like this, Sieh said, throwing me a vague wave by way of greeting. He never lifted his eyes from the book. Ive never read Darre poetry. Its strangefrom talking with you Id thought all Darre were straightforward. But this: every line is full of misdirection. Whoever wrote this thinks in circles.
I sat down on the bed to brush my hair. Its considered courteous to ask before invading others privacy.
He didnt put the book down, though he did close it. Ive offended you. There was a contemplative look on his face. How did I do that?
The poet was my father.
His face registered surprise. Hes a fine poet. Why does it bother you to have others read his work?
Because its mine. He had been dead a decadea hunting accident, such a typically male way to dieand still it hurt to think of him. I lowered the brush, looking down at the dark curls caught in the bristles. Amn curls, like my Amn eyes. I wondered, sometimes, whether my father had thought me ugly, as so many Darre did. If he had, would it have been because of my Amn featuresor because I did not look more Amn, like my mother?
Sieh gazed at me for a long moment. I meant no offense. And he got up and replaced the book on my small shelf.
I felt something in me relax, though I resumed brushing to cover it. Im surprised you care, I said. Mortals die all the time. You must grow tired of dancing around our grief.
Sieh smiled. My mother is dead, too.
The Betrayer, who betrayed no one. I had never thought of her as someones mother.
Besides, you tried to kill Nahadoth for me. That earns you a little extra consideration. He shifted to sit on my vanity table, his rump shoving aside my few toiletries; the extra consideration apparently did not extend that far. So what is it you want?
I started. He grinned.
You were glad to see me until you saw what I was reading.
Oh.
Well?
I wondered Abruptly I felt foolish. How many problems did I have right now? Why was I obsessing over the dead?
Sieh drew up and folded his legs, and waited. I sighed.
I wondered if you could tell me what you know of of my mother.
Not Dekarta, or Scimina, or Relad? Or even my peculiar family? He cocked his head, and his pupils doubled in size in the span of a breath. I stared, momentarily distracted by this. Interesting. What brings this on?
I met Relad today. I groped for words to explain further.
Quite a pair, arent they? Him and Scimina. The stories I could tell you about their little war
I dont want to know about that. My voice was too sharp as I said it. I hadnt meant to let him see how much the meeting with Relad had troubled me. I had expected another Scimina, but the drunken, bitter reality was worse. Would I become another Relad if I did not escape Sky soon?
Sieh fell silent, probably reading every thought on my face. So it did not entirely surprise me when a look of calculation came into his eyes, and he gave me a lazy, wicked smile.
Ill tell you what I can, he said. But what will you give me in return?
What do you want?
His smile faded, his expression changing to one of utter seriousness. I said it before. Let me sleep with you.
I stared at him. He shook his head quickly.
Not as a man does with a woman. He actually looked revolted by the notion. Im a child, remember?
You arent a child.
As gods go, I am. Nahadoth was born before time even existed; he makes me and all my siblings combined look like infants. He shifted again, wrapping arms around his knees. He looked terribly young, and terribly vulnerable. Still, I was not a fool.
Why?
He uttered a soft sigh. I just like you, Yeine. Does there have to be a reason for everything?
Im beginning to think so, with you.
He scowled. Well, there isnt. I told you; I do what I like, whatever feels good, as children do. Theres no logic to it. Accept that or not, as you please. Then he put his chin on one knee and looked away, doing as perfect a sulk as Id ever seen.
I sighed, and tried to consider whether saying yes to him would somehow make me susceptible to Enefadeh trickery or some Arameri plot. But at last it came to me: none of that mattered.
I suppose I should be flattered, I said,