Mandoran headed toward the door after Teela propped herself up on one elbow.
* * *
In the darkness of Alsanis's night, Kaylin heard singing in the distance. She glanced at Teela, or at what she could see of Barrani profile. "Can you hear the Consort?"
"Yes. She has always had a beautiful voice."
"Do you know the song?"
"Yes."
"Teela-"
"You saved them. You saved them when they didn't know they wanted to be saved. I didn't know it, either. They were only barely aware of their names; not aware enough to use them. They couldn't hear me-but they couldn't hear each other, either. Now we can. They're not what they were. But I'm not what I was.
"What we did was stupid. It was reckless. It was willful."
"You mean the names?"
"You see? You have been paying attention."
"Do you regret it?"
"No. I will. I'm certain I will. But, no." She fell silent for a long moment. "I had no idea, when I picked you up in the Halls, that this is where it would lead."
Kaylin closed her eyes.
"I think Nightshade had hopes-and that angers me."
"Teela-"
"If you're going to tell me that at least they were hopes you approved of, save your breath. Every criminal feels justified in his actions. Every single one. Are you going to keep interrupting me?"
"No."
"Hah. Where was I? Even if I had known, I wouldn't have risked you. If the choice had been mine, you would have been packed up and sent back to the Halls."
"I had the dress."
"Yes. Which is why the choice wasn't mine. It's odd. My life has revolved around the day my mother died. My life in the High Court has been tainted by it; my family has certainly changed because of it. Only when I was in the Halls of Law was it irrelevant. And I valued that. I valued it highly. You were part of that life, not this one. I was enraged when Nightshade marked you. I was even less happy when you got lost and wandered into the test of name. His hand was behind it. Don't bother denying it.
"But now, I'm wondering what he saw that I didn't-or couldn't. I wouldn't have risked you here. Yet without you, we would-all of us-still be trapped. You've freed them. You've freed Alsanis. You've freed Barian."
"His mother's not thrilled about that."
"Even better. I never liked my aunt. You're interrupting again."
"Sorry."
"You're interrupting an apology. From me."
"It's the shock."
Teela chuckled.
"You don't owe me an apology."
"Not yet. But I will. You've proved yourself here. But you're still a mortal. You're still our mascot. I don't think I can untangle that. I don't-truth be known-want to."
Kaylin relaxed into the pillow. She was surprised, because her throat tightened. She was, she realized, crying. But it was dark, and she was silent. Maybe Teela wouldn't notice.
"What have I told you about crying?"
"It makes me look weak and pathetic."
"Hasn't changed."
"I am weak and pathetic."
"You don't even understand what those words mean, kitling. You are, however, an idiot. But you're my idiot, and I don't intend to let go of you. Sedarias will keep court here for longer than your natural life. If I stay, you'll age and you'll die before we're done. I'll miss it all."
"I hate mortality."
"Not keen on it myself."
The dragon hissed.
"Oh, shut up, you," Teela told him.