“Sot!” Thanks to Zoreth’s unwitting suggestion, Elysia now used the term to refer to both her godmother and the swear word. “Sot! Sot!”

“No, Zoreth! Just Zoreth. Please, Ely. I beg of you!” The Shadow Dragon said, her eyes wet with tears of regret.

“Sot!” Elysia giggled.

“Shot?” Valeron the Second tilted his head in confusion. “Auntie Shot?”

“No, Little Brother. Just no. Call me Zor, please.” Zoreth wanted to cry, but she didn’t want to scare the children.

“Congratulations, you played yourself.” Leegaain scoffed. “If not for my preemptive intervention, you would be crushed by both your guilt and my fist. No teaching mean words to Hatchlings, young lady.”

“Yes, Father.” Zoreth lowered her head and whimpered.