Page 28 of Elemental Affections

“Just wanted to say hello, since I didn’t get a chance to see you last night,” he said. Dae forced herself not to fidget. “And, well, I wanted to apologize, Ana. Anadae! That’ll take some work.” He grinned, inviting her to do the same.

Dae mustered a weak smile.

“Things weren’t so great between us at the end, and I feel just awful about it. I’m having a bit of a fresh start of my own, and I hope we can continue being friendly.”

“I…” Dae’s head spun. His words were the understatement of the year, yet he was looking at her with the most earnest face. She had her petty doubts about him, but were they just that? Petty? Hypocritical of her, seeing as she had run off to Sylveren seeking to remake herself anew. Unfair of her to hold him in such contempt when he was here attempting to apologize. Maybe it was wrong of her to automatically doubt that he could ever be sincere.

So many years of his indifference, of his neglect, would not quickly be undone. But … she was trying to change, too, so perhaps she could extend Brint some grace. Peel back a touch of the cynicism grown by their tumultuous history. Sylveren represented so many facets of hope for her; what was one more?

“I’d … that sounds nice,” she said. “I’m sure we’ll both be so busy that—”

Brint hugged her. Yet just as quickly he released her and stepped back. “You’re a good friend, Ana-dae. I’ll see you around.”

Without waiting for a reply, he hurried to catch up to a group making their way across the courtyard toward the House of Syvrine.

Shaking her head at Brint’s turnabout behavior, Dae made her way into the Towers. At least she didn’t have to guess where Ezzyn’s office might be.

She found him not in his office proper but alone in the lab space attached. It was small, roughly the size of her room at Vanas House, but for anything less than Master level, a private laboratory was rare. Dae wondered if it was a perk of his royal lineage, but the cold look he gave her upon arrival kept any attempts at levity behind her teeth.

They stood in uncomfortable silence for a moment as Dae waited for him to finish writing notes on a steno pad. Her eyes trailed over him, followed the long lock of pale hair that draped over his shoulder to pool on the desk. She remembered how silky it had felt in her fingers. The smooth, sculpted shape of him.

Because it had been him. Last night. In her room. In her bed. In … fuck. It had been him behind the mask and the glamour, and he’d known the whole time.

“So. You made it. I wasn’t sure if you would.” Ezzyn straightened. “I take it I was deemed worth the risk to your reputation.”

Dae glared at him. How dare he be pissed at her when he was the liar. The one who wouldn’t suffer any consequences, fair or not. “Well, I didn’t have much choice in the matter, seeing as I need the job.” Dae shrugged. “But you knew that.”

An appalled look crossed his face. “I didn’t— Last night wasn’t because of—”

Dae dismissed his excuse with a flick of her fingers. “For all intents and purposes, let’s just pretend last night did not happen.”

“Didn’t happen?” he repeated, eyes narrowing.

Dae nodded. “I’ve already forgotten it. Moving on.”

The corner of his mouth lifted. “Have you now?”

“Yes. Though certainly not forgiven.”

He snorted. “I see. Very well. Every week I’ll have a list of tasks for you.”

“How often do you need me coming in?”

“As often as it takes for you to get through the list,” he said, his tone too baiting to be neutral. He raised his eyebrows at her in silent challenge.

“And if I have questions?” she said, matching his indifference.

“If I’m in, you may ask.”

“How generous of you.”

He ignored her. “If I’m not, leave a note.” He turned back to his office. “I’ll keep this low interaction. For your comfort, of course.”

“Excellent,” Dae snapped. “Much appreciated.”

He sauntered back into his office and Dae snatched up the list. Mostly organizing and acquiring supplies for his next set of experiments and transcribing a stack of notes. Simple enough, and no need to talk. Dae went about her work, and for the couple of hours that followed, they didn’t speak. Not once. When Dae finally left, she paused in the doorway. Ezzyn didn’t look up from his work, pen hovering above the page as he waited.

A short, soft puff of exasperation was all Dae allowed herself before she walked out.

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