“I’m surprised the wing could carry you both.”
“You’re surprised the wing could carry me,” Moran said, voice dry as summer grass.
Teela shrugged. “It doesn’t look like it’s up to the task, and you certainly haven’t been trying. If you could fly, we wouldn’t be in this political tangle.”
“I was thinking that, myself,” Moran replied, grinning. It was a very, very martial expression.
Teela, whose eyes were mostly green, returned it, nuance for nuance. “We’re not going to make great guards today—we can’t keep up.”
Bellusdeo muttered a single word that sounded a lot like derogatory Elantran.
“Pardon?”
“Tain might not be able to keep up; you certainly could.”
Teela didn’t deny it. “Let’s go, shall we?” She frowned. “Mandoran’s coming.”
Kaylin wilted; Bellusdeo frowned.
“He’s bored,” Teela continued, “and Annarion is expecting Nightshade. Why, I don’t know. If I were Nightshade at this point, I’d give his brother some space.”
Kaylin had never had siblings, and had no comment, which was generally safest. “Tell him to hurry—we’re going to be late.”
“He says you’re often late.”
“Me? Yes. Moran? Never.”
“He’s hurrying.”
* * *
Moran flew to work.
Bellusdeo joined her—in full Dragon glory. Kaylin assumed that the trip to the mirror cell had been to get permission, but didn’t ask—it was better not to know.
The streets were therefore full of people who had momentarily forgotten their own business in favor of the aerial maneuvers of a large golden Dragon and her smaller Aerian companion. And they were maneuvers. There was nothing businesslike about Moran’s flight paths, and nothing straightforward and simple, either.
Mandoran was making a face.
“What is it now?” Kaylin said, although her eyes were drawn to the sky again.
“Teela says I can’t join them.”
“Could you, if she weren’t sitting on you?”
“I’m not certain—but yes, I think I could. You know, I haven’t tried at all since I’ve been back?”
That wasn’t remotely comforting. “Don’t start now.”
“I think it would be like swimming—but in air.”
“We’ve got enough attention for the day. Don’t add to it.”
“You know, you shouldn’t let Teela suck the fun out of your life.”
“I haven’t. I can’t fly.”
“Fine. You shouldn’t let Teela suck the fun out ofmylife.” He did, however, keep both of his feet on the ground as they made their way to the Halls of Law. “She’s going to be late. You said she’s never late.”
