Bellusdeo snorted smoke. “You are impossible. You are not—quite—boring, and yet I occasionally feel the strong desire to end your existence. Or at least make it vastly less comfortable.”
“Right back at you,” Mandoran said. He propped his head up on his hands, his elbows braced against the table; he then noticed the food and thanked Helen profusely. “You have saved my life,” he told her.
“Yes,” Helen agreed, in a more severe tone. “I would appreciate it if you didn’t go to such lengths to waste my efforts.”
He laughed.
* * *
Bellusdeo surprised Kaylin; as they were heading to their rooms for what Kaylin felt was a much-deserved rest given the stress of the evening, she said, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
The gold Dragon smiled; it was almost rueful. “I didn’t think much of your idea for an informal dinner at first.”
“It wasn’t actually my idea.”
“I know. But you agreed. The Emperor didn’tcommandyou; he asked.”
“I like not to be ash. It’s not actually against the law for the Emperor to breathe on me.”
Bellusdeo smiled. “No, it isn’t. As was pointed out. I did not expect to enjoy myself—but, Kaylin, I did. Lannagaros seemed happy as well, and that is important to me.”
Kaylin exhaled. “He cares a lot about both of you. The you part, I can understand. But the Emperor doesn’t seem like the type of person it’s easy—or even smart—to love.”
“If we’re being honest,” Bellusdeo said, “neither were we, when we were young. I think half the clutch-fathers would have reduced us to cinders without a second thought, had we been male. We were—and please, don’t feel it necessary to repeat this—probably a lot more like Mandoran than like Annarion. Lannagaros was so stuffy and so proper, we often targeted him for mischief.
“And yet, he remembers us fondly. Thank you,” she said again. “In a strange way, this evening gives me hope.”
* * *
In the morning, Moran came to the table dressed for war. She wore the very colorful dress, she wore the bracelet, and she had adopted a long spear. She had arrived, Helen said, at the table early, and intended to accompany Kaylin to work.
“Doesn’t that normally work the other way around? We accompany her?”
“Ah. I believe she intends to accompany you to work on a more roundabout route.”
“She wants to see Evanton.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes, dear. She believes he will be more helpful or more sympathetic if you are present.”
“She’s dead wrong about that.”
“I’m not sure she is.”
“If Lillias wanted to meet with Moran, don’t you think she’d’ve given her the gift herself? She approached Evanton, who approached me.”
“Yes, dear. I did mention this to Moran.”
“Who doesn’t care.”
“No, dear. Lillias saved Moran’s life when she was much younger. It is highly likely that’s the reason Lillias was made outcaste and stripped of her wings.”
Kaylin let out a volley of angry Leontine, which was best when one felt like raging. It had growling built in.
“I don’t suppose you could tell Moran that I’m sick and staying in bed today?”
“Not convincingly, no. If you insist, however, I will try.”