“I would prefer not to speak of my brother.”
“He also warned you would say as much.”
I poured another cup of kova and drank deeply.
“He told me once,” I shot back, “you were the most troublesome of all Aetherians.”
Kael served on the Council with her for many years. Determining who could, or could not, pass through the Aetherian Gate was considered an honorable position, until my father closed it, of course.
“Because he found it difficult to manipulate me. Still does.”
I hated wanting to ask but did so anyway.
“He is… well?”
“Happily partnered? Aye. In love? Very much. But well? I would not presume to use that word. Kael misses you, and his men, very much. He longs to belong, something Aetheria cannot yet give him.”
Each word was like a dagger pushed deeper into my chest.
“Misses,” I mumbled. “I am here. As are his men. Waiting, for what I do not know? He abandoned us both easily and will not be returning.”
“Easily? I think not. Kael, it does not have to be this way.”
Her words were spoken so softly, I could have missed them. Except I didn’t because I happened to be staring at her lips. They were fuller than any others’ and demanded attention. Even when my attention should be elsewhere.
“There is no other way,” I said. “As long as the Gate remains closed, my people will be hated by yours, by the humans. Elydor has been broken for some time.”
Lyra blinked, watching me.
Was I baiting her? Aye. If her coming here, along with the other strange happenings these past months, didnothave ought to do with the Gate, I would be surprised. Since Princess Mevlida came through, and was apparently unable to return, I could only assume her father’s attempt to reopen it had intensified.
Yet Lyra revealed nothing. I might as well have been asking her if the meal was to her satisfaction.
She was good.
Very good.
“Terran—”
“Why are you here, Lyra?”
She’d been about to weave a tale. How I knew, I couldn’t be certain. But she had, and my patience for her was at an end.
“Your father is not well, Terran. Kael knows it.Youknow it. His hatred of humans has poisoned Elydor?—”
“Your king opening the gate and allowing them here poisoned Elydor.”
It was an age-old disagreement that would not be solved at this table.
“They’d not have been allowed in if the humans weren’t worthy. They werecalledthrough the gate for a reason, Terran. Not by accident, not by whim. Magic chooses what logic cannot. You may not trust my king, but do you truly believe the magic of Elydor itself is wrong?”
It was an argument they’d used many times. One I rejected.
Lyra made me want to choose something I’d never been given permission to want… myself.
“My mother was not the only one they killed.”
“Life hangs on a thread, Terran. For them. Even for immortals. We may live longer but can be killed just as easily by one another.”
