“I asked how it felt to use the magic.”
“Use the magic,” I whispered. “Shit. I haven't thought of training as using the magic, but it is.”
“Yes, of course.” Taroc scowled at me. “That's the main reason people are upset. You promised not to use Death Magic unless it was an emergency.”
“But this is different,” I said. “I'm not using it in a fight. I'm learning to control it.”
Taroc grunted. “Twist it all you want. You're using the magic.”
“You know what, Taroc?” I stood up, grabbed a chicken leg off my plate and my mug, and said, “Thanks for your support, but I'm too tired to argue with you.” I got up and left the table, going across the room to sit by Caleb.
I knew my men were gaping at me, but I didn't look back. I had taken enough crap for one day. I'd been attacked by dead people, dragged through a city and then a forest, buried the dead who had attacked me, had a rough conversation with the Emperor, found out the Corrupter was killing humans, and now here was Taroc, sitting with us again, but only to give me more shit. No. I wanted to relax and enjoy my meal.
“Hey,” Caleb, sitting astride the bench, grinned at me as I sat down.
“Hey. Can I join you?”
“Of course.” He kept playing.
I angled myself to face him, bending my right leg to lay it on the bench. Around me, the kids sang and ate. Evina let it go since it was just dessert that fell out of their open mouths. She grinned at me and shook her head.
Evina. Huh. I still had no idea what was wrong with Taroc, but maybe I could find out what was keeping Evina away from Nex. I really wanted something good to happen before I went to bed.
I glanced back at Nex, then leaned across the table. “Hey, can I talk to you?”
Evina blinked in surprise. “Certainly.”
“I'll be right back,” I said to Caleb as I got up.
He nodded to me, then launched into another song, singing with the children.
I went around the table and over to Evina's side, nearest the wall. She got up, and we stepped closer to the wall together.
“This isn't my business,” I said to her. “I know that. But I have to ask you something about Nex.”
Evina's expression went wary. “All right.”
“Did he do something wrong?”
She blinked. “Well, uh.”
“Look, if you don't like him and you just want to pretend it never happened, I will let him know for you. But if it's something he did, maybe he did it unknowingly. And you could, I don't know, work it out. Or is it his penis?”
“What?” She gaped at me.
“I've seen it. I know how huge it is. Did he hurt you?”
“No!”
“All right, then why have you ignored him lately? He tries not to show it, but he's crushed. And that's . . . well, Nex doesn't get hung up on lovers.”
Evina grimaced. “Yes, I know.”
“Oh?”
“I've heard about his promiscuity.” She glanced at the children. “I shouldn't be sleeping with any of you. I work here. Taking care ofchildren. It's unethical. But I got swept up by Nex. He's very charismatic.”
“Yeah, he is. And he's a good guy. I mean, we all are. We've got the Goddess's approval. You can't do better than that.”
