“I think Professor Marin would find that offensive,” said Idris. The professor had been critical in their creation of the solar generators which rested in a field outside, the power-savers she had helped them design keeping the ‘lectricity flowing to the projector even at night.
She was also a vampire. “Do you know she can’t turn into a bat? Did you ever ask her?” asked Rinka. “Maybe she’d be offended to find out you doubted her.”
“I’ll make sure to ask her when I return to Winwold next week.”
Rinka pouted, her lower lip covering her fangs. “Must you really return so soon? The term doesn’t start for a couple of weeks.”
“If I’m to be out for a week at Lupercalia, I have to leave plans for my classes. Why, will you miss me?” Idris moved a bit closer to Rinka on the couch they’d pulled into the center of the ballroom, the best view of the screen they’d made of a sheet hung from a curtain rod.
Rinka snorted. “Of course I’ll miss you.” They hadn’t been apart since the summer.
“Good. I like to be missed.”
She shoved him away.
“Hey. You can always come back with me, you know.”
“Alison needs me here,” said Rinka, and it was really true. Alison was so clever, but she had no idea how to throw a good party. Rinka was grateful the generator income meant she could stay as long as she liked without needing to work. In fact, if she had her way, she’d spend the rest of her days planning parties and would never work a day again. “But will you missme?”she asked.
“More than anything,” said Idris, soft and low, in a way that made Rinka forget about the picture-show.
The New Year’s ball was the best one Rinka had ever been to.
After a summer rubbing elbows with the wealthiest and most betitled (and entitled) of Loegria and Wilderise, Rinka felt a return to her roots was in order: she asked Keir if they could invite absolutely everyone to the ball, and he agreed.
Rinka arranged for carriage service to bring anyone who wanted to attend from the nearby villages and farms to and from Weldan House. Most of the people had attended parties and festivals on the Weldan House lawn, but few had been invited inside before.
The Weldan House staff were somewhat more reluctant to open their house to the entire region than Lord Ainsley’s heir, although many of them had long taken the position that what Lord Ainsley didn’t know wouldn’t hurt him. Still, if they pushed back on allowing the children of the guests to sleep in the drawing room or on moving the pianoforte into the ballroom to accompany the quartet, Rinka only needed to ask Idris to step in and insist. As infuriating as it was, his rank did tend to open many doors.
It all paid off in the end. The ball was a smashing success. Rinka had never seen a happier crowd, people of all shapes and sizes and from every walk of life dressed in their finest, enjoying a moment free of troubles. A moment to celebrate their hard work and to begin the New Year with hope and joy.
The best part of the night would be the last, but the second-best part was introducing Wilderise to the picture show. Rinka had chosen a special favorite for the occasion: a pirate picture that reminded her of meeting Idris.
She thought she’d have to coax him into telling the tale for the crowd, but Idris was caught up in the jubilation too. He launched into the story they’d told the magazine unbidden, reluctantly omitting the magic in the telling.
“It was a shame you couldn’t mention the sword or the boat,” said Rinka to him after the picture show was finished. “I bet they would have lost it if you brought out the sword.”
Idris flipped the coin he used in his pocket. “Trying not to antagonize Father until the university is built. Once it’s finished, though…”
“You’ll singlehandedly bring magic back into style?”
Idris gave her a look that said,you think I couldn’t?“There’s too much opportunity in it to ignore. Think of the generators. What else could be created if we stopped thinking of magic and science as two separate ventures?”
“A purely practical endeavor, of course, and in no way tied to your desire to show off.”
“You’re the one that said I should.” Idris pulled the coin from his pocket and turned it into a silver swan. It flapped its wings and hovered between them.
Rinka stood in front of it, blocking the crowd from seeing it. It was really quite amazing. As much as she liked to tease Idris about his arrogance, she had to admit it was pretty well deserved.
“Fine, yes, you’re very impressive, and I want everyone else to see how impressive you are. Are you happy?”
“Yes,” said Idris, putting his hand on the small of her back and kissing her cheek. “Very.”
As the night wound towards midnight, Rinka spied her friends from Herot’s Hollow making their way to the balcony to see the fireworks.
“Rinka, over here!” called Alison. “Where’s Idris?”
He had been right behind her, but when Rinka looked back, he’d vanished. “Probably off to get some sparkling wine for the midnight toast.”
