“With Maven acting like she was…you know. Pregnant.” The dragon shifter clears his throat. “I can’t stop thinking about it. It’s just that—with all this bonding, do you guys think that could actually…”
When he trails off again, I give him a droll look. “What? Spit it out.”
“Some of our curses are broken,” he mumbles.
It takes a second for me to realize what he’s saying, and then I’m floored. Maven has no curse to lift, so she isn’t affected by the same inability to procreate that we legacies have.
Or that wedidhave. When we were cursed. But now that Everett and I have been with her, unprotected, uncursed…
Gods above.I wasn’t even thinking about that.
Everett drags a hand through his hair, and he must not be paying attention to filtering his thoughts through the bond because I catch a hint of his inner prayers to both Arati and Koa.
What are you gods-aboving and praying about?Maven asks telepathically, making both myself and the ice elemental jump nearly out of our skin.
Just…nothing,Everett sends back, pulling at the neckline of his shirt like he’s flushed.
“Nothing?” I huff, glaring at him. “We need to bring this up with her.”
Crypt’s purple gaze darts between us and he scowls impatiently. “Are you two asses talking just to each other now, or is our girl finally done with the man behind the curtain?”
Everett ignores him, glaring at me. “No shit. We’ll talk to her when the time is right.”
You guys are weirdly quiet,she notes.Did something happen? Who do I need to kill?
So eager,I tease.Everything is fine. Are you nearly here?
About that. Let’s meet at the Great Hall,Maven suggests.My visit with the wizard is nearly done.
We'll be there waiting for you,I reply, already striding in the direction we need to go.
“This way,” I tell the others. “I don't want her arriving at dinner alone. You may call me cutthroat, but the other acolytes here quite literally cut each other's throats when they can. It’s only a matter of time before someone here tries something with our keeper.”
20
SILAS
It's hushedbetween the four of us, bordering on awkward, as I lead them to the Great Hall.
We slow as we approach the massive open-air dining room lit by a cacophony of holiday-colored mage lights drifting around the Grecian pillars surrounding the dining area. Holly, mistletoe, and other festive plants deck the hall while classy holiday music plays courtesy of someone's spell. Three or four dozen acolytes are already here, discussing holidays back home, philosophy, religion, holiday foods, and so on. Many glare as we pass, and I'm not surprised when one of them throws a slice of baked ham at me.
It bounces off an easy spell, but I keep my hands in my pockets to draw less controversial attention to my blackened fingertips as we head toward the grandiose main dining table. I'm sure the Garnet Wizard will want us seated near him so he can talk to Maven.
“Is it just me, or do these other nerds hate your guts?” Baelfire asks as we sit. “Especially Overbite.”
“Parker,” I nod. “He tried outranking me a year or two ago. I humiliated him, and he isn't over it. The others have similar stories.”
“You, friendless? I'm shocked,” Crypt drawls, tapping the empty plate in front of him. “Where’s the food?”
“You don't eat,” Everett reminds him.
“My thanks for informing me of the fucking obvious, Frost, but I meant for Maven. I want a feast ready for her.”
I tap his plate, activating the prepared charm on it. Popular holiday foods appear: prime rib, turkey, baked ham, scalloped potatoes, roasted Brussels sprouts, minced pies, stuffing, and gravy.
“Only casters can use these plates,” I explain.
“If you make me ask you nicely for dinner, I'll let my dragon eat you instead,” Baelfire warns testily.
