Scorched by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #7)(60)

“Very well,” Iannis said. He dismissed the others, and we spent the next half hour discussing my concerns about the bounties, the extra bonuses, and the crew system in general. These were small issues in the grand scheme of things, but solving them might allow the Enforcers Guild to fight crime smarter and more effectively. And as Iannis and I discussed the pros and cons of possible solutions, I couldn’t help but think that Fenris and Roanas would be proud if they could see how far I’d come.





22





The next day was a whirlwind of activity as Nelia and I worked our asses off to prepare the Palace for tonight’s reception. We decided to go with dawn colors for the décor—gold, royal purple, and deep and pale pinks—to symbolize that we’d overcome adversity, and that our city had risen again to a new dawn. The dead had been buried, the streets had finally been cleared of rubble, and the city was ready to rebuild and move on.

To my relief, just about everyone we invited had accepted despite being given such short notice. By the time the last guests trickled in, the ballroom was absolutely packed with guests—more full than I could ever remember seeing it. However, the conversation was subdued, rather than deafening. There was an air of muted pride and a sense of accomplishment, mixed with lingering grief and exhaustion, which wasn’t surprising as there was still a lot of work to do. The mage, shifter, and human council members were all present, as well as those humans and business owners who had risen to the occasion and provided exemplary service.

Solantha’s respective neighborhoods were hosting their own celebrations, and the entire city was sparkling with celebratory lights, the air filled with music and the sound of the occasional firework exploding. We hadn’t allowed the citizens to light their own, due to the recent fires, but city officials had decided to put on a show, and we could see brilliant displays exploding over the bay from the windows lining the ballroom’s far wall.

“I am very glad you are around to organize these affairs now,” Iannis said in mindspeak as he surveyed the crowd. His hand slid beneath the hem of my reddish-gold silk gown, and sizzling heat rushed through my veins as he squeezed my thigh. “Perhaps I should put you in charge of them permanently.”

I stifled a groan. “This isn’t exactly what I had in mind when I agreed to become your wife,” I said to him.

“But you’re so very good at it,” Iannis said, winking.

One of the Maintown councilmen approached Iannis, engaging him in conversation before I could respond. Done with my food, I wandered down to where Comenius and Elania were sitting, only a few tables away. Rusalia was there as well, and they sat with Kardanor, chatting very enthusiastically together. Rylan, once again in guard uniform, stuck close to my side—he considered the crowd a risk to my safety, no matter how carefully we had vetted the guest list.

“Naya!” Comenius greeted me with a big hug. “I’m so happy to see you are looking well.”

“You look beautiful,” Elania said, beaming at me. She was dressed in a gorgeous black velvet gown with a halter top, her hair done in one of its trademark updos, and glittering onyx jewelry at her ears and throat.

“Thanks.” I smiled back, then turned to Rusalia. “I love your dress.” It was pale blue taffeta, and with those blonde curls and large eyes, she looked very pretty.

“Thank you.” She smiled shyly, ducking her head a little. There was no hint of anger or resentment in her little face—she seemed like a normal ten-year-old, her eyes bright as she took in the splendor around her.

“Have you been treating your pa well?” I asked, leaning forward a little so I could meet her gaze.

She nodded. “I’ve been listening, and doing all my chores. Right, Pa?” She looked at him from beneath her lashes.

Comenius gave her a fatherly smile and patted her blonde head. “Yes, Rusalia. You have been doing much better since you came home…though we’ve still had a few fire-related accidents.”

As if on cue, Rusalia’s half-eaten steak burst into flame. She yelped, and I snuffed it out before anyone could notice. Even so, the smoke rising from the charred meat drew some curious glances from the guests at nearby tables.

“You, young lady, will be taking lessons in magical control here in the Palace for the next few weeks,” I told Rusalia. “Starting tomorrow morning at nine.” She stared at me, completely tongue-tied for once. “Is that understood?”

She nodded, her eyes wide.

“Do you mean it?” Com asked gratefully. “It would be a great help if you could arrange for a tutor, since her magic is too strong for Elania and me to reliably control.”

“She’ll soon learn to do that herself,” I assured him. I was planning to teach her basic control myself, now that I had Fenris’s knowledge to draw upon, but I couldn’t tell him that in front of this crowd. Later, she would be able to do an apprenticeship in the normal way, but those usually did not start until the mid-teens. Mage children normally learned basic control and simple spells from their own families long before their apprenticeships began.

“Are you all right otherwise?” I probed, lowering my voice. “All those market carts that were set aflame…my offer for a loan still stands, you know.”

“Thanks,” Com replied, smiling, “but I’m fine. We’ve come to an agreement that allows me to pay the debt off in kind. Healing potions are very much in demand just now.”