Page 102 of The Explorer
Celeste and Isaac snickered, but three of the Motlanders broke into disturbed gasps, and Holly gave him a firm “Victor!”
He sighed. “Alright. I’ll try to take this stupid game seriously.”
“Yes, and be honest, please. There has to be something you enjoy when you’re in the Northlands.”
“I’m always honest.” He shifted in his seat. “What I enjoy most in the Northlands is running in nature and playing chess with…” He looked at Freya for a split second before he finished his sentence. “With worthy opponents.”
I watched Freya for her reaction, but she had placed her hand by her mouth so I couldn’t see if she was hiding a smile or a yawn.
Once all fifteen of us had shared our favorite things about the other countries, we moved on to chitchat.
People moved around, getting drinks and changing conversation partners. “Isn’t it great to feel how everyone is starting to relax again?” Holly asked me.
I looked at Thor talking with Celeste and Oliver, and Mason laughing with Doreen, Harper, and Isaac.
“Yes, maybe playing the friendship game wasn’t a bad idea.” I clinked my glass with Holly, who still had her bangs cut super short. “By the way, congratulations on making it to the Council.”
“Thank you.” She smiled widely and placed her hand on my upper arm. “It feels good to be able to vote and put forward suggestions. I’m so honored to be given this important role for my people.”
“I’m sure you’ll be great,” I said.
“Are you touching my man?” Aubri came from behind and it immediately made Holly retract her hand from my arm. Breaking into a small laugh, Aubri assured her. “Don’t worry. I know you’re not here to seduce Indy and I doubt you could, even if you tried.”
“It’s just so unnatural for me not to touch people that I speak to. For us Motlanders touch is a form of connection and way of expressing our friendship. I assure you that my touch wasn’t sexual in any way.”
Aubri rubbed Holly’s back. “I know. I was just messing with you. Now tell us, are you ready for tomorrow’s showdown?”
“Showdown?”
“The first debate. I saw that one of the subjects is opening up borders. It could get heated.”
“Mm-hmm.” Holly rubbed her forehead and lowered her voice a little. “We’re aware, but our negotiations with the French have stalled, so we were hoping this summit might be a new breakthrough. We strive toward a borderless world with freedom of movement and thought for everyone.”
“We’ll never agree to that. We want our sovereignty.”
“I understand, but at least you Northlanders aren’t keeping your citizens trapped or denying visitors.”
I exchanged a gaze with Aubri knowing that like me, she was thinking of Banni, whom we had smuggled to the Northlands. He was at the school this week, but once Aubri and I left Old Europe in December, we would most likely never see our friend again.
“I won’t ever support anoborder policy, but I’ll support anopenborder policy,” I told Holly.
Aubri stood next to me and stuffed her hand into my back pocket. “Is it wrong that I’m kinda excited about the bloodbath tomorrow?”
Holly clicked her tongue. “Let’s hope we can keep it civil.”
“You saw how prickly Victor was tonight. His claws will come out once we pressure them. Especially if we Motlanders and Northlanders gang up on them.”
Holly jerked her head back. “Oh, no, Aubri, don’t say that. We don’t like the idea of ganging up on anyone. We’re looking for a win-win situation, but we haven’t found it yet.”
“You know what, Holly, if Victor gives you trouble, Indiana and I can always bury him on the beach and pretend he drowned.” Aubri and I laughed at Holly’s displeased expression and the shake of her head before she left us.
“It’s so much fun to play with the Motlanders. A few threats of violence and they always vanish quickly.” I pulled Aubri in for a long hug. “I’m gonna miss sleeping with you tonight.”
“Me too.” She kissed my cheek and whispered in my ear. “Wanna have a swim with me at five tomorrow morning? We could watch the sun rise and make love in the ocean.”
My lips spread in a wide grin. “Hell yes!”
CHAPTER 26
