She could have stabbed him in the leg and caused less obvious pain, in Kaylin’s opinion. “I will, of course, be delighted to accept your offer of hospitality.”
Bellusdeo laughed. Her eyes were pure gold. “At your age, Lannagaros, you should be a much better liar.”
“I have had enough power in my life that I have never been forced to learn the art of dissembling.” To Kaylin, he said, “Your familiar does not feel that...Gilbert...poses an immediate threat. I wish you to ascertain what Gilbert’s presence means. His presence across the street from this unusual murder—and basement—cannot be a coincidence. Bellusdeo will accompany you when you interview him.”
Kaylin opened her mouth, thought better and closed it again.
The Arkon then turned to Mandoran. Kaylin didn’t understand a word that left his mouth when he spoke to the Barrani youth. Teela didn’t immediately understand them, either, but her expression made it clear that Mandoran did.
“I cannot believe,” Mandoran said, as his eyes shaded to indigo, “that you are still alive. The High Lord did not understand just how much of a threat you posed.”
“The High Lord approves of the Arkon,” Kaylin pointed out.
“He refers,” Teela said, in a brittle voice, “to the High Lord who reigned at the time of the last of our great wars. He has had no interaction with the reigning High Lord.”
“What exactly did he say?”
“Nothing that you need to hear,” Teela snapped. It had been a long time since Teela had used that tone of voice; the last time Kaylin could remember hearing it, they’d been caught in the cross fire of a magical fight. An illegal one. And Kaylin had still been a mascot.
Bellusdeo, however, folded her arms. “Perhaps Kaylin doesn’t,” she conceded. “I, however, would like an explanation. Arkon?”
The Arkon looked at Mandoran and Annarion. To Kaylin’s great surprise, he didn’t respond to Bellusdeo, either. “You said you were of the Solanace line.”
Annarion nodded.
“You are aware that the line ended when your brother was made Outcaste.”
“I am Solanace,” Annarion said. “I have committed no crime. I have broken no law.”
“You will not take the mantle of your father’s line if you do not face the test of the High Halls.”
“No.”
“You are aware that your ancestral lands are in the hands of your cousin.”
“Why, exactly, do you know so much about the Solanace family?” Kaylin asked.
“I know many things. If I were to catalog them all, you would die of old age—or possibly fire. I do not enjoy your constant interruptions.” This last had more thunder in it. “I did not threaten your companion. I merely wished to know how much he would understand.”
“What language were you speaking?”
“An old, dead tongue.”
“An old dead tongue, more to the point,” Teela said, rising at last, “that I have not personally encountered. Mandoran and Annarion were exposed to the same languages that I was, in my youth; they have not been exposed to the breadth of languages that I have since our separation.”
“Then you will have something to chat about on your way out.”
Kaylin blinked.
“Bellusdeo told me everything of value. You will, as I said, speak with Gilbert. You will keep me informed.”
“Of course.” Kaylin smiled. “Dinner in five days?”
The Arkon exhaled smoke in a steady stream. Bellusdeo came to stand beside Kaylin. Her smile, which looked genuine and made her face seem so much younger, deepened.
“I cannot think why I missed you in your long absence.”
“Of course not. Come. If we must build bridges—and why, exactly, bridge is a good metaphor when we can all fly, I don’t know—help me to establish a different paradigm. You were there at the beginning. Be here now.”
*
Bellusdeo was still chortling when they left the Palace.
“He didn’t answer any questions,” Kaylin pointed out.
“He answered most of mine earlier, and he doesn’t like to repeat himself.”
“Except when he’s being critical.”
“He’s seldom critical of me.”
Of course not.
“But he was always critical when I was young. It makes me nostalgic. He was so stiff and so proper it was fun to tease him.”
“Should I ask what Dragon teasing entails?”
“No. Teela is already giving me the side-eye.” Still smiling, she said, “His interactions with you remind me of the way he always treated us—me and my sisters. I do not believe you could annoy him so much that he would kill you; he has some affection for you.” Her smile faded. “All of my attempts to irritate him come to nothing now; he pities me too much.”
“I would have thought that would be life-ending. His life.”
“He is old, Kaylin.”
“Which should make it—”
“Age in the immortal sense does not mean what it does for your kind. If I truly meant to kill him, I would resort to poison. I am not sure I could do enough damage, otherwise.”
“He would never kill you.”