Rathyn bows his head in a nod.
“I liked him,” Everest says.
I can’t help a small smile. Sabik helped save Rathyn’s life when he was injured by the Seymosi, so I do not fear that Rathyn will be angry with me for utilizing his knowledge and skills. He is brilliant, far more than most. A treasure in Erethar. The Vyastil are fools for not engaging with him more and using his bright mind.
“Sabik was able to examine him and discovered where his pain originated from. An old infection from his childhood,” I say, though I did not fully understand what Sabik had beendescribing. But Dante seemed to understand, and that was enough for me. “He found a treatment that will help.”
Everest lets out a breath a few beats after I finish speaking, and Rathyn projects words he can understand into his mind. It is the bond of the VySytheh. The bond I share with Dante now and hope to share for the rest of our lives.
“So, he’s good now? He’s cured?”
I shake my head and say in English, “Do not know. Neeeed timmmme.”
Everest has finished his entire glass of wine and is tapping his fingers restlessly against the glass. “I get it. That’s why he’s resting, yeah?”
“Yes.”
Everest nods. “Okay. That’s good. Really good.” He sighs. “Did you see anyone you knew?”
At that, my heart sinks and my gut twists. The pain of seeing my brothers suffering and knowing that the rest of the village has been punished. My ears flick, and I can’t meet Everest’s eyes.
“Please explain,” Rathyn tells me.
“I entered the village,” I say in Eretharian. “I found Alvayn and Zynath there. They have been stripped of all honor and rank. The rest of the village was sent to the mines to work.”
Rathyn sucks in a breath, and I see Everest’s eyes widen once the words enter his head.
“Are they going to tell on you?” Everest asks.
I shake my head slowly. “Nooo. They are…” My mouth tries to find the word. “Looooyah.”
“Loyal. Yeah, good. We love loyalty, don’t we, Rath?”
Rathyn’s tail wraps around Everest’s thigh and pulls him close. He stumbles into him, but Rathyn catches him gently.
I glance at Rathyn, then square my shoulders because this is something I need to ask him. Something important. Something that could put him at risk.
“I wish to ask a favor of you. But I wish to speak it in private first.” I do not wish to leave out Everest. But this is a Vyastil problem.
Rathyn nods and glances down at Everest. “He wishes to speak to me alone.”
Everest sighs and grabs the bottle of wine. “Fine. But I need more wine and a soft place to sit while I’m left out.”
“Niaus,” I say. Everest frowns. “Pussyum.”
It takes Everest a moment to understand what I’m saying, then he brightens. “Oh! The possum. Where is she? I want to cuddle her.”
“Beeedroom,” I say, pointing to the door.
“Just fill me in after, yeah?” he says as he makes his way over, then disappears and closes the door behind him.
The moment we’re alone, Rathyn steps next to me and bows his head slightly. “Go on. Tell me. You are free to speak to me as equals.”
“You and I are well aware of what happens to the Vyastil who are sent to the mines. The young ones are trained there, but the dishonored ones…”
Rathyn makes a noise in his chest. “Yes. I have been a part of sentencing Vyastil in such a way.”
I try not to let that get to me. Rathyn is not the same being as he was before he met Everest. “They will be starved to death eventually. I cannot live knowing it was my fault. I need you to help them. My crime should not have warranted the entire village’s suffering.”
