Kai shook himself back to the present and followed Vanna inside the barracks. Kendy was already waiting for them, returned from making the widow call to Oona. He looked like he’d aged a decade in the brief hours since their return, beset by new wrinkles around his eyes, cheekbones protruding from his strong jaw.

  Maya, Dray, Senna, and Kale were also in attendance. Kai felt terribly out of place as he watched Vanna take her seat among the other senior dragoons. He tried to slip back out the door, but Kendy’s voice pursued him.

  “You can stay, if you want, Bowker,” the commander said. “No secrets in the corps.”

  Kai nodded sheepishly, then crept over to take his seat at the far end of the command table.

  Kendy recounted the mission for Vanna’s benefit. Kai watched Vanna tearfully receive the news of Hal’s demise. Dray offered her a cloth to dry her eyes, which she accepted, pausing only briefly before returning to her commander’s report. Kai felt the urge to hold her, but he didn’t dare upset the decorum of a meeting he already felt ill-equipped to attend. He was still so new to the corps.

  As Kendy launched into a description of the Leviathan pirate who attacked the Aeolian zeppelin, Kai saw a twitch in Vanna’s expression. She didn’t react with any of the shock that Kai had expected. Vanna had lost both her parents to the last Leviathan pirate to terrorize the Zephyri skies. She had as much cause as anyone to fear a repeat of the Butcher’s brutal reign.

  “Our host has already called in the Armada,” Kendy said. “The new Governor of Aeolus has a military bearing. She commands an armored airship and seems committed to the defense of the isles.”

  “I suppose that’s a relief…” Vanna said.

  Kendy nodded. “It’s more firepower than we had when the Butcher arrived, but it’s only one ship, and Aeolus is far away. I want to double our patrols and expand the perimeter. From this day forward, we cover the skies west to the lees of Avernus and north to the Frostwind Cayes.”

  Senna and Kale froze in their seats. Dray made a low whistle, and Maya’s eyebrows crept up her brow.

  “That’s a lot of sky,” Dray said.

  The other dragoons made noises of agreement.

  Maya had a more practical question: “What’s Commander Taros going to think about Volturnian dragoons patrolling Avernian airspace?”

  “I don’t care what Taros thinks,” Kendy said. “This is no time to be territorial. I don’t want any surprises. First sign of trouble, we send word west to Governor Sigyn and north to Aquilon. I won’t let this pirate catch Volturnus off guard. I’m breaking the corps into drafts of six. Every flier at this table will be responsible for leading a patrol.” He waved dismissively in Kai’s direction. “Except for Bowker, of course. Additionally, I’m elevating Philia, Jaffe, and Kadir to the active corps.”

  Kendy’s eyes probed Vanna for objections, but to Kai’s surprise she kept her mouth shut. “What about your thing?” he prompted, still locked on his lieutenant.

  The question startled Vanna. She glanced around the table, lingering briefly on Kai before returning to the commander. “Shouldn’t we discuss this in private?”

  Kendy’s voice came back clipped. “Your week is up. Either you’ve reached a resolution, or I’m taking the matter up to Ansel. I see no further need for discretion.”

  Vanna glared at the commander. Whatever he was asking for, she couldn’t well deny him. Not now that everyone at the table’s interest was piqued.

  “I found him,” she said.

  “Found who?” Kale asked.

  “Bael,” Vanna said.

  Dray, Senna, and Kale all reacted with the same shock and recognition. Only Maya looked as confused as Kai felt.

  “The rabble-rouser we dislodged from Aeolus last year,” Vanna explained. “He turned up on Volturnus during the Ascension. I found him camped near one of the abandoned landings to the south.”

  Kai saw Dray balling his meaty fists, while the rest of the dragoons leaned in with interest.

  “Was he alone?” Kendy asked.

  Vanna nodded. “He was marooned here waiting for a ride from his faction—this Gulliver Ring. I don’t think he had any further designs on Volturnus.”

  “You don’t think?” Senna pressed.

  “I saw him off the island myself. He won’t be back to trouble us, and if he does return, you have my blessing to sound the alarms.”

  Some of the tension seemed to leave Kendy’s shoulders at this report. He released a deep breath like he’d been holding it for days. “That’s that, then. I don’t like the idea of Volturnus being used as a pirate waystation, but if you’re certain he’s gone?” His eyes narrowed on Vanna.

  Kai thought he saw a moment’s hesitation before Vanna nodded again. “I told you. I saw it myself.”

  “Then we’ll consider this matter closed. The Jokai know, we’ve got enough to worry about with this Bone Adder stalking our skies.” Kendy stood up from the table. The other dragoons followed his lead, with Kai scrambling last to his feet. “Everyone get some rest. First patrol starts at dusk.”

  Kai lingered at the back of the barracks while the more senior dragoons filed out. He watched Vanna engage Kendy in a private exchange. Vanna flexed her right arm for the commander, demonstrating her return to flexibility. Kendy accepted her performance and waved her away.

  As they parted, Kai caught her by the sleeve. “Sounds like you’ve been keeping busy,” he joked. “Hunting pirates with a busted wing?”

  Vanna’s lip quirked revealing her one twisted tooth. “And you’ve had your first taste of open sky. I’m sorry I didn’t get to witness the maiden voyage.”

  “Plenty more to come with these double patrols.”

  Snorting, Vanna turned again to leave, but she paused in the barracks door, caught him staring. “You got anywhere to be?” she asked.

  Kai shrugged. “Just planning to grab mess at the bunkhouse. Maybe try to get some sleep.”

  Vanna tapped one finger against her chin, eyes scanning him up and down. “You wouldn’t want to eat with me, instead? The cottage has felt extra empty lately.”

  “Yes! I mean—that sounds nice.”

  Her green eyes sparkled with amusement. “Come on.”

  Vanna’s cottage had always been a second home to Kai. He’d sat in this very chair through countless meals and cups of tea, joined card games that lasted long into the night. It had always been the three of them—Effie, Vanna, and Kai—but now he and Vanna were alone. The intimacy made the familiar space feel foreign and new.

  Kai always ate quickly when he was nervous. He slurped down his second bowl of stew as Vanna left the table to set a kettle over the woodburning stove. They’d cautiously avoided the topic of Effie throughout the meal, lingering instead on Kai’s impressions of his first mission over open sky. Vanna seemed tickled by his zeal—vicariously thrilled by his fledgling enthusiasm for the mercurial winds. Kai grew gradually concerned that she might be patronizing him.

  “It all starts to become second nature after a while,” he said, performing what he hoped sounded like veteran indifference. “I honestly feel like I’ve been doing this my whole life.”

  “Is that right?” Vanna returned to the table with two mugs of tea. “Not for me. Every time I touch the open sky it’s like it’s my first time again.”

  Kai brought his mug quickly to his lips and burned his mouth in the process. Vanna laughed at the hot beverage dribbling down his chin and offered him a towel.

  “So…” Kai prepared to broach the forbidden topic. “Has Effie been by much since she returned?”

  “Only once,” Vanna said. “I’m worried about her. I don’t trust those Patricians as far as I can gust them.”

  “You think they’d hurt her? She’s a Gifted Pilot.”

  Vanna’s expression darkened as her eyes drifted down to her tea. “Oh, I’m sure they wouldn’t do anything to jeopardize her value, but there’s more than one way to hurt someone.”

  Whatever Kai and Effie’s relationship had become, the thought of anyone taking advantage of her made his insides run cold. Kai wasn’t sure what he could do to protect her from the Patricians, but he was confident he’d figure it out. “We won’t let that happen,” he said.

  Vanna looked up at him. It might have been the tea, but he thought he saw new lines of color blooming on her cheeks.

  “It’s late,” she said. “You should go back to the bunkhouse and get some rest. Kendy seems serious about these new patrols.”

  Kai nodded slowly, careful not to break their shared gaze. “I could do that…”

  Vanna chewed her lower lip between her teeth, still staring as she mindlessly stirred her tea. Kai’s heart began to beat inside his throat. He drifted closer, started rising from his seat.

  This was it.

  When her gaze didn't falter, he thought she might ask him to stay, but the moment passed. She stood up from the table, breaking the spell, and led him to the door.

  “Thank you for keeping me company,” Vanna said. “I’m not used to being alone. Effie’s back but she isn’t back, you know?”

  “I’ll be here any time you’ll have me,” Kai said.

  Vanna’s smile was melancholy. She patted his chest and kissed him on the cheek—a sisterly peck. “It’s good to have family around again.”

  Kai slumped against the cottage door as soon as Vanna closed it behind him.

  Family.

  It was the worst thing she could have possibly said.

  16

  MULDOON

  Ansel surprised Muldoon with an invitation to attend a meeting with the island’s Wing Commander. The governor no doubt hoped that outnumbering Commander Baris might intimidate the man and thus ease the delivery of an unwelcome writ. Muldoon was little more than a Patrician prop in this ploy. He knew when he was being used, but curiosity won the day.

  It wasn’t a bad plan, after all.

  Muldoon had become increasingly convinced that Ansel was indeed a congenital imbecile, but even imbeciles tended to pass through the world by virtue of a certain low cunning.

  He stood upright at Ansel’s shoulder, casually adjusting his cravat as the governor peered across his desk at the uniformed dragoon. There was a severity to the commander’s expression that well concealed the underlying exhaustion—only too obvious to Muldoon’s practiced eye. He didn’t know this Kendy Baris well enough to guess how he might react to the new conscription order, but a brittle spirit tended to push people one of two directions: pliancy or obstinance. Either way, Muldoon expected an entertaining evening.

  Ansel threaded his fingers atop the office desk, displaying his ostentatious set of rings. “I appreciate the prompt response to my summons, Commander. Can I offer you a drink?”

  Commander Baris shook his head. “No thank you, Sire. I’m due to fly patrol in a few hours, and I’d rather keep my wits.”

  Ansel accepted his refusal and dismissed the butler lingering at the back of the office with a wave.

  “I assume you want to hear the report from our findings in the western isles?” Commander Baris asked.

  “Eh?” Ansel’s block head shifted like a boulder.

  “The missing zeppelin from Aeolus…”

  “Ah, right.” Ansel waved the commander’s assumption away. “Aquilon has already informed us of the attack. This Leviathan is not a concern at present.”

  The commander looked struck. “Not a concern?”

  “Our host is aware of the issue, and it’s being handled. I summoned you here to discuss a different matter.” Ansel lifted his hand, and Muldoon pressed Kelestina’s writ into his outstretched palm. The governor cut the ribbon binding the parchment scroll with a silver letter-opener and handed the missive across the desk to Commander Baris. The short message bore Kelestina’s broken-serpent seal.

  Baris glanced apprehensively at the two Patricians. Muldoon watched his eyes as they drifted down to the scroll. New wrinkles arrived to crease this young man’s brow as he moved slowly over each line of text.

  The commander lowered the writ and looked straight at Ansel. “Our host is conscripting Senna, Kale, and Flynn?”

  Ansel nodded curtly. “They are to report to the manse this upcoming Moonday before Seventh Bell. From here, they’ll be delivered to Aquilon, where they’ll receive their assignment directly from Her Lightness.”

  The commander’s expression tightened as he read the missive again, grip creasing the parchment as he lost the battle to restrain himself. “This is all very unusual, Sire. Where will they be sent?”

  “Their final destination is for Her Lightness Kelestina to decide. Your job is to ensure compliance with the terms of this writ.”

  Commander Baris lowered the paper again, frown lines framing his strong chin. “This is a bad time to lose dragoons. Senna and Kale are two of the strongest fliers in the corps. I rely on them both to lead drafts on patrol.”

  “Our host will see to the defense of the isles,” Ansel said.

  “Like she defended the Aeolians?”

  Ansel grunted at the challenge, but Commander Baris’ temper had broken through, and he didn’t appear likely to back down.

  They’d arrived at a delicate crossroads.

  Muldoon cleared his throat, drawing the attention of the smoldering dragoon. “If I may interject—Commander Baris has recently borne witness to a terrible tragedy. We can certainly understand why tempers might be running a little hot. It’s also important to remember, however, that the Aeolians rebelled against our host, ousting their Patrician lord and protector. Had I remained at my post, this all could have been avoided. The rebel elements on the western isle bear much of the blame for their exposure.”

  This reversal unbalanced the commander. With no easy response at hand, his flinty eyes narrowed on Muldoon before drifting back to Ansel. “Senna is betrothed,” he said. “And Flynn’s on the wrong side of fifty. I don’t think this order will be well-received.”

  Ansel puffed out his barrel chest like the brainless peacock he was. “I remind you, Commander, that we are all guests of the Crystal Throne. It is not for us to question the judgment of Her Lightness.”

  Muldoon saw Commander Baris’ temper returning to simmer. He cut in to save Ansel from himself. “It is a high honor that Kelestina confers upon these Elementalists. They will be separated from their loved ones for a time, but with their ample Gifts, all three of these conscripts may someday be elevated to the Patrician class. If Miss Ryot’s betrothed remains dedicated, there is no reason they can’t reunite. If not, the Lord Governor is empowered to see their betrothal annulled.”

  “Yes.” Ansel’s side-eye warned Muldoon off any further interruptions. “You will inform the conscripts, Commander.”

  It wasn’t a question, but Commander Baris nodded his acquiescence all the same.

  Ansel’s quiet butler returned to escort Commander Baris out of the manse. As soon as the office door closed behind them, Ansel hoisted his solid girth from his desk and walked over to a bar cart to pour himself a snifter of orange brandy. He didn’t offer one to Muldoon.

  “Elevated to Patrician, he says.” Ansel sniffed his liquor and took a deep drink. “That is rich.”

  Muldoon couldn’t tell if he meant the brandy or his own specious sentiments. “Anything’s possible,” he said, unfolding from his stately pose and stepping out from behind the desk.

  Ansel’s brandy sloshed as he waved the snifter at Muldoon. “This is your fault, you know.”

  Amused by the accusation, Muldoon allowed a slight smirk. “How do you figure?”

  “All your talk up at Aquilon about obligations to the Armada.” Ansel ventured a dainty sip, then drained his entire snifter in one boorish gulp. “That’s where they’re headed, I’d wager. A quick stop at Mol Hara or Klock Base, then a one-way ticket to the front lines.”

  “Oh, I sincerely doubt my goading had anything to do with it.” Muldoon stroked the thin strip of beard along his chin. “We’ve simply reached a new phase of the occupation in this land. Her Lightness has been patient in her cultivation of these Zephyri Gifts. The time for harvest was bound to arrive sooner or later.”

  Ansel shook his block head as he turned back to the bar cart to pour himself another heavy snifter. “A harvest is well and good, but if Her Lightness eats her seed crop, she risks inciting another rebellion.”

  “Is your plebiscite so undisciplined? I thought you valued decorum on Volturnus.”

  Ansel bristled at his own words thrown back at him. His fingers tightened around his glass. “Speaking of decorum, how are your lessons with Miss Strait proceeding?”

  “Exceedingly well, I’m pleased to report.” Despite his best efforts to maintain an inscrutable facade, Muldoon felt a tight smile working its way across his lips. “You were right about the younger Strait girl—so unlike the elder. She’s quick-witted and quite agreeable. I find myself enjoying our time together.”

  Ansel’s grimace dripped with delicious resentment. “And here I thought you considered the assignment beneath your station. You lacked the temperament for tutoring—isn’t that what you said?”

  Muldoon shrugged. “It seems I contain multitudes, unbeknownst even to me.”

  Muldoon thought he could hear the governor’s teeth popping as he ground his jaw at his drink. “Get out of my office now, Muldoon.”

  “By your leave, Sire.” Muldoon performed a sweeping bow, hoping to conceal his wild grin.

  17

  EFFIE

  Ina arrived at Effie’s room on the morning of her next dreaded civics lesson. She came with a message from Muldoon.

  “You’re to report to the windward port this morning.”

  “The port?” Effie rubbed her eyes. She was groggy from the late night deciphering a dry treatise on the hereditary peerage.