“You will not,” Cass decreed.

His daughter whirled on him. “Papa! I want to wear a gown just like Ellie’s.”

“And you can,” he allowed.

She beamed.

“In forty years,” he finished.

She frowned.

He smiled at her.

She stopped frowning.

“Let us reach the top of the steps so we can watch Elena arriving,” Ha-Lah proposed.

“Yes!” Aelia hopped up. “Let’s!”

Still holding Ha-Lah’s hand, they started up the steps.

Dora moved to follow.

But Cassius stopped her by touching her shoulder.

She looked up to him.

He offered his arm. “The groom needs an escort, little bean.”

She looked to his arm, her cheeks got rosy, her eyes got wet, then she tucked her fingers in his elbow and shot him a trembling smile.

In turn, he moved to her and tucked her to his side before they began their stroll up the steps.

He almost immediately noticed Silvanus, and his clan of Zees, as they were dressed more audaciously than normally.

He tipped his chin to the man, who had his shirt undone all the way down to his navel, but at least his chest was partially covered by his copious, doubtlessly purloined necklaces.

In return, a broad, white smile on his lips, Silvanus tipped his hat.

As they ascended, there were well-wishes extended, bows and curtsies bobbed, and Cassius accepted these with dips of his chin.

But his attention was on his girl.

“I’m glad we have this time, for me it gives me the opportunity to thank you,” he said.

“For what?” she asked.

“For much, my Dora,” he answered, covering her gloved hand at his elbow with his. “For I had Aelia, and I had my brothers, but unless I was with them, and sometimes even when I was, I wasn’t very happy.” He cast his gaze down to her. “And then I met you and Ellie, and now, both Aelia and I have a family. So now, we are both happy. But being happy, and seeing Aelia happier, and making Ellie the same, and you, makes me very happy.”

“We are. We’re happy too,” she assured him.

“I hope so, love.”

“We are, Cass,” she repeated. “Ellie especially. She loves you lots.”

He smiled down at her. “And I love her lots.”

“I know,” she whispered, her eyes speaking words that made Cass take her fingers from his elbow as he bent so he could touch his lips to them.