Granting the young girl mercy, Deckard started up the conversation with Vayden again, asking more about the meeting. However, Evylin was more interested in hearingReyana’s whisper to Ilain. “You have very attractive friends,” she murmured.
Ilain patted her hand. “Yes, dear,” she whispered back.
Reyana’s eyes locked on Ethenn, who was failing to keep his eyes on his plate as though he knew he was being observed. “He’s quite muscular,” she said in a hushed tone.
“That one is mine, darling,” Ilain replied. “But you can have the broody one in the corner.”
Reyana snorted softly in laughter and put a hand to her mouth, making it so that Evylin couldn’t pick up whatever she muttered next.
“And what is it that you do for the Alliance?” Deckard asked, drawing Evylin’s attention back to the conversation.
“At present, I’m a bit of a glorified messenger,” Vayden said with self-derision. “My age has caught up to me, you see. When I was younger, my likeness to the prince made me an invaluable asset. I often traveled under the guise of Prince Blount, helping to undermine the monarchy’s authority in various military outposts or by retrieving sensitive information. I was quite successful in impersonating him until these wrinkles betrayed me.”
“They make you look distinguished,” Isla said.
“They make me look old,” he corrected good-naturedly.
Evylin disagreed. She’d hardly noticed the lines on his face until he’d pointed them out himself. “How does that work?” she found herself asking.
The whole table turned toward her, and Vayden’s lips quirked up at the corner. “How does what work?” he asked.
“Blount—Mages and their extended youth,” she clarified, then looked at Ilain. “You said you’re in your forties?”
“Forty-three to be precise,” Ilain confirmed.
“Yet, you look younger than I,” Evylin said.
Ilain brushed a hand through the air. “That’s purely because you weren’t readily using your magic until these last few months. It’s why Jonn looks older than Auden despite being fifteen years his junior. The magic of MagesandWarriors keeps them young. Now that you’re both accessing your magic, you won’t age like normal humans. You’ll stay looking youthful until... Well, likely for another century. Maybe two if you Bond.”
“That’s not—” Deckard began, but Ilain cut him off.
“Not a topic you’d like to discuss,” she said reproachfully. “Well, forgive me if I think living longer and improved lovemaking is beneficial.”
Evylin blushed, and Deckard blanched, while Ethenn choked on his food. Immediately, Rafferty began to laugh hysterically, and Thom covered his amused grin with a hand. The Wauldeners regarded them all with bemused expressions.
“I don’t understand what—”
Isla took her daughter’s hand, silencing her as she explained, “Ephrians are more reserved, Reya. They don’t discuss things like marital intimacy in mixed company.”
“And especially not in front of children,” Thom added.
Reyana’s face went red. “I’m thirteen,” she said with great offense.
Thom failed to hold back a smirk. “My apologies, ma’am. I only meant to defend your honor.”
That caused the girl to deflate as her whole face went bright red.
“As it is,” Ilain went on, “most magical individuals appear in their mid-twenties to thirties for the majority of their lives. Look at Isla—” She gestured to the Wind Mage. “She’s seventy-two.”
“I beg your pardon?” Thom said with incredulous disbelief.
Evylin had to agree. Isla looked no older than her.
The woman in question shrugged. “I’m only half Waulden, so I’ll likely die sooner than the average Mage. I was born in Schonand was only brought here when I was Reyana’s age, which makes me less powerful as well. It’s a wonder I haven’t started aging yet.”
“It’s because you’re stronger than you give yourself credit for,” Vayden said supportively.
“I’m under no illusions of my abilities, love,” she said. “And in fifty years, I will die happily at your side.”
