Page 164 of Cast in Atonement

“It’s been incredibly noisy.”

“But can the sisters talk through you?”

Bellusdeo nodded. “One of my sisters in particular was incredibly good at dealing with people. In uncertain situations, I’ll gratefully let her do the talking.”

“Was she the elegant one?”

Bellusdeo smiled. “She was naturally socially graceful. Even when we were children. I think she was the only one of us who didn’t annoy Lannagaros in the Aerie. She was studious, she was quiet, and she didn’t generally approve of our pranks.”

“She didn’t join in on them?”

“I didn’t say that.” Bellusdeo grinned. “But it took all eight of us to coax her into it.”

“What does it feel like when one of your sisters does the talking? Do they take over?”

“It’s not quite like that. I’m still there. We’re all still there.” Bellusdeo shook her head. “It’s Maggaron I feel sorry for. He’s my Ascendant. Part of his role was to keep me anchored. I’ve hugely increased his workload. But I’ll deal with that. I’ll deal with Karriamis.” Bellusdeo exhaled. “I’ll deal with Emmerian.”

“When you first met Mrs. Erickson, you hadn’t come here to talk to her. You came to talk to me about something else. Was it Emmerian?”

“I was frustrated, I think. It feels like it happened years ago. And it also feels like it happened yesterday. Of the nine of us, I was the most martial; it’s why, in the end, I ruled. We were in a constant state of war.

“But... I can’t be in a constant state of war, can I? Not at home, if I even have one; not with Emmerian. He would have been the perfect second in command. I would have felt eternally grateful to have him. But his role would have been different. Neither of us would have been forced into this uncomfortable position. Yes, when I stormed into your home, I was angry with him—I can’t remember why.” She frowned. “My sisters can’t remember it clearly, either; they, too, were trapped in their own states of mind.” She cleared her throat.

“I want to do something for Mrs. Erickson—but I don’t know her well enough to know what she’d like, and most of my previous social interaction didn’t involve gentle old women. I feel that I owe her my life, my sanity, my sisters. They feel the same—but much more strongly.” Bellusdeo let go of Kaylin’s hands, indicating that Kaylin should get dressed.

Kaylin did. “Did the dress disappear?” she asked Helen.

“Not exactly,” Helen replied, a flicker of concern touching her expression.

“What does not exactly mean? Did it transform back into the regular clothing I need and can’t afford to easily replace?”

“No, as you must suspect.”

“I don’t see it.”

“No.” Helen didn’t need to breathe, so exhalation was affectation. She exhaled anyway. “Evanton is in possession of the dress.”

Bellusdeo snickered. “I’d pay money to see him wear it.”

“Dear.” Helen’s tone contained a hint of disapproval, but affection was wrapped around it.

“The Barrani will lose all their perfect hair,” Kaylin said.

“I think Teela would have found it amusing in other circumstances.”

“Other circumstances?”

“The ones in which she wasn’t very worried about your continued existence.”

“I wasn’t in danger.”

“She is wise enough not to trust the green.”

“Serralyn told us to trust the green.”

“In that very narrow context, yes. I’m certain Teela doesn’t consider the green malicious, but the interests of the green are the interests of an ancient, unknowable power, a wildness in which intent cannot be properly perceived.”

“I think the green wanted the children it had damaged to be safe,” Kaylin replied. “The green didn’t intend to harm them or transform them, and the green may have felt...guilt for that.” She pulled a shirt over her head.

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