Wrapping one hand around a gate post he partially swung his way through the gate and kicked it shut behind them. “And what about you, Lady Merrodin? Large family or small?” he asked with a raised eyebrow as he fell into step beside her once more.
Pursing her lips, she looked upwards as she walked, eyes flicking from star to star and then shrugged, looking over at him. “I really don’t think I would want seventeen children like Mrs. Walker had. I can remember several occasions when Mr. Walker couldn’t remember his children’s names. I think a small family is better. My Father never once forgot my name.”
“I really don’t think I would want to provide for seventeen children,” Finn said with an amused snort. “Let alone try to think up seventeen names,” he added with a shake of his head.
“In all honesty I doubt the high lords intend to allow me any family,” Jala said quietly and looped her arm through his.
“I hadn’t intended on asking their permission,” Finn said with a smirk. “And considering how much Marrow and I ran our asses off to help certain high lords today I believe we will have support from at least a few of them.”
“What do you mean?” Jala asked puzzled.
“Well, Val received word early this morning that Devony was missing, so we headed to that district. After Troyelle explained what was going on, I made a bargain with him that if he would go to the council, your charming Bendazzi and I would find Devony,” he explained.
“And did you?” she asked, hoping the answer was yes.
He nodded in reply and plucked a strand of grass from the side of the path. “Fortunately, those that had taken her knew better than to harm her so other than being rather terrified she was fine.” He rolled the grass stem between his fingers as he spoke and began slowly tearing it into smaller strands. “So after we found Devony, I began to wonder what exactly was keeping the other lords away so we went to the Han’shy district in time to see him execute several of his officials, a few that I recognized. I, of course told him where I had seen them before and he gave thanks before rushing off to give you a much needed vote. I didn’t see any sign of Micah. I think he has already left for Arovan.” He frowned at the thought and tossed one of the grass strands aside. “The worst part of the day was dealing with Neph. He was livid when his brother arrived this morning and has been in a foul mood since. Just out of curiosity, did Kadan cast his vote for you?”
“It wasn’t needed. When Lord Han’shy arrived there were too many in favor of me and they didn’t even bother calling a formal vote,” she replied and rested her head on his arm. “No one is around Finn,” she pointed out.
“Well I suppose we could stop for a tumble in the trees but our room isn’t far and I’d rather not risk a rash from poisonous plants,” Finn replied with a smile.
Pinching his arm she glared up at him. “Not what I was getting at, and you know it,” she grumbled and let out a heavy sigh. “Tell me how you survived. I was … I was so sure I had lost you. I just wanted to collapse at the sight of that. It was horrible Finn. I never want to see you do anything like that again,” she said in a hoarse whisper, the image of Finn staggering and blood streaming from his mouth flooded her mind. Closing her eyes tightly she shook her head and felt her eyes go glassy once more. “Never, Finn,” she repeated, adding more emphasis on the words.
“Do you remember at the Pits when I was breathing so heavy and you thought I was wounded?” he asked quietly.
“I do, and I still don’t understand it,” Jala replied.
“It was part of my plan, the part I had to test. I can’t believe Shade didn’t tell you any of this,” he sighed.
“What does Shade have to do with your stamina being off?” she asked completely confused.
“Well the talent comes from his side of the family and he is much better at it than I am. It’s not dragon’s blood Jala. It’s Changeling blood,” he explained.
“You mean like the creature from The Wicked Child?” she asked, her eyebrows rising. The story had been one of her favorites by the fire. No matter how many times Father had recited the story she had always curled up under her blankets afterwards, convinced a changeling was going to come and steal her place.
Finn regarded her dryly for a moment and nodded slowly. “Yes, I suppose, but I feel inclined to point out that I didn’t steal this life to get into mischief. I am truly Finn Sovaesh.”
“So you don’t scare cows to spoil their milk?” she asked in a teasing voice.
“Well, of course, but that has nothing at all to do with being a changeling,” Finn replied with a bit of a twinkle in his green eyes. “Seriously though, the Changeling blood comes from the Morcaillo line. I’m weak in that Bloodline so I’m weak in the power. Taking a dragon form is incredibly difficult for me.”
“But you switched so fast in Rivana that I didn’t even realize you were the dragon until Wisp explained,” Jala broke in.
“Incredibly difficult, not incredibly slow. There is a difference. It’s very draining for me to do and sometimes when I attempt it, it doesn’t work,” he clarified. “Changing my body however is easier. Increasing my hearing for example, or honing my reflexes, or in the case of the duel, rearranging how everything fits inside,” he winked at her and shrugged a shoulder. “I studied all of the duels fought in the Arena. Every last one of them including all of Kithkanon’s. He had fought a total of thirty-two duels before he faced me. In thirty-one of them he killed his opponent the same way he tried to kill me, with a sword driven up through the chest and into the heart. So I moved things around a bit internally, which is what messed up my stamina. My lungs couldn’t draw as much air and my heart was having difficulty as well.”