“So you might not be able to make it anytime soon,” she continued, irritated enough to ignore what was just possibly good advice. “But you’d be welcome to just show up at any time.”
The Consort laughed. Her laughter was almost the essence of delight, and her eyes practically glowed green. She did hug Kaylin, then, and Kaylin didn’t even hesitate to return that hug.
“Ynpharion is much more typical of my kin than either Lord Nightshade or my brother.”
“I don’t suppose you know how to rid someone of the knowledge of a True Name?”
“Outside of perhaps death, no. And even if I did, I would not share.” In a more serious tone, she added, “He is my one conduit to you, and he understands why you are important. He is not, perhaps, overjoyed—but joy is not a characteristic of my people; it is considered too youthful, and therefore, too easily destroyed.” She stepped back. “We are not so informal as An’Teela might be, for she iskyutheto you, and I am not.
“But if you would be willing to entertain in perhaps three days, I will visit.”
Kaylin said yes, without thinking.
* * *
The thought part came later, in a carriage that was almost chilly with Teela’s silence.
Since Teela and Kaylin did not share knowledge of a True Name, Kaylin wasn’t privy to Teela’s thoughts—not that it was actually necessary.
“You did not get the information you sought,” Teela said pointedly. “You allowed yourself to be sidetracked.”
“I allowed myself to be sidetracked,” Kaylin countered, “because it’s probably impossible for her to say much that isn’t heard or reported on. I can guarantee that that won’t happen if she’s with Helen.”
“That is almost a good excuse.”
“Almost? No, wait, I’ve got this. Almost doesn’t cut it.”
Teela exhaled. She glared at the familiar, who squawked and shrugged. “I realize you are not responsible for her, but honestly, could you not dosomething?”
Squawk.
“Look—being shouted at is probably better than being third-personed. And I did whatshewanted.”
“I have no doubt of that; she was not particularly subtle. In fact, she was possibly the exact opposite of subtle. But sheisa power, Kaylin, and she is Consort to the High Lord. The concerns raised at Court about my cohort are valid; they are real concerns.”
“Someone’s trying to use those concerns in an entirely invalid way.”
“And?” Teela wore her most water-is-wet expression. “Everything is a tool.”
“I’d like the Hawks to go back to a semblance of normal.”
“Ah. That.”
“I’m sure Candallar was meeting with Barrani Hawks.”
“Yes.” The water-is-wet look receded. “I would like you to stay out of my business.”
“No dice. You’re living in my home.”
“And so are Mandoran and Annarion.” Teela tilted her head back against the seat, exposing the line of her perfect throat. She even closed her eyes. “Candallar has not been outcaste for as long as Nightshade. I am uncertain whether or not he is working in concert with members of the High Court in the faint hope of being somehow reinstated; I assume that is the case—but I do not know. Nightshade has never made that attempt. And given the circumstances, I think it far more likely that Nightshade would be granted his title; he would, of course, have to fight for his lands and his ancestral home.”
“They’re not really his anymore.”
“Oh?”
“Well, they’ve kind of been home to other people for a lot of centuries. People have probably been born there.”
“And died there. I believe the death count outnumbers the birth count, but it is often the case that births are secluded, private, and frequently hidden affairs. There is too much risk, when the families play for power. It matters little. Were he somehow to receive the High Lord’s approval, were he to become the returning son, those lands would in theory return to him.”
