Page 53 of Cast in Atonement

“In very broad terms, yes. She was curious and she agreed. He’ll be coming for dinner tomorrow, unless you have objections.”

She did, but she didn’t have any reasonable ones. “No, it’s fine.” Two more stairs. “If it’s not Evanton, who exactly is it?”

“Lord Emmerian,” Helen replied. “I believe he is talking with Mandoran in the parlor if you’d like to join them.”

Of the Dragons, Emmerian was definitely the calmest. He was also the most considerate, which she found surprising on occasion, given the rest of the Immortals in her social orbit.

She went to her room to change before she headed downstairs. Or rather, bounced off Terrano, who was waiting for her. His eyes were bluer than they usually were.

Emmerian hadn’t visited since the last disaster of a visit, which had involved the cohort, an enraged Dragon, and Helen’s interference. “Is it bad?” she asked.

“Not in the way you’re thinking. Look, of the Dragons, Emmerian is usually the least offensive. I would have bet he had no temper at all—but he does. It’s just less easily triggered.”

“Helen said Mandoran’s with him now?”

“He is. The Dragon’s worried, but not in a bad way.”

“What’s a good way of worrying?”

“He’s worried for, rather than worried about.”

Ugh. “Is this relationship issues?”

“We think so. He’s keeping the conversation afloat by discussing Shadows and life with a Dragon-based Tower.”

“That doesn’t sound like a relationship problem.”

“He hasn’t mentioned the captain of the Tower once. And given that she’s now Lord Bellusdeo, that probably takes effort.”

Kaylin slowed. “You know I suck at relationship issues, right?”

Terrano shrugged. “You can’t be as bad as Sedarias.”

Helen’s Avatar was waiting outside of the parlor door.

“Is he drinking?”

“Which he?”

“Never mind. Do you know why he came here?”

“Yes.”

“And you’re not of a mind to share.”

“I believe Emmerian will speak of his concerns—it’s why he chose to visit. But no, dear. If I can hear thoughts—and I am surprised at how clear his are at the moment, as he’s usually much more careful—but he is a guest, and entitled to some privacy. If there is a danger present in those thoughts, privacy has less priority.” She opened the door.

Emmerian stood when Kaylin entered. Mandoran didn’t. Kaylin was grateful for the latter; bowing was a strata of manners that made her feel underdressed and ignorant.

“Please don’t,” she said, as she headed toward one of the chairs. Helen had chosen to decorate tonight’s parlor with large upholstered chairs that had very soft cushions. Kaylin could spend all day on her feet, but preferred not to have to do it at home.

Emmerian sat only after Kaylin did. Mandoran had taken the opportunity of the Dragon’s bow to make pleading eyes at Kaylin. She mouthed Bellusdeo at him, and he nodded. Mandoran probably didn’t care all that much about Emmerian, but he did like Bellusdeo; he considered her a friend. Most of the cohort seemed to avoid friendships that didn’t involve True Names and centuries of history. Mandoran was more flexible.

“I’m sorry I was so late to return. I was at the Academia.”

“Are there problems there?” Emmerian asked.

“No—the librarians are doing a bit of research on our behalf.”

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