Chapter 31
“Why so glum, Miss Baine?” Garrett asked as I stared back at Garai’s receding coastline.
We were aboard the Voyager once more, the ship now fully repaired, and the salty sea breeze tugged at my hair as the winds pushed us further out to sea, toward home.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were sad to be leaving. ”
“I am,” I admitted, still looking at the coastline.
We had traveled all the way back to Maral port, and were now finally embarking on the long sea voyage home.
Just a little further down the rails, Director Chen stood next to Liu, conversing in Garaian.
The little girl seemed much more excited to be on her way than I was, even though she was leaving her homeland behind.
“I wish we could have spent more time exploring Garai, instead of standing around at receptions with stuffy politicians. To be honest, I had a lot more fun on our mission, despite the danger.”
Or rather, because of the danger, I didn’t say aloud.
“I can empathize with that. Those long weeks of diplomacy were enough even for me,” Garrett said dryly. “Very worth it, in light of our success, but I agree it would have been nice to see more of the country.”
“You two are free to do that on your own dime,” the Minister said drolly.
I turned to see him approaching us, Iannis at his side.
“You can console yourselves with our upcoming stop at the Calinian Islands, which is costing us three extra days.” The Minister didn’t seem pleased about the delay, and I had to suppress a smirk.
He could be a grump about it all he wanted—I was very much looking forward to exploring the volcanic island kingdom, which Iannis had said was spectacular.
“The Captain was quite adamant that we could not afford to bypass the Islands,” the Minister went on.
“It makes a man wonder whether or not it is a necessary stop, or if he simply wishes to sample the island’s pleasures.
” The annoyance in his voice grew. “I do not have time for such frivolities, with so many important matters awaiting me back in Dara. The Resistance has still left many messes for us to clean up.”
“Of course, sir,” Garrett said. “I too have much work to do, as I’m sure Lord Iannis does as well.” His tone turned slightly less welcoming as he turned toward Iannis.
“Most definitely,” Iannis agreed slowly, holding Garrett’s gaze. “After all these weeks away from Solantha, I could use a break in between missions, so that I might attend to Canalo’s affairs. I do not have the luxury of working solely for the Minister’s office, as you do.”
“I’m well aware of that,” the Minister said, and Iannis and Garrett finally turned to look at him. “And will take that into account when assigning future missions. But until the Resistance is vanquished, that must be our top priority.”
“Understood,” Iannis said, and I stifled a sigh. I really hoped that we wouldn’t get roped into another mission any time soon. Weren’t there any other mages in the Federation capable of dealing with the Resistance?
“I doubt we will have any problem squashing them like the vermin they are, not at this stage of the game,” the Minister went on.
“But in case they do manage to get to me again, I will need to nominate a successor.” Garrett straightened at that, like a bloodhound catching the scent of prey.
“I have decided that it will be either you, Garrett, or Lord Iannis, depending on your respective performance between now and the next Convention.” The Minister looked from one to the other with a self-satisfied expression, as though expecting a show of gratitude.
“That’s very flattering, Minister,” Iannis said, sounding almost bored. It was clear from his expression and voice that he was indifferent, and didn’t really take the announcement seriously.
“An honor,” Garrett said, his hazel eyes bright with challenge. “I will perform my duties outstandingly, Minister, as I have always done.”
“See to it that you do,” the Minister said, narrowing his eyes briefly. Garrett’s cheeks flushed, and I figured they were both thinking about his previous fall from grace. “I will be in my cabin if anyone needs me,” he finally said, then turned away.
Garrett gave Iannis a long, cool look, then stalked away as well.
I sucked on my teeth as I leaned against the railing, doing my best to bury my frustration at the whole thing.
I was getting really tired of the constant pissing contests between Garrett and Iannis, and now on top of it, the Minister wanted to name Iannis as his successor?
“How the hell am I ever going to finish my apprenticeship if the Minister keeps piling more and more duties on you?” I grumbled as Iannis leaned against the railing next to me.
“Or if, Magorah forbid, you become the next Minister. We’d have to move to Dara.
” I shuddered at the prospect of living in a place so prejudiced against shifters.
“I very much doubt that will ever happen,” Iannis said as he casually looped an arm around my shoulders.
“The Minister is unlikely to step down any time soon. I suspect he is just trying to make us work harder to curry his favor. I’ll believe his offer is sincere when he makes good on it, not a moment before.
Anyway, Garrett is welcome to the position.
I doubt he will want to give me any more responsibilities than he can help, given his animosity toward me, so if he does get it, you’ll have me all to yourself.
Relatively speaking,” he added with a wink.
“I sure will. And in less than a year, you’ll be all mine.” Leaning into him a little, I wrapped myself up in his warmth and allowed my worries to be carried away by the ocean breeze.
The Calinian Isles were as spectacular as Iannis had promised, and then some.
I fell in love with them the moment we stepped foot on the island, where we were received by a group of adorable boys and girls who placed flower garlands around our necks.
The majority of our party, Iannis included, immediately went to visit the local Northian consul, eager to hear whatever news he might have from home.
I, on the other hand, was thoroughly sick of meetings, so I whisked Liu away with me to explore the small port town where our steamer was moored.
“This is very pretty,” Liu said, her dark eyes sparkling as she gazed upon a mother-of-pearl necklace.
She’d dragged me into the very first jewelry shop we’d passed, and though I wasn’t much for baubles myself, I was more than happy to let her flit around the shop, oohing and ahhing at the display cases and charming the shopkeeper and his wife.
“It is,” I agreed. The chain was gold, and the mother-of-pearl pendant, shaped into a plumeria, seemed to glow a soft white in the late morning sun. “Why don’t you try it on? Maybe we’ll buy it.”
Liu’s eyes widened. “Really?” she squealed, bouncing up and down on the balls of her feet. Her braided hair bounced with her—Director Chen had taken care dressing her this morning in pink and white silk. “But this is too expensive for me.”
“Don’t be silly,” I said as the shopkeeper’s wife opened up the case. “One has to splurge every once in a while on vacation, or what’s the point?”
The necklace looked lovely against Liu’s ivory skin, so I bought it for her, as well as another necklace for Tinari.
As we were about to leave, I remembered Com’s daughter, and paid for a third.
It was a novel experience, pulling out my full purse to pay for expensive trinkets without having to worry if I could afford it.
In Garai, we hadn’t been allowed to pay for anything, except when we were in Leniang Port, so my purse was still pretty hefty.
Liu wore the pendant out of the shop, and we spent the rest of the morning indulging in a glorious bout of shopping fever.
With Liu’s enthusiastic help, I quickly found presents for Com and Elania, Rylan, Fenris, Janta, Annia, and even Nelia, my social secretary.
We might have been weighed down with packages, but my heart was lighter than it had been in weeks.
A sunny day of shopping on a friendly island could do that to a girl.
An hour later, Iannis found us just as we were hunting for a place to rest. He quickly hired a minion to take our packages back to the steamer, then led us to a beachside bistro.
Sitting outside on a charming wooden patio shaded by palm fronds, I ordered a huge cup of fruit and ice cream for myself, and a smaller one for Liu.
Iannis ordered a local drink, some kind of colorful liquid with a tiny umbrella in it.
Liu had never tried ice cream before, but she was hooked after her first bite of the cold, creamy dessert, and, within minutes, was already asking for more.
“So, what news was there from Solantha?” I asked as Liu dug into her second cup. She was still very thin, so I didn’t see the harm in indulging her. “You seem a little down.” I’d noticed the shadow in his eyes immediately, but had decided not to say anything until we were settled.
Iannis leaned in a little closer, the skin around his eyes tightening. “Dara Federal Prison burned down while we were in Leniang,” he said.
“What?” My stomach dropped. “What happened to Thorgana, then? Did she survive the fire?” And what about all the other prisoners? There must have been hundreds in the facility.
“Her fate is unclear. Many of the prisoners were either injured or killed, and a good dozen or so went missing. Thorgana’s body has yet to be identified amongst the dead… but many of the bodies were burned beyond recognition, so it’s possible she did not survive.”