A tug at the back of my mind. I was forgetting something, a long-ago lesson from my childhood, perhaps. For the first time in a while, I thoroughly cursed my disinterest in traditional learning. . . .Fine. Not the first time.
I opened my mouth. Closed it. But since when had I ever practiced caution?
“Do—do you. . .feel that?”
“Of course.” He taunted me with the placid response.
“Do you see that?”
“Of course.” Deeper amusement now.
I bit my bottom lip and turned to face him, regretting that decision when I saw the look in his eyes. Discretion, Baba had said, which translated into no punching or insults. “Why are our avatars playing footsie? And why is it I can see your avatar and you mine?”
He lifted a hand, as if to halt the question, and the other slid down and rested on my hip. Casual, proprietary. “It's safe to ask me that question here, Aerinne, but do not ask another.”
“Are you going to answer?”
“No.”
I dug my nails into my palms. “Why not?”
“You have enough to deal with, and the knowledge won't significantly impact your current goals either way.”
“That sounds like horseshit.”
Renaud tugged my ear sharply, the hand on my hip squeezing for a moment. I tried to shift my hips away but he backed me against the balcony, halting me. “I am not withholding information because I need to appear mysterious, Aerinne. I said the answer to that question won't benefit you right now. Ask me again in a year. And tell no one else. If my enemies know you can see the shape of my power, and reach it, they will try to take you to use against me.”
Of course his own safety was his primary concern. “Here in Everenne?”
“These flailing children in Everenne are the least of my concerns. Tell no one.” He pinched my earlobe, then released it.
I contemplated the consequences of defying him. “Can I ask Nora?”
“You haven't? Have you no curiosity?”
“I've been a little busy. And she's. . .her.”
“A poor excuse.” He paused. “You may ask Nora. On the condition you tell me what she says. It will amuse me.”
“You're up to something.”
A wisp of a smile. “That would usually be a good guess. But this time I’m not, I swear. I simply wish to know her reaction.”
“Do other Fae have avatars? Is that what it's even called?”
“The word is correct—your instincts have yet to betray you. And yes, though not on this side of the realm, and only among a certain bloodline of Fae. You are more unique than you know, or your commander suspects. I will say no more on the matter for now. Speak with Nora if you must, but no one else.”
And he said he wasn't withholding information for the sake of being mysterious. I didn't believe him for a second.
My slow brain caught up. “Wait—you said among a certain bloodline. But you have an avatar too.”
He said nothing.
“Are we—are we. . .related?” I couldn’t conceive of it. My motherwouldhave said something.
“No,” he said. “But we share a very distant ancestress. That is all.” The implacable tone plainly stated he wasn’t going to discuss it any further.
Another kiss on my bare skin. I clenched every muscle to avoid a betraying shiver and whirled, gripping the balcony as I stared at anything but his eyes. “Why are you trying to seduce me?”
