Chapter Three #3
“You saw it, then. Poor Cynthia will be particularly upset.” Ione blinked, apparently remembering something. “Oh, River made me promise to let you settle in before I bother you. You’ve settled in, haven’t you? I’ve been exceedingly patient.”
So it seemed. After two weeks of patience she was at least controlling her hydromancy better, although Ione still pressed a palm over her heart as though she had just run a mile.
Come on, Lina could almost hear Ami saying. Can’t you see how she’s looking at you? Lina tamped down a startling jolt of excitement. Yes, she thought: Like I’m an insect trapped beneath a cup.
At a loss, Lina stood. “I’m… settled,” she said. Nice and neutral. “And I – actually, all of us wanted to thank you.” She swallowed, heating under Ione’s piercing focus. “For… for looking after us.”
Ione grinned, bouncing on her toes – and horribly, Lina noticed how light and grey her eyes were, how in the sun they took on an almost pinkish tinge. Soft, like the faint iridescence of a mourning dove.
Please. Lina willed herself to crash back down to earth. Please, don’t be stupid. Don’t get too close. Don’t put a target on your back.
“I’m happy to have helped.” Ione clasped her hands behind herself.
“Especially after hearing how well Saros was treating the high priests. Always the best for his wealthiest backers.” She rolled her eyes.
“Someday, those he discounted will really make him regret his actions. Starting with me, of course, but the rest of you are very welcome.”
She stiffened, the icy mask falling back into place over her expression. Just when Lina wondered what had happened, the warden parted the willow boughs. Ione did not turn, even when he sauntered close behind her.
Lina envied that, the queenly countenance, the absolute lack of fear.
“I counted,” he announced to Ione: “We’re looking at maybe a fifty-percent mortality rate. The other fish’re fine, and seriously, survival of the fittest and all – ” He cut himself off, wary curiosity sharpening his eyes when they alighted on Lina.
The Mahinas are all monsters, Castor had said of them. Face to face with one, all Lina could think, despite the undeniable power coiling beneath his tenuous patience, was that she had expected him to be taller.
“You,” he said, gesturing at her with a lazy flick of his wrist that, given what happened to the koi, had Lina lurching back. “I’ve felt you poking around the ward. Stop, it’s annoying.”
Adrenaline spiked through her, making her skin crawl. Lina’s attention snagged on his fingernails, crusted with dried blood; her old habit of watching hands, searching for any indication of incoming violence, pulled the air from her lungs.
“I understand you’re concerned,” he went on, his tone terser, more official; the words of a warden to someone inconsequential.
“But you’re safe here. I’m alerted by any and all breaches, and seeing’s I already have to allow in every – ” He pinched the bridge of his nose, his accent slipping.
“ – godsdamned supply shipment Archpriest Saros orders – ” He took a breath and let his hand drop.
“I’d appreciate if yous all stopped fucking testing it. ”
Keep your mouth shut.
Don’t piss him off.
“Caelos was meant to be protected by wards,” Lina murmured, emboldened by Ione’s presence.
Her quiet strength. “Forgive my lack of confidence. I only wanted to test the wards after I heard our new warden fell asleep on a bench and nearly set a lilac bush on fire when his cigarette fell out of his mouth.”
Ione snorted, one hand flying to cover her mouth, but Kai smiled tightly.
Stupid, stupid, stupid –
“That was funny,” he said gradually. And then, “What’s your name?”
Her heart jolted. Castor had plenty to say about Etan and Nalu Mahina, but had he had run-ins with Kai as well? Did Kai see Castor’s face in hers?
Ione scoffed, looping an arm through Lina’s and steering her away. “He’s demanding names now! Gods, Saros’s dogs are all tedious. Except for River. Ah! Speaking of.” She called over her shoulder: “Dog, what time is it?”
Kai actually checked. “Half-one.”
“Lunch will be ready,” Ione said, pleased.
She patted Lina’s arm and stooped to pluck the laundry basket off the ground as they passed.
“This is yours? Oh, I’ll carry it; really, I don’t mind.
Come – I want River to hear in your own words how I’m not bothering you.
” Ione smiled sweetly, all effervescence and charm.
“Afterwards, I’d like to practice hydromancy someplace where I won’t be disturbed by common rabble swinging their new title around like a club. You said you can’t use hydromancy?”
Lina could barely remember her own name. She sensed Kai Mahina staring after them, his eyes like a knife in her back.
Castor had never mentioned Kai. And in Kai’s expression, there was no recognition, no flicker of suspicion.
She was safe. She was nobody. An insect beneath a cup, entranced by the woman who tapped on the glass.
“No,” she whispered, dazed, as Ione lugged her up the hill to the altarhouse. “I can’t use magic.”
“I’m surprised!” Ione said, and Lina’s pulse jumped.
“I can’t explain it – genuinely, I can’t – but when I met you, I…
” She went pink and lowered her face until the soft wave of her hair obscured her features.
“At the very least,” she hurried on, “being around a new friend has put me into a fantastic mood.” Again Ione beamed up at her.
“You’ll have lunch with me,” she announced, non-negotiable.
“And then I’d like to see what other interesting things I can do with you around. ”
The matter was settled there. Lina followed Ione into the palatial altarhouse, comprehending with equal parts fear and thrill that as long as Ione’s favour glared like a sunbeam upon her, she wasn’t nobody, after all.