Traitor's Moon

received,” Kheeta chuckled, hugging Seregil again.
    Was this fellow one of the “youthful flirtations” Seregil had spoken of? Alec wondered.
    â€œYou’d better close your mouth before something flies into it,” Beka whispered, poking him in the ribs.
    Ducking his head self-consciously, Alec prayed that his thoughts hadn’t been quite so obvious to anyone else.
    Releasing Seregil, Kheeta gave Klia a respectful bow. “Honored kinswoman, quarters have been prepared for you in Bôkthersa tupa. Whatever you need there, just ask me.”
    â€œYour house stands next to my own,” Adzriel told her. “Will you dine with us tonight?”
    â€œI’d like nothing better,” replied Klia. “I can’t tell you what a comfort it is to know that there is at least one khirnari of the Iia’sidra in whom I can place my complete trust.”
    â€œAnd here’s another!” Mydri said as Amali ä Yassara joined them, walking arm in arm with a white-garbed khirnari.
    By the Four!
thought Alec. He’d known that Amali’s husband was older than she, but this man could have been her grandfather. His face was deeply lined around the eyes and mouth, and the scant hair showing beneath his white sen’gai was the color of iron. If his wife’s proud smile and glowing eyes were anything to go by, however, age was no barrier to affection.
    â€œKlia í Idrilain, this is my husband, Rhaish í Arlisandin, khirnari of Akhendi clan,” Amali said, positively beaming.
    Yet another round of introductions ensued, and Alec soon found himself clasping hands with the man.
    â€œAh, the young Hâzadriëlfaie himself!” Rhaish exclaimed. “Surely it is a sign from the Lightbearer that your princess comes to us with such a companion!” Without releasing Alec’s hand, he raised his other to touch the dragon bite on Alec’s ear. “Yes, Aura has marked you for all to see.”
    â€œYou’re embarrassing poor Alec, my love!” Amali said, patting her husband’s arm as if he were her grandfather after all.
    â€œI’m grateful to be here, whatever the reason,” Alec replied.
    The conversation mercifully turned to other things and Alec retreated back among the Urgazhi. Nyal was there, too, but had not come forward to greet the Akhendi. Instead, he watched from a distance, his face somber as he followed Amali with his eyes.
    â€œMy wife speaks most affectionately of you, dear lady,” Rhaish was saying to Klia. “It is a great event, having Skalans on Aurënfaie soil after so long an absence. Pray Aura we may see more of your people here in the future.”
    â€œYou and your family must feast with us tonight, Khirnari,” Adzriel offered. “Both in thanks for your kind escort of my kinswoman and her people, and because Klia can have no better ally than you.”
    â€œThe hospitality of Bôkthersa is always an honor, my dear,” Rhaish replied. “We will leave you now to settle your guests in. Until tonight, my friends.”
    Leaving Seregil to his family, Alec rode beside Beka.
    â€œWhat do you think of it all so far?” he asked in Skalan.
    She shook her head. “I can still hardly believe we’re really here. I expect any minute for one of those dark-skinned ghosts of Seregil’s to pop into sight.”
    Rounding a corner, Alec glanced up and saw someone watchingthem, but it wasn’t Bash’wai spirits. Several white-clad khirnari stood on a balcony high above the street. He couldn’t see faces clearly at this angle, but he had the uneasy feeling that they were not smiling.
    â€œThe Skalan queen sends a child led by children!” Ruen í Uri of Datsia declared as he stood with Ulan í Sathil and Nazien í Hari, watching the Skalans ride past.
    Ulan í Sathil allowed himself the hint of a smile. Ruen had supported this parley with Skala; the introduction of a little doubt suited his purposes nicely.
    â€œYou must not be deceived by their apparent youth,” he warned. “The celadon fly hatches, mates, and dies in a day, but in the narrow space of that same day, it breeds hundreds of its kind, and its sting can kill a horse. So it is with the short-lived Tír.”
    â€œLook at him!” Nazien í Hari muttered, glaring down at the hated Exile riding freely through the streets. “Queen’s kin or not, it’s an affront to bring my