Page 47

She stared.

His expression remained perfectly serious.

“Do not start.”

“I asked a question.”

“Yes.”

His shoulders eased almost imperceptibly.

Kesta caught the movement.

“Were you worried I wouldn’t?”

“No.”

“Liar.”

The faintest warmth entered his silver eyes. “Sera would have forced you.”

“She is terrifying.”

“Exactly.”

Sera, standing beside Kesta, looked pleased.

Dreven turned back toward the pipes. A maintenance worker called his name from the upper platform, holding up a damaged valve.

Duty closed over his expression almost immediately.

Before he walked away, his gaze returned briefly to Kesta. “Council after the infirmary.”

It was not phrased as a question.

Kesta felt the familiar spark of irritation.

Then Dreven added, “Unless Sera says Lina requires you longer.”

She studied his face.

He noticed.

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“That expression rarely means nothing.”

Kesta looked toward the infirmary. “I’m deciding whether you can learn.”

His tail made one slow, irritated movement behind him.

“I had not realized I was being trained.”

Sera started walking before Kesta could answer. “Come, Medic. If you two continue, the patients will heal from old age before we arrive.”

Kesta followed her, smiling despite herself.