Page 7 of Elemental Affections

“Mama.”

The quiet disappointment from before vanished as Mina glared. “Your father is co-sponsoring an important bill to the Lower Council soon. This kind of publicity is an embarrassment, Ana. Breaking off a partnership with our dear friends? We don’t do that.”

“Surely, we aren’t so archaic that a business merger relies on marrying—”

“You are a Helm,” Mina said. “Endeavor to act like one.”

“Helm Naval was built on a water enchantment. Your magic!” Anadae threw her hands up. “I’m only asking for a chance to study.”

“We didn’t raise you to be so selfish. Think of—”

“I have doneeverythingyou’ve asked of me!” Anadae cried. “When was the last time I asked for something of my own?”

“This isn’t the time to start.”

“It never is.”

Not trusting her voice to remain level, Anadae brushed past Calya as she made for the stairs. She was probably too old to be storming off to her room, but if she spent another second at that table, she’d scream. Bad enough that her mother already thought she was failing as a Helm without adding a loss of composure to the list.

Her mother started to call her name, then broke off with an irritated huff. The sound only bolstered Anadae’s resolve to keep climbing the stairs. She thought her sister would stay behind, but Calya followed, unspeaking until Anadae’s bedroom door was closed behind them.

“Why, Ana?” Calya said. “We’re so close to having everything.”

“What are you talking about?” Anadae tried to sit, but nervous energy had her standing again and pacing in front of the window.

“HNE,” Calya said, pronouncing ithaitch-nee. She sat on the bed. “Our darling parents are getting so involved with Father’s transpo division work, eventually they’re going to turn HNE’s operations to us. Would’ve been toyou,because eldest. And you had all your security connections from Avenor. You’re giving it all up!”

“I didn’t—they’re not handing over the company. And if you think I have any sway at Avenor Guard, then you haven’t been paying attention. For years,” Anadae added, sourness curling her lip.

“Not right away.” Calya made an exasperated noise. “But we were in position. We were going to get more opportunities with the AG merger. Brint’ll be off chasing military contracts. He wouldn’t get in the way.”

“You should marry him, then.”

“Don’t go, Ana. There’s so much to do with HNE. Why do you want to go up to the Valley anyway? All it does there is rain. Stay. In a few years, we’ll co-run this place.”

Anadae stared at her sister, equal parts stung and filled with longing. Where Anadae largely took after their mother and her Hanyeok-descent looks, Calya, with her ruddy complexion and curly hair leaning more toward chestnut brown than black, had so much of Andrin Helm’s mix of Hanyeok and Graelynd in her features. The squared face, how it held a note of austerity as she talked, even when she was happy. The surety in her voice. Anadae had always known her sister took after their father, but somewhere along the way the transformation had completed, and she’d never noticed. Until now, as the sisters spoke of their goals with frankness.

Only, too late. The afraid part of Anadae wanted to take the safety of known things her sister offered. Yet, standing in her childhood bedroom, Anadae knew only cages. The familiarity of Helm Naval held out as bait to bring her back in line.

A shout drifted up from below.

“Sounds like Father got the news,” Calya said.

“Yes,” Anadae muttered, “and not in a giving mood.”

Calya raised her brows. “What were you hoping for? You just told us that you want to abandon us.Andyou’ve been planning it for months.”

“Not abandon,” Anadae said, rubbing her temples. “I’ve been unhappy for a while.” No one had been listening.

“What about all those plans once we had the merger with AG?”

“What about them?” Anadae cried. “When was the last time we planned anything?”

Calya sniffed, her features pinching with a short, dismissive shrug. “Fine, then, go to Sylveren. You’ll get the skills to become head researcher here when you’re done. I can work on Father and the Avenors to keep the merger on the table even without the engagement.”

“That’ll be difficult,” Anadae said, glancing away, “seeing as I’m studying environmental restoration.”

“What? Why?” Calya’s nose wrinkled. “You’re not a grovetender. There’s no money in—”

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