“No.”
“You know who did.”
“I did not command them,” was the almost testy reply. “I did not order those deaths, if that is what you have understood.”
“But you knew of them.”
“Grief can cause madness,” Adellos said. He spoke to Ybelline—or to himself; his gaze had moved off Severn’s face. “It is not the madness of fear, but it can cause as much damage, in the end. Especially ours.”
“Then I will start my reign,” Ybelline replied, “in madness.”
Adellos once again closed his eyes. “Child,” he said softly, “I did my best not to hamper you.”
“Hamperis far too kind a word for what you’ve done.”
“Yes. Perhaps the desire to be kind to those we love is also a type of madness; kindness does not change reality.”
Severn said, “We will go to the High Halls.”
Adellos’s eyes were already too green to darken further in color. “I ask you, castelord, to refuse.”
“Then clearly Severn’s suggestion is correct.”
Severn had not meant to include Ybelline in that nebulouswe. “It’s not safe for you—for any of your kin—in the High Halls.”
“And it has been safe for you?” she countered.
“I’m human. I’m beneath notice; I enter the High Halls at Elluvian’s side.”
“And only then?”
Severn nodded.
“Then Elluvian will have to accompany us.”
“Do not do this,” Adellos whispered.
“I cannot be castelord in ignorance,” was her soft reply. “If you will not give me the information I seek, I will investigate using other avenues that are open to me.”
Severn said nothing. The Wolflord wasn’t going to be pleased. “I have one request,” he said.
“And that?”
“I don’t wish the incident that occurred here—”
“The attemptedmurder.”
“The attempted murder,” he continued, “if you prefer. I don’t want it reported.”
“And if it were your decision,” Ybelline replied, “or his, it would not be.”
“Ybelline—”
“It’s not about your life or death,” she said, relenting. “It’s aboutus. Us as a people. It’s already dangerous to separate the Tha’alanari from the Tha’alaan at large—but all who serve understand why we must. If this is the end result of separating the leader from their people entirely, it is far too high a price to pay.”
“You will not say so,” Adellos said, “when you understand the entirety of what occurred.”
“You assume that my understanding, or my judgment, would be the same as yours. We are not the same person. Our knowledge of experiences does not immediately render our prior experiences irrelevant. You shouldknow this. It is what you have taught usall.”