It was fairly warm spring evening. The windows of the sitting room were wide open, allowing the mild breeze to blow through. Inside, the occupants read silently while listening to the insects chirp a twilight song in the flowers outside. The relaxed, occupied quiet of the house was cozy and familiar for everyone, comfort in every sense.

Chise was already in her pajamas and Elias had discarded his robe over the back of the couch where Chise was sitting. It was close enough that when she laid her head on it, she could smell Elias's distinctive aroma, a combination of fresh-cut grass, the gale of wind that blew across the sea, and old leather-bound books. Ruth was rather thoughtfully helping Silver with the evening chores in the kitchen across the hallway, visible from the open door.

Elias had chosen an old tome in Italian that Chise couldn't read, and Chise was studying a book on the making and function of poppets. She was expected to create one for tomorrow's lesson. She thought she might make one for Simon; his coughing fits had been particularly bad over the winter and she was hoping to ease whatever malady with which he was afflicted. She wondered in concern what could be wrong with him if he had recurring coughing fits over a period of many years, though she felt it would be rude to pry, so she kept her questions to herself.

"Chise," Elias said without looking up from his book. "It's late. We'll need to be up early for our lesson tomorrow, as it will take most of the day. Why don't you turn in? You need to be alert and well-rested if you are to properly imbue the poppet with your will."

Chise tried not to make a face. It's not even 9:30 yet, she said to herself. But she thought it best not to argue.

"Okay," She said compliantly, closing the book. When she stood, she tucked the book under her arm and started for the door.

"Leave the book, please," Elias said sternly. "I don't want to find that you've stayed up all night studying. Again."

Chise sighed. "All right," She said. She turned and saw he had extended his hand for the book. She walked back over and handed it to him.

"Thank you," Elias said cordially. "Sleep well, Chise."

"You too," Chise said. Without thinking, she bent to plant a swift kiss on the side of his face, the smooth bony surface where his cheek would have been, in the same manner as she did with Ruth every night before bed. "See you in the morning."

She turned to go, but stopped when he heard his voice say, in a wondering tone, "You kissed me."

Realizing what she had done, she turned back and saw him gingerly touching his face where she had kissed him, his small, white pupils dilated more widely than normal, pressing the red of his irises to the point of invisibility. Her heart thumped hard against her chest.

"To say goodnight," She said, flushing. She began to ramble in embarrassment. "I give Ruth a kiss goodnight every evening. It's just a habit. I'm sorry, I just did it without thinking. I won't do it again, if you don't like it."

"No, it's not that. I quite enjoyed it, in fact," Elias said quickly. He seemed at a loss for words. "It just took me by surprise, that's all. It was… very pleasant. Is this a common practice among humans?"

"In families, yes," She said. "My parents used to kiss me and my brother every night before we went to sleep. They kissed each other, too. It's what people do when they…" She faltered on the word love. "Care about each other. A non-verbal way of wishing someone sweet dreams."

"I see," He said. "Well then." He closed his book and stood to his full height. Striding over, he bent to press his cheek to her cheek in a caress. Since he had no lips, this was the closest approximation to a kiss he could manage.

"Sweet dreams, Chise." He stood up suddenly, placing a hand on his chin in thought. "Or, wait, does it lose it's meaning if I say it aloud?"

Chise smiled at him. "Either way is fine. It's just another way to show someone that you care about them."

"Ah."

They stood there awkwardly, looking at each other.

"Well, um…" Chise said, breaking the silence. "Until tomorrow."

"Until then," Elias said. Chise exited the room rather quickly and he heard her footsteps fly up the stairs. Ruth streaked past the door in his dog form to join her. Elias remained standing, staring at the empty space in front of him that she had occupied for another few minutes. He sat back down and reopened his book, but he stared at the page, unable to concentrate on it.

Up in her room, Chise plopped face-down on the bed and groaned. "Why do I do things without thinking?" She asked, her voice muffled through the pillow.

"What happened?" Ruth asked, jumping up and sniffing her hair.

She rolled to look at him. "I kissed him goodnight, like I do with you."

"So?" Ruth said. "What's so bad about that?"

"It's just…" She sighed in frustration. "We, Elias and I… things are always so awkward between us. He doesn't know anything about relationships, and to be honest, I don't know all that much about it either. I don't know what's acceptable and what's not. There's so much he doesn't understand about human interaction, and I don't want to push things farther than he's willing to go. I don't want to move too fast and confuse him."

"A kiss on the cheek doesn't seem like that big a deal, Chise," Ruth said sardonically.

"Yeah, but you didn't see his reaction. It was like I'd hit him over the head with a brick," She replied. "It wasn't just a goodnight kiss to him. It meant something."

Ruth shook his head at her. "I don't understand why the two of you dance around each other like this. You love him. He loves you. Why are you both making this so hard?"

"It's not that simple."

"Yes, it is," Ruth insisted. "It really is."

"No, it isn't," Chise snapped. "He never talks about himself. He never opens up. There's no way to know if he loves me because he wouldn't even know it himself."

"Chise, trust me," Ruth said seriously. "I followed after him the entire time you were gone. Elias loves you; he was completely lost without you. He may not understand the emotion, but that doesn't mean it isn't there."

Chise was silent. It was hard for her to believe it. He certainly cared for her; she did know that. But love? She could never be completely sure.

She sighed sadly. "I should be getting to bed. I've got a long day tomorrow."

Ruth puffed out his breath in frustration, but he settled himself down next to her and got comfortable.

"I wish you two would just talk to each other," Ruth said. "It would make things so much easier."

Chise kissed Ruth's snout. "Goodnight," she said.

Ruth licked her hand in return. "Goodnight."

The next morning, Chise awoke just as the sun crested the horizon. She had not slept well. She kept dreaming of different scenarios in her head, ones in which she told Elias her true feelings. It always ended badly.

Stretching, she yawned and went to her wardrobe to pull out her clothes for the day, and went to take a bath, leaving Ruth sleeping on the bed.

In the bath, she hugged her knees as her conversations with Elias and Ruth turned over and over in her mind. She wished she could do as Ruth advised and just tell Elias how she felt in plain words, but she didn't know how to even start. She had wanted to tell him what he meant to her ever since that day she flew back to him from the dragon's aerie, but there was always something that seemed to get in the way. She couldn't just blurt it out. She had no idea how he would react.

When she was finished bathing, she dried her hair and got dressed. Ruth was waiting for her outside the bathroom door, and melted into his human form so that they could go and eat breakfast.

Elias was already sitting at the table, reading the morning paper with a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Good morning, Chise. Good morning, Ruth."

"Morning, Elias," Chise responded. Silver Lady placed an overflowing plate and a glass of fresh milk in front of Chise, and she smiled at the silky.

"How did you sleep?" Elias asked her in an affable tone.

"Okay, I guess," Chise said.

"She didn't sleep well at all," Ruth said around a mouthful of eggs. "She was too preoccupied."

"Ruth!" Chise hissed.

Elias sighed. "Preoccupied with what?"

At this, Ruth was silent and looked to Chise.

"It doesn't matter," Chise said quickly. "I'm fine. I'm ready for today's lesson."

"Hmm," Elias grumbled, lowering the paper. "Perhaps we should postpone this lesson until you've had a good night's rest."

"I'm fine," she repeated firmly. She began to eat, signifying that she was done with the conversation. Elias, mystified by this odd behavior, eyed Ruth. Ruth shrugged and rolled his eyes.

"Very well," Elias said, folding the paper. "Meet me in the garden when you've finished your meal."

Chise nodded without speaking. Elias stood and made for the front door, though before he exited, he stopped and looked back, his jaw opened slightly, seeming as though he was going to say something further. He must have thought the better of it, because he turned on his heel and walked outside.

"Chise, this is ridiculous. Would you just talk to him?" Ruth said in an undertone.

Chise sighed. "I'll try."

Ruth shook his head and continued eating. "Stubborn."

Once they were finished, Chise and Ruth, as a grim, joined Elias in the courtyard outside. He wore his robe and held a bag with harvesting tools.

"We'll be going deep into the forest today to gather the necessary ingredients for the poppet, so stay close to me. Have you decided what kind you'd like to make?"

"Yes," Chise said. "I want to make a healing poppet, for Simon's cough."

"How thoughtful," Elias replied, pleased. "Very well. The first ingredient we need to gather is a generous amount of moss that grows on the north side of an oak, one that's at least 200 years old. The oak grove in the forest is a bit far. Are you up for a walk?"

"Yes," Chise said.

"Not too tired?"

"No, I'm all right," Chise insisted. "Let's get going."

The three of them began to walk toward the treeline, disappearing into it's branches.

They walked for a while in silence. Chise could feel Ruth's growing frustration and was trying to block it out. This is not what she needed right now. She was in the middle of a lesson. She didn't want to fail because her familiar was annoyed with her.

"Chise, are you alright?" Elias asked. "You've been more quiet than usual today."

"Yes, I'm fine," Chise replied flatly. She could feel Ruth's eyes boring a hole in her skull and she sighed. "Actually, I was wondering if I could talk to you about something."

"Ah, yes," Elias said. "I was expecting this."

Chise stopped in her tracks. "You were?"

Elias came to a stop a few paces ahead of her and turned to look back. "Yes. This is about the goodnight kiss last evening, is it not?"

At this, Ruth took off to give them some privacy under the pretense of chasing dragonflies.

"In a sense, yes," Chise said, watching Ruth.

"You regret it," Elias said matter-of-factly.

"What?" Chise said, turning to Elias in surprise.

"It's all right, I understand that it was unintentional. You don't have to be embarrassed about it."

She didn't deny that she had embarrassed herself, but balked at the idea that she was ashamed of her actions. "Why would you think I regretted it?"

"You don't?"

"No, not at all!"

Elias seemed confused. "Then what was it you wished to discuss with me?"

Chise's heart hammered in her chest and she was having difficulty meeting his eye.

"It's just…" She began, but failed to continue. Three times she would start a sentence, and three times she would stumble to a stop.

"Why is this so difficult?" She asked herself quietly.

Elias watched her flounder and waited patiently, still bemused. She closed her eyes, took a big breath, and looked up at him.

"Do you remember when I went to the dragon aerie, for my wand?" She asked him.

"Yes. That was more than half a year ago," He replied.

"Do you remember when I got back, before I passed out, I said there were things I wanted to tell you?"

"Yes."

"Well, we talked a little after I woke up, but I didn't really tell you everything I meant to say. I flew all the way back to tell you all these things, and I never really got the chance to do it. Part of it's my fault; I'm bad at speaking up. I'm trying to get better at it, but I'm so used to keeping things to myself. It's a hard habit to unlearn."

"I understand. What did you wish to tell me?"

Her heart was in her throat and her legs felt shaky, but she pressed on.

"I came to realize something then, after talking with Nevin and Lindel. It's hard for me to say it because I didn't know how you'd feel about it, but…" She stepped forward and took his left hand in both of hers, placing her hand with the ring on the top. She could fell his own ring under the fabric of his gloves. "The day in the forest, when I gave you this ring and asked to stay with you, I came close to saying it then, but I was too nervous to tell you the truth. I'm still nervous now."

"You mustn't be afraid to talk to me, Chise. You can tell me anything," Elias said, his voice soft. "I had hoped you'd know that by now."

"I do," She said, staring at his face. Here goes nothing… "I don't regret giving you that kiss last night, Elias, because I want it to be the first of a million. I want to help you learn what it means to be a family. I want to stay here with you for as long as I am able. I love being here with you. I love it more than anything."

It was right there on the tip of her tongue. She watched his eyes for change, but he merely listened to her intently as if waiting for something.

"Do you understand?" She asked him.

He was silent for a moment. "I think I might," He said slowly. "However, I feel as though you have more to say. I'd like to hear what that is."

She reached up, and he bent to allow her to take his face in her hands. Kneeling so that they were at eye level, he looked at her with an intensely hungry gaze. If she didn't know better, she would swear he was almost begging.

Slowly and deliberately, she lowered her head and kissed the space between his eyes, lingering there, laying her forehead against his.

"Tell me," He said softly. "Don't be afraid."

She breathed a sigh across the bone of his face, sending a shivering tingle along his back and shoulders.

"I love you, Elias." She said, barely audible.

For a moment, she thought he had stopped breathing. He placed his hands on her waist and pulled her closer.

"Chise, I--"

"You don't have to say it back," She said quickly.

He pulled back so he could look at her face, his jaws open in bewilderment. "You do not wish to hear the same words from me?"

"Not if it isn't true," Chise said. "I know that emotions are still confusing for you. I don't want you to say it just because I did; it should be because that's how you feel."

He seemed to go into himself for a moment, as if searching for something. "How does one know they feel love for another?"

"It's hard to say," Chise admitted. "It can be different for different people."

"Then how do you know you love me?" He asked her rather bluntly.

Chise's head rocked back. Just how did one explain love? She'd have to try. She wanted him to understand, though she barely understood it herself.

"I'm happy when I'm with you and I miss you when you're gone. I worry when you're hurt or distant. I think about you all the time, whether we're together or apart. But it's even more than that." She put her arms around his shoulders and held him close. He reciprocated, enfolding her in his embrace, his jaw resting against her neck. "It's something you just know, in your soul. It's something you feel in your whole body. It's not something that you can put into words, not completely. It's almost like instinct. You just know."

"I see," Elias replied in a slow, quiet tone.

"If that's not what you feel," Chise said. "It's okay. You're still learning. Maybe you never feel that way about me, and that's okay, too. You don't have to love me."

"I don't?"

"No," Chise said, though she had to admit, if only to herself, it would hurt her rather badly if he didn't. "You took me in and saved my life. You're teaching me so much. You helped me become the person I am now. I'm so grateful for that. Even if you never love me, I will always love you for all you've done for me. Always."

His arms squeezed her tighter. "Emotions are still difficult for me at times, that's true. But I am learning more about it and myself. It's easier for me to identify feelings as they occur, and I have you to thank for that."

Chise smiled. "That's good."

"That said," He continued. "Much of what you have just told me explains a great deal."

"It does?"

"Yes." He released her and pulled back, so that he could look her in the eye. "I am most content when we are together, and I feel empty when we are apart. I worry for you constantly. When you are injured, I, too, feel pain. You are at the forefront of my thoughts in all things. I even dream of you."

Chise's eyes widened. Her heart felt as though it had stopped.

"I am unsure as to whether or not I possess a soul," Elias admitted. "But if I do, I believe it resides with you."

A tear unwittingly escaped her eye. It was hard for her to breathe.

"Chise?" Elias asked, worried. "Are you all right? It was not my intent to upset you."

Chise laughed through her tears. "You didn't. I'm very happy."

"And yet you weep?"

"People sometimes cry when they're happy."

Elias sighed. "There is so much left to learn."

She pressed another kiss to his face. "I know. I can't wait to teach you."

He lifted her up to sit on his arm as though she weighed nothing more than a small cat. She lay her head on his shoulder and hooked an arm around his neck.

"As always, I look forward to further lessons with you," He replied.

She smiled into his collar. "Me too."

"Should we continue with today's lesson, then?" He asked her, ever practical. "We can do it another day, if you wish."

"No, we should do it," Chise said, slipping down to the ground, though she did not release his hand. "I'm more than happy to spend all day with you."

If Elias could smile, she thought he would be. "Yes. That sounds lovely."

Hand in hand, they walked the rest of the way to the oak grove, with Ruth dancing around them in his pursuit of dragonflies, reflecting his master's happiness.

That evening, Elias watched attentively as Chise sewed the sides of the poppet closed, filled with moss, aromatic flowers, healing herbs, and a lock of Simon's hair. Chise decided not to ask exactly why Elias had a bit of Simon's hair just lying around. Ruth was at her knee, sniffing at the doll and the leftover material sitting to the side on the workbench.

"Good," Elias told her. "This looks well made. Tomorrow we will place this in a safe space, most likely the hollow of a tree, where the magic in it will build. Hopefully, Simon should feel it's affects soon."

"I hope so," Chise said. Elias held out his hand and Chise handed him the doll. He set it in the windowsill so it could soak up the moonlight overnight.

"I am pleased with your progress, Chise," Elias said. "Your focus and restraint are improving greatly. Well done."

Chise beamed at his praise. "Thank you."

"How are you feeling? Tired?"

"A little bit," Chise admitted.

"Not surprising. You've been working on this project all day. Making magical objects, even ones this small, will drain even the most skilled of mages." He lifted his snout and sniffed the air. "It smells as if dinner will be ready soon. Would you like to read until then?"

"That sounds great."

Chise stood and picked up the book on poppets and seated herself on the couch. Elias had moved on from the Italian title and had selected a new book in Greek.

He made to sit in his usual chair when Chise asked, "Why don't you sit here, with me?"

Elias paused. "Oh," he replied. "All right."

He settled himself down next to her on the couch and opened his book. Chise found her page and began to read, scooting close and leaning her head against Elias's arm as she did so.

"Is this okay?" She asked him.

"Yes," He replied softly.

Silver called them to dinner after about twenty minutes. Ruth seemed much happier and wolfed down his supper at an alarming speed. Chise was quiet, but she would often look up at Elias and smile. Each time she did so, he felt a swelling warmth in his chest. It was as foreign a feeling as it was a welcome one.

After dinner, Ruth, Elias, and Chise retired to the sitting room again. Ruth lay belly-up in front of the fire. Elias sat with Chise on the couch, her head resting on his arm. She decided to be bold and laced her fingers with his. He accepted it with no comment and didn't pull away. They stayed that way, reading in silence, for nearly two hours.

Ruth was right. This was so much better than skirting around each other. If only she could have had enough courage to do this sooner. She couldn't imagine being any happier than she was right now.

It wasn't until Chise's head started to droop and nod that Elias said, "I think it might be time for bed. You've done good work today, but there is more to do tomorrow. I hope tonight you'll get the sleep you need. No more preoccupation."

Chise reluctantly pulled her hand from his and stood. He was equally unhappy to release her.

Chise nodded. "No," she replied. "It's all okay now."

She turned, but he caught her hand before she could move away.

"Aren't you forgetting something?" He asked.

"Of course," Chise said, laughing. She bend and laid a lingering kiss between his eyes. He rubbed his cheek against hers in return.

"Goodnight, Chise," He said. "I love you."

After the shock had passed, a wide, bright smile lit up her face. She lightly stroked the skin on his neck just below the skull line with her fingernails. "Are you sure?" She asked in a whisper.

"Yes," He responded in a soft, tender voice. "I am certain."

She dotted kisses up the middle ridge of his face in joy.

"The first of a million," Elias breathed as her lips connected with his forehead. "I'm keeping a count, you know."

Chise laughed and continued to scratch his chin, which caused him to hum with contentment. "What am I up to now?"

"Twelve."

Chise laughed again.

"What happens when we reach a million?" Elias asked.

"We start on the next million."

"Ah. I'm looking forward to that," Elias replied.

She stood up straight and slowly removed her hands from his skin. "Goodnight, Elias."

"Sweet dreams, Chise."

"You're happy," Ruth said as he curled around her in her bed. "I'm glad. Isn't this so much easier?"

"Yeah, you were right," Chise said begrudgingly. "You can say 'I told you so.'"

"Why would I do that?" Ruth said. "I just wanted you to be happy and stop moping."

"You're one to talk," Chise said, poking him. Ruth rested his snout on her shoulder, and Chise gave him a peck on the nose. "Goodnight."

He licked her cheek. "Goodnight, Chise. I hope you have better dreams tonight."

Chise smiled and closed her eyes. "I know I will."