Scorched by Magic (The Baine Chronicles #7)(61)

“You weren’t joking about the magic,” Kardanor said, looking bemused. “Let’s get you another steak.” He leaned over and snagged the attention of a waiter, pointing at Rusalia’s plate.

“You’re looking quite handsome tonight,” I told him, admiring his dark red suit. He wore a crisp white shirt and a dark grey waistcoat beneath his well-cut jacket, and the golden chain of a pocket watch, tucked into his pocket, glittered in the light.

“Thank you. Nelia helped me pick the outfit,” he said. “Your assistant has excellent taste in fashion.”

We talked for a few more minutes before I moved on to the Shiftertown Council table. “Sunaya,” Aunt Mafiela greeted me warmly. She stood up and enveloped me in a hug, her floral perfume tickling my nose. “You have done a wonderful job organizing this reception.” Her eyes glowed with affection as her gaze turned to Rylan, who bowed his head. They couldn’t embrace, not while he was still in disguise as my bodyguard, but their eyes said all there was to say.

“Thank you,” I replied, grinning at the unwonted praise. It was still weird to be the recipient of such approval from her, but I was slowly getting used to having a normal relationship with my aunt.

“Yes, this is quite splendid,” the tiger-clan chieftain said. His orange eyes gleamed as he looked me up and down. “Perhaps you should help organize the Shiftertown Gala next year.”

“Somehow, I think Sunaya would rather jab a fork into her eye,” Lakin said, grinning. “I’m sure Lord Iannis had to twist her arm to get her to agree.”

“Not exactly,” I protested. “I was happy to do it for such a special occasion.” But really, I hoped people wouldn’t keep suggesting that I organize their events. With my luck, Iannis would make me the official event coordinator.

I stopped by a few more tables, including Captain Skonel’s, to thank him for all his hard work. He was sitting with his deputy and several crew foremen, and though he was still a bit haughty, he treated me with respect, as did the others.

“You should come back up here,” Iannis said. “We are about to begin the speeches.”

I returned to our table. Rylan pulled out my chair, then hovered close behind me while I faced the crowd. Iannis stood up, tapping his wineglass with his fork for order. He used magic to amplify the sound, and the rest of the room fell silent.

“Citizens,” he said in a sonorous voice that carried easily throughout the room. “It gives me great pleasure to stand here with you all tonight. I am proud of each person here—you all have shown remarkable fortitude and courage these past few days, during Solantha’s most trying times since I became Chief Mage. Tonight, we are here to honor you.”

He raised his glass, and everyone drank. Enthusiastic applause broke out, and I was pleased to see there wasn’t a single resentful person in the room tonight. Everyone was in good spirits, despite all three races rubbing elbows at the tables. The only thing that would have made this more perfect were if Annia and Noria were sitting with Comenius, and Fenris was up at the high table with us. But I was determined not to let those losses dim my mood. I’d spent enough time with my grief—tonight, I would celebrate with the others.

Iannis continued with his speech, calling up various members of society to present them with medals and flowers to thank them for their service. He also called up Captain Skonel and confirmed his appointment as Captain of the Enforcer’s Guild, which was met with ecstatic applause from the enforcers present. I was pleased to see that they were enthusiastic about the appointment—it was important the Guild be happy with their choice in captain, and not just the Chief Mage.

“Kardanor Makis,” Iannis finally called as we drew to the end of the ceremony. “Please come forward.”

Kardanor flashed a grin at Director Chen from his chair, then assumed an appropriately serious expression as he approached Iannis to receive his prize. Iannis placed the medal around his neck, and Director Chen handed him the bouquet of flowers, as she’d done for the others. I wondered if anyone else noticed the flush in her cheeks when Kardanor’s hand grazed hers, or if they just credited it to the booze, which was flowing very freely tonight.

“Mr. Makis is perhaps our most important guest here tonight,” Iannis said, addressing the crowd. “Without his knowledge of architecture and building codes, and his persistence in bringing the compromised structural integrity of many of our buildings to our attention, we would have suffered far more casualties than we did. Even now, he is working tirelessly on plans to rebuild the city so that it can better withstand any future quakes and fires. To that end, I have officially appointed him as Secretary of City Planning and Reconstruction.”

There were a few gasps at this unorthodox pronouncement, mostly from the mages in the room. But they were drowned out by the thunderous applause from the rest of the guests. This went on for several minutes, with much cheering and whooping, before the crowd finally quieted down enough for Kardanor to give a short acceptance speech. During the speech, he thanked Iannis, and promised the citizens of Solantha that as the first human Secretary, he would make them proud. Afterward, he took his seat in between Cirin and Chen’s empty chair, and I noticed Chen was smiling brightly at him.

“I have another announcement,” Iannis said once the noise had died down again. “There are certain members of the Resistance who, after learning the true nature of their organization and their leader, gave their loyalty to the Federation and put themselves in great danger to help secure our country’s future. One of these men is Rylan Baine, a son of the Jaguar Clan. He has worked tirelessly to save lives in the past few days, risking his own neck repeatedly in rescuing victims from dangerously damaged buildings. As a reward, I now pardon him for all crimes against the State of Canalo, and I release him from his service to the Palace. Please come up, Rylan.”