“They are from the first Aerie,” Bellusdeo replied. “Notmyfirst Aerie, butthefirst Aerie. It is long gone—it was long gone by the time of the Arkon’s birth. This is what remains of it: this, and its like. Destroy it, and it will not be remade.”
“I don’t think I can wear this,” Kaylin said, handing the medallion to Emmerian.
“Kaylin, dear, may I speak to you?”
Emmerian failed to notice the hand that Kaylin had thrust beneath his chin. Kaylin glanced at her house, and then nodded. It was very seldom that Helen wanted privacy, and she suspected that the privacy involved comments about either Emmerian or Bellusdeo.
“Bellusdeo has not been commanded to wear the Arkon’s medallion.” This wasn’t news to Kaylin. “You, however, have.”
“What?”
“Bellusdeo has been given a choice. She is not a Lord of the Dragon Court; she has not sworn personal loyalty to the Emperor. Regardless, I believe the Emperor believes—correctly—that a command will be met with both anger and resentment. She was once ruler, as he now is; she will weigh the dinner and its possible outcomes.”
“And my anger and resentment would be pointless.”
“You are a Hawk, and you are sworn to serve the Imperial Laws. He is the man to whom the Lord of Hawks reports. He is therefore your commanding officer, at a great remove. You have been given an order.”
“Why didn’t Emmerian just say that, then?”
“I believe he did not say it because Bellusdeo was present.”
“But he’s not telling her what to do, just me.”
“Yes. But, Kaylin, Bellusdeo is very sensitive when it comes to Imperial commands or demands. The offer itself might move her—she is fond of the Arkon. Commanding you, however, is likely to annoy her. She is protective of you because she no longer has a kingdom or an empire to govern. And you find yourself in the middle of so much trouble, it has comforted her to be so.” At Kaylin’s expression, Helen sighed. “You give her something to do that doesn’t feel trivial. You’re Chosen. She has great respect for that, and the Emperor appears to have none.
“If Lord Emmerian is to tell you that you have no choice unless you wish to disobey a direct order...”
“Oh. I get it. And he wants me to wear this without having to give me those orders.”
“Yes. I believe it is very important to the Arkon—but that is just a guess, and at that, it is Lord Emmerian’s guess. And frankly, if you wear it, Bellusdeo is far less likely to argue or resent its presence around her own neck.” Helen smiled. “I like Bellusdeo. I wish for her to be happy; she is not happy now, and I do not believe she believes that happiness exists for her.
“The Arkon wouldask, no more. Lord Diarmat would demand. The Emperor would command.”
“But he didn’t.”
“No. He didn’t. But command is his nature.”
“And Sanabalis?”
“I have not met him, and have only your impressions to go by; I am not therefore certain what he would do. But Lord Emmerian has chosen the best approach. To offer, and to wait.”
“And my best approach?”
“To do what you would otherwise be ordered to do, but gracefully. Not for your own sake, of course, but for hers.”
Kaylin cursed—quietly—and slid the uncomfortable gold chain around her neck. It was cold, and it was itchy. “Helen—”
“Yes, I can remove the enchantment. But I cannot do itwell. I think you might ask Teela for help. Or perhaps Lord Emmerian himself. It is a minor magic.”
Lord Emmerian did, as Helen suggested, have the ability to remove the enchantment. So did Bellusdeo, and in the end, although Emmerian offered, Bellusdeo took the gold chain in hand, and Bellusdeo removed the protection. It made no immediate difference to the look of the chain, nor did it make any difference to its weight—which was not insubstantial. This was not meant to be hidden.
“I wore something like this the first time I had to visit the High Halls,” Kaylin said.
“I assure you, you worenothinglike this,” Bellusdeo said.
“Well, it came from Sanabalis—uh, Lord Sanabalis, but it was sort of similar.”
The two Dragons exchanged a telling glance.
