Rylana decided not to ask how those might be altered for adult tastes.
“Will you seek to establish a relationship with your father?” Sylin asked.
“Nothing in our meeting suggested he’s interested in that,” Rylana said, surprised Sylin had asked.
“No? He seemed distressed that you hadn’t gone into your family business.”
“My father has never been distressed in his life. Disappointed, maybe.” Rylana waved her hand, years past caring that she might evoke that feeling in him.
Sylin twitched a finger, not commenting on the distinction. “You’re now working in a business. Perhaps that will change his opinion of you and your life choices.”
“I’m working for a dragon chef for no pay in a diner located across from a naughty bakery.”
Sylin sipped from her coffee. After a pause, she said, “Oh, thatwasyour point.”
“I’m also sleeping on the floor in a storeroom. I don’t think my father would be impressed by the new direction of my life.”
“He maylikenaughty baked goods.”
“If he does, I don’t want to know about it.”
“If his primary angst is that you became a mercenary, but you are no longer employed in that field and you are also using the academic skills that you learned from your tutors…” Sylin spread a hand toward the sky.
“Are you suggesting I go talk to him again and tell him all about my new job?”
“Should I be forced to leave, perhaps pursued by crabby elves with hounds, I will no longer be able to provide you with companionship. You might find that less distressing if you reacquainted yourself with your family. There are few in the world that one is tied to by blood, and such bonds shouldn’t be torn asunder lightly.”
“I’d rather acquaint with Jildarin.”
“Perhaps you could take him a croissant.”
“I meanttalkto him, not… two hells, I don’t even know what those croissants look like or suggest.”
“I’m certain Mya, the baker, could educate you. She’s very worldly.”
“Jildarin isn’t.” Rylana waved. “Not in that area.”
Sylin gazed at her without comment.
“Not that we’ve discussed it in depth, but he’s said he doesn’t have sexrecreationally. Dragons don’t, I mean. Or so he says. That might not be true for all of his kind. His brother has implied that, at least when he’s in human form, he gives in to the urges that come with being one of us.” Rylana pushed a hand through her hair, feeling flustered. How had they gotten onto this topic? “If Jildarin can be believed, he doesn’t have similar urges.”
“Is that disappointing? Or a relief?” Did Sylin look amused again? Yes, her eyebrow had moved, and the corner of her mouth was quirking slightly.
“It doesn’t matter to me.”
“I see. Do you still plan to attend his cooking competition?”
“He ordered me to.”
“That wouldn’t makemeinclined to go.”
“Yeah, but I may have to watch his back. As I learned during our foray across the lake, Yerin is out to get Jildarin.”
Sylin stirred with interest. “With a blade? Explosives?”
“An alchemical goblin powder that could force him to turn into a dragon.”
“I suppose that could be exciting. I wouldn’t have expected that from a cooking contest.”
