Page 43 of Choosing Jenny
“Oh sure, rub that in my face,” Wave said under her breath.
Ode rolled her eyes. “I can teach you how to make—”
“No, no,” Wave said dramatically. “Wouldn’t want you to be distracted from your duties to thequeen.”
But Ode’s chin dropped in seriousness. “I didn’t mean I’m a better doctor than you, Wave.”
Wave laced her fingers together, clearly frustrated. “I’m being a snot. I’m sorry, Ode.” She glared at Sarah. “Must be my new assignment. Or something.”
“Gods, Wave, must we do this now?” Sarah asked, completely over whatever the issue was between the two women. “I told you, doctoring to the silverguard is equally as important—”
“They are ghosts, Sarah,” she said in a flat tone, clearly feeling slighted by her new position. “What could I possibly do for them?”
“Wave, you are in my employ,” Deacon said, his voice low and firm. “This means you are in my consort’s employ, as well. If she says you tend the silverguard, then you tend the silverguard. I would think someone of your expansive education would understand when she is being given a gift.”
“A gift?” Wave gave an indelicate sniff. “An insult, you mean, and my talents are being wasted on ghosts!”
Jac shook his head. “You classed people, I swear to the gods. You have no idea about anything.”
“And what would youunclassed people know about it?” Wave snapped, then straightened imperiously. “I am a Tanulbock. Do you have any idea what that means?”
I had no clue, but I was glad the conversation was no longer focused on me.
Jac didn’t bother hiding his smirk. “That you think too much of yourself?”
“I should be on a star cruiser! That is what I thought I would be doing, by being employed by the Ladrangs. I should be reading books by Posian, attending flumer concerts, presenting at conferences, anything but being stuck here!”
Discord laughed. “Moons above, girl, I’m embarrassed for you.”
Wave’s nostril’s flared. “Excuse me?” she hissed.
“Sarah gave you a job that keeps you employed and yet leaves you with nothing to do, right?” Discord asked.
“Yes.”
“Then why aren’t you doing whatever you want to do?” Discord said simply. “Like reading or going to concerts or speaking at conferences. You clearly have all the time to do so.”
Wave’s mouth opened and closed a couple of times, her expression dumbfounded. She turned to Sarah, whose eyes sparkled as she smiled at her. Wave asked, “That’swhat you were doing?”
My sister shrugged. “I thought it was obvious.”
Jac and Deacon tried to stifle their laughs and they came out as snorts. Even Ode grinned at her.
Wave covered her mouth with her hand. “Oh gods, I’m a moron.”
The rest of us started to laugh, unable to hide it any longer.
“Wave, you are a brilliant doctor,” Sarah said, and it was clear she meant it. “We are lucky to have you as a resource. Truly, I thought it was obvious what I was doing by putting you in charge of the health of the silverguard. Hell, you can’t even heal them. Only I can, being the contra and all that. So, please understand, I meant no insult by the position. I only meant to give you your freedom, while being able to tap you as a resource when we need you.”
Wave blinked at her. “Then I can do whatever I want?”
“Within reason,” Deacon said, still smiling. “We would like you to stay within a distance that allows for you to return quickly, were we to need you for any medical emergencies.”
“For instance,” Ode said, “I’d like you to be present when Sarah goes into labor. I’ve never attended a human birth before, so I’d like as many trained hands as possible when it happens.”
“Of course, whatever you need.” Wave seemed lost in her own mind for a moment. “I cannot believe I’ve been so blind.”
Ode reached out and squeezed her hand. “We all get a little crazy when our feelings get hurt.”
