Call of Brindelier (Keepers of the Wellsprings Book 3) by Missy Sheldrake Page B

winces.
    “Conclave,” I say. “You need healing. It’s a break.”
    “But we just got started...” Saesa groans in frustration.
    “Conclave.” I repeat. “Put it on the guild’s tally. Next time don’t be lazy with your elbows.”
    “Yes, Lady Knight,” she sighs and stows her weapon at the wall, then bows respectfully and rushes out.
    It’s hours before Rian finally returns from the Academy. He finds me in the meeting hall helping Mouli, our cook and housekeeper, clear away the dinner that’s gone cold. She clucks her tongue at the nearly untouched food and hurries off to the kitchen with it to see what can be salvaged.
    “Nobody turned up again?” Rian grabs a roll and bites into it.
    “Everyone’s off on their own,” I say as I slip my arms around him. “Mouli can warm the fish for you. It was a good catch.”
    “That’s all right,” he shrugs.
    “Well, well, nice of you to turn up!” Mouli says shrilly as she comes back to the table. “I’ll make you a plate before you disappear to nothing, Rian! Honestly, you’ve got to eat. Books and ink will not sustain you!”
    “Yes, Mouli,” Rian grins. “Thank you for that sage advice. Such a revelation, coming from you. Never before have I heard such wisdom escape your lips.”
    “Don’t be cheeky,” she flicks her apron at him and rushes back to the kitchen.
    “Hey,” Rian says after she leaves. He reaches up and tugs my braid with a questioning tilt of his head.
    “Flitt didn’t like my new style,” I laugh softly.
    “She was here?” he asks as he takes my hand. “Where has she been? What did she say?”
    Between visits from Mouli, I fill Rian in on my conversation with Flitt. His expression seems to darken slowly the entire time, until he’s finally fully scowling when I get to the part with Shush and the feather. I pull it out and set it on the table beside his plate.
    “What’s wrong?” I ask as his whole demeanor changes. His body goes rigid, his jaw and fists clench. This is the way he gets when he goes to Kythshire. Measured. Careful. Slightly terrified. “I thought you’d be honored.”
    “It’s too dangerous,” he replies, staring at the feather with distaste.
    “How is it dangerous?” I stroke the soft, spotted fronds thoughtfully with my fingertip. “It’s exciting. A chance to strengthen our alliance. And Shush is amazing. It’d be fun to get to know him better, wouldn’t it?”
    “No,” he pushes the feather back toward me with the end of his spoon. “It crosses the line. It’s too much power for us, Azi. Too much risk for him. For all of them.”
    “But Flitt said—” I start, but he interrupts me.
    “Flitt is young. I bet the others argued against it. The older ones. The ones who were there during the darker times. She’s an idealist. She doesn’t realize what could happen.”
    “That’s what they said, too,” I sigh. “But don’t you think we’ve changed since then?” I rest a hand on his arm. “Don’t you think our Mages can be trusted? Don’t you think you can be?”
    Rian stares thoughtfully at the feather for a long time, pondering the question. He presses his palms into the bench and stays silent through Mouli’s return. She fills his plate again and Rian makes a show of eating it until she goes out again.
    “In the end,” he says quietly as Mouli slips out to the kitchen again, “no, I don’t. I don’t even trust myself, Azi. Not with that. Not with the life of a fae. The way I could drain him, use his power to feed my own, it would be a constant temptation. A constant battle. A distraction and a danger. I won’t risk it.”
    “That’s why he chose you,” I take his hands in mine. “He’s seen how restrained you are. He knows you’re respectful and cautious. He trusts you. They all do.”
    “Well,” Rian says, his hands shaking in mine, “they shouldn’t. I’m not arguing anymore. That’s my final decision. If you respect me, you’ll accept it.”
    “Very