Page 3 of Cast in Atonement

“We are uncertain,” the Arkon said. His gaze dropped to his hands, which were now folded on the table.

Hope squawked.

“Yes,” Sanabalis replied. “That is the reason I chose to visit today, with little warning.” He exhaled smoke for a third time before lifting his head. “Bellusdeo left her Tower—and her fief—and we believe she is coming to visit you.”

“I won’t be here—I have work.”

“I have spoken with your extremely territorial and irritable sergeant; your work, today, will not involve your usual beat. You will, however, be paid.”

“And my work, according to you, is?”

“Simply listen to Bellusdeo, and if at all possible, calm her or divert her attention from whatever it is that has her on the edge of rage.”

Kaylin exhaled. “Dragons live forever, right?”

“Demonstrably not, but yes, we are Immortal.”

“Could you just shelve this whole make babies thing for a few decades?” Or centuries. “She understands why it’s essential for the race as a whole, but she never intended to bear children. She’s accepted the responsibility—but not well. Emmerian is in the line of fire because he’s the least unacceptable father candidate, but that doesn’t mean she’s happy about it.

“Could you just...wait until she truly accepts the need?”

“That advice has been given by Lannagaros,” Sanabalis replied, his tone neutral. “But if that were her intent, taking the Tower she took was unwise in the extreme. The heart of her Tower is—was—a Dragon. I do not believe that he is content to, as you put it, wait.”

“She’s the lord of the Tower.”

“Indeed.”

“She gets to make that decision.”

“That is the theory, yes. Her Tower cannot force her to do anything she does not desire to do. But her Tower cannot be rendered voiceless, to my knowledge. Karriamis is, no doubt, making his opinion quite clear. I am willing to abide by Lannagaros’s advice. Others are ambivalent.”

Others had to be referring to the Emperor. Emmerian knew better than to try to force Bellusdeo’s hand. No, that was unfair. What he loved about Bellusdeo was what she was, who she was. He would accept her decision. The former Arkon had always pushed for patience and for a similar acceptance because he’d known Bellusdeo and her sisters as the children they had been in the Aerie. Sanabalis was neutral. Tiamaris, the youngest of the Dragon Lords, was likely neutral as well.

That only left the Emperor.

Kaylin exhaled. “I can’t force Bellusdeo to do anything she doesn’t want to do.”

“Of course not. But Lannagaros feels Bellusdeo lacks friends. She has her Ascendant, but Lannagaros feels the Ascendant is liege, not friend. She will come to visit; she is on the way here as we speak. I apologize in advance for her temper.” He rose. “I would like to see myself out before she arrives; she will not be best pleased to see me.”

“You come to visit Mrs. Erickson regularly.”

Sanabalis nodded. “How much of a difference do you think that will make to her in her current mood?”

None. None at all. Bellusdeo hadn’t even met Mrs. Erickson. And using the old woman as an excuse left a bad taste in Kaylin’s mouth.

“Should I go back to my room? I can visit with our new ghosts while you speak with your friend,” Mrs. Erickson said, rising as well. She looked concerned but not nervous; having Sanabalis as a visiting guest had done much to alleviate any possible fear she could have of Dragons. Sanabalis, however, rarely lost his temper. The same couldn’t be said of Bellusdeo.

“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Helen told Mrs. Erickson. “Bellusdeo has more of a temper than the Arkon, but she has never once unleashed it around people who could not survive it. I am certain she will be fine.”

Kaylin was certain Mrs. Erickson would be fine as well. Helen could prevent injuries when her various guests exited the self-control ramp.

“If you wish to depart,” Helen said, turning to Sanabalis, “I will have to ask you to take the Tower exit. Bellusdeo has reached the perimeter of my space.”

Sanabalis’s shoulders slumped. “No, I will stay. I will not be seen scurrying up the stairs like a terrified hatchling.”

Bellusdeo knocked on the front door, which did a disservice to the word knock. Kaylin had exited the dining room in a hurry, in order to head off her former roommate before she reached anyone else. Helen approved of this. Sanabalis remained in the dining room with Terrano and Mandoran, although Mandoran came to the dining room door.

Most of the cohort weren’t keen on Dragons. They felt they owed a debt to Bellusdeo, but that debt amounted to cautious tolerance. Mandoran, however, genuinely liked Bellusdeo. Teela liked her. Terrano had warmed up a lot.

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