The Continent (The Continent #1)(73)

A momentary panic grips me—what if there is no one here? I have not seen a single heli-plane since I was captured by the Topi those many months ago. Why should the Spire occupy this island, if not for the purpose of facilitating the tours?

The more I think on this, the more logical it seems that we shall find the island abandoned. What then?

Noro secures our vessel to the post and steps out into the shallow water. He extends a hand, gesturing for me to climb down. “Come to me, Vaela. I will carry you ashore.”

I climb into his arms, feeling like a distressed princess in one of Yuki’s adventure novels. And the gallant warrior bore the maiden safely to the shore, where he kissed her with the passion and brilliance of a thousand suns—and from that day forward, they lived a life of love eternal and happiness unceasing.

I smile to myself, looking up into his face as he sloshes through the soft white foam. He glances down at me and frowns, then sets me down on the wet sand out of reach of the lapping waves.

“Do not look at me that way, miyake. You make this harder than it already is.”

“I can’t help it.”

He takes my hand. “Our parting will come soon enough. Let us not endure it twice.”

I swallow. “It’s this way,” I say, gesturing toward the winding path that curves away from the shore. The path where once I walked with Aaden, when my parents still lived. How strange it is to be here with Noro. How very much has changed since that frosty winter day.

Standing outside the facility, it is plain to see that Noro is impressed by the size and sophistication of the building. He runs a palm along the smooth beveled glass of the entrance door, then takes a step back and cranes his neck to see the full length of the vast outer wall.

“Is it as you expected?” I ask.

“It is very…large.”

I laugh. “It is, at that. And it contains many marvelous things, you know.”

“Such as?”

I tick off the amenities on my fingers. “An indoor swimming pool, two racquets courts, electric heating, cedar saunas, and, of course, toilets.”

He makes a face. “You and your toilets.”

I push experimentally on the door handle; there is a soft click, and the door opens slightly.

“Well,” I say, “it’s unlocked, at least. Shall we go in?”

He follows me inside, gaping at the enormous glass dome above the lobby. “What a thing to build into a roof,” he says, a note of admiration in his voice. “The craftsmen in the Spire must be very skilled indeed.”

At that moment, Mr. Cloud comes striding into the room from the far hallway; he drops a handful of papers at the sight of us, his mouth falling open in surprise.

“Hello, Mr. Cloud,” I say politely, stepping forward to help him gather his paperwork. “Might you remember me? I am Vaela Sun.”

“Miss…Sun?” he says, his blue-white eyes goggling, either in disbelief or due to my changed appearance. “But… how? You were lost! You were all…lost!”

“Not all,” I say quietly.

“I shouldn’t believe it if my own eyes didn’t tell me true,” he murmurs. He looks at Noro as if noticing him for the first time, and pulls himself up sharply to his full, staggering height. “And who is this? Are you held captive by this individual, Miss Sun?”

“Only in my most willing heart, Mr. Cloud. May I introduce to you Noro Zensuke, who rescued me from dire circumstances after the heli-plane crashed, and whose people welcomed me with open arms and great compassion.”

Mr. Cloud is astonished by this admission, his expression altering from suspicion to open curiosity almost instantaneously.

“An honored guest, then,” he says. “Welcome to our facility, Noro Zensuke.”

Noro smiles. “Are you certain that the Spire would welcome one such as me?”

“As to that, I cannot say,” Mr. Cloud replies. “But we are not in the Spire, now, are we?”

“I suppose not,” Noro says. “I thank you, then, for your hospitality.”

“And…you are Aven’ei, yes?”

“I am.”

“How extraordinary,” Mr. Cloud says. “In my life, I never thought to meet a native of the Continent. Surely you will stay a night or two here at Ivanel? Regale us with the story of how you came to know Miss Sun?”

“I thank you for the invitation, but I must return to the Continent.”

“Are you certain?” Mr. Cloud says, clearly dismayed. “You have only just arrived! Why the hurry?”

“The urgency is mine,” I say, though it pains me to think of sending Noro on his way. “I wish to return to the Spire with all haste, if it can be managed.”

Mr. Cloud nods emphatically. “Of course. Of course, Miss Sun. Mr. Zensuke—you must at least allow us to deliver you back to your people. We can prepare the heli-plane in no time at all—”

“Thank you, no,” Noro says. “I would prefer to return in my own vessel.”

“Oh, but it’s perfectly safe, I assure you,” Mr. Cloud says, then covers his mouth with his left hand. “Oh, Miss Sun, forgive me! I don’t know how I could have said such a thing!”

“Do not think of it, sir,” I say. “I know you meant no offense.”