38. Chapter 38 #3
That worked. He finally tore his eyes away from Vaustin. They darted my way, lingered for half a heartbeat, then reluctantly focused on his mostly untouched plate of food.
“You need to observe more than Grand Magus Thibault did?” I asked, dabbing my lips with my napkin to cover my scowl. “I struggle to see what you think could be dangerous about healing magic.”
“But you’re more than just a simple healer, Lady Lunette, correct?” Vaustin asked, sunshine and rainbows in his voice. “I was informed that a different title might be more accurate considering your warding abilities.”
Before I could ask what title, the mage who’d mentioned his cousin’s Fae blood offered, “General Allard has been an extraordinary example of what cooperation with the Assembly can produce.”
Camrick’s impassive expression didn’t falter. But something behind his eyes went very, very still, like a fire in the half-second before the wind changed direction. I didn’t think anyone else at the table caught the change.
“Generous of you to say,” Camrick offered pleasantly.
The mage’s attention slid back to me with something I could only describe as appetite. “We find that those with gifts of such magnitude benefit enormously from proper stewardship.” He let the word settle. “As the general can attest from our seasons spent together in Caervorn.”
Had Camrick been one of their “projects?” The word seasons snagged in my mind. That meant Camrick had been with them long enough that the person he’d been before he walked into Caervorn was not the same one who walked out.
He felt me looking at him and turned just enough to catch my eye with an expression that said, clearly and without words, I may kill him later.
With one eyebrow raised, I thought in his direction, I’m here if you need help with the body.
Camrick smirked.
“General Allard is an Elemental Savant,” Vaustin clarified.
“I prefer Pan-Evoker,” Camrick said quickly, with a completely straight face.
I didn’t think Vaustin caught on that Camrick was purposefully needling him.
“We believe you to be an Arcanist, one who can wield strong magic across wholly disparate disciplines. Exceedingly rare, even compared to the general’s magic, and unmistakably someone who would fall under our aegis.”
Owain’s barely leashed tension traveled through our joined hands. He was ready to jump in and protect Camrick and me. But the Assembly needed to know where I stood from my own lips.
So I spoke first. “I’m curious what the Assembly’s aegis would look like, practically speaking. You know…for someone in my position.” I kept my face open and interested.
Vaustin said smoothly, “Naturally, we want to document your abilities. In time, we would provide guidance on their development. There are resources available to those—”
“Mm.” I tilted my head. “And what is the typical arrangement for someone who is, say, already sworn to serve the throne? I only ask because I’d hate for there to be any confusion between allies.”
Reina made a small sound that came out like a stifled laugh.
Vaustin’s pleasant expression remained in place with the strain of a man holding a door shut against the first winds of a maelstrom. “The Crown’s…relationship with the Assembly has always been one of mutual respect and cooperation. We would of course defer to—”
“To the Prince Regent.” I smiled at him. “Wonderful. Then I imagine we’re all in agreement.”
The silence that followed had a different quality than the ones before it. Less like a blade being drawn and more like one quietly returning to its sheath.
I reached for my wine and took a sip to cover my agitation.
Everything I’d said was bluster. I’d just publicly placed myself under Owain’s authority.
Had answered his small acts of public claiming with one of my own.
Gods below, this wasn’t where I’d expected my life to lead me.
I didn’t like that I needed someone’s protection, but that I had someone I could trust with myself now made the worry fade.
I couldn’t look at Owain yet, because I knew if I did, whatever was on his face—surprise, a question, or maybe even pride—would undo me entirely.
Vaustin inclined his head. “Indeed.”
Except something told me I hadn’t quite won, even though I’d made the last strike during the battle. Not a single expression fell, nor did they look away, even briefly.
Under the table, Owain’s thumb moved slowly across my knuckles. It took everything I had to keep my face perfectly still. I answered with caressing circles of my own.
This man.
The anger had been so much easier. Without it in the way, I wasn’t yet sure what we were together—except that I was still holding his hand, and I didn’t want to let go.
The thing that I felt most triumphant about was that I hadn’t tried to disappear or make myself smaller with my words or actions. Now I just needed to survive, free, long enough to see the Assembly conclave leave.
I didn’t realize I’d tightened my grip until Owain stilled. The sudden, violent screech of his chair legs scraping the stone floor as he stood caused every eye, including mine, to snap in his direction.
Uh oh.