Perian shrugged, not looking even slightly apologetic. “They don’t know any of us. I wanted to help because I cared so much about Renny and Kee. But if I spent my whole life knowing that the royal family was opposed to my very existence and wantedme dead? Maybe I wouldn’t be so anxious to help. Let’s give them a reason.”
“Perian,” Kinan protested. “You know my mother might not—”
Perian shot him a look. “Are you about to say something that doesn’t acknowledge our friendship and the fact that I would do anything to help you?”
Kinan struggled visibly for a moment, then deflated, looking both embarrassed and grateful. “No, of course not.”
Perian beamed. “Excellent.” He turned to Trill. “I’ve got supplies for the letter.”
Trill nodded. “Thank you.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
Trill
Trill sat down at the desk and tried to think how to best phrase the situation in the hope that Yannoma would actually come. He couldn’t lie to her, and she knew some of the situation already. So in the end, in addition to carefully enclosing the coins for transport and mentioning the offer of a consultation and reward, all he did was update her on thesituationnow.He obliquely referenced that there was another person just like him, fewer “really hot and muscled men,” and the pledge for “everyone to be on their best behavior.” And he mentioned the devotion of the strongest man to the other “person like him.” Finally, he added that the “really interesting person” he thought she’d like to meet was here, which was unusual since he “rarely left his home,” meaning it was the perfect opportunity to examine a mystery that could maybe be solved only by her! (Carnalions weren’t immune to flattery, though she would probably see through him. He figured it couldn’t hurt.)
Then he and Arvus rode to town to post it, suggesting that Molun catch up with Perian. Even though this was a transparent ploy to have him rest his leg, he accepted, probably in large part because he really did want to spend time with Perian.
The letter was soon dispatched, Arvus paying extra to have it rush-delivered.
“Uh, I’m not sure I can pay you back,” Trill said, a little bit anxiously. “I mean, the way I usually get money, I’m not sure if you’d like me to do that anymore?”
Arvus tugged Trill into his arm and pressed a gentle kiss to his lips.
“We should have this discussion with Molun, but we definitely don’t expect you to pay back anything related to this. This is you doingusa favor, Trill.”
“She might not come,” Trill said, and then winced.
Arvus hugged him and then tugged him into motion back to the horses.
“Even iftheydon’t come,” Arvus said carefully, like Trill hadn’t slipped up, “we know that you’ve done your best. No one will blame you if this doesn’t work out.”
Trill certainly hoped that was true, because he doubted Yannoma was going to show up. She always said that youcouldn’t spend money if you were dead.Trillliked these people, but that wasn’t enough to make Yannoma do so.
But still, even if she did refuse, Arvus had said they wouldn’t blame Trill, and he could always go back in person and try one more time with Yannoma. They weren’t quite done yet.
Once they got back to Perian’s estate, they found Molun and Perian giggling in the sitting room.
Upon seeing them, Molun declared, “My two favorite people!”
He wasn’t able to launch himself off the chair quite as quickly as he wanted, but he made it over pretty quickly and hugged them. Trill immediately pushed some energy into him.
“Oh,” Perian said, sounding surprised. “I think I sort of saw that?” He frowned. “Felt it? I don’t totally know how to describe it, to be honest. But that was to help heal Molun, right?”
Trill nodded. “Yes.”
“I don’t feel anything at all,” Molun said. “I mean, the leg has been feeling better overall, but I can’t even tell it’s happening.”
Making a face, Trill said, “I didn’t want to do anything too sudden. I’m sorry.”
“Honey, you have absolutely nothing to apologize for,” Molun assured him, his eyes looking serious, his face soft. “You’ve done so much for me, and I’m so grateful. Please don’t ever think that you need to do more. What you’ve done is amazing, but you’d still be amazing even if you didn’t heal me, all right?”
Trill sagged against him and agreed, “All right.”
It was… something he still needed to work on fully believing, but it certainly helped how firmly and repeatedly Molun said it.
“I thought perhaps we could go for a walk,” Arvus suggested.
