Chapter 33
Colluding with Colleagues
Before returning to my room, I rounded up the delinquents I needed for my scheme. People were flitting around the outpost as they packed and exchanged details, most of them preparing for their first operation but several others returning home for service reassignment.
Sarina’s absence was like a frame missing its portrait, but Corra assured me privately she was recovering quickly. The more time I spent around Corra, the more differences I could see between them. Corra was ever so slightly more blunt, and Sarina more playful.
Seated on a bench with Corra, Izaiah, Henrik, and Benji, I laid out everything, offering them each an invitation to my wedding after graduation.
“I’m in,” Izaiah said as soon as I’d finished my explanation.
“Me too,” Corra agreed.
“Me three,” Benji added.
“And me four,” Henrik grinned. “This will be fun.”
“What’ll be?” A familiar voice asked from behind us, a lean shadow falling over the group.
Damn it.
I turned, unsurprised to see Zevrial behind us. This wasn’t a conversation I wanted him anywhere near. “None of your business.”
“Lisia has just formally invited us all to her wedding,” Benji said.
His new nickname would be Benji Big Mouth. Was it too late to rescind his invitation?
Zevrial’s eyebrows did a little jig, slanting down before one raised. His expression was frightening. “Oh?”
“You’re not invited,” I said.
“You never told me you were engaged.” His voice could have cut metal.
Tread carefully.
I shrugged. “It never came up. And like I said, it’s not your business.”
“Who’s the unlucky groom?” he asked, oh so casually.
“No one you know.”
“Don’t be like that. We’re all friends and future crewmates here.”
“What?” I asked, temporarily distracted.
“The Shadowtide’s crew for the operation,” Zevrial explained patiently like he was talking to a child. “It will be made up of this year’s graduates and those who graduated in the last two years. Including me.”
Just what I needed, more time near Zevrial so he could continue his quest to drive me crazy. “Wonderful.”
“Can’t wait,” Henrik added, sarcasm thick. Zevrial gave him a bored look.
“When and where will this wedding be happening? I’ll bring a gift.” Zevrial’s voice was too level, his eyes too menacing. The gift would be poisoned, or explosive.
“Don’t worry about it,” I waved my hands to disperse the tension and aggression he was breathing into the air around us. “It’s not important.”
“Oh, I disagree,” he smirked down at me, leaning closer. “This seems very important.” He was too close, eyes fixed on mine as his face filled up my field of vision.“When were you going to tell me you're engaged?”
Preferably never.
Benji and Corra edged further away from him on the bench, shooting me sidelong glances.
I bit my lip, weighing options. I could withhold the information, but I had a feeling Zevrial would find some way to acquire it even if I did.
Lying was a possibility, but that would only piss him off when he learned about the deception.
If I gave him part of the truth though, enough that he became an unknowing participant in my plan...
“Do you happen to own an apron?” I asked.
He stared at me like I’d grown antennae. His imposing height was more obvious while we sat and he leaned over us. Heat radiated off his skin. “An apron?”
“Yes, you know, goes over your head, ties around the waist.”
His eyes narrowed. “I know a thing or two about tying things around waists.”
And just like that I flushed. “Great. If you wear one, you can meet us at the Stonehearth chapel tomorrow at noon.”
“I’ll be there.”
“Good. Great. Follow my lead at the ceremony and you’re welcome to join us. You can stop hovering now.” I stopped resisting the impulse to reach out and touch him, pushing against his shoulders to try to shove him upright again. He didn’t budge.
“Looking forward to it,” There was a dark promise in his eyes. He lingered, just to prove he could, before straightening and walking away.
“Woah,” Izaiah said after a moment’s pause. “So, how long have you two been fucking?”
“And why wasn’t I invited?” Henrik added, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“We aren’t,” I said. “Zevrial delights in frustrating me.”
“Kinky,” Izaiah said. “But seriously, you two aren’t…?”
“It’s killing you, isn’t it? Not knowing?” I asked, and Izaiah nodded. “No we’re not fucking,” I put some steel into my tone. “Making him participate tomorrow will be sweet payback for all the times he’s tormented me.”
Henrik let out a colorful curse and fished out five gold coins from his pocket. He handed them to Izaiah, who was grinning like a fiend.
The light of comprehension dawned. “You two bet on my sex life?”
“I bet on everything,” Henrik admitted with a shameless smirk.
“You guys need a hobby,” Corra’s hand rested on the bench within a hair’s width of Benjis. She noticed that I’d noticed it, and shifted it further away.
Well, isn’t that interesting.
Maybe she and Sarina had reached an accord afterall.
“Anything specific you need from us for tomorrow, or is it a free for all?” she asked.
“Surprise me.” I should’ve felt guiltier about this than I did, but I’d already tried to deal with this the considerate and deferential way.
Since it had been a fool’s errand, now we would try my way.
My family’s reputation would take a hit tomorrow no matter how things went.
Even if I did nothing. So I’d make it unforgettable.
“Just remember that we’ll all need to make a quick retreat after. ”
“We won’t leave you stranded on the altar,” Corra assured me.
“Thanks.” I spotted Rosa wearing an eyepatch ahead of us, dragging a heavy bag behind her. “I’ll catch up with you all later.” I stood, weaving my way toward Rosa. “Want some help?” I offered as I reached her.
“Oh, hey Lisia.” Her smile was forced. “I may be a cyclops now, but I’m still tougher than a knapsack.” She hefted the bag up onto her shoulders to prove her point.
“I didn’t mea–”
“No, it’s fine,” she huffed out a frustrated breath. “I’m mad at myself, not you. I really thought I’d become a Voyager. Guess not.”
We stood in awkward silence for a beat. When in doubt, ask a question or change the topic. “Do you know what service you’ll apply for instead?” I asked.
“No. I haven’t really thought that far ahead.”
“Well, I know it might not matter, but I thought you would have made a hell of a Voyager.” I gave her a one-armed hug. “I hope that our Tides will cross further downstream.”
Her smile wobbled, and she let the bag slide down to the ground again, pulling me in for a full hug. “Thank you.”