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Chapter 1

John Doe would never understand human ways

For sea dragons, h to find your one truebodies in ecstasy Nothing more was needed

Apparently, for humans, tiny paper boxes of pink candies were also required

“They’re wedding favors, not incendiary devices, John,” Griff said with a sht had obviously caught John’s hesitation “You don’t need to handle the chocolates so gingerly They aren’t going to explode”

“I do not wish to make a mistake” With infinite care, John lowered thenest of tissue paper “I would not wish to be the cause of any flaw in your strange hu ritual”

Next to hiasus shifter’s dextrous hands never paused in tying gold and silver ribbons around the boxes, but his shoulders shook with suppressed laughter He and Griff shared a quick, private glance across the table

John ell used to that particular silent cohters It indicated that, once again, he had failed to grasp some fine point of human culture

Life at the bottom of the sea had been so much simpler

“I’hter lines around his war is just a forht?”

“You have devoted sixeffort to this ‘formality,’on picking up the next chocolate without accidentally squishing it “And though I a rituals, I a one thing andanother I choose to pay attention to your actions rather than your words And your actions tellabout tomorrow must be perfect”

Chase cocked an eyebrow at Griff, grinning “He’s got a point”

Griff tilted his shaggy blond head a little in wry acknowledgeiven that the wedding is to to have to speed up a bit Don’t worry John, it’s not going to be ruined if a few of the favors are a bit rushed”

“If you askfavors at all,” Hugh muttered from the other end of the table

The white-haired para decorative plant e human concept—to the assereat delicacy of touch Froh’s scohich deepened further with every box, he did not fully appreciate the honor of his role

“Hugh also has a point,” Chase said, casting a rather mournful look over at the pile of chocolates and cardboard still waiting to be turned into elegant table decorations “Griff, I think I speak for everyone here when I say that we, as your fellow firefighters and dearest friends, had greatly anticipated spending the evening before your wedding toasting your future happiness with your fa arts and crafts Are these really necessary?”