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"No," Talin said. "Wraythe, you don't understand. My brother willmakeher get married, because he'll get some good deals or nice connections from it. He'll be able to borrow money from her husband, and so on. For the barons, marrying off their daughters is how they strengthen their place in society."
"And she doesn't like men," I repeated. "What are you going to do to help her, Talin - or are you just going to turn your back on that girl who actually needs someone on her side?"
"Zeal said she wouldn't have to marry," Talin breathed. "He made that agreement with Maela. Do you think she knows?"
"Knows, suspects, or hopes," Ela said, "it doesn't matter. Zeal agreed. Just give the girl a chance, ok?"
"And a role model," I told him. "What can your mother do to you if you're seen with a man, Talin? Faint? Surrender you to the temple? Yell?"
"She's still my mother," he admitted.
"And you're not a little boy anymore," I reminded him. "Someone has to stand up for Yamina, and if you won't, I'll go make a fucking scene. Pretty sure Peyron would kiss me."
"No," Ela said, a devious smirk taking over his lips. "I got this. It's my Path, after all."
Talin moaned as if in pain. "Just... ok. Fine. I'll save her. Don't scare Peyron off, Ela. You saw him blush in front of Edrik. Just take Maela to dance. Wraythe, you step in with Yamina as soon as you can. I'll deal with my mother."
"And I have a feeling Nari will help," I said.
It didn't take long before I got my chance, either. Ela asked Maela to dance. The song changed, so I stepped up to cut in. Yamina agreed easily. Then, just as we swirled past the tense group of nobles, I saw Talin lift his chin.
"He's my date to the holiday, Mother." Then Talin reached over and took Peyron's hand.
The Priest of Perception smirked and lifted his chin. Gone was the embarrassment, replaced with a Priest of Protection doing his job. I chuckled as I sent Yamina to spin before me.
"What?" she asked.
"I've just realized that swinging a sword or fist isn't the only way to guard someone," I told her. "Your brother's boyfriend over there is a guardian in his own way."
"Protecting who?" she asked.
I tipped my head at her. "You. Seems your brother loves you very much, the gods are on our side, and we'll make sure that you don't have to marry a man until you're ready."
"If I'm ready," she said.
"If," I agreed. "I figure you're the closest I'll get to a little sister now, so you're going to have to deal with a whole new batch of big brothers."
Yamina stopped dancing and threw herself against my chest, hugging me hard. "I'll gladly take some priestly brothers," she told me. "Thank you, Wraythe."
I hugged her back, feeling like the strongest man in the world. "Just doing my job, Lady Ranndor."
"Bullshit," she teased.
"Yep," I agreed. "Complete bullshit, but I'm learning how to hang out with you high society folks. Seems I now have a reason to be invested."
