Page 66 of Elemental Affections

A blond woman in an immaculate dress cut in the long, full-skirt fashion of Central District nodded. “Miss Helm.”

“Anadae’s fine,” Dae mumbled.

“We should go inside,” Seleste said. “Depending on the terms of the Accord, I should like to speak with you both later about outfitting for our transports.”

“Excellent,” Brint said. “I’ll catch up with you later, Ana.”

Dae stood there, poleaxed, as Brint waved again before following the others into the hall.

Chapter 24

Theevebeforetheywere due to return to Sylveren, Dae had seen Ezzyn only from afar. He’d been in meetings with the new organization forming to combat environmental degradation—the Restorers of the Alliance, which she’d had to learn of from Zhenya, seeing as Ezzyn had never mentioned it—for most of the remaining time of the spring trip.

From what she’d gathered, it wasn’t so different from the work they’d already been doing. Multidisciplinary approaches to wellspring defense, but with an aim toward mitigating current damage and adaptations the kingdom could make from an endurance standpoint. Much larger scale than what she’d been working on with Ezzyn, but also a separate prong in the grand scheme of defense. One that operated apart from his research’s aim of aggressive, offensive treatment. It would open Rhell’s wellspring to foreign mages—to a much larger degree than the private kingdom had ever allowed—but greatly reduce its expenditures. A worthwhile trade, Dae thought, especially given the guardrails in place with representatives from the Order of Sylveren to act as oversight and intermediaries should conflict arise. Ezzyn, being stubborn, probably hated it on principle.

Not that she’d had a chance to ask him.

Dae saw signs of his having been in the field tent: piles of wards, notes on different techniques for applying the delayed fire spells, and her own work often not in the same place or state in which she’d left it. But of Ezzyn himself, Dae had to content herself with a few glimpses across the hall or a field.

Unease settled over her, seeping into the cracks so a taste of it remained despite her attempts to occupy her time. There were final reports to write, records to update, and ever so much packing to do. Copies of procedures and instructions and spell “recipes” to write and leave with the appropriate teams of Den’olm mages. By the time the farewell dinner came along, Dae was ready to trade the mind exhaustion and semi-permanent crick in her back from being bent over a rickety, makeshift desk for the bone tiredness and saddle sores of days spent on horseback.

Dae sipped at her drink, a mildly floral tisane, and nibbled at a bread crust. Zhenya had long since wandered off, citing a last task at Den’olm’s greenhouse. Dae had her doubts as to the veracity of such a claim but couldn’t begrudge her friend the escape. She’d have gone, too, if she could’ve managed it. Ezzyn had come into the main hall with his brothers at the start of dinner, but Dae had lost sight of him soon thereafter. He’d seen her at her far table, she was certain, but he hadn’t materialized.

Which wasn’t to say that she dined alone. A few businesspeople and politicians who’d come with the new environmental group shared her table. As did Brint.

“Now that I’ve seen the last leg of the river myself, I’m positive we can make the necessary adjustments,” Brint said. “Helm Naval’s new hull enchantments are very workable. Isn’t that right, Ana?”

“Again, you’ll need to confirm specifications with Calya and the chief engineer,” Dae said for the umpteenth time that evening.

“Our company’s liaison in Talihn is interested in how our ward packages will be used throughout the region,” one of the businesspeople said. Names had been exchanged, but that was hours ago, and Dae’s supply of cares had already been low.

“We intend to make regular trips in support of the restoration effort,” Brint said. “And Ana will be conducting further research in the affected areas. I’m sure we can beg a few updates.”

Dae fought to keep her smile in place when he dared towinkat her.

“My sister serves on the Council of Standards with your father,” Seleste, the woman Brint had introduced to her the day of the Restorers’ arrival, said. “Waterways, not Transportation, but we’ve worked with Avenor Guard several times in the past.”

A headache built behind Dae’s eyes.

“I don’t know if I’ll be stationed anywhere in Rhell,” Dae said, though the rest of the table brushed that detail aside.

The others left for a nightcap elsewhere in the building, and Dae readily declined an invitation to join. To her dismay, Brint demurred as well.

“I’ll come by later,” he said. “Just want to catch up with my dear friend Ana.”

Dae watched as the room began to empty, only a few others scattered about the various tables. No one was within listening distance of her spot in the corner. Just as well, for she’d reached her limit of pandering to Brint. To spare Calya undue hardship, Dae had played along, kept potential business interests friendly, but she was long past caring what any of the Den’olm or Sylveren mages left in the room thought of her being short with Brint. The last few days had been uncomfortably close to her old life, Brint leaning on their shared family connections to pursue his own interests while she did little more than smile and nod.

“It’s Anadae,” she snapped. “What are you getting at, acting like I’m still involved with HNE? Or saying—”

“Yes, yes,Anadae.”Brint raised his glass in a mock toast. “Calm down. It’s just business. I’ve made so many useful connections on this trip.”

“Lovely. You should tell Calya, not me. And stop implying I’ll get a Rhell fellowship. Your clients aren’t—”

“Why? You’re going to get it.” Brint snorted around his wine. “Sleeping with a prince will do that.”

Heat crept across her face. “What makes you think—”

Brint’s unimpressed expression would’ve made her laugh if not for the clamminess spreading across her skin. “I’ve seen how you are around campus. The way you look at him. You used to look at me that way, once.” His mouth twisted, a ruefulness on his face that had a disturbingly genuine quality. “Authority hasn’t been the kindest to you, has it? Myself included.”

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