Sloane’s gaze flicked to the captain, who’d tipped his head back to look at the ceiling. To his credit, the orc had taken a lot in stride — helped significantly by Atria’s heavy advocacy. Still, Cecilia’s sudden fame amongst the ranks of Patrol and hersubsequent hero worship within Fracture seemed to vex him on an existential level.
But for as exasperated as he was, KazimierlikedCecilia. He was almost certain of it.
Sloane had discovered them deep in discussion about “compassionate positive incentives” and “no bullshit de-escalation techniques” more than once. Cecilia took the captain’s taciturn nature in stride, just as she took everything else. It was impossible tonotrespect a woman who held herself so confidently in a room full ofthemand still managed to sparkle.
Theodore took a long look at the captain’s exasperated expression and huffed. “I’ve heard a lot about you, Cecilia.”
“That’s kind of terrifying,” she replied. “You know that, right? You’vegotto know that.”
Margot covered her mouth, muffling a laugh. “She’s right.”
Theodore glanced sidelong at his consort. A dimple popped in his cheek when a slow smile crossed his face. “Fair enough. My apologies. I meant that I don’t think I’ve ever heard an arrant’s name whispered with so much awe in the halls of my tower. I like it.”
“You do?”
“We do,” Margot answered for him. “And we’d like to offer you a job.”
Cecilia sent Sloane a frantic look. “Huh?”
Theodore rested his forearms on the desk. “Listen, with the… events of the past few weeks and the psychological assessment we’ve received from Dr. Starsbury, we — Captain Le Roy, my wife, and myself — have come to believe that your presence can be a stabilizing force within Fracture. You’re trained. You’re compassionate. More importantly, you’re fearless. I don’t think there’s a member of Patrol in San Francisco who hasn’t heard the story of the arrant who fought four elves with her bare hands to get back to her mate.”
Sloane had to breathe deeply to lower his heart rate. He didn’t want the bio alerts to go off in his helmet and make him miss this moment. If he could’ve, he would’ve engrained it into his memory forever. Every single word.
Cecilia gave the sovereigns and the captain a wide-eyed look of confusion. “You… want me to work for Fracture?”
“No,” Margot answered.
Kazimier tucked a hand in his pocket and clarified, “We want you tostay.”
Margot folded her hands on top of her live edge desk. Offering Cecilia a warm smile, she said, “We personally reviewed your teaching application and passed it along to the Solbourne Nursery. If you’re willing, the headmistress would like to interview you for a position.”
“At theelvishnursery?” Cecilia blinked fast. “But… why? Don’t only elves?—”
“Nothing should beonly elves,”Theodore cut in. “And it would be an honor to have you teach our young. We believe it would benefit everyone involved, and selfishly, we also think it will keep you close. We want to do everything we can to make your life with Fracture — and Sloane — a good one. For all our sakes.”
“I…” She took a moment to gather herself. Looking down at the tips of her shiny boots, she pressed her lips together in a way he recognized meant she was working through something tricky. “That’s… very kind, Sovereigns.”
Margot gave Cecilia a searching look. “But?”
His consort glanced up from her boots. Her dark eyes glittered fiercely when she bit out, “No offense, but I don’t need incentives to stay with Sloane or Fracture. I don’t want special treatment, like they’re some sort of burden you need to compensate for. They’renot.They’re people who deserve care. And friends. And love that isn’t conditional. Respectfully.”
The captain leaned his hip against the edge of Theodore’s desk. Crossing his bulky arms over his chest, he grunted, “And that’s why you’re perfect for the job, Cece. Not because you deserve special treatment but because you are the best fucking fit for the first non-elvish teacher to work in the nursery.”
“Our kids need you,” Theodore pressed.
Margot tilted her head toward her husband. “We need you, Cece. We’d consider it a great favor if you’d put yourself on the line for us like this.”
“You really don’t pull punches, huh?” Cecilia dryly noted.
Margot wrinkled her pert nose. “Not really our style, I’m afraid.”
“Yeah, well, mine either,” she sighed. “I… will do the interview. But I’m serious about special treatment. If the headmistress doesn’t think I’m a good fit?—”
“Then you won’t get the job,” Theodore finished for her. “We understand, and believe me,Iknow you’re serious.”
Cecilia nodded. “Good. Thank you. And… thank you, I guess.”
“You’re welcome.” Margot lifted her chin toward the door. “You can escape now. We won’t hold it against you.”
