Fallessian moved toward Mrs. Erickson, who, hands in mitts, was frowning as she looked at their visitor. The movement was protective, as if the only person who was under credible threat was the frail baker.
Kaylin was less concerned about Mrs. Erickson because Helen had materialized her physical Avatar in the kitchen the moment An’Tellarus had started to move. The kitchen was actually large enough to accommodate all of the guests and all of the hosts, and Helen would allow no injury to come to any of them.
“If it can be prevented,” Helen agreed. Her tone was cold, as unlike her normal voice as Yvonne’s reply had been. Kaylin didn’t have a lot of experience with Yvonne, but she knew Helen very well.
“Helen—what’s wrong? What are you worried about?”
The kitchen door slammed open. An’Tellarus stood, towering in the doorway; beyond her back, Sedarias and Teela weren’t far behind.
“Yvonne,” An’Tellarus said. “We are leaving.”
“I am not leaving,” Yvonne replied. Her hair, unlike An’Tellarus’s, began to move, as if a passing breeze touched noone in the kitchen but Yvonne. An’Tellarus did not step forward; Helen widened the kitchen doorframe to allow Teela and Sedarias to enter. Teela’s hands were empty; she’d worn her sword, but she hadn’t drawn it.
Kaylin wasn’t surprised to see Severn behind Sedarias and Teela. She wasn’t surprised that he entered. Shewassurprised when he moved, his steps almost inaudible, directly to Yvonne. Unlike Teela, Severn had armed himself—but he’d also unwound the weapon’s chain. That was most often used as a spellbreaker, a shield of rotating blade and chain. It wasn’t spinning yet.
“What did I tell you?” An’Tellarus demanded. She didn’t demand it of Yvonne. It was Severn who held her attention—and most of her very chilly glare.
“Mortal memory isn’t perfect,” Severn replied after a pause. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember.”
“I am disappointed in you.”
Even Kaylin flinched at the force of those words.
“I have considered you a wayward nephew.”
Silence.
“But I have taken Yvonne under my protection. Had you offered a warning, I would have advised her to decline this invitation.”
“Why?” Yvonne asked from behind Severn’s back. “You’re from the West March—even if you live in the High Halls as befits your rank there. You should know what happened there.”
“I am aware. But I did not realize thatallof the lost children now take up residence within Helen’s walls. Helen can protect the rest of us from any irregularities; those children are safe here.”
“And that means I’m safe here as well,” Yvonne argued. This wasn’t a Yvonne that Kaylin had expected or predicted; she’d seemed more like Serralyn in temperament, and far more cowed by An’Tellarus. But something about her tenacity heredidn’t seem to surprise An’Tellarus. She wasn’t worried for the cohort.
She was worried for Yvonne. She was either angry at, or worried for, Severn, and that was also a shock.
What does she mean bynephew?
Long story, Severn replied, tension in the words. He didn’t want to talk about it. Not now. Probably not ever. She felt uncomfortable and even petty, because it bothered her, and now was absolutely not the time.
Do you think of her as an aunt?
In the Barrani sense.Which was why he’d brought his weapon.
And Yvonne?
Severn shook his head.Yvonne has reason to trust the green. She may even have reason to trust me. She has every reason to trust Ollarin. She has less reason to trust An’Tellarus—and nothing Yvonne’s done here should anger An’Tellarus.
But she said she warnedyou.
Severn’s shrug was a fief shrug, at odds with his stance and the weapon in his hands.
Severn—what warning? What did she say?
The short version: don’t anger her. Don’t disappoint her. Don’t let political Barrani near Yvonne.
Why Yvonne in particular?