the ground. Which they sort of were. A mountain counted as ground. Right? Tauran was about to ask Kalai that question, before realizing how stupid he’d sound. Instead, he followed Ushai-Kala and Jinhai into the chamber.
It was cavernous, reminding Tauran of the circular tower rooms in Valreus, and well lit, hundreds of lights hanging from the ceiling and mounted on every wall. Tiny lights even lit the path they walked between beautifully decorative gardens made of little round stones instead of grass and flowers.
“Iril viya,” Ushai-Kala said, gesturing to a low bench, made of stone, like everything else around them. Kalai sat, and Tauran took the cue and did the same.
“He will speak to the Eldest’s personal assistants,” Kalai said, once Ushai-Kala had finished speaking. Kalai placed both hands over his heart in either greeting or thanks. Ushai-Kala did the same, then turned away.
Kalai spoke quietly. “He’d like us to keep our voices down. This is a place of peace, reflection and healing.”
Tauran’s gaze drifted to Jinhai. The youth had wandered inside one of the stone gardens. There, he sat and leaned forward, resting his forehead against the stones.
Kalai must have noticed him looking, because he said, “The apprentices aren’t normally allowed up here for anything but errands, but Ushai-Kala is rewarding Jinhai’s good work communicating with us by letting him stay and wait.”
Tauran raised an eyebrow. “Wow, what a reward,” he said, a little dryly.
Kalai elbowed Tauran’s arm. “Be nice.”
“I’m always nice.” Tauran smirked at Kalai, but then his smile faded.
The dark circles under Kalai’s eyes were back, and despite the dim chamber light, Tauran was sure tiny beads of sweat clung to Kalai’s forehead.
“How are you doing?” Tauran brushed the back of his hand against Kalai’s knuckles. He wanted to hold his hand again, but he had no idea what the dragon masters thought about open affection, and he didn’t want to risk offending the many silent people drifting quietly at the edges of the chamber.
“I’m okay,” Kalai answered. He let his gaze wander. “I’m happy to be back here, but it’s… bittersweet. You know?”
Tauran nodded, slowly. Setting foot in the place Kalai had spent his life longing for came with both risks and limits. And here Tauran was, wanting nothing more than to return to the ground.
“How’s your leg?” Kalai asked.
Tauran knew it was a deflection, but he didn’t mind. He’d give Kalai whatever he needed. “Happy to be sitting down,” he said, automatically rubbing his thigh.
“But it’s doing all right with the bandages off?”
“Yeah, why?”
“Figured you’re overdue for another massage.”
Tauran smiled. “I couldn’t possibly say no to having your hands all over me.”
Kalai smiled, too. “Obviously not.”
Tauran felt some of the tightness in his chest lessen. It was nice talking about something easy that didn’t seem to hurt either of them. He leaned his leg against Kalai’s.
* * *
They waited for an hour. Then another. Assistants came and offered them tea and food, but the second time, Tauran waved them off. In the stone garden patch, even Jinhai was growing restless, sitting still for so long on a layer of rocks, which Tauran couldn’t blame him for.
But it was Kalai Tauran was most concerned for. He’d given up sitting upright, instead leaning halfway against the wall and halfway against Tauran. Despite the chamber being far cooler than outside, the front of Kalai’s thin shirt clung to his skin. His eyes were closed, and it was only the pace of his breathing and the occasional workings of his throat and jaw that told Tauran he was still awake.
Tauran glanced at Jinhai. The boy was sitting up now, also with his eyes closed, but every time he shifted, the stones below him knocked together.
Tauran drew out his pocket watch, as smoothly as he could so he wouldn’t jostle Kalai. Sundown was fast approaching. What was taking them so long?
Tauran raised his gaze. “Jinhai,” he called. “Hey.”
The boy opened his eyes and Tauran beckoned him closer. The youth grimaced when he stood, clearly aching from sitting so long. “Yes, Tauran-Ahala?”
“Is there any way you can go check what’s going on? Ask how long it’ll take?”
Jinhai blinked at him, taking a moment to process his words. “Go knock? On the door?”
Tauran nodded. “Yeah.”
Jinhai’s eyes widened. “No! Illegal!”
Tauran frowned. He was sure Jinhai didn’t mean it was literally illegal, but simply not allowed. “Listen,” Tauran said, leaning forward a little, making Kalai groan. “Kalai is unwell. We can’t keep waiting.”
Jinhai bit his bottom lip. He looked from Tauran to Kalai, then