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He frowns at her, but Ada touches his arm to gain his attention. Pyris jerks back like she’s struck him.
“Imryll removed Madigan’s earthly birth control,” Ada explains. “She’s likely already healed, but she can’t stomach the idea of seeing the incision.”
“Why?” he challenges, raising his chin, ready to argue.
“Raf feared it wouldn’t be compatible here,” she answers without pause. “As he was a doctor on Earth before coming to Spiran, we thought it was in our best interest to trust his word. Imryll also removed mine with no complications, not even a scar.”
Pyris watches Ada for a moment before he dips his head. “Thank you. I am in your debt.”
“You are most welcome,” Ada says, though she wears a confused grin. “But you don’t owe me a debt. In different times, Madigan meant the world to me. I only want to see her thrive on Spiran and become the goddess she’s always been.”
His brow furrows so low I can no longer see the blues of his irises. “You know?”
Ada simply smiles.
“She doesn’t know,” he mutters, glancing at the new Shade queen over his shoulder. “Or she doesn’t want to believe it. But we do.”
“Give her time,” Ada whispers. “Knowing you all care for her is the first step in welcoming her to her new status. Spiran will visit soon enough, and she won’t be able to ignore it any longer.”
“Then I owe you two debts,” he replies, bowing his head before he returns to his queen.
“He owes thanks, and I owe apologies,” I mumble, watching Talodus and Connak talk to Lyell.
Ada tucks her hand in mine. “You owe me nothing. This is enough.”
“I don’t know if I believe that.”
“You believe with your heart, Mongrel.” She taps my chest. “That has nothing to do with your eyes or ears or mind.”
Lyell approaches before I can explain myself. He folds his arm over his waist, bending as he exaggerates his bow. “As I live and breathe, a water goddess stands before Shades.”
“She’s taken,” I respond dryly. “Stop flirting.”
He ignores me, humor glinting in his golden eyes. “I’m Lyell Valestorm, the better half of the Shade princes. But don’t tell my brother I said that. He goes straight for my face.”
“It’s lovely to meet you finally,” Ada acknowledges. “Who are the others with you?”
“Faldron Stillblade, royal guard,” Lyell points as he speaks. “The man you were talking to is Doctor Pyris Fairbain, apothecary... Madi calls him a chemist or a mad scientist, though I’m not clear on the definitions of those Earth terms. And the quiet guy is Thinik Templefox, the best hunter the Shades can offer you.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary,” Ada says, holding her hand up.
Lyell chuckles. “I wasn’t really offering him. Madi might kill me if I did.”
Ada nods as she scans the room. “You didn’t come with protection. You’re her Shades.”
“If you mean she’s ours, then yes,” Lyell insists, though he shrugs too. “We couldn’t stay there without her. It no longer felt like home.”
“No,” Ada tells him simply. “I meant what I said. She’s not yours; you are hers.”
“Is there a difference?” he inquires.
I cast a side glance at Ada. “There is when you have to share her with the world.”
11
CONNAK
DAY SIXTY-ONE
