Iris was familiar with the concept of pre-marital counseling. It was one of Father John's favorite parts of the priesthood. He liked to say that if he did it right, he was going to put himself out of a job. She could hear his jovial laughter in her mind, and although she knew it wasn't as simple as that to stop new orphans from coming his way, she always laughed, too. Strong couples who stayed together gave their kids the best chance at a happy life. Men who left their wives and abandoned their families forced mothers into compromising situations to provide for their children.

Like prostitution, which led to more children and, often, diseased women who died young.

And then there were the mothers who couldn't handle the pressure and ended up abandoning their children.

But orphans came from many other sources, too.

Iris wondered if her mother resorted to prostitution. It seemed likely. She had to feed herself and Iris somehow, and she was a beautiful girl. Iris hadn't seen anything in her visions that pointed to prostitution, but she didn't see everything, only what her mother allowed her to see.

"Ready for this?" Char asked, breaking into her thoughts.

She looked up at him and smiled. They were walking hand in hand down the smooth stone street, heading toward the church and their own pre-marital counseling session.

"If he asks the same questions as Father John, then yes, I am," she replied.

"What did Father John ask?"

"Basic questions about family background, how the couple met, why they wanted to get married, did they get their families' blessings, that sort of thing."

Char grinned. "So, nothing we can give a normal answer to. Maybe I should be asking if the priest is ready for us."

She had thought of that, and she was nervous. Father John would take all the strange answers in stride and focus on evaluating the couple so he could best advise them. If there were any problem areas, he would offer solutions or suggestions to help, and sometimes he even recommended a couple wait longer to get married. It was rare for him to refuse to perform a wedding. It had happened, though, and she was secretly concerned this dragon priest would do that.

"Do you think he's ever married a dragon and a human before?" she asked tentatively.

Char shrugged. "I don't know. Probably not. I know it happens, but it's pretty rare." He leaned over and gave her a peck on the cheek.

"Char!" she whispered, blushing as her eyes darted around the busy street.

He chuckled. "You humans are too reserved."

"Well, you dragons are too bold," she retorted.

"A kiss on the cheek in public is not bold," he teased, leaning in again.

She pulled her hand free from his and stepped away. "No," she said firmly, fighting a smile.

He laughed and caught her hand again, tugging her back to his side. "Don't worry. I won't embarrass you anymore until we get to the church."

"Why did you have to say it that way?" she moaned.

"This is the same priest who married my parents. He's not going to refuse to marry us, so just relax."

She let out a deep breath. "Well, if he'd marry them, I guess I don't have anything to worry about."

"What are you trying to say?"

She smiled innocently up at Char's sparkling green eyes. "I only know what I've been told."

"Hm. After this is over, what do you say we go someplace private so I can tell you more?" he asked, dropping his voice suggestively.

"You're assuming the priest isn't going to tell me to turn tail and run away from you," she replied, her blush deepening.

"I'm more persuasive than he is."

"You're more trouble than you're worth."

"I could say the same about you - but I'd be lying."

She peeked up at him shyly. "So was I."

He flashed her an arrogant smirk. "See? I've already got you fooled."

"Oh, you-"

"Sh," he said, putting a finger to her lips. "Watch what you say until we're out of church."

She looked up at the stone edifice in front of them, and it really did look like a church, even if it was carved from the stone, just like every other building. The tall spire, the arch over the doorway, the stained glass windows - it could have been the church at Little Rest. Her nerves came flooding back as Char led her up the stairs to the heavy wooden doors. The church foyer was the same. And, in the next room, the rows of wooden pews, the central aisle, the altar, even the organ - it was just like Little Rest. Shockingly so.

"Hello," said a reedy voice.

"Father Berk," Char replied cheerfully.

The priest was a scrawny man, taller than Father John but about the same age, which put him in his seventies. His white hair framed the center of his shiny, bald head, and his pink eyes put her in mind of a rabbit. He moved a bit like a rabbit, too - perfectly still, then hopping about suddenly, then perfectly still again.

"Char. It's been a long time since I've seen you in my church," he reprimanded lightly, smiling a genuine, friendly smile. "And this must be Iris," he continued, turning his pink eyes on her.

"Nice to meet you," she said politely.

"And you as well, I'm sure. It's not every woman who can handle the men of his family," Father Berk replied, jerking a thumb in Char's direction.

"We're not that bad," Char said sheepishly.

"The last time I saw him, he was here for a friend's wedding, and it was apparent that he and Rath started drinking before the ceremony."

"Okay, I'm sure you've got a full schedule for today, so why don't we get right down to business?" Char interrupted quickly.

Father Berk chuckled. "I'll tell you the rest later, Iris. Have a seat."

"Anywhere?" Iris asked, looking around at the rows of empty pews.

"Anywhere."

Char led her to the nearest pew, and Father Berk sat in the row in front of them, twisting around to face them. "Now, let's start with a bit of an introduction. I already know Char's family, so why don't you tell me about yours, Iris?"

"Well, I'm a human," she started hesitantly.

Father Berk nodded, but said nothing. His pink eyes were still warm and friendly.

"I'm also an orphan, so I grew up in the church."

"Father John, or Father Peter?"

Her eyes widened in surprise. "What?"

He chuckled again. "The priesthood isn't the most popular profession. Dragons and humans study at the same seminary. I've tried to keep up with them, but the years and the distance don't make for ease of communication."

She quickly found that she had nothing to worry about. Father Berk either wasn't surprised by anything, or he was very good at hiding it, and he surprised her quite a few times. So did Char.

"Well, Elera was the one who came to me about this, so I assume you have her blessing and I can skip to the next question," Father Berk said at one point.

"Father John gave us his blessing, too," Char said.

"I don't think him telling you he'd make sure I was at the river counts as his blessing," Iris pointed out.

"You don't remember?"

His grin was as carefree as ever, but his green eyes were serious. Iris shook her head slowly.

"I guess it's not so surprising. Father John was the last to enter the crystal, and you were about to pass out. He put his hand on your head and told you he knew you'd use it appropriately, and then he turned to me and told me to take care of you."

A lump rose in Iris' throat. She pressed her lips together to try to stop the tears.

"And I had a talk with Mother before I proposed," Char continued, squeezing Iris' hand and turning back to Father Berk. "She gave me Father's blessing, too."

Iris did cry before it was all over. Char was too sweet, and Father Berk was too open and understanding for her to keep the tears inside. His similarities to Father John were also striking. The way nothing flustered him, the way he took every word without judgment or criticism, made her feel like she'd known him all her life.

"You two are an interesting case," he finally said.

"If you tell us we can't get married, I'm finding another priest," Char said jokingly.

Maybe half-jokingly, Iris thought, feeling his tension through their intertwined fingers.

"Oh, no. You two should absolutely get married, and as soon as possible," Father Berk replied, chuckling. "Before either of you does something you'll regret. But I can't lie and say you won't encounter difficulties, although they will hopefully be much less severe than what you've already seen. I just have two areas of concern." He shifted on the pew, his smile still as kind and genuine as ever. "First, religion. Iris grew up in the church, and Char grew up trying to stay out of the church."

"That's - not entirely true," Char muttered, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.

"It's something you need to discuss," Father Berk continued. "Differences in belief can tear families apart, and I don't want to see that happen to you two. Second, and you'll probably find this easier and more enjoyable to resolve - you've never been on a date, have you?"

Char looked at Iris in surprise. "No, we haven't."

Father Berk chuckled again. "Having fun together is more important than many couples realize. Take her out to dinner. Get to know what she's like when there isn't a life-or-death situation going on."

"Is that an order?" Char asked, glancing at Iris with that mischievous sparkle in his eyes.

Father Berk sighed. "Just try to behave yourself. The wedding is in three days, and I'd hate to find out you slipped up before then."

Char stood up with a wide grin. "That won't be a problem. Come on, Iris. I know a great place where we can get some lunch."

"Thank you for your time, Father Berk," she said, letting Char pull her to her feet.

"If he gives you any trouble, let me know," the priest replied, his pink eyes twinkling.

"I'll do that. We'll see you Sunday!"