Borric, Erland, and Locklear rose, as the girl hurried to Pug and kissed him upon the cheek. Then she looked into Katalas eyes for a long moment, as if speaking, though no words were exchanged. The older womans eyes began to brim with tears as a smile spread across her face.
Pug turned to look at James, expectantly.
Locklear said, James?
James cleared his throat, and in a self-conscious tone of voice, like a schoolboy reciting before his master, said, Lord Pug, I, I have the honour of asking permission to ask for the hand of your daughter in marriage.
Borric and Erlands eyes widened in disbelief, then both looked at Locklear. Jamess life-long companion since coming to the palace sat down heavily with a stunned expression equal to the twins own. Shaking his head, all he could say was, Sink me!