“That’s impossible!”
“Is it?”
Kaylin thought of Lillias then, and froze in place. Lillias had no wings. They had not been chopped off or crippled; Clint said they had been removed. And if the Caste Court had that in their power, why couldn’t they remove Moran’s wings and give them to someone else?
Except someone had said—Evanton? Clint? Lillias?—that Moran could not be made outcaste. Not the way the rest of the Aerians could. Kaylin considered this in a different light, and came to a conclusion. Thepraevolocould not lose his or her wings.
“I wish Evarrim were still here.”
“I am almost shocked, Lord Kaylin.”
“I’m worse than shocked,” Teela said, in Elantran. “Next time, give me enough warning that I can sit down first.”
“Very funny. I’m thinking about the process of making an Aerian outcaste.”
“I really do need to take a seat.”
“I’m being serious.”
“I know. I was wondering when and if you would get to this part.”
“You could have said something.”
“I could have,” Teela agreed, stretching like the cat she sometimes reminded Kaylin of. “You’re not stupid. You would have gotten there eventually. And I was thinking about Caste Courts and politics, just not the Aerian version.”
“Lillias has no wings. I would bet you every cent I’ve ever earned that that’s literal: she has no wings. No hint of ever having had wings.”
The Consort’s expression was one of pity.
“If they can remove the wings of any Aerian—anyotherAerian—the idea of transferring the wings themselves doesn’t seem as stupid.”
“Is it reversible?” the Consort asked.
“I have no idea. I’m not sure who to ask. I’m only sure that it’s important, relevant, and magical.” Ugh.
“The expression you’re making is priceless. None of my kin—not even the very young—would do so in public.”
“And by ‘in public,’ she means where any other living person could see it,” Teela helpfully added.
“Mandoran does.”
“Another reason never to let him leave home.”
Kaylin was already red, and turned to offer the Consort her apologies. The Consort’s eyes, however, were almost green.
“I think I can probably get more answers from the Arkon.”
“And that discomfits you?”
“I get answers only after I’ve been told I’m ignorant, lazy or rude. Or some combination of the three. He’s consistently arrogant and condescending.”
“But you like him, and you do not care for Evarrim.”
“Yes. And I’m not sure what the difference is, when I think about it—but I really hate being told I’m stupid.”
“Ignorance and stupidity are not the same. Remember that. Ignorance can always be alleviated.”
Chapter 23
