Dindi
Early the next morning, Hadi came to Dindi's lodge.
"Kavio asked me to bring you to him," he said, eyes wide with awe.
The morning was cool and bright—perfect for a walk from the Tor of the Initiates to the Tor of the Sun. But the beautiful air, the calls of the fae, even the light on the trees, all felt cruel to Dindi. They reminded her of what she might lose. She did not want to get Hadi in trouble too, so she kept her sadness to herself.
To reach Kavio's guest house, they had to climb first to the main Tor, then up another level to Hertio's compound. Kavio stood in the doorway of his small beehive-shaped home. He wore the full beads, feathers, and weapons of a Zavaedi.
Not a good sign.
"Please wait outside while I speak to your kinswoman," Kavio said to Hadi.
"Yes, Uncle," Hadi answered.
Kavio looked at Dindi. "Dindi?"
She followed his motion and stepped inside.
He let the leather flap fall shut behind them, dimming the light. Only the smoke hole above let in a beam of sunshine. It fell across a low caramel-colored stool. He pointed for her to sit there, in the light. He sat opposite, in the shadow.
She sat stiffly, twisting her hands in her lap.
She expected him to accuse her of hexcraft. "I've thought about it," she said. "I don't want a trial. That would only shame my family. I'll take my punishment. No public ordeal."
"That is your choice," he said. He cleared his throat. "But there may be another choice. I've thought about it a lot since yesterday. Maybe…I don't need to report you at all. If you were, ah…willing."
Heat filled her face. But her voice turned cold. "What are you suggesting?"
Kavio sat straighter, clearly shocked by her tone.
"Maybe I shouldn't have said anything," he muttered. "If you want punishment so badly, who am I to stop you? But I thought you wanted to dance. I thought you would risk your life for it."
"But not give up my honor for it," she said.
Understanding dawned on his face. He looked embarrassed.
"Oh. You thought… No, Dindi. That's not what I meant. Why do you think I asked your clan brother to bring you here? Do you think I would try something dishonorable with him standing right outside?"
"Then…what are you saying?" she asked, both embarrassed and relieved.
"There's a way I could protect you without lying. I am still a Zavaedi—even in exile. Hertio reminded me that I am not forbidden to teach magic. And if a true Zavaedi teaches you the Patterns, then no one could accuse you of hexcraft."
"You would teach me?"
"Think of it as a secret society. Just you and me. I would be the teacher. I choose who joins. That's normal for a secret group. And no one else would know."
The idea shocked her—but also warmed her.
"Which Chroma would you teach me?"
"Which one do you want?"
"All of them."
He raised his eyebrows. "Ambitious."
"I don't have any magic, so why would I favor just one? You have all six. You don't have to pick either."
"Fair point," he said, a smile tugging at his lips. "I must warn you—I'm a strict teacher."
"So Hadi tells me," she said, her eyes shining with mischief.
"I won't go easy on you just because you have no magic. You'll practice until your feet bleed and your legs cramp. I'll work you hard. You might end up hating me. But if you still want to dance after that—then maybe you deserve a teacher."
He paused.
"To be honest, I expect you to fail."
She didn't feel afraid anymore. She felt excited. She wanted to start lessons that very moment.
"Well?" he asked.
"Well what?"
"Do you want to change your mind?"
"No."
"You're not scared?"
"I'm not claiming I'm the best dancer in Faearth. I might even be the worst." She meant it. She had learned what she could, but she knew how much she didn't know. Still, a smile crept across her lips. "But if bleeding feet are the price, I think I can handle that. Even bad dancers get blisters. Is that really how you want to judge me?"
"Are you mocking me?"
"Oh no! Is that against your rules?"
"You little minx," he said with a grin. "Let's see if you can last even one full lesson."
"When?" she asked, breathless.
"We'll have to steal time," he said. "I'll summon you. Be ready."