I narrow my eyes and look down at her. “She’s been my student for about three years.”
“And you’ve never mentioned her.”
“No,” I say. “Because she ismy student. And you don’t ask about my lab.”
“Because your lab is boring.”
“Exactly…as is my relationship with Lyn.”
“So you’re saying youhave a relationship.”
We head toward the village, through a bustling marketplace full of street vendors and food stalls. I wasn’t exactly prepared to lecture my child about romance and professional ethics, but it seems now is the day I must do it. “We work together,” I murmur. “It wouldn’t be appropriate.”
“So did Mata and Wulfric.”
“That’s different.”
“How is it different?”
“Because Mata and Wulfric were equals,” I explain. “I am Lyn’s supervisor.”
“I don’t get it.”
“I’m her superior, which means there’s an imbalance of power,” I say, hoping she’s not going to go back to Shahar with even more questions at the end of the summer. “I am responsible for making decisions regarding approval for her projects, funding…I have to be entirely impartial.”
“But what if you fall in love with her?” Solvi asks, eyes glittering.
“I amnotgoing to fall in love with her.”
“But—”
“Oh shit?—”
I’m so distracted arguing with my daughter that I’m taken entirely by surprise when I collide with someone on the market street. I reach out to steady them, my fingers curling around a shoulder, then I look up.
“Gods, I’m sorry,” I mutter. “Are you alright?—”
I stop dead.
Because it’s Lyn.
And I’m touching her.
And she is…
Her lips part, her face flushes, her eyes going wide. She looks at me helplessly, unleashes a shuddering breath?—
She isnot fine. Whatever was wrong with her after that night…it’s still happening.
She collects herself quickly enough though, the moment ending at a speed that spares my daughter from seeing something far worse than anything in her books. Even so, she’sthrilled to see Lyn, who she has convinced herself is my very own Wulfric.
…and from the look on her face, Solvi is sure this is all happening by divine intervention.
“Hi Lyn!” she chirps, side-eyeing me as if she’s won something.
Lyn’s cheeks tinge deep red, eyes still wide. “Hi Solvi—and Kae—Dr. Rhyss.”
“Lyn,” I nod. I want to ask her what in the hells is going on and why she didn’t tell me she was still experiencing neurological symptoms…but I have to be satisfied hinting at it. “Are you well?”
