“I understand.” Vorik wished he could wrap an arm around her shoulders and pull her close to him, to offer his support. “The next time our dragons presume to fly close to your castle, you should use that weapons platform to knock them out of the sky.”
Maybe he shouldn’t have suggested that since it would be an attack against his own people, but Lesva shouldn’t have been near Castle Island anyway. If her ambition and desire to slay Syla got her killed, she would deserve it.
“You heard we have that now?”
Maybe he shouldn’t have admitted that; she would know that Jhiton had spies in her city, maybe even among the staff or soldiers in her castle. But she had to suspect that already, didn’t she?
“I heard,” was all he said.
“My people wouldloveto use it against enemy dragons, but, so far, I’m the only one who’s been able to activate it.”
“Ah.” That was something she shouldn’t have told him. But if this was a dream, he couldn’t rely upon what she said, anyway, right? Butwasit a dream? Thatitshe’d spoken of… “Is the weapons platform what you were talking about when you saiditsentyou here?”
Still looking out to the sea, Syla didn’t glance at him or answer. But she also didn’t promptly sayno.
“Does it have the power to do such things?” Vorik asked. “More than sending out magical projectiles?”
“It was made by the gods, so I can only guess at its powers. Back in the desert laboratory when we were trying to figure it out, a voice spoke into my mind. It said to protect humanity.”
“That’s fascinating.” Vorik remembered his conversation about the possibility that the gods were helping Syla, and he shifted, again uneasy at the idea. “Could it have sent you here to spy?”
“I don’t know. But if itcansend me places, in a manner of speaking, and did for that reason… I suppose I shouldn’t be telling you everything about it.”
“No,” he agreed. “Evasiveness and mendacity are recommended for spies.”
“I’ve little practice at the job.”
“I don’t think those are traits you naturally possess.”
“I prefer to be honest and help people.”
“You’ll be a good queen.”
“Thank you.”
“If it eases your mind, we’re moving camps, so the components have been packed away and won’t be here long anyway. Even if you’d seen them…” He hitched a shoulder.
“I don’t suppose you’d like to tell me where you’re moving?” She smiled wryly at him. “In case I want to send you a housewarming gift.”
“We call them cave-warming gifts, and I can’t tell you, no. I’m not sure myself. I’m being sent on a new mission.” After the words came out, Vorik realized he shouldn’t have admitted that. Maybeneitherof them had the traits needed to be good spies.
“Is it at cross-purposes with mine?”
“Most of them seem to be. I’m surprised you’re not angry with me after we took the components from you.”
“Iamperturbed about that.”
“You weren’t so perturbed that you didn’t ogle my chest when you arrived.”
“Maybe your chest is irresistible to women.”
“Oh, it undoubtedly is.” Vorik returned her wry smile, then ogledherchest for a moment. “I wish I could hug you.”
“Is hugging really what you have in mind?”
“Vigorous hugging, absolutely.”
“Vigor is involved in all your activities, isn’t it?”
