“He will stay if you allow it. I believe he has something he wishes to discuss with both you and Bellusdeo.”
Chapter 15
Helen led Emmerian to the parlor, which had adjusted itself in size so that it could comfortably fit the four people who occupied it: Kaylin, Bellusdeo, Emmerian and Helen herself. Her Avatar wasn’t necessary, but she liked to occupy it when guests were present. The cohort were not considered guests at this point; neither was Bellusdeo.
Emmerian declined both food and drink, and as Kaylin had already eaten, Helen didn’t press it. She did offer three times, because apparently, the first refusal was somehow meant to begoodmanners. It didn’t actually mean no. This made about as much sense to Kaylin as multiple forks and spoons at a dinner table.
Helen’s heart, however, wasn’t in it; she knew manners and she employed them, but her attention was on the book that Kaylin had set on the nearest flat surface within reach. Hope squawked at Helen, who nodded, her expression one of concentration.
Emmerian, however, did not choose to notice this yet. Then again, he didn’t appear to notice more than his hands, which rested on his lap, for a long, quiet stretch. Bellusdeo was content to wait for something hot that looked like tea; Kaylin got hot chocolate.
“Is it safe for me to let this go?” she asked Helen.
“If you mean can I keep it here, then the answer is yes.” She hesitated.
“But?”
“You shouldn’t have it.”
“We visited the Arkon in an attempt to get rid of it. He didn’t want it, either. We intended to give it to Killian, but Killian was occupied.”
Helen’s silence was less comfortable than Emmerian’s, but both felt full of unsaid things. Kaylin was tired and cold, and as Helen had given permission to let the book go, she cupped the mug in her hands, more grateful for the heat than the contents.
Oddly, it was Helen who broke the silence first. “You do not need to do this for me.” It wasn’t quite what Kaylin was expecting to hear.
“I’m not doing this for you.”
Helen’s smile was slight, but it lingered. “Killian would likely not recognize what I’ve become. What I’ve chosen to become. And we were not friends as you and Bellusdeo are friends.”
“But you knew him.”
“Yes. You have divined that it is, at times, lonely to be what we are.”
“Everything living gets lonely sometimes.” Kaylin blew on the hot chocolate, having attempted to drink it too early.
“Yes. I was not as Killian was. My function was not his function. But the level of loneliness was dependent on the lord of the manor, as it were. I was not—quite—like the Hallionne in function, if your experience with them is correct. But Killian was unique.” She fell silent.
“Do you see a book?” Kaylin asked her home.
“Yes. I see what you see.”
Bellusdeo and Emmerian exchanged a glance.
“But I also see what Bellusdeo and Lord Emmerian see. In neither case was this meant for you, but I believe you see a book because you saw a private library, and I believe youcansee a book because you were meant to carry it.”
“What do you think it would do to—or for—Killian?”
“I am uncertain. I am reluctant to open the book, as the Arkon suggested you do; I am even more reluctant to read it. As I said: Killian was unique. Our functions had—as most buildings must—some overlap, but he had far more flexibility. He was meant for...people.”
“He vanished when the Towers rose. There was a period of perhaps twelve hours—according to the most ancient of our Records—and we have dispatched a messenger to Tiamaris in the hopes that we might discuss this matter with his Tower.” Emmerian’s tone was carefully neutral.
“Tara,” Kaylin said, almost reflexively. “You want to talk to Tara.”
Emmerian nodded. He then turned to Bellusdeo. “You have known the Arkon for longer than any of us—but you have spent far less time with him.”
She nodded. “I am concerned for him now.”
“As you should be. We are all concerned.”
