“You are aware that the Lake is the containment and home to all of the True Words that give life to the Barrani,” she said. “You have touched it; you have carried those words, returning some to the Lake and some to those they can inhabit.

“You are aware that I, like my mother, will seek the solace of an end to pain and duty in the...waters. I hope it will be far in the future.”

Kaylin was unsettled. The Barrani could live forever. They were Immortal. What would make them throw away eternity? But even thinking that, she knew. Had she not come to the Hawks expecting to die—and grateful, in the end, for that opportunity?

“She was put forward as a candidate for Consort by her family. Her father was powerful, as were his allies, and as many powerful men before him, he desired a daughter who was equal to the High Lord. He desired the power that would accrue to the family should she be chosen.

“We have been unconcerned—we who occupy the Consort’s throne—because we know what the Lake seeks. She did not have the softness, the empathy, the hidden reverence for life, for birth, the hope for the future—and she would never develop it.”

“Killianas was under the impression that she was indulged by her father. He’s the Avatar of the Academia. I wanted to know what he knew, but he would not discuss it.”

“Was her father considered affectionate?”

“An’Berranin came to visit her during her time at the Academia; Killian seemed to feel there was affection there.”

“Killian is an Avatar,” the Consort said, voice almost remote. “But the rules that govern his existence—and the Academia—are not the rules that govern the High Halls.” She placed both palms on the table’s edge as if bracing herself.

She then opened her mouth and began to sing.

It was music that was unadorned by instrument, by harmony—but harmonies could be heard, regardless. Kaylin had seen the Consort sing before—in the West March, in a desperate bid to wake the Hallionne—and she was reminded of that now. Reminded and alarmed. She started to rise, and Teela clamped a hand on her shoulder. Teela’s hand was trembling ever so slightly.

To the clearing came a figure Kaylin recognized, given he’d escorted them both to the Consort’s small pocket forest. But the Avatar who had offered guidance and the Avatar who now stood to one side of the Consort were somehow different; Kaylin wasn’t certain why. It wasn’t the clothing; the robes were very simple Barrani robes; it wasn’t the hair, which was the usual sleek drape of Barrani black. The color the skin had adopted was fair. Nothing was different.

But somehow, everything was.