I do not own Chaotic nor anything related to it. It belongs to TCDigital.

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The Father of the Bride

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Hera checks on Tiaane every day, once at dawn, once at dusk. Each time she brings a bowl or plate of food, food she cooked herself rather than order a servant to. She changes his bandages and bed sheets, and she holds his hand when his pain flares up.

Tiaane, in the moments where he's awake, is pushing for the muges of the college to recognize Hera as a fully-trained muge and elementalist, ready to begin her path to absolute mastery of the mugical and elemental arts. High Muge Enre-hep is slated to be her next tutor because of Tiaane's efforts.

I'm finding myself changing my opinion about them. They just had a quite literal trial by fire, and they only thought of each other. Even now that the danger has passed they are still giving their all for each other.

I speak to Isis about my thoughts. She agrees.

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"How are you, Tiaane?" I sit down next to the resting Mipedian.

Tiaane glances over to me. "Tired, as per the norm." He winces as he sits up.

"Just lay down," I say.

Tiaane lies down and closes his eyes, taking shallow breaths. "It may be a month before I can resume my duties."

"I understand completely," I say.

We're silent for a moment. Then I exclaim, "That was really stupid running into a burning building without protection like that."

"Almost as stupid as falling in love with a forty-six solan old girl," Tiaane mutters.

I give him a look. "Let's hear it for stupidity, then."

Tiaane gives me the most bewildered look I have ever seen on his face. "What exactly do you mean?"

I sit up straight. "Without you, Hera would not be alive today. If you didn't love her so much and have such great faith in your ability to protect her, help would not have arrived in time."

Tiaane's eyes widen. I think he's already guessed what I'll say next.

I nod. "Isis and I give our blessing, Tiaane."

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It's been a month since the disaster. The rebuilding is still in progress. The new college is being made of stone instead of wood.

Earth's Ambassadors will be coming to Al Mipedim at a later time. Jupiter's a little disappointed, but he's taking it well.

Hera and Tiaane are having a small celebration in Shasta's bar, just family and friends. I tell the embarrassing story about how Hera had "predicted" this event as a child.

"Dad, please stop," Hera laughs as she tries to hide her face behind her hands.

"I'm your dad," I retort with a grin. "I think this is literally in the job description."

Isis taps my shoulder. "And I'm your wife. You'll find I have the same responsibilities as you."

I turn and stare at Isis. "You wouldn't."

Isis gives me an evil grin. "Who here remembers when Prince Osiris got so drunk that he danced naked on the roof of the palace?"

Everyone laughs, and Tiaane slowly and meekly raises his hand.

"Well," Isis states, "it all started when-"

I cover Isis's mouth. "Fine, I'll stop."

Isis pulls my hand away. "No no no, I'm going to finish this story."

I groan and cover my ears.

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Sometime later, we're in a familiar stone room. At the back of the room is an oddly-shaped bed. There's a scent almost like rose petals in the air. Sobtjek is standing in front of the kneeling Hera and Tiaane, who both wear plain white tunics.

The whole tradition where the father of the bride has to be present is bull, I think. What if the father doesn't want to be there? I quickly suppress those thoughts, though. I'm here to support my daughter. Iflar, the other witness besides Sobtjek and me, doesn't look bothered. Neither should I. I've been a Mipedian for over half my life, I really should act like one.

Sobtjek speaks. "Hera, daughter of Osiris, and Tiaane, son of the desert. Hera, do you accept Tiaane as your husband?"

"Yes."

"Tiaane, do you accept Hera as your wife?"

"Yes."

"Good. Please turn to face each other."

I've performed so many of these marriages that I could speak right along with everyone if I wanted to.

"Take each other by the hands."

Hera's small hands completely disappear as Tiaane's hands wrap around them. "By the strength of the Ancient Powers, I join you together. By the will of the king, I join you together. By the consent of you both, I join you together."

Sobtjek moves to stand between Iflar and me. I can see nervous anticipation on Hera's face. Tiaane looks as unreadable as ever.

"You will now seal your marriage," Sobtjek says before he sits.

I resist the urge to look away, to cover my face. Old habits and beliefs are bubbling up again. Calm down, Michael. They'll have their privacy afterward. Right now, this is ceremony.

It feels so bizarre, watching Tiaane carefully disrobing my daughter, then my daughter doing the same to the much older Mipedian. They kiss, and Hera just looks so small and fragile. Hera leans back, and Tiaane crawls over her.

I try to keep them out of focus in my vision. I try not to focus on Hera's cry of pain when the much larger Tiaane enters her. I try to ignore the gasps and moans and the creaking of the bed.

I'm startled when Sobtjek stands and approaches them, and I focus again. Sobtjek holds his hands over Hera and Tiaane and says, "Ancient Powers, I present this mated couple to you. May you bless their union, that it be fruitful, and bless the children than come from their couplings. I dub you Prince Tiaane and Princess Hera, husband and wife."

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"You look ill, Osiris," Maliph notes as I pass him.

"I just watched my daughter and her old teacher have sex for the first time, Maliph," I grumble.

It's actually a little funny how unsurprised Maliph seems to be. "So?"

"It's a Human thing," I mutter. "Never mind."

Maliph shrugs. "Anyways, a message came for you. It's from Chaor."

I almost eagerly snatch the message from Maliph's hand. Anything to take my mind off this, even dealing with that brute.

I skim through the letter, then sigh. "At least he's giving me advance warning. And a choice," I add after a pause. I head up to my room to write my response.

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Up next: The Lord of Gothos, Lord of Blood

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