Do you trust An’Tellarus?
Silence.It is never wise to trust powerful Barrani. Butinasmuch asI can, I do. At least where Yvonne is concerned. If I were Sedarias, I might have a different answer. I trust that she won’t harm Yvonne.
Or use her?
Not in a way that Yvonne won’t accept.
Kaylinreallywanted to know how Severn knew this Barrani Lord and her student.
“My cousin is An’Sennarin. He’s from the West March, originally.”
An’Tellarus shot her a sharp look. “That, however, is notsomething others in the High Court need to know. What do I always say?”
“Don’t make enemies without cause?”
“Yes, that. To speak of the West March, and a significant line of the High Court, in such a fashion could be considered a subtle insult.”
“ButI’mfrom the West March—and Ollarin would never consider that an insult!” Yvonne’s eyes had shaded to a darker blue—the blue of anger, given her expression. “If he weren’t here, I’d go back tomorrow. I’d leavetoday.”
“And now you are offering insult to Tellarus, child,” An’Tellarus replied. “I have opened my home to you, and I have done what I could to teach you what you must know to survive. I have escorted you through your journeys in the High Halls; I have remained by your side in any place it is permitted me.”
Kaylin frowned. “What would not be permitted a lord of your stature?” She spoke in High Barrani.
“Do you not know? You visited the Lady today. Do you think, should Yvonne be likewise invited, that I might accompany her?”
“Yvonne, have you met the Consort?”
Yvonne fell silent. Kaylin thought she wouldn’t answer. “No. No, but...”
An’Tellarus frowned; there was an edge to the expression that clearly demanded Kaylin back off.
“I’m sorry,” Kaylin told Yvonne. “I’m sorry, but it’s important. Things have been happening at court—”
“Do you believe I cannot protect Yvonne?” An’Tellarus’s voice was as cold as Teela’s expression. But Kaylin, dressed as a lord, was a Hawk.
Next time, she snapped at Severn,you can wear the damn dress.
May I remind you that this was the Consort’s decision?
No.Kaylin turned her attention to An’Tellarus. If she wanted to speak with Yvonne, it was An’Tellarus she had to convince.
“Have you, in your long and illustrious life, met Lord Calarnenne?”
An’Tellarus’s eyes remained blue, but Kaylin thought her emotions had shifted; she no longer felt insulted. Her eyes narrowed as if seeing Kaylin for the first time.
“Indeed, I have. I knew him when he was heir to his line—a line that is all but dead. Those families that served his family fought for supremacy, and those that survive now serve Seshallan. It was a messy affair but long settled.” She glanced, now, at Teela. “Recent rumors, however, imply the return of a prodigal son. Annarion, I believe. It is his stated intent to revive his line: Solanace. The claim is, of course, valid; it might not have been considered valid were it not for the existence of the new High Lord.”
Teela coughed.
“You have spent a paltry decade—given the loud sniffs of disapproval spoken in your absence—among mortals. Do you fault my observation, An’Teela?”
Teela was silent.
But Yvonne rose.
“Yvonne,” An’Tellarus said, a note of warning in the single word.
Yvonne didn’t hear her. Or possibly couldn’t. She approached Kaylin—andknelt.