Predictable response

Ashley jabbed Riley in the ribs with her elbow, earning a wounded look from her husband. 

"What was that for?" He complained. 

"You know what it was for. Leave Mayra and Peter alone!" She chided. 

"Come on! If you knew half of what she's put me through in my life..." He began, but she raised a single finger to silence him. 

"This is different. What if you mess things up for them?" She questioned. 

"What if THEY mess things up for them?" He responded. 

"Then it will be on their own heads and no one else's. I insist that your plotting cease immediately. The next time you are allowed to talk to either of them about it is if Peter asks for Mayra's hand from you." Ashley insisted. 

"Oh, he won't ask. I already gave him my blessing. Told him if he could persuade the ornery brat to walk down the aisle with him, he'd better not wait long enough for her to change her mind. That includes getting any extra permission from me." Riley looked over as the young pair moved to the dance floor. 

"What? When was that??" Ashley demanded.

"Earlier today. I pretended I wanted a dancing lesson from his friend, but then we found out the dance is special and ties people together with fate or something. I'm not sure. Supposed to be able to make people fall in love. You should have seen Peter's face!

"I gave him half a harsh look and the boy panicked, insisted he wasn't doing anything improper with Mayra. I told him I wouldn't mind a little impropriety if that's what was needed. Ha! look at that! It's working!" Riley crowed triumphantly. 

"You shameless man!" Ashley smacked him on the arm, and he smiled affectionately at her. "You told him that?? That's your sister!" 

"Only because I know he's the ridiculously honorable sort. He won't take any of my advice, and Mayra will like him better when he doesn't. She thinks I lack subtlety." He laughed. 

"It's a common impression people have of you. I can't imagine why." Ashley blinked at him. Her husband had outdone himself.

Though she was considered to be one of the more skilled ladies of Klain at navigating wit and social situations, when it came to his younger sister, Riley possessed an intuitive skill that was beyond what anyone thought of him. 

All masked under a façade of jovial arrogance. 

"Now that she's taken care of, I have more time to devote to you," Riley raised Ashley's hand to his lips to kiss it gently. 

"Nice try. I should be fully apprised of all your schemes and plots forthwith." She fixed him with a sharp gaze. 

"To be my co-conspirator?" His eyes lit up. 

"I'm fairly certain you had that put into our wedding vows," Ashley replied seriously. 

"I TRIED, as you may recall, but your mother had that part cut out of the final version as 'inappropriate' for some reason." Riley sighed, and his wife giggled. 

"Regardless, the spirit of the words was there. No plotting without me!" She said. "And I get to veto any schemes which are unbecoming." 

"Whatever you say, my Love," He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and pulled her close beside him to watch the dance continue. "I've already accomplished all I mean to in this latest quest, for now, anyway. The rest is up to Peter." 

"I'm sure he'll do a fine job without any interference from you." Ashley leaned into him. 

"So you admit it's a good match?" He prodded. 

"I've never disputed that. She's intelligent and a little reckless, while he's kind, patient, and protective, but in need of someone to challenge him. They're perfect for each other. So much so that no help is needed from you." 

"Not now that they've danced the fate-dance," Riley nodded. 

"You're incorrigible." Ashley sighed, but smiled at her husband. 

"Why would I need to improve, since I've already ensnared the best wife in the world? I have nothing to strive for now, save my own entertainment, and maybe saving the world again if the occasion arises." He shook his head at her. 

"I'll have to make a list of things for you to strive for... like not leaving your dirty clothes lying around." She teased. 

He sighed. "You're constantly making me be a better man. I'd get irritated if you weren't so blasted pretty." 

____________

Caspian looked over at his mother and father as they approached with smiles. He smiled back at them freely, glad the weight of resentment was gone. 

With Edmar in the state he was currently plagued by, Caspian knew his relationship with his parents was of particular importance. To have both sons distant would wound his mother deeply. 

"What a beautiful dance," Cora complimented. "Naomi, you're so lovely and talented, you must be careful not to steal all the attention away from the brides." 

Naomi ducked her head, and Caspian took her hand and squeezed it to let her know that his mother was only teasing. 

"Thank you, Cora." She responded. "As always, you've done a marvelous job organizing all this. I hope that next time I can be of help?" 

"What a wonderful offer, and one I shall be delighted to accept." Cora smiled. 

Caspian saw a slight pain in his mother's eyes. He realized she must be preparing herself to train Naomi in the ways of a Commodore's wife, just in case Edmar never recovered and married a Cetoan woman. He wondered if his wife knew that and was making it easier for Cora. 

His mother should live many years to come. Even if Naomi had to take up the mantle, surely there was enough time to teach her what she needed. 

"I was wondering," Haf said to Caspian, "if you would come with me tomorrow to speak with your brother. One of the doctors has a theory that more exposure to those he really loves may help hasten the end of his condition." 

"I doubt I shall be any help, but whatever you want me to try, I shall," Caspian nodded his head in deference. He didn't really think his brother loved him at all, but perhaps he was wrong. 

"Thank you, dear," His mother raised her hand to touch his cheek in affection, and hugged Naomi. "I hope you will dance more." 

"I'm getting very tired," Naomi said beside him. In truth, she looked so. And no wonder! They'd been working in the field much of the day, and it was now well into the evening hours. 

"You've been doing too much," Caspian frowned. "You need sleep." 

He didn't miss the significant glance between his parents, but thankfully, Naomi seemed to. 

"By all means," Cora urged. "Please get rest. There is much to do tomorrow; today can be complete." 

"Thank you," Naomi gave a slight curtsy, and Haf suppressed a grin. Caspian would need to remind his wife there was no need to stand on ceremony. After all, she'd saved Haf's life, and this was an informal conversation. 

The Commodore and his wife turned to mingle amongst the people, and Caspian put his arm around Naomi's shoulders for the walk home. Her arm came around his waist as naturally as breathing, and his heart skipped a beat in response. 

"I would have taken you home earlier if I'd known you were tired," He chastised mildly. "I suppose I'll never get you to speak up when you need something." 

"I did! Just now!" She protested. "I told you I was tired." 

"You told my mother you are VERY tired. I suspect that means you are utterly exhausted." He continued. 

"I was having a marvelous time. Should I cut it short as soon as I begin to feel a little sleepy?" Naomi looked up at him, and he chuckled. 

"I suppose not." He conceded. "I was having fun, too." 

"Thank you for teaching me more dances." 

"I'm sure you know all of them by now," He said. She was a quick learner, despite her claims to the contrary on the topic. 

"Perhaps, but if I do it is because you are a great teacher. I doubt anyone else would have helped me learn so well." She replied. 

"Who else would you be dancing with?" The thought gave him pause. 

"I'm not sure. In Rhone, the people all dance. I never joined, but it was common for all the men to dance with all the women in the course of the evening. Of course, not all of the dances are partnered. Many were group dances. Cetoan dances all seem to be done in pairs." 

"Here, a married woman only dances with her husband." He said this a little more firmly than he intended, but the thought of her in another man's arms was an unpleasant one. 

She tilted her head. "And does a married man only dance with his wife?" 

His mouth twitched. 

"Sometimes his mother or sister, if either is widowed or yet to be married. And a father may dance with his unmarried daughter. You'll have no cause for jealousy from me, I assure you. I suppose you may also dance with any of your male blood relatives." He watched her face at his teasing statement, but she just nodded thoughtfully with a slight smile. 

"So long as it's fair."