room was thin and delicate with scrolling designs. The other two were much more masculine. Their iron was thicker and designed with straight angular lines. One of the beds was large, the other barely large enough to fit one person. There were blankets and clothes for the three travelers. Kiora sat on the edge of the bed, smoothing the blanket out to the side of her.
“This looks like it was prepared for us,” Emane said suspiciously. “I thought Lomay didn’t know you were bringing us back?”
Alcander evaluated him coolly before answering, “He knew you were coming. He obviously didn’t know I was coming—” He paused. “Considering he has given you residence in my home.” Stepping closer to Emane, Alcander added, “Besides, Witow, magic crosses boundaries you can not possible understand.”
“Do not call me that,” Emane growled, posturing for a fight.
“It is what you are.” Alcander waved him off as nothing more than an annoying gnat.
“No,” Emane snapped, leaning into Alcander. “It is what you see me as.”
“Emane,” Drustan warned.
Alcander’s eyes narrowed. “I fail to see the difference.”
“Of course you do.” Emane pointed a finger accusingly. “You balance peoples’ worth on how much magic they can do.”
“You do not know what you speak of.” Alcander eyed Emane’s finger, his own fingers splayed at his sides.
“Don’t I? You tell me, out of the three of us—” Emane motioned to Kiora and Drustan. “Which one of us would you leave home in a battle?”
“You.”
Emane sneered at him. “That is because you know nothing of who I am.”
Kiora stood. “That is enough.” Stepping between the two, she addressed Alcander. “Thank you for allowing us to stay here. Where will you be sleeping tonight?”
“I will find accommodations,” Alcander said. With a gentle bow of his head directed only at Kiora, he added, “Enjoy your evening.”
“We will see you at dinner?” Kiora asked.
“Perhaps.” Alcander turned and walked out the door, his back rigid.
Emane dropped onto the bed, breathing hard. Kiora was slammed with wall upon wall of anger rolling off him. She sat down gently next to him, taking his hand in hers.
“It’s all right,” Kiora whispered, running her thumb over the back of Emane’s hand.
“No, it’s not all right!” Emane yelled, jerking his hand out her grasp. “This place is . . . I don’t know. They are not telling us something. And he—” Emane flung his arm at the door Alcander had exited from, “is the most arrogant, pompous, self centered—” Emane stood, pacing around the room, neatly avoiding Drustan who was still standing in the middle of the floor. “He treats me like a piece of garbage that needs to be disposed of. Witow.” He spat. “I hate that word. I have hated it from the moment I heard it. The way they say it, they might as well say worthless.”
“The word actually stems from the word ‘without,’” Drustan corrected calmly.
“Drustan,” Emane roared, whirling on him. “You are no better than he is half the time.”
Drustan opened his mouth but shut it again after Kiora shook her head at him. Clearing his throat, he said, “Perhaps I should go and let you two talk.”
“Thank you,” Emane yelled at the morphing Drustan. A small bird flew out the door.
“Why, Kiora?” Emane asked. “Why am I the Protector? There is not a single person that understands it.”
“Emane, stop,” Kiora said gently. “It doesn’t matter what they think.”
“Easy for you to say, you are the Solus. Alcander was falling all over you when he figured out who you were.”
Kiora clasped her fingers in her lap. “And you would rather he bowed to you?”
“No. Just a little respect would be nice.” Emane ground his teeth, looking away from her. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“You don’t think so?”
Emane set his jaw, staring forward.
“You forget I am the girl that had visions of people dying. I was treated as worthless by the people that mattered most to me.”
Emane’s face softened, his eyes closing. “Kiora, I’m sorry. I didn’t—”
“No, its ok,” she said. “You are used to people respecting you because of who you are. Nobody got to know you before they bowed. It is hard for you to have to prove yourself, I understand.”
His waves of anger lessened in intensity. Going to her, Emane pulled her up and into his chest. “I am sorry, I shouldn’t have gotten so angry.”
“You have a right to be angry. He does treat you horribly.” Kiora leaned her head against him. “I am sure Alcander will come around though. He will see who you are.