Page 87 of Mountain of Mirrors and Starlight
“The General That Never Fought,” Diana followed. “That was what they called her.”
“Not as an insult,” Minerva added. “She was just smart enough to almost always have a way out of the conflict before it began.”
“Also why it took you so long to convince me to marry you.”
“Our marriage has been peace and sunshine and roses, woman. I don’t know what you’re on about.”
Beau shared a look with Aislinn. “They’re as bad as our parents.”
“I think it’s sweet.”
Beau doubled back. “Are you sure you’re the real Aislinn?”
“Beau—”
“The real Aislinn wouldneversay that. Come on. I need a look of disgust.”
Aislinn glared.
“That’ll do.”
Minerva and Bell ceased their soft glances and nuzzling and turned instead to their plans for the day.
“Are we far from Avalinth?” Beau asked.
Bell shook her head. “Half a day’s journey, all being well. We should be sleeping in proper beds tonight.”
Aislinn let out a little squeak. “Sorry,” she said, “I’m just… super excited about the prospect of sleeping in a real bed again.”
“Alone?” Beau queried.
Aislinn shoved him very hard in the ribs. Caer, thankfully, was still staring at Dillon from afar and didn’t seem to be listening.
“Yeah, I deserved that,” he said, massaging his side. “Please continue, gentlefolk.”
“A few hours’ journey is all,” Bell continued. “With adequate resting.”
“Unless Aislinn wants to teleport us there?”
“Um,” Caer started, finally looking up, “she nearly died the last time, so she’s not doing that ever again.”
Aislinn narrowed her eyes. “Are you telling me what to do?”
“You are welcome to tell me not to risk my life doing foolish things whenever you wish.”
“That’s a fair point, I will do that, continue.”
“Well,” said Minerva, slapping her hand on her thigh, “shall we pack up?”
The dwarves insisted that Caer and Aislinn ride on the wargis, certain that neither of them could be fully recovered by now. Aislinn at last felt like her body was her own again—a tired, stretched version, but her own nonetheless—yet conceded to the ride because she suspected Caer would not want to ride alone. They kept a steady pace at the back of the party, the others taking turns on the remaining mounts. Beau was at the head behind Minerva, talking to Dillon.
Caer had yet to take his eyes off him.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“I’ve never brought someone backwholebefore,” he admitted.
He’d said as much the night before, but Aislinn understood now what he wasn’t quite saying. “You’re worried that the others you brought back might have been sentient too, that your mother…”
