“This is no small matter, Jayim. I’ve put us in great danger. Don’t you understand that?”

Don’t be such a bore. The poor boy is a virgin. What he saw in your memory was more interesting than anything he’s imagined before.

Leiard frowned at the familiar voice in his head. Not quite gone yet, are you, Mirar?

It’ll take a few more mind links to get rid of me. Maybe a lot more.

“Of course I understand,” Jayim replied, his expression serious. Then he grinned again. “But you have to see the funny side, too. Of all the people you had to pick. It’s like one of those plays the nobles enjoy. All scandalous affairs and tragic love.”

“And their consequences,” Leiard added.

I like the boy’s attitude, Mirar said. He has a sense of humor, this one. Unlike the man I’m stuck inside…

“Sometimes the lovers get away with it,” Jayim pointed out.

“Happy endings are a luxury of fiction,” Leiard replied.

Jayim shrugged. “That’s true. Of all the secrets you could have had, I wasn’t expecting something so…so…”

“Risqué?” Leiard offered.

Jayim chuckled. “Yes. It was a surprise. I don’t know why, but I thought the White wouldn’t be…um…they’d be celibate. I suppose if you’re immortal it’s a bit much to expect. Perhaps that’s why Mirar was like he was.”

Leiard choked back a laugh. Well? Was that the reason you were so badly behaved?

I don’t know. Maybe. Does any man know why he does the things he does?

You’ve had plenty of time to work it out.

Sometimes answers can’t be found, even when you have all the time in the world. Immortality doesn’t make anyone all-knowing.

“I wonder if all of the White are like that?” Jayim wondered. “If immortality makes them…you know. Surely people would have heard about it if the other White were bedding everyone in sight.”

Leiard scowled in indignation. “Auraya has not been bedding everyone in sight.”

“She might be. How would you know?”

“Enough gossip,” Leiard said firmly. “If you’ve time for gossip, you have time for lessons.”

Jayim made a disappointed sound. “While we’re travelling?”

“Yes. We’re going to be travelling a lot for the next few years. You’ll need to become accustomed to receiving your training on the road.”

The boy sighed. He half turned to look over his shoulder, then changed his mind.

“I can’t believe I’m not going home after this,” he murmured, almost too faint to be heard. Then he straightened and looked at Leiard. “So what am I going to learn today?”