by T. A. White
It could be a trick, but Tate decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.
“We found each other. I was in the catacombs, and we ended up saving one another a couple times.”
“This was when the Kairi woman tried to sell the fulcrum to the highest bidder.” Tala sounded sure of her facts.
Tate froze. That wasn’t common knowledge. The Kairi had come entirely too close to breaching the treaty and setting off a war. Neither party wanted the common populace finding out how close to upheaval they had come.
Reading the thoughts on Tate’s face, Tala gave her a smile that was slightly patronizing. “Your dragon friend isn’t the only one with contacts. It pays when you’re in my position to have eyes and ears everywhere.”
She knew about Ryu. Even worse.
“Not sure what you’re talking about.”
Tala gave her a chiding look, one that said she wasn’t pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes. “I believe he was part of the Duke of Spiritly’s entourage last night.”
“Was he?” Tate’s voice was noncommittal.
Night, alerted to the tension in the air, slunk closer. His eyes focused on the Silva woman.
“I mean you no harm,” Tala said, her eyes flicking to Night in amusement. “I’m making you aware of how pointless it would be to try to keep such things from me.”
Tate wasn’t sure if that was meant as a threat or not.
They came to the edge of the mini forest. A huge tree, its branches twisting and turning as they opened in a wide embrace to the sun, was at the middle of the huge clearing, a carpet of grass covering its roots.
“What is it that you think you know?” Might as well figure out how many of their secrets were known by the Silva.
Tala gestured to a small seating area at the base of the tree.
“Shall we sit? I’ve had tea from our homeland brewed, and my cook has baked some lovely treats for us.”
Tate didn’t see why they couldn’t conduct this conversation while enjoying a nice snack. She’d eaten a couple hours ago, and it wasn’t quite time for lunch but that had never stopped her before.
Night, knowing her answer before she said it, stalked toward the little blanket with its mini table.
Tala was graceful as she knelt at the little table and started pouring the two of them tea. For Night, she pulled out a bowl and added a creamy liquid, setting it down where he could easily drink. Tate was considerably less graceful as she lowered herself down, opting not to try the painful looking kneeling position Tala was in.
Gabriella glided through the forest, stopping under the branches of the great tree and leaning against its trunk. Tate flicked her a glance. Gabriella gave her a small smirk before Tate turned her attention to Tala.
“I know that the Kairi almost broke the treaty a few months ago,” Tala said with a small tilt to her lips. “And that you interfered. Doing so forced you to assume the form your bond gives you.”
Her eyes went to the sleeve that hid the dragon. Tate had opted to cover it both today and last night, hoping to keep its presence a secret a little longer from those who didn’t already know.
Tala gave Tate a small smile. “I know that you claim to have no memory of your past and that Lord Ryuji has been protecting you from the less scrupulous members of the Emperor’s court.”
Tate’s face was guarded at this revelation. She didn’t know what Tala was talking about, but didn’t want the woman to know. Tate didn’t trust her, which made her guard anything the woman might gain information from with all the passion of a newly converted zealot. Tate would have to ask Ryu any questions later.
“I imagine you have a purpose in telling me all this,” Tate said.
Tala’s smile was soft. “You do not like me knowing this.”
“What can I say? I’m shy like that.”
It wasn’t so much that Tala knew it. It was all the other people in Tala’s circle that would know, including her guards and whoever had discovered the information and the Saviors knew how many others.
Right now, it didn’t seem like Tate had any secrets left.
“Again, I mean you no harm.”
That was not comforting. Usually you only told people that when you actually did mean harm.
“Again, why tell me all this?”
“I find your existence curious. There has never been a female to survive the bonding process with a dragon.”
“I’m aware.”
The women usually died when the first transformation took place. Unable to change back, they got stuck in between and perished, or went mad and had to be put down. Tate was the first to cross that barrier. It’s one of the reasons her leash was so short. The people in charge didn’t quite trust that the problems the former female Dragon-Ridden had faced wouldn’t rear their ugly head necessitating that she be put down by Ryu or someone like him. It was grating to have to abide by the rules, but Tate could see their reasoning.
“Your presence means a power shift. I would be foolish not to find out everything I could about you.”
“I’ll give you that. Still doesn’t explain why you chose to reveal how much you know. I would think that would be the kind of thing you’d like to keep to yourself in case you ever needed it.”
Concealing how much she knew would give her an advantage if Ryu should ever try to embed himself in her household. She’d be able to control the information he had access to while manipulating him into releasing misinformation.
That’s how Tate would have handled that knowledge anyway.
Tala’s laugh was warm with just the faintest hint of danger, like fur sliding against rock right before a predator pounced.
“My people are very direct,” she said. “We prefer to challenge our enemies out in the open. I’m in no danger from your friend. He’s well aware that we know who he is and that we won’t tolerate him mucking about in our business.”
Tate examined her with a cool gaze. Message received. A warning and a threat, skillfully delivered.
The Silva were watching her and were perfectly willing to treat her cordially, but if she overstepped, they’d act accordingly.
To give herself time, Tate took a sip of the tea, keeping her grimace hidden. It tasted like tea but there was a metallic aftertaste that turned the tea bitter and hard to swallow. She didn’t want to give offense after Tala’s statement. She had a feeling these people could get wound up at the strangest things.
“That is good to know,” Tate said in a pleasant tone of voice.
She set the tea down.
Night straightened from lapping at the milk Tala had poured from him, sensing the shift in mood. His amber eyes studied the other woman. His ears pricked. Tate had brought him in part for his superior senses. He might be able to pick up on nonverbal cues that Tate missed.
Her eyes went to Gabriella. “You’ve referred to your guard on several occasions as Ayer. What does that mean?”
Tala took a sip of tea, her gaze going to Gabriella before she glanced back at Tate. “It is hard to translate into your language. The best way to describe it is as a person who has close ties to the doyenne.”
“Like a second in command?” Tate asked.
Tala looked thoughtful. “That is an imprecise definition, but it works in this instance.”
Tate nodded. She had questions but wasn’t sure quite how to ask them without seeming rude. Being diplomatic had never been her strong suit.
“The murders last night added a certain level of intrigue to these talks,” Tala said, peering at Tate from over her tea cup.
“A little too much.”
“I do not envy you or the mediator. Both the Academics and the Kairi are going to try to use this as leverage to influence events.”
“Were you acquainted with the Kairi, Ithor, or the human, Ronald?” Tate asked, trying to feign harmless curiosity.
Tala’s head tilted. “I believe Ithor is the name of the man who brought the stiletto in last night.”
“Yes.�
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“I’m afraid that was the first time I’d met the man. I didn’t have much to do with him after that incident.”
Tala never left the main group during dinner or afterward. She couldn’t have killed the two men herself, but it was entirely possible that the woman had ordered one of her people to do it.
“You weren’t happy when you saw the stiletto,” Tate said abruptly.
The other woman blinked. “No. I wasn’t.”
“Why is that?”
“It’s an assassin’s weapon, meant to be used when you’ve snuck up on your prey. It is an insult to bring such a weapon to a mediation.”
“It made you angry.”
Breath exploded from Tala, a half laugh, half snort. “Hardly. It is insulting, but I’m used to that from the Kairi. They are known for being dishonorable even when dealing with their own kind. They cloak their actions in diplomacy, but really it’s just backstabbing your way to the top.”
“Interesting that you say that. I believe I heard somewhere that the Silva rules of succession involve armed combat. I imagine people occasionally die in that combat, yet you judge the Kairi for acting in a similar manner.”
Tala raised one eyebrow. “Yes, we believe that only the strong should rule, but we don’t skulk around in the dark, scheming and maneuvering. We challenge for that right and accept the outcome.”
Two sides. Same coin. The result was the same. People dead.
“And the human?” Tate asked. “I thought I saw you talking with him during dinner.”
“He was a pompous ass convinced that my people tainted his merely by association. It was difficult to carry on a civil conversation.” Tala looked at Tate with an assessing gaze. “You ask a lot of questions. It would be wise not to stick your nose in manners such as these. They have a way of destroying anyone close to them.”
“Is that a threat?” Tate asked.
Tala’s face was coldly amused. “Not at all. Just a friendly piece of advice. You are new to this level of society. It would behoove you to move with caution.”
Tate felt a little insulted. She didn’t like the implication that she was naïve or needed guidance as a youth would. It made her next choice of words unwise. “I’m surprised you’re not more concerned about these murders. There is no reason to think that the Silva are safe from whoever did this. If someone is targeting these talks, it could mean your people are a target as well.”
“I would like to see them try.” Tala’s face took on an alien quality, as if the skin was stretched tight and something was trying to push through. Her voice dropped into a lower decibel that was felt as well as heard. “They won’t find any of my people such easy prey.”
Night’s ears and fur went flat. His muscles moved under his fur as if he was preparing to pounce.
Tate touched his shoulder in warning. They couldn’t be the ones to attack first. Even if Tala was a little scary right now and put Tate in mind of some of the fiercer predators of the Northern Reaches.
“I meant no insult,” Tate said. Even though she kind of had. “I was simply making an observation.”
Tala’s fierce gaze held Tate’s a moment longer. Tate started to look away and suddenly Ilith was there, forcing her to hold Tala’s gaze.
She is not dominant to us, Ilith thought at her.
There is no reason to antagonize her, Tate thought back.
You will be viewed as weak if she wins a dominance game.
Aggression filled the air as Tate remained caught in Tala’s gaze. It was an almost physical presence, threatening to press the air out of Tate’s lungs. Her instincts clamored at her to look away, to break the stare. She didn’t know how much longer she could keep this up.
Tala blinked and looked away. She took a sip of her tea and looked back up. This time without that same intense focus.
Tate sensed the change. Looked like she had survived.
Ilith rumbled in her head before her presence receded. Tate was grateful for her departure. She had a feeling the dragon might have forced Tate into an uncomfortable situation had she remained. One that would have involved blood and claws.
Tala fiddled with her tea cup. “I apologize. It has been a stressful few days and my emotions seem to be running high.”
She stood and waved Tate back down when she would have joined her. “Please stay and enjoy the meal and our sanctuary. Gabriella can act as your guide and answer any questions you might have about this place.”
Night made a small mrph sound that Tate knew was the equivalent to a laugh. She shot him a look that said ‘hush, you.’
Tala’s eyes went to him. “I told your friend, but now I’ll tell you. The lands of my people are wild and beautiful. You would be welcome there should you find yourself in need of a home. In the meantime, you are welcome to use this place as a sanctuary anytime you need a reprieve from the city.”
Whatever Night’s response, it was made in silence. Tate knew from the softening on Tala’s face that he was speaking to her with his telepathy. She struggled to keep a feeling of hurt from taking root that he chose to exclude her. She didn’t like the idea of him leaving her, even if the wide-open spaces of the Silva lands might be more suited to him. That thought made her feel selfish and small.
Tala bid them goodbye and padded away, her feet silent in the grass. The trees swallowed her the moment she got near, shielding her from view.
Gabriella stalked forward, settling with a boneless grace in the spot Tala had vacated.
“Please forgive our doyenne. She is young for her position but does not mean you any harm.”
Tate lifted an eyebrow at her. “If you’re her guard, shouldn’t you be guarding her instead of here apologizing for her?”
Gabriella gave her a crooked grin. “As her Ayer, my duties are rather fluid. In our home, surrounded by our own people, she has little need for a dozen guards to shadow her every move. I find you interesting. If I stick around you, I’ll experience more interesting things. Might even give me a chance to make a name for myself.”
Tate’s question was interrupted by a male voice. “You’ve already made a name for yourself.”
“Your name can never be too big,” Gabriella told Lennart as he joined them at the table.
Tate shot Night a glare. He was supposed to warn her when people got too close. Let her know they were coming. He opened one eye to look at her before closing it again. The message was clear. She was on her own.
“More like you’re bored and you’re counting on the witness to keep you sufficiently entertained.”
Gabriella’s grin did nothing to negate his comment.
“Why?” Tate asked. “What makes you think that I’m going to be even the remotest bit entertaining?”
Gabriella held up one finger. “You’re involved in an event that intersects with three of the most powerful people in the empire. None of whom like each other.”
There was that.
She held up another finger. “You’re the first female dragon in known history. Your existence is bound to shake things up. Create enemies. Anyone standing next to you had better be prepared for a wild time.”
Tate would have liked to argue with her on that but had a feeling she made a good point.
Her eyes drifted to Night and she felt a tug of guilt. Perhaps she should have made more of an effort keeping her friends out of this.
Night’s tail whacked her on the back. He’d been careful to keep the barbs from touching her, but it still stung. He opened his eyes and stared meaningfully at her. There was no way she was convincing him to leave. Once he saw she understood his message, he put his head back on his paws.
“And lastly but most importantly, you held our doyenne’s gaze without attacking or being reduced to a quivering mess.”
“What does that have to do with anything?” Tate asked.
Gabriella gave Tate a considering look.
“Three seconds.”
Confusion showed on Tate’s face. She had no idea w
hat that meant.
“Three seconds,” Gabriella said again. “That’s my record in holding her gaze when she’s pulling rank. I am considered one of our best hunters and am strong enough to hold my own clan. One day I will take my father’s place as an advisor to the Harridan, our leader.”
Tate didn’t know what to do with this information.
“I tell you this so that you understand that I am not weak.”
“I doubt I would have thought that even if you hadn’t just given me a list of all your achievements,” Tate said.
“I am not weak, but even I can only hold her gaze for three seconds. Lennart can hold it for seven.”
Tate began to see what she was getting at. She hadn’t been the first to drop her eyes. Ilith wouldn’t let her.
“Now you understand.”
And Tate did. Sort of. Even if she’d like to disagree with her right about now.
“Explain why this is so significant.” Tate wanted to be very sure of what had just happened.
It was Lennart who answered. “It is difficult to put into words for someone who is not part of our society.” Not the answer Tate was looking for. He looked thoughtful as he considered how to explain. “In the wild many animals use eye contact to indicate aggression and dominance. A subordinate or weaker animal might drop their eyes or present their stomach to signify that they weren’t a threat. That they acknowledge the other’s strength.”
Tate had seen similar behavior. Especially in social groups.
“For the Silva, it goes one step further from social cue to near compulsion. It preys on a person’s instincts. It can be very hard for the uninitiated to resist such an instinctual response. Tala’s dominance is stronger than most. It’s what makes her such an effective leader. Few have even challenged her in recent years. It is beyond surprising that you were able to resist so easily.”
It hadn’t been easy. Tate’s first response would have been to drop her eyes if Ilith hadn’t intervened.
“It is odd that she let it go that far,” he said in a thoughtful tone of voice. “She is usually more careful in the city.”