42. Malachite and Delin at Indigo Cloud

Delin found Malachite in a little garden on one of the tree's agricultural platforms, sitting near a pool surrounded by a small copse of fruit-heavy trees. Her dark scales were vivid against the green around the pool, and the angular shapes of folded wings and razor-sharp spines. It was what the poets called a "sea-pearl moment," a darkly beautiful set-piece against the endlessly strange mosaic of the Reaches.

He said, "Are you busy?"

One spine moved to point toward him. Even with his extensive list of Raksuran gestures, Delin had no idea what that meant. "If you're occupied, I can come back later."

No response.

Delin sat down on a handy log, took out his book, and started to sketch. Bramble had told him Malachite was here. Apparently the Arbora kept track of her movements, which was not surprising. Delin supposed they kept track of the movements of anyone in the tree who was not of the Indigo Cloud Court, and as a prestigious visitor, Malachite would be of great interest. Bramble had asked why he wanted to know, of course, and he had managed to distract her with questions about how the carvings in the tree's wall were made.

He had sketched Malachite's outline and was adding the detail of her scales, when he realized the looming sense of presence at his shoulder was her. He noted that if he concentrated on it, he could feel her body heat in the cool damp air, and hear the faintest sound of breathing. But only if he concentrated on it.

"How did you do that?" He scooted around to face her and tapped his head with the pen. "You affected my mind, yes? But how? I understand the connection between Raksura and Fell would allow you to influence them, but how are you able to do it to me? Or any ground-living species?"

She sat back, cocking her head to watch him thoughtfully. "You aren't afraid of me?"

Her voice was deep and rough, but with the same underlying music as all the Raksura when they spoke in their scaled forms. The size of her emerald claws, resting lightly on the wood, would have been intimidating to someone who hadn't been carried about by Stone. "On the one hand, you are what we call a peak predator. On the other, you are the mother of my friend Moon. And I've never seen a Raksuran queen hurt any one who was not an enemy."

He thought he detected a trace of amusement in her eyes, but it might be his imagination. "You've seen many Raksuran queens?'

"Jade and Pearl. I've read accounts of others." Distracted, he added, "Are your wing-joins the same as those of the warriors? They look different, thicker."

One spine lifted, and settled. "Why do you want to know?"

"It's my duty, as a scholar, to find out these things and write them down. I know your mentors are much the same. The difference in the join must be related to the increased speed and strength of your flight, yes?"

The tip of her tail moved in the grass. "The mentors will know."

"Of course." He nodded. "I am aware you aren't answering any of my questions." Another thought occurred. "Are you trying to do something to my mind right now?"

This time he was certain he was detecting amusement. She turned away, facing the pond again. "If I am, it isn't affecting your imagination."

He looked down at his sketch, and corrected the angle of the socket where her shoulder spines attached to her scales. "But if--" He looked up, and his mouth dropped open.

She was gone.

Delin huffed out a delighted laugh.