“Nonsense,” Wolfe said warmly. “You’ve made it clear that your castle isn’t safe. She’s more than welcome.”
Verice shot him a quick glare. Trust Wolfe to point out the contradictions in his words and actions.
“It would be lovely to have you here, Warna,” Kalynn said, that half smile still on her lips. “But it’s your choice.”
Warna was still staring at Verice, giving him a considering look. He dropped his gaze, frowning, glancing at Charrin. She couldn’t stay here; the atmosphere was too poisonous. To say her talent was mediocre; Charrin was lashing out. Verice felt sick. He’d made a mistake bringing her here, a mistake to expose her to—
Warna’s voice cut through his thoughts. “Wolfe, Kalynn, I thank you for your kind offer, but I will be returning with Lord Verice.”
“Well, in that case, I’ll walk you out.” Wolfe said. “You can take the dogs with you.”
Charrin’s stomach roiledwith anger as he perceived Verice and his pet human disappear down the stairs, dogs in tow. Wolfe followed behind, insisting that Verice take his animals with him. Charrin’s lip curled. All of Verice’s animals, to his way of thinking. How dare Verice, one of the Blood, bring a human here. How dare he express concern for one so—
“An interesting turn of events,” Kalynn observed.
Charrin frowned at her. She was watching them depart as well, but even in the grayscale of his perception, her expression was...interested.
“What was that I heard?” Charrin demanded, his shoulders tensing. His hands were in his lap, but balled into fists. “I heard something. Something in their voices.”
“Yes,” Kalynn rose and started to pick up the shards in the pool of kav. “Something starting. Something...fragile. A possibility.”
“That can’t be,” Charrin said.
“I don’t think they even know,” Kalynn said.
“You think he cares for her?” Charrin spat, his voice an octave higher than he intended. He struggled to calm himself. “That’s not possible. She’s human. Verice is of a Bearer of the Blood of Tethnar, One of the Founders of the Kingdom of Valltera.”
“A kingdom that rejected him,” Kalynn said. “and that he rejected in turn. He is of Palins now. By his own choice. Has been for some hundreds of years.”
“A passing fancy,” Charrin sat back in his chair. “Nothing more.” He snorted. “Imagine thinking she’d have a voice worth anything.”
“Yes,” Kalynn stood. “As to that, Charrin—”
“They’re gone,” Wolfe bounded up the stairs, rubbing his hands together, looking smug. “Took the dogs with them, thank the Ancestors. Don’t know why I ever agreed to care for them.” He glanced at the shards in Kalynn’s hand. “Let me help you with that.”
Ash pan and broom appeared, twirling and hopping up the stairs. Kalynn smiled as they whirled about and the shards themselves danced over to be swept up. “You’re in a good mood.”
“They took the dogs,” Wolfe said with laugh. “And I may be old, but I recognized the look in their eyes.”
“Love?” Charrin sat up, his voice sharp.
“Utter confusion,” Wolfe chortled. “Both of them. They have no idea what’s happening. Pity she decided not to stay. Would have been fun to watch.”
“So, you think they love?” Charrin demanded, finding new fuel to his rage.
“How would I know?” Wolfe scowled. “Kalynn’s the seer, not me.”
“I don’t see into men’s hearts,” Kalynn demurred.
“Ridiculous,” Charrin huffed. “Verice knows full well the treachery those vermin are capable of. He’d never—”
Wolfe turned, his face contorted with a rage Charrin had never felt before. Charrin jerked up, suddenly remembering who he had just angered.
Kalynn held up her hand.
Wolfe stopped.
“Charrin,” Kalynn’s voice was curt. “It would appear that you have forgotten my heritage.”
