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“You’ll certainly get a lot of attention.”
Moria grins. “That’s the idea.”
Better her than me.
“I have another one in mind for you.”
I nearly groan as she returns to her dressing room—it’s way too large to call it a closet—to replace the dress.
“Is it similar to yours?”Please say no, please say no, please say—
She pops her head back out. “It’s a surprise.”
Great. I force a smile anyway.
Moria scowls toward the circular balcony that dominates a corner of the room. “For you and my cousin.”
“Sigurd?” She hasn’t mentioned another one.
I follow her narrow gaze. My eagle friend perches on the edge of her balcony railing, its head poked into the room.
“Annoying bird,” she taunts.
It squawks at the offense. Poor thing.
“It’s probably because I’m here,” I say. “He likes to keep me company.”
“Oh, it’s definitely because of you.” She crosses her arms. “He wouldn’t dare perch there otherwise.”
“You don’t like birds?” How odd, given it’s their family symbol and that of their entire court.
Moria blinks. Once. Twice. Laughter erupts as she throws her head back, chest shaking.
My chest burns like I’ve completely missed some obvious joke. “What’s so funny?”
“You.” She cackles like a Halloween witch. “You have no idea, do you?”
Unease prickles my skin, raising the fine hairs on my arms. “No idea about what?”
She grabs my arm and pulls me onto her bed, still trying to rein in her laughter. “That eagle”—she points to my friend across the room—“is Sigurd’s.”
Moria stares at me expectantly, her head cocked to the side.
“Yes. And?” Who cares if it’s his pet?
She leans in, like a friend conspiring about a secret, and whispers, “He can see through the eyes of his eagles. When he chooses to anyway.”
“He can…” My eyes go wide.
Moria pulls me closer, her arm around my shoulder. “Oh yes, and not just see. Listen. Feel. He can slip inside their skin for a time, should he choose. Based on the magic I feel in the air, I’d bet just about anything he’s listening right now.”
I go utterly still. All the things I’ve said to that bird… I’ve changed in front of it. Scratched his head. Petted it like a cat.
Oh. My. God.
“Hey, cousin.” Moria waves at the bird. “Looks like I’ve spoiled your fun,” she says, but she doesn’t sound the least bit sorry. If anything, I’d say she’s rather pleased with herself. “Why not quit lurking like a scorned child and show yourself?”
Chapter 25
