Page 47 of Blood Sanctuary, Part One

Lio felt an unfamiliar pang of confusion and regret. He would be no use for that purpose right now, in any case, when he and Uncle Argyros were hardly speaking at all. Just like he was no use with Bosko, and not at House Argyros enough to enjoy the new harmony between his mentor and his Trial brother.

Uncle Argyros clapped Mak on the shoulder. “Now you’d best get back to Lyros.”

“Right,” Mak said. “I can’t let him have all the fun without me. Sorry I can’t stay to visit longer, Cassia.”

“I’m sure we’ll see each other again soon,” she said.

“Just you wait. The last night of the royal celebration will be a riot.” Mak gave a wave and disappeared.

“I hope he doesn’t mean that literally,” Lio muttered. What exactly did Xandra have in mind for the celebration in her residence?

Uncle Argyros turned to Cassia. “I am sorry. As you can imagine, this is not the welcome we had in mind for you.”

“There is no need to apologize, I assure you. I’m honored to be made privy to your family events.”

“Let us turn our attention to the more pleasant features of domesticity. Given your expertise in horticulture, I thought you might enjoy a tour of my orchard. Then we can retire to the library for a tasting of each of my home-brewed coffee varieties.”

“I would love that, thank you.” Cassia looked up at Lio. “I know you will need to take some time to put Zoe at ease, after Bosko’s absence gave her such a scare. Why don’t you stay in the library with her while I get to see the orchard?”

Lio frowned at her and noticed his uncle doing the same. “Are you sure?”

“Of course. That is, if your uncle can spare you from our tour.”

Uncle Argyros hesitated. “Well, there is nothing new there for Lio to see. Very well. We shall take a walk, Cassia.”

“As you say,” Lio acquiesced.

But he could only feel apprehension. Cassia had volunteered to be abandoned with the most intimidating mind mage in the known world. And Lio’s absence did not seem unwelcome to his uncle.

BARE BRANCHES

Argyros made a veryquiet tour guide. He and Cassia strolled in silence between orderly rows of trees that obscured the terrace from view. Even Knight seemed affected by the dignity of Argyros’s presence and, thankfully, did not try to mark any of the elder firstblood’s trees.

“Starflake,” Lio’s uncle said at last, gesturing to the trees under which they now walked. “It is evergreen and bears all winter long. When perfectly ripe, the fruit is sweet beyond imagining, with an enlivening, tart aftertaste.”

“How lovely, that you have tree varieties here that provide fruit in Hesperines’ optimal season. They are beautiful.” Cassia could easily imagine the iridescent fruits drifting down from the stars like a gentle Orthros snow to alight on the white limbs and leaves of their trees.

The starlight caught in a pair of orange eyes and glowed. For the first time, Cassia noticed the large snowy owl perched in one of the starflake trees. He sat so still. Then with an important rustle of his feathers, he spread his great wings and swooped along the orchard row.

When he swept past her face, she let out a little gasp. The tip of his wing brushed her forehead, tracing an arc across her brow. She blinked and saw him perch on Argyros’s arm.

Lio’s uncle looked into the bird’s eyes with a thoughtful expression. “Kathegetes puts on a rare display for you. My familiar seldom bestirs himself so. He is very set in his ways.”

Cassia put a hand on Knight, but the owl did not deign to give her hound any notice. “His attention is an honor. I am sure such a majestic fellow has many important things to occupy him.”

“He has been teaching me important lessons these many years.” Argyros stroked the bird’s chest.

Kathegetes returned Argyros’s gaze with a piercing orange stare, then took off again with a hoot. Argyros and Cassia walked on, following the path the owl had taken.

Argyros spoke again after a moment. “I have a basket of starflakes harvested at their peak and a selection of coffees for you, as my welcome gift.”

“What a lovely gift. Thank you.” She smiled ruefully. “I shall keep them in Lio’s residence, of course, so my handmaiden does not become suspicious.”

“Advise Lio to make plenty of room. I suspect you will soon find that my gift is only one among a vast collection you will receive here.”

“Everyone has been so generous to me. I am grateful. Ah, I recognize these. Pomegranate.”

“They are suited to the dry climate of Orthros, and they have a symbiotic relationship with another Hesperine favorite you see in the next row, here. These are blood currants.”

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