Severn—what is she doing?
I don’t know.
Can you make herstop?
An’Tellarus will. Or not. But what she allows in the privacy of her personal chambers, I can’t argue against.
You like her.
I do. But she has a temper, and she’s unpredictable. I personally think we should introduce her to Terrano and Mandoran; I think she’d adore them.
And if she didn’t?
They’d probably survive.
Yvonne reached out for Kaylin’s hands but stopped short of touching her.
Kaylin wore long sleeves as a matter of course; they hid the Marks of the Chosen. She wore sleeves at work in the blistering heat, and even Teela’s court dress was conservative enough to cover arms and her back. But she knew, the moment Yvonne reached out, what Yvonne had seen.
The Marks of the Chosen.
The True Words that had taken up residence over at least half of Kaylin’s body since she was twelve.
All suspicions of and about Yvonne were confirmed in that instant. Yvonne could see the Marks of the Chosen, even concealed as they were. Yvonne, if given the opportunity, would see the Lake in the same fashion. She would see the True Names.
It was Yvonne who had become, by existing, a threat to the Consort.
Kaylin held out a hand. Yvonne frowned, but her expression cleared; she held out hers with less certainty. Of course she did. The Barrani didn’t shake hands often, that Kaylin could recall.
They do not. Often, if their palms meet, it is at the end of the blood oath ceremony.Severn was watching Yvonne with mild concern, but no fear of or for her.
Kaylin shook hands with Yvonne, but didn’t release the young woman or step back. “You can see them.”
An’Tellarus turned instantly. “See what?” Now she was worried.
Yvonne, however, nodded. “I don’t understand why you’re... wearing them? But they’re a bit loud right now.”
Kaylin couldn’t hear them. But she could see them; they were glowing, their hearts the usual gold, but their edges a different color. Not blue, not white, colors the Marks had taken before, but something almost violet. “They’re often called the Marks of the Chosen.”
An’Tellarus’s brows rose. The look she gave Severn was very unlike most angry Barrani expressions; on another face, she would have looked actively annoyed.
It’s not a big secret, is it?
It is not a secret to your friends, no. Itisknown. But Teela has taken some pains to make certain it is not widely known. She is aided in this by men like Lord Evarrim, for whom the very thought of amortalChosen is almost anathema. You’re considered to be aligned with the Dragons, given your duties as a Hawk; no concerted effort has been made to end your life because you are of value to the Consort.
Did An’Tellarus somehow expect you to tell her about this?
Severn didn’t answer—he clearly didn’t feel the need, the answer was so obvious.
“I’ve heard only a little bit about the Marks,” Yvonne confessed. “But even I’ve heard stories about familiars.” Her attention fell on Hope. Hope, to Kaylin’s surprise, rose to stand on his two legs, elongating his neck with obvious pride. “Is he your familiar?”
“Stories greatly exaggerate, but that’s what the Barrani call him.”
Hope smacked her face with a wing, but didn’t leave it across her eyes.
Yvonne laughed. “I think he’s adorable!”
So, apparently, did Hope. He leaned forward. Kaylin nudged him, and he leaped off her shoulder to hover at the height of Yvonne’s green gaze.