Page 244 of The Reckoning of Starlight

“Are you coming to the flight trials?” he asked, scratching beneath Naru’s jaw.

Essence gathered, and darkness drew a seam through the sunlit valley, widening into a portal.

“Wait.” Aesar eased the chick into the grass and stood.

For one absurd instant, he considered leaving the truth where he’d kept it these past months, sealed behind his teeth.

Instead, he said, “There’s something I want to tell you.”

Vesryn turned fully toward him. “That sounds regrettably serious.”

“It’s not.”

“Then you should have no trouble saying it.”

“I…” Aesar folded his hands behind his back. “I met someone.”

The portal collapsed.

Vesryn stared at him.

Five seconds passed before Aesar’s patience began to decay. “You’re being dramatic.”

“When did you meet him?”

“That’s not the question I expected first.”

“It was the least invasive one.” Vesryn tilted his head. “You’re stalling. Who is he?”

“One of the Accord’s Waykeepers,” Aesar said. “He charts the new overland routes and oversees the crews opening roads between the human cities and the settlements taking root in the druid wilds.”

Vesryn blinked. “He’s human?”

Aesar had anticipated that question. Worse, he’d already done the arithmetic too many times, measuring Marrek’s years against the longer reach of his own.

“Yes,” he said. “And before that thought finishes assembling itself in your head, I’m aware.”

Vesryn studied him more closely, but said it anyway. “Humans are shorter-lived.”

Aesar’s jaw tightened. “Cinderax said the scalebond lengthens human years. Should he choose to seek a boon.”

Vesryn’s brows lifted. “So you’ve thought this through. How did you even meet him?”

Aesar glanced toward the distant ridge, where Lykor’s turquoise shape continued its restless patrol. “Lykor tried to kill him.”

Wicked delight lit Vesryn’s eyes. “He survived Lykor?”

“Only because I intervened.”

“How disappointing for Lykor.”

“He remains most aggrieved.”

“I imagine so.” Vesryn crossed his arms, entirely too pleased now. “How long?”

“Long enough that I’m willing to subject him to all of you.”

“That’s not an answer.”