"Why are we in the frozen north?" asked Stella, looking around .

Joseph smiled, "It's summer, so the cold shouldn't bother us, and with everything around dead for miles, we shouldn't be bothered . "

She looked at him, and he could tell she wasn't sure about his intentions .

"Cute, but you're not getting another kiss . "

ENCHANT/CREATE PLANT .

All around them, trees began to grow .

(YOU ARE AWARDED 1 LIFE POINT FOR FUSING A SPELL INTO A LIVING BEING . )

As they watched, the trees grew blossoms and green leaves, then small fruits began to grow .

With a small laugh, Stella recognized them as oranges, turning to him with bright eyes .

"I wanted to get away from everything, not just the people, but everything, and just be alone with you," he said, softly, watching her move around the trees as the oranges grew large and ripened .

"These are frost oranges . The cold won't bother them, ever . "

She glanced at him with large eyes, pulling one off the tree nearest her, and cutting it in half with a quick flick of her wrist . Raising it to her mouth, Joseph watched as she bit into the soft flesh of the orange, and the way her eyes closed in pleasure .

His head still hurt, and Joe was very silent . He knew that Joe was still uncertain of him, and Joseph feared that a wall may have risen between the two, but it was something he was going to have to deal with . NURKONG would pay for the damage he had done . Whatever happened to him, he had to make sure that Stella was happy .

"They have a faint vanilla flavor," she said in amazement, holding one up as its juices dripped down her arm .

"I know how much you like vanilla cookies, so I infused that into the oranges . "

"Does this have anything to do with that kiss?" she asked, taking another bite, but never taking her eyes off of him .

"Maybe," he said, giving her a grin .

She tried to glare at him, but ended up shaking her head and laughing . "You know vanilla cookies aren't my favorite anymore?"

"Wait, what?" he asked, confused and mock horrified .

"My favorite cookie is actually chocolate chip, but chocolate is so hard to get…"

"Done!" he cried, turning and creating an entire orchard of cocoa plants . Giving them the same cold resistance, he had given the oranges, he pulled several pods off a branch . Several spells later, he held a bowl of chocolate chips .

"And now, I can say that I love you, too," she laughed, taking the bowl and putting it into her purse for later, sneaking a handful of chips into her mouth in the process .

x.x.xxX

It was early the next day . They had spent the entire day creating more and more trees of different kinds merely to please her . She had enjoyed it immensely, and Joseph felt rested enough to tackle the tasks that had piled up over the last three months .

"Your majesty?" said Daisy in his head . "There is a dragon here…it's bigger than Nidhogg! IT'S A REAL DRAGON!"

"Stella, I think my first scale is here!" said Joseph, excitedly . He teleported them above the town, spotted the dragon, then teleported them before it .

The dragon looked them over with his head tilted .

"You have changed greatly, Joseph . "

"I suppose . "

"Why do I sense dragon kins.h.i.+p in you, and around here?"

"Well, I became a new race that is compatible with elves, fey, and dragons . "

"Interesting . The Mother of Dragons wishes to meet you . "

"Who?"

"We have been looking for you for a while, but I was unaware it would be you we were searching for . It seemed as if you were not in this realm for a while, and then you were moving so much, we could never catch up to you . "

Joseph laughed and rubbed his head in embarra.s.sment .

"Sorry about that . I've been pretty busy . "

"The forces a.s.saulting our world have been weakened, and we are able to awaken now . Many dragons are enjoying the chance to fly once more, even if they didn't make it to you before you moved . The meeting with the Mother may take some time, and the area is protected from interference, so you may want to take that into consideration . I will wait for you to make arrangements . "

Joseph watched the dragon settle down underneath the CAGED SUN .

"This is a wonderful contraption, perfect for relaxing . "

Joe agreed that the CAGED SUN probably wasn't meant to relax around, but then retreated again . With a sigh, he cast TELEPATHY with the members of his council . It had grown in size, and would take a while for everyone to a.s.semble .

"I have returned . There will be a meeting in an hour . "

Once he was sure that they had all received his mental message, he took Stella's hand and teleported them to his parents' house .

His mom was tending to a huge flower bush in her front yard, standing up in excitement when he appeared . His dad was on the porch, reading a report .

"Hey mom, dad . "

"Joseph!" cried his mom, coming and giving him a hug .

"I'm getting ready for the meeting," apologized his dad .

"Will you be having dinner with us later?" asked his mom, stepping back to look him over .

"Sure, but you should only have to eat once…MOM! Why are you still human?"

"Um? I don't know how to answer that?" she said, giving him a puzzled look .

(SHE IS MAGIC NULL . I COULDN'T AFFECT HER, REMEMBER?)

'You never said she would stay human!' he complained to the system, trying to run solutions through his head .

(YOU NEVER NOTICED?)

'Shavist! That means she still has a normal human life span!'

(CORRECT . SHE IS ONLY 25 THOUGH . SHE SHOULD STILL HAVE 50 YEARS EASY, WITH PROPER HEALTH CARE . )

"Joseph, are you okay?" asked his mother, looking worried .

"I thought you were Wizar, like everyone else…our life span is 4 times that of a human…I wanted more time with you…" his voice choked as the realization hit him .

"Silly," she laughed . "I don't intend to die anytime soon . I do find it a bit unfair that I have to sleep more than everyone else, though . "

"I promise I will figure this out," he said, taking her hands . He did NOT want to lose her so soon . Fifty years was too short . Especially when he knew he wouldn't be able to bring her back should she die…