Chapter Eighteen #2
He pointed to a set of double doors. “That’s where we’re headed, but wait just a second.” They stopped a few feet away from the doors. “My boss is the secretary of commerce. He’s very much a free-trade guy,” James explained.
“Okay,” said Scarlett, nodding. She knew Clair de Lune had a market economy, paired with national control of natural resources and extensive—and enviable—social programs like universal healthcare. Their secretary of commerce being pro–free trade made sense.
“The Brightness Isles just instigated tariffs on agriculture imports—which affects us, as agriculture is one of our biggest exports—but my boss doesn’t want to retaliate with our own tariffs.
He wants to respond to the Isles by signing a free-trade agreement with our allies across Hieratia.
Can you address the chamber and tell them about your goals for Soleil’s border?
If they hear your position, they might be reminded of how important free trade is,” said James.
“I already called my boss to suggest you say a few words, and he thinks it’s a great idea. ”
Scarlett considered for a second. “If you’re sure they’ll find it relevant.” She looked forward to hearing James’s boss discuss tariffs, but she didn’t know how much she’d have to add. She had no experience aside from school and observing her dad.
“They’ll be fascinated by you,” James said with confidence. “And while you’re speaking, watch the people listening to you. You’ll see your vox powers at work.”
“Can you be more specific?” she hissed.
“I could, but that wouldn’t be any fun.” He gave her a devilish grin as he strode toward the double doors, and she hurried after him.
Hushed voices filled the council chambers, and the sight of all the people was something to behold for Scarlett, who marveled at all the soul lights hovering around the room.
She felt eyes on them as she and James sat on a wooden bench near the front with a good view of the speaker’s podium.
The council chambers were a smaller version of those she’d seen in Soleil’s parliament.
Old paintings of government officials adorned the walls, and there was a lot of wood paneling.
It even smelled like a government building should—like dusty books. The familiarity was comforting.
“How will Soleil receive the news you’re eternally bonded to my brother?” asked James as they waited for the meeting to begin.
Scarlett pursed her lips, choosing not to question his use of the phrase “eternally bonded” even though she was still doubtful it was true.
She could answer a theoretical question.
“If the public’s reaction to my father marrying my mother is any indication, me dating someone from Clair de Lune will not be received well.
Some said he wouldn’t have become prime minister if my mother hadn’t died.
He became much more popular once he married Laylani, although I disagree with whoever thinks that’s because she’s from a Goldenrod family.
People just liked him being married to a woman from Soleil. ”
James winced. “They really hated your mam being from Clair de Lune, huh? Do you think it’ll be any different now?”
“I do, actually. Over the past couple of decades, people have changed. They’re more concerned with the economy and the future we’ll give to our children than they are with remaining insular.
Studies show relaxing border restrictions will grow the market for our tech industry, and tourism and increased educational immigration should also give our GDP a boost.”
“That’s perfect fodder for your speech,” said James.
Before she could reply, a thin, white-haired man sat down on James’s other side.
“He’s my boss,” whispered James.
“Good morning.” The older gentleman stuck a hand out toward Scarlett. “John McNeil, the secretary of commerce.”
Scarlett grasped John’s hand. “I’m, erm… I’m Scarlett Heroux. Pleasure to meet you.”
“Not sure of your name, lass?” he said with amusement.
She shrugged. “I’m technically Lady Scarlett Heroux, but I haven’t gotten used to the title yet.”
His face grew more solemn. “I’m truly sorry for your loss, Lady Heroux.”
“Thank you,” she said with a dip of her chin.
“So, did James sell you on saying a few words to the council about free trade?” he asked with an excited glint in his eye.
“It would be a privilege,” she said.
“Wonderful.”
Someone at the front of the room hit a gavel. At the speaker’s podium, a woman in pink tweed was ready to begin.
Scarlett listened as the council opened the meeting. They went through some housekeeping business, and when the woman in tweed announced the next item on the agenda was tariffs, a stocky-looking man with wire-rimmed glasses took the podium.
“That’s Ian Carmichael. He’s a representative for the farmers’ union, and he’s in favor of retaliatory tariffs,” whispered James.
Scarlett listened with a furrowed brow as Ian reviewed the agricultural industry’s viewpoint that retaliatory tariffs were only fair given the actions taken by the Brightness Isles.
The matter of agriculture tariffs was small in comparison to Soleil’s embargo on magic, but countries closing themselves off to each other raised alarm bells in her head.
Just like at home, the people, not the politicians, would be the ones to pay for whatever was decided today.
Next, John took the podium. Scarlett thought he spoke very well and didn’t need her help, but as he closed his remarks, he introduced her to the room.
“We have someone remarkable with us here today. Lady Scarlett Heroux, daughter of Soleil’s late prime minister Lord Jules Heroux and Sabina Bedivere of our own Clair de Lune.
Given the rarity of a visitor from Soleil and the unique trade embargoes she lives with, I’d like for her to take the floor to give a few remarks. ”
“Go get ’em,” said James as Scarlett stood.
Scarlett took a deep breath as she made her way to the podium, summoning the manic excitement that usually aided her when she spoke in public.
She looked out at all the civil servants.
“Thank you, Mr. McNeil, for the kind introduction. It’s true—the Cerulean Party is struggling to undo the isolationist economic policies that have handicapped Soleil for so long.
Soleil has a lot to offer the world, and likewise, I believe our quality of life would be better if we were more open.
I agree with what Mr. McNeil said about tariffs hurting the consumer most of all, because the people are the ones who pay.
I’ve seen extreme iterations of that in my country with our hard borders.
Black markets form to offer the restricted goods illegally, and people in need of special services like medical magic are left to suffer needlessly. ”
As she spoke, she noticed glittery, almost golden tendrils rising in streams above the people listening.
She stopped talking and looked across the room, momentarily stunned by the sight.
A couple of listeners had black smoke twisting into the air above them, including Ian Carmichael.
One man with a thick mustache had both colors above his head.
Refocusing, she relayed what she’d told James about the economic benefits she believed would occur if their border was more open.
“It’s wonderful to be in my mother’s homeland, and thanks for the opportunity to address the council,” she said to finish her remarks.
There was a smattering of surprising applause, which made her face grow hot. She was going to have to get over that reaction before she addressed Soleil’s parliament. This had been an excellent practice run at a public address. It was so thoughtful of James and his boss to include her.
James and Scarlett observed in silence through the rest of the meeting, and Scarlett only half listened as she mulled over what the black and gold had meant. Was that all there was to being a vox?
“There’s plenty more to it. James will explain,” said Nori.
Scarlett was beginning to understand what Brayden had meant when he’d referenced Jax’s tendency to withhold information. She got the sense Nori preferred for her to learn by living and was mostly there for emotional support.
“Exactly,” said Nori. “And don’t forget, I’m your source of magic.”
I know. I’m grateful, said Scarlett, feeling guilty for her unappreciative thoughts.
After the meeting, they said goodbye to John, and James took her to the guildhall’s canteen. As they entered the bustling café, Scarlett breathed in the smell of coffee and baked goods.
“So, did you see the black and gold smoke while you were speaking?” asked James once she’d slid into the seat across from him.
The canteen buzzed with conversation. Quite a few of the people she’d seen in the meeting had come straight here.
“Yes. What was that?” She took a sip of her coffee and sighed with pleasure.
James waved to a passing colleague before answering. “It’s an indication of opinion. Will, even. Golden smoke will appear when you’re speaking to someone and they agree with what you’re saying.”
“And it’s black if they don’t?” Ian Carmichael came into her mind’s eye.
“Precisely. And I’m sure you can see how, when you’re speaking to Parliament, this kind of infallible insight could be useful.”
Her mind reeled as she imagined seeing black and gold smoke floating above all the peers in Soleil’s parliament. “Is it always accurate?”
“People can lie with their words, but not with their hearts.” James bit into a blueberry muffin he’d bought along with her coffee.
Brayden. “I didn’t see any smoke yesterday, with Brayden.”
James shook his head. “You won’t. Or at least, I hope you don’t. The better you know someone, the less smoke you see. I can’t see any when I speak to Brayden and my dad. I’m not seeing anyone right now, but with all my ex-girlfriends, it disappeared as soon as we became close.”
“Why?” asked Scarlett.
James shrugged. “It’s probably a blessing, to be honest. It would be exhausting to be on all the time.”
“That’s true.” She didn’t want to use magic every time she talked to Beni, Manon, and Brayden. At work though…
“What if someone has both black and gold smoke above them?” she asked, thinking of the man with the mustache. “Mixed feelings?” She took another small sip of her coffee.
“Yep. That’s when you know you can persuade them with the right words. Debate with them and question them until you find something they like. Then it’s up to you to decide whether or not you can agree to whatever they need to be onside.”
“If someone’s undecided, I can help you deduce the right thing to say,” said Nori.
Scarlett’s mouth fell open. “Nori—she’s my light.”
“Yes, your light can help you navigate conversations to get better outcomes.” James’s smirk was patronizing.
She ignored his attempt to bait her and cocked her head to one side. “Isn’t this manipulative? Immoral?”
“You’re not taking away anyone’s free will.
You just have a leg up at figuring out how to compromise with people.
If you want to get into valor morality, is it immoral to use your Goddess-given talents for the greater good?
If you’re a virtuous politician, this will further the good of Soleil.
” He took a large bite of his muffin, chewing for a moment before taking a gulp of water.
“I suppose…” Scarlett thought of Moira and the lack of virtue in many of her father’s ex-colleagues—her soon-to-be colleagues. “I don’t want to control anyone’s mind.”
James gave her an exasperated look and glanced around, probably afraid someone was listening to her embarrassing misconceptions of soul-light magic. “A vox can’t do that. None of the soul-light valors can. You’re thinking of Sigur Vieur in the war?”
“Yes.” The most notorious stories from the Great War filled her mind.
“People haven’t forgotten the awful things that happened.
It’s why Soleil banned magic, and every time there’s a hint of it being legalized, the newspapers rerun stories.
The possessed soldiers who came home and murdered their own families… ”
Years ago, at about age ten, she’d picked up a newspaper and been horrified by an article about the war that described women who’d lived with soul parasites controlling their husbands’ or their boyfriends’ bodies, not realizing until after they’d suffered tremendous abuse.
It made her shudder just thinking about it, even now.
She’d die before she’d be controlled that way.
“If the press find out I can influence people with magic, the anti-magic media will draw parallels right away.”
“The mind control Sigur Vieur is infamous for has nothing to do with soul lights. That’s nasty stuff—parasite magic.
You’d have to intentionally pursue that.
It won’t happen by accident just because you’re a vox.
” The look of disgust on his face told her he was as disturbed by soul parasites as she was.
Scarlett’s shoulders relaxed. “That’s a relief. How do they do magic if not with soul lights?”
“They didn’t teach you that in school?”
She scoffed. “No.”
“Okay.” James drummed his fingers on the table. “I won’t get into their religion, because we’ll be here all day. In a nutshell, whereas here we tie ourselves to the divine, there they give away a part of themselves to gain power.”
“That sounds disturbing.” She had a million questions but wasn’t sure she had the energy for another lengthy magical lesson, so she held back.
“Agreed. But anyway, to allay your specific concern, they shouldn’t find out about your magic unless you tell them.
People can’t see soul lights unless they have one, and even those with soul lights won’t see the vox smoke you’re seeing.
Just don’t tell anyone random what you can do, and you’ll be fine. ”
“I’ll definitely keep it quiet as long as magic is illegal in Soleil.” She thought back to the speech she’d just given. If the goal was to change black smoke to gold, she still wasn’t totally clear on how to achieve that. “Is there anything I should do to practice this stuff?”
“Talk to people. Espouse your opinions and see what happens. You’ll learn by doing. You were probably a good orator before, but you can expect to be better now, with a tiny amount of practice.”
She grinned. “I can’t wait to try using these powers in Parliament.”