“I don’t know what he’ll tell you. But I know that Moran doesn’t want to abandon her duties.”
“You are aware that she cannot fly?”
“Yes. I’ve offered to fix that, and she’s refused. It’s like she’s Barrani.”
“Her inability to fly is at the heart of the complaint.”
“She’s perfectly capable of running the infirmary without wings. The ceilings are too low for actual flight there, and she’s not a Sword; she’s not required to patrol. There’s nothing she can’t do—”
“Except return home at the end of the day.”
“...Except that, yes.”
The Emperor exhaled smoke. In that, he was much like Bellusdeo. “I assume, given your reaction, that you have already interfered.”
“If offering her a place to stay is interfering, then yes, I have. I’m well acquainted with the laws of Elantra, and the offer hasn’t broken any of them. She’s free to say no.”
“Given the tone of the envoy I received, she is only legally free to do so. Much of society is not governed by strict legality. You have offered her rooms in your manse?”
“Helen was fine with it, so yes, I did. She was living in the infirmary. I get that she doesn’t want to go home—I’m not sure I would, either, if I were her. But she deserves way better than a cot in the infirmary.”
“Ah. In that opinion, at least, you are of a mind with the envoy.” He smiled. It reminded Kaylin of how seldom he did so. “I confess that you seem to have had a...full...day.”
Kaylin didn’t miss a step, but it was a near thing. “I’ve had a day, yes,” she replied carefully.
“And Bellusdeo?”
“Bellusdeo reminded me once again that she’s a fully functional adult with a great deal more physical prowess and political know-how than I have.” She glanced at the Emperor, who appeared to be watching the street, aware that she wasn’t in her Dragon-proof home at the moment. “I’m sure you’re aware that she’s been observing the Hawks.”
He nodded.
“We were called in on an investigation on the Winding Path; she came with us.”
“Yes. So the Arkon said.”
Which answered Kaylin’s carefully unasked question. “Did he give you the details?”
“Yes.”
“Does he consider the situation to be dangerous?”
“I would say, in different circumstances, that he was merely curious.”
“But Bellusdeo’s involved.”
“Ah, no, you misunderstand. Certainly I would consider the risk of the unknown a danger if Bellusdeo is involved. The Arkon is not me. What do you intend to do?”
There were no Imperial Guards, no other Hawks, no Dragon Lords. The Emperor approached Kaylin this way because he intended to let her be herself. It was like a test, and she took the risk. She tried not to think of what failure would mean.
“I intend to twist Moran’s arm so she stays in my house. I intend to visit the Palace to speak with the Arkon. And I intend to continue the investigation into the murder.”
Chapter 10
“Please do so in exactly that order.”
Kaylin did miss a step then.
The Emperor didn’t smile; his expression made stone seem yielding and warm. But his eyes were almost gold, although the warmth was muted by raised inner membranes. “You are surprised.”
Kaylin nodded.
“I am slightly amused by your current predicament. Private, when I ask for advice, I listen. I admit that I was dubious at first about the usefulness—or the quality—of your advice. I am less dubious now. Bellusdeo has not lived in my Empire for as long as even you. She does not understand it. She understands its ruler to the same extent that she understands the city.
“You were right. She was both helpful and necessary in the fight against the Barrani ancestor. I did not hesitate to lead the rest of the Dragon Court into battle, excepting only Bellusdeo. Were we to be faced with the same difficulty again, I would make different choices. I cannot, however, undo what was done; it is in the past. The past, of course, is a different country; it is occupied, frequently, by regret, and it is ruled by tyrants. They cannot be moved.
“I would not make the same error again. I wished to protect Bellusdeo from certain danger. To protect her from uncertain danger would be, in her view, more of a crime, would it not?”
“I think so. She doesn’t get mad at me if I try to stop her from doing things. I can tell her whatever I’m thinking, and she might be annoyed, but...”
“Not enraged.”
“Not usually, no. It’s different. I can’t physically stop her from doing something. Even if I was intent on it, she’s a Dragon. I’m not. Maggaron fusses over her as if she were a foundling—but in the end, he doesn’t try to stop her from doing what she feels she should be doing. I try to learn from him. It’s not easy; he’s...not me.”
“No more am I.”