Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(87)

I didn't begrudge her that happiness; Ardis made her quite happy indeed.

"Did you sort out Kondar today?" Justis teased as he took the chair opposite Berel.

"I wish we could," Berel responded. "Quin is getting jumpy over the debates. She keeps saying they're taking too long."

I didn't say anything; I was happy to see that Justis and Berel had arrived at an amicable truce and were talking to one another.

"Difficult to get anything done quickly with that many people—Jurris has enough trouble with the handful of Avii on his Council."

"I beg your pardon. Two of those Avii are at the table," Gurnil pointed out with a grin. "Three if you count yourself."

"Hardly a quorum," Justis bit back a laugh.

"You're in a good mood," I said.

"Oh, it's nothing. Except that I heard you like my wings." I watched his mouth curve into a wonderful smile. Somehow, he'd discovered what I'd shared with Daragar earlier in the day. Dena had the grace to turn pink and look guilty.

"I would have told you so myself," I said with feigned haughtiness. "If you'd asked."

If I could, I'd pull you onto my lap and share my food with you, he sent. I'll admit, the mental image was a tempting one.

Someday, I replied.

Good enough.

*

That evening, I sat with Berel on his bed, watching the last of the debates before they ended for the evening in Kondar. Absently he stroked my primary feathers, smoothing them and tracing the patterns of gold, silver and copper.

I understood that his body was waking as he became an adult, but I think we both knew our time wasn't yet. It was enough to know that we cared for each other.

"Another day gone," he sighed, taking his hand away from my feathers and turning his tab-vid off. "We can pick this up again tomorrow, after breakfast."

"All right," I agreed and slid off his bed.

"Quin?" Berel said as I reached the door.

"What is it?" I turned toward him.

"You don't think less of me because I'm young, do you?"

"I'm young, too, according to Kaldill," I offered a shaky smile. "Age matters not to me."

"Good. I hope—well, we can discuss that later," he ducked his head and nodded.

"Good-night," I said and walked out the door, closing it softly behind me.

*

Called to a meeting on Le-Ath Veronis, Kaldill's note read. He'd left it on my bed so I'd be sure to see it. Don't wait up—K.

His initial was written in a beautiful, formal script, which transformed itself from one shape to another while I watched. Sometimes it was decorated with leaves, other times with flowers or birds. I'd never seen such, realizing quickly that Kaldill employed a bit of his extensive power merely to entertain me.

Carefully placing the note next to my black feather on the nightstand, I went about readying myself for bed.

No, the uneasy feeling hadn't gone away, but I'd resigned myself to the fact that I had no power to change anything past what I'd already done. Siriaa's fate was out of my hands, now, although I was prepared to do my best to protect what I could.

*

Vogeffa I

"Lord Cayetes, the ship will be in range early tomorrow. Would you like a vid-feed so you may see the destruction?" Vardil's assistant puttered about the bedroom, straightening things and preparing the bed for his ailing master.

"Yes. Have the kitchens prepare my breakfast to coincide with the event," Vardil heaved himself onto the bed and allowed his assistant to cover him with soft blankets.

"I will see it done, my Lord."

*

Avii Castle

Quin

Kaldill hadn't returned when I woke early after a restless night. Knowing that an attempt to go back to sleep would be useless, I rose, bathed and dressed before taking flight to the Library terrace.

No others had arrived yet, so I took my favorite bench and watched the sea as the sun broke through clouds and gleamed across the water's surface. Somewhere, on Fyris' western edge, I imagined that the view might be the same from the spires.

That's when the Orb appeared.

Come, it commanded. I hesitated while questions ran through my brain.

Hurry, it said. Standing, I began to walk as it floated away. By the time I reached the Library's interior, I was nearly at a run.

Dena, who'd just appeared, wore an expression of surprise as I passed her swiftly, following the path the Orb chose. When I reached the steps leading downward into the belly of the castle, I could hear Dena's steps hurrying behind us. The Orb quickened its pace, as did I.

Behind me, I could hear Dena's footsteps become a run as she followed. A growing sensation of dread enveloped me the farther down into the castle we went—I followed the Orb, Dena followed me.

Precious time passed as I raced after the glowing ball, while terror squeezed my heart, making it difficult to breathe. By the time we reached the lower levels, I could hear a roaring in my ears.

Perhaps it was foresight—I do not know. Regardless, the Orb led me onward, and I would have followed it except for Dena's shriek.

"No, Quin! That's the gate!"

The fear in her voice forced me to slide to a stop and turn toward her. "What?" The air around us felt thick, making it difficult for my voice to travel the short distance to my friend.