always seemed to hit me like a lightning from above

The last thing the obedient youth expected was to be spun around, but that was Caiaphas' area of expertise whether he knew it or not. She turned his words back on him so expertly that he was left questioning his own training and not her craft and cunning. Was it really okay to refuse a gift when it came from the Siren Queen? Was it proper to refuse acknowledgement when that acknowledgement was more of a command than a favour? He didn't know the answer.

Nevertheless, he was cowed by her sly words and found his ears wilting uncertainly. He shifted awkwardly for a second before mumbling, "then thank you, Siren Queen, it is an honour to be recognized thus." It was just a dirty feather, truly, possibly carrying bird parasites for all they knew, but Kevlyn was sincere, and greedy. He would treat it like a golden medal.