Adolin slowly woke up. He was a little dizzy and it took him a moment to realize where he was. The infirmary? How did he end up here? And where was Kaladin? He tried to sit upright.

Lirin was relieved to see the Highprince wake up. "Brightlord, I'm glad to see you are awake. How are you feeling?" He gestured to one of the guards to get Dalinar.

"Where is Kal?"

Lirin checked Adolin's pulse. "He went to speak to your father."

"What happened out there?" Adolin asked as he rubbed his forehead. "I've got a headache."

"I suspect you got airsick, Brightlord. The storm caught up with you."

Dalinar walked in, Navani behind him. She had a look of concern but also barely concealed curiosity in her eyes. Dalinar had a look on his face that Adolin couldn't really deschipre. Lirin left the room to give them some privacy.

"Son, how are you feeling?'

"Fine. I think. Headache. Where's Kal?'

His father tensed immediately and he could swear he could hear Navani mutter something that sounded like 'uh oh'.

"Is there something wrong with him? Did that fabrial hurt him?"

"And what if it did?" Dalinar asked while he stared at his son with an intense gaze. "How would that make you feel?"

Adolin frowned, wondering if his father had been exposed to one of Navani's experimental fabrials too. "Feel?"

Navani intervened. "Stormblessed is fine. But how are you? Do you feel...different?"

"I'm fine. And could the two of you please stop freaking me out. What happened? What kind of fabrial was that?"

Dalinar relaxed a little. Adolin seemed fine. "Nothing to worry about. Just something Navani was working on," he smiled. But the smile froze on his face at Adolin's next question.

"Can you get Kaladin?"

Navani gently pushed Dalinar towards a chair. The man looked like he needed to sit down. She smiled at Adolin. "Why do you want to see him?"

"Because I'm getting the feeling that you're keeping something from me. Is he hurt?"

"No. No, he's fine. He brought you here. What can you remember?"

"Uh...I remember that it began to glow. I pulled it from my pocket. Kaladin wanted me to drop it but I didn't think you'd appreciate it if your fabrial ended up in a chasm. When it began to vibrate he wanted to take it from me and when he reached for it lightning struck. And it burst open. That's the last thing I remember. And some sort of song. I remember a song. It was beautiful."

"Did Kaladin touch you the moment it opened?"

"Yes. Why?"

Dalinar let out a soft groan.

Navani managed to keep the expression on her face neutral. "But you don't feel different? About Stormblessed?"

"I..." Adolin hesitated. This probably wasn't the time to tell his father that he'd been thinking a lot about the tall, handsome Radiant lately. About how safe the man made him feel. How much he loved it when he smiled. How he wanted to touch that long dark hair.

Adolin's hesitation made Dalinar groan a little louder.

"I'm not answering any more questions until you tell me what's going on," Adolin said instead.

Navani sat down on the edge of the bed. "The fabrial you picked up…" she told him what its purpose was.

"Form change?" Adolin stared at her wide eyed. "Warform?"

"No, no. I used another form. I used…"

"Mateform," Dalinar said from his chair. "You were exposed to mateform while being close to Stormblessed."

Adolin tried to process what this meant and when it sunk in he had to stop himself from grinning. He was presented with the perfect excuse to go after Kal and no one could blame him. Somehow he managed to look upset while he slowly nodded. "So that's why I want to see him so badly. I feel like I can't breathe when he isn't near. I didn't want to say anything because I didn't understand it myself."

Dalinar looked around. Surely the surgeon would have some wine around here somewhere?

Navani took Adolin's hand in hers. "I'm sure it will pass soon. You're not Parshendi. This can't really affect you."

But Adolin was going to use this opportunity to its fullest. He pulled his hand free. "I want to see Kal."

"Adolin, this isn't real. It's probably just a minor side effect of the Livelight and the rhythm hidden in that fabrial."

Adolin wrapped his arms around himself. "I need Kal."

Dalinar took a breath and got up from his chair. "Why don't we take him back to his room. He seems fine physically so there's no use in him staying here." People might start to talk and that was the last thing they needed right now.

Navani nodded. At Adolin's reluctant look she gently placed a hand on his arm. "We'll ask Kaladin to meet you there."

At that promise Adolin immediately got up and walked to the door.

Navani turned to Dalinar. "I'm sure…"

"Don't, woman. Not now. I can only imagine how Stormblessed is going to react if he finds out that my son wants to...mate," he almost choked on that last word. It wasn't that he cared whether his son would eventually choose a man or a woman as his partner. But he didn't think his most valuable Radiant would take this news very well. "I'm guessing Stormblessed wasn't affected because of his powers?"

She nodded. "That would be my guess too."

"You are the one who can tell our Radiant that my son has a sudden interest in him."

Navani nodded again. She was not looking forward to that conversation.

…..

Kaladin stared at Navani. "You're joking right? Please tell me you're joking, Brightness."

He could hear Syl behind him, barely containing her laughter.

Navani shook her head. "I'm afraid not. He's been asking for you since the moment he woke up. My guess is that your powers protected you. That's why you don't feel the effect."

"Thank the Almighty for that. Storms, I should have thrown that thing beyond the mountains as soon as I saw it."

"I'm really sorry, Kaladin. This wasn't supposed to happen. I'm sure it won't last long. But as long as it does, please be patient with him."

Kaladin sighed. "It can't be easy for him either. But what do you expect me to do? Isn't it better if I stay away from him?"

"I don't think so. Mateform can be rather overwhelming. I will try to keep him in his quarters until it wears off but if he doesn't get to see you I'm afraid he'll go roaming the Tower, looking for you."

Kaladin grunted. The idea of having Adolin following him around everywhere like a lovesick puppy was definitely not what he wanted. Although he had no doubt Bridge Four would love it. Lopen would never stop making fun of him. "Fine. I'll go see him."

"Thank you. And please remember to be patient. Again, I apologize."

"That's alright, Brightness. I guess I should be able to defend myself from one attacker."

She couldn't help but laugh at that. "I'm sure you are. And let me know if you need help or if he starts acting strange."

"Like wanting to kiss me."

"Not that. That's not so strange," she chuckled.

Kaladin looked at her incredulously.

"Not in his condition," she added quickly and tried to look serious. But she couldn't hide her smile completely.

"She's not wrong," Syl chuckled and quickly turned into a ribbon before Kaladin could catch her.

….

As soon as Kaladin stepped inside Adolin got up from his chair and hugged him, not caring that his father was there.

Syl found it highly amusing and she wondered who was finding this more awkward. Kaladin who was standing like a statue or Dalinar who had taken a sudden interest in one of Adolin's fashion magazines.

"Kal, I'm so glad you're back. And thank you. For saving me."

Kaladin tried to pry himself loose but Adolin wasn't about to let go. "You didn't really need saving, Highprince. I just took you to the infirmary." Kaladin looked at Dalinar for help.

Dalinar put the magazine down and placed a hand on Adolin's shoulder. "Let go, son. Give the man some space."

Adolin reluctantly let go. "From now on you'll be my personal guard."

"What? No! I mean...I'm sorry, Highprince, but I have other duties."

"You don't have to be so formal, Kal," Adolin smiled at him. "You can just call me Adolin. But I am the Highprince. And as such I order you to be my personal guard."

Syl had taken a seat on the top of a wardrobe and she was clearly loving every minute of this.

Kaladin turned to Dalinar. "Brightlord, I can't…"

Dalinar sighed. "We're not under any immediate threat, Stormblessed. If we need you I'll call for you. Until then you'll be my son's personal guard."

Syl was practically glowing. Even the glare that Kaladin threw her way didn't wipe the grin off her face.

Adolin smiled at Kaladin. "Great. Why don't you get your things so you can sleep here as well."

Kaladin's eyes widened and Dalinar cleared his throat. "Son, that might be a bit much. He can stay in the adjoining room."

Adolin wanted to protest but he could sense he shouldn't push. Kaladin looked like he was about to jump out the window and fly to the other side of Roshar. "Fine."

Dalinar gave Kaladin a nod and gestured to him to get his things.

As Kaladin walked back to his quarters he ignored Syl who had turned herself into a red ribbon and was making heart shaped figures in the air.

He found Lopen and Drehy sitting at a table, having dinner.

"Hey, Kal," Drehy said. "How's the Highprince?"

"Insane," Kaladin said, clearly not happy. He began to gather his things.

Lopen glanced at Syl. "What's going on, Kal? Did the fabrial hurt him?"

Syl sat down on Drehy's shoulder. "No, Adolin is fine. Maybe a bit too fine," she giggled.

Drehy raised an eyebrow. "Have you found out what that fabrial was for?"

"Changing forms," Kaladin said as he stuffed a shirt in his bag.

"Storms," Lopen said. "And it worked?"

"Unfortunately. And now I have to stay with him."

Drehy frowned. "Sounds dangerous. He didn't look different. And he wasn't very aggressive either."

"I beg to differ," Kaladin groaned.

Drehy got up. "If it really affected him you shouldn't go back alone. But I'm glad you're okay. You touched him when that damn thing activated."

Syl cocked her head. "Do you want me to tell them, Kal?"

"Tell us what?"

Kaladin shot Syl a look that told her that this time he really needed her to stay quiet. She pouted but didn't say a word.

"He'll be fine," Kaladin said. "According to Navani it will wear off soon. But if he does get aggressive I'm the best person to contain him."

Drehy shrugged. "I guess that's true. No matter what that fabrial did, he'll never be able to get past you."

Lopen crossed his arms. He clearly didn't like the idea of his captain in a room with someone who could turn violent any moment. It made him think about Teft. "I still don't like it. Promise me you'll send Syl to get us if you need us, Kal."

"Promise. I'll see you later." Kaladin picked up his bag and headed back to Adolin's quarters.