"So," Athea said quietly. "My son is here."
"Yes, he is," Kayla replied. "You say that quite easily for someone who has never had any relationship with him."
Athea was not offended by the remark because Kayla had only stated the truth.
The words had not come easily. Athea had spent eighteen years avoiding them whenever speaking openly might expose Zaeryn. However, acknowledging him now did not make Kayla's accusation any less deserved.
"I intend to change that," Athea said.
Kayla studied her for a moment, evidently unconvinced.
"Is that why you asked me here?" Kayla asked.
"Partly," Athea replied. "His evaluation is tomorrow, and he will need you to vouch for him. Unfortunately, I will not be able to defend him openly. To avoid raising suspicion, I will have to remain impartial and may even need to question him more harshly than the others."
Kayla did not answer immediately.
"You could have asked Ysmeine," Kayla said. "She knows him far better than I do."
