Page 54 of Cast in Atonement

“Yours?” The word was slightly sharper.

Kaylin exhaled. “Ours. Some of it involves our newest roommate, Mrs. Erickson. Some of it involves our former roommate, Bellusdeo.”

The Dragon tensed, although the tension was subtle.

“Have you met Mrs. Erickson?”

“No, not yet. Helen said she was trying to catch up on the sleep she’s missed because of her guests.” His eyes blue, he nonetheless smiled. “The Arkon says she is charming and kind.”

“Was that all he said?”

“He has some concerns which were, of course, shared with the Imperial Court. The Dragon Court,” he added. “But he does not feel, at this juncture, that she would be best served by a stay in the Imperial Palace. He expected that she might have some difficulty adjusting to both a new home and new wards.”

It took Kaylin a minute to realize that wards referred to the ghosts Mrs. Erickson had carried from the palace to Helen.

“Is the Academia research an attempt to better understand Mrs. Erickson’s gift?”

Kaylin nodded. “In part.”

“What concerns does Bellusdeo have?” The heart of his curiosity.

“Have you talked to her about it at all?”

“She has not been resident in the Tower. Karriamis has informed me that there is a problem, but would not disclose its nature.”

No wonder he’d come here.

“It isn’t a problem that’s life-threatening or world-threatening.”

“I’m not certain that statement is terribly comforting, dear.”

“Probably not. It’s personal, for Bellusdeo.” Realizing that this probably wasn’t comforting either, she added, “It’s not about you. She’s not angry with you or worried about you, or upset at something you’ve done.”

Helen cleared her throat.

“That I’m aware of.”

“Is it something you feel you cannot speak of to me?”

“To anyone,” Kaylin replied, regretting it. “Anything discussed was not to leave the library—under no uncertain terms.” She exhaled. “I don’t have a lot of leeway—she’s probably going to be following my Halls of Law schedule closely. And this isn’t mine to talk about.” She wanted to. She trusted Emmerian with anything related to Bellusdeo.

But it wasn’t her trust that mattered here. It was Bellusdeo’s.

Emmerian knew.

“I think she’s not willing to talk to you about personal things because she’s not ready to be a mother.”

Emmerian swallowed and nodded.

“But inasmuch as she trusts any Dragon, she trusts you. Are you living in the Tower?”

“It is my current residence, but I am expected to fulfill my duties to the Emperor.”

“I’m not the person you need to talk to right now. I think you should talk to the chancellor. He won’t be able to tell you what to do, but... I think he understands Bellusdeo better than any of us, except maybe Helen.

“I only know her as she is now. The chancellor knew her in the Aerie. She remembers, and I think she’s as comfortable around him as she is around anyone. She didn’t expect to be here. She didn’t expect to have no empire and no war into which she could throw her entire existence. The Tower is a start—but I’m not sure it’s a good start.” She felt guilty even saying this much.

Emmerian was silent.

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