“Bellusdeo, please,” the gold Dragon said, correcting him without irritation.
“Bellusdeo, then—it seems improper, when we are in mixed company, but I am an old man—has asked when we might next convene. For an informal dinner.”
“We’re due to return to Diarmat in two days, if he’s sufficiently recovered. So anytime after that, assuming I survive it.”
The Arkon pinched the bridge of his nose. “LordDiarmat will not reduce you to your component parts. He may be a bit out of sorts, but he is recovering. He will, however, break at least one of your arms if you so much as hint at an offer to finish the healing process for him; I do not recommend it.”
“Drinks,” Helen said, as she entered the room, “will be served now. I have taken the liberty of procuring refreshments more suitable to Dragons, if any of our guests would care for a beverage.”
Kaylin privately wondered who—or what—Helen had slaughtered.
“Lord Diarmat,” the Emperor said, “is that rarity: a completely loyal man. He has never found his hoard,” he added softly, “and it is to be hoped that when he does, it does not conflict with me and mine—but until then, he pursues his duty logically and with a very particular...passion. You do not feel he values you. He understands your value to me, and to my Empire. In time, he will come to appreciate you.”
“She won’t live that long,” Bellusdeo said. Kaylin wasn’t the only person who found Lord Diarmat pompous and overbearing.
The Dragon Emperor rose. It wasn’t his house, but it didn’t matter; when he rose, everyone followed suit.“Praevolo,”he said, bowing to Moran. In Aerian, he added, “You have returned to the skies which birthed you.” It was a stilted phrase; Kaylin suspected that it was ceremonial. It certainly didn’t sound natural, given Moran’s injuries.
Moran, however, understood and accepted it.
The Emperor then left the table, following Helen’s Avatar.
Moran and Lord Grammayre remained. “As host,” the Hawklord said in his mildest voice, “it is your responsibility to precede your guests.”
Was it? Kaylin couldn’t remember, and wondered if this was an Aerian custom, or a custom she’d never had to learn until now.
“You understand,” the Hawklord said, while Kaylin hovered close to Moran, “that the political situation will become ugly and heated.” It wasn’t a question.
Moran lowered her head and drew her wings in toward her body. “Yes. I’m sorry.”
“I am not, Moran. I am not sorry at all. You are aware of the possible costs. All of the possible costs. I will join the Emperor now. I believe you have something you wish to ask of Kaylin.”
And Kaylin remembered Lillias, the outcaste Aerian, and the blessing that Evanton had created at her request. She would have to remember to ask Evanton how Lillias had paid for it—even if Evanton wasn’t inclined to answer.
“I want you to take me to speak with Evanton. Give thebletsianback to him. Tell him to give it to Lillias—she can give it to me herself.”
* * *
The only small hitch in the dinner entertainment was the arrival of an unexpected guest. He wasn’t there for Kaylin, but it didn’t matter. When Helen materialized in the parlor, she had everyone’s attention. It was her expression; her lips were a compressed line.
“Lord Nightshade,” she told Kaylin, “is at the gates.”
This predictably caused a shift in the eye colors of the room, except for Kaylin and Severn, who had to make do with the usual facial expressions.
“He’s here to visit his brother,” Kaylin said quickly, leaping out of her chair.
“Ah. His brother would be Annarion?” the Arkon asked. He rose, as well.
“Lannagaros.” Bellusdeo’s use of the name implied either a request or a criticism.
“I feel the need to stretch my legs. Dinner was excellent, but I am not young anymore.”
Kaylin almost snorted. She managed to cough instead. The Arkon was old, it was true. But old Dragons were generallystrongDragons. Age didn’t diminish the immortals. Anyone who’d survived to be old was generally more powerful, not less.
“Kaylin,” Bellusdeo then said, “Lannagaros would like to accompany you. He is clearly concerned for your safety.” The golden Dragon obviously didn’t believe this. Fair enough. Neither did Kaylin. “If you wish, I will join you.”
Kaylin shook her head. “It’s not me he wants to see.”
“Is his visit entirely coincidental?” the Emperor asked; his eyes were orange.
