“Reagan, are you ready?” She strode towards him, wearing the black dress with flowing sleeves, the same one she wore for public appearances.
He sighed heavily, resting his forehead on the curve of my neck.
I kept a straight face as I asked his second, “Ready for what?”
“He has a Citizens’ Audience right now. The public is already entering the Hall,” she said, undisturbed by his reluctance.
“You have an audience now?” I repeated, surprised.
He licked his lips and grinned. “What a time you chose to seduce me, Darling.”
“That was poor planning on both your parts,” Cerridwen said, her tone slightly impatient.
“We’ll need to wait,” he said, setting me down. Reagan studied me for a moment. “Care to join me?”
Adjusting the hem of my sweater, I said, “Lead the way.”
I followed alongside them as we made our way to the grand room. Cerridwen handed Reagan a ceremonial robe, the same one I’d seen during my first Citizens’ Audience.
He swung the robe over his shoulders, leaving it open to reveal his slightly wrinkled white shirt and dark slacks.
“There were about three hundred when I left,” Cerridwen said. Citizens, I guessed. “Start with the Rite announcement. Then we’ll move to the pleas.”
Reagan gave a small nod and ran a hand through his hair, trying to tame the mess left by my attempts to get answers from him. His eyes caught mine as I studied him. With a crooked grin, he gave me a wink before adjusting the robe’s clasp.
I pressed my lips together, holding back a smile.
“Reagan, do you have the announcement ready? Can you focus?” Cerridwen pressed, her patience thinning.
He gave her a measured glance, a hand adjusting the edge of his collar. “It’s hard not to be offended by the insinuation.”
“Good. You should be offended. Someone attacked the Aurora Rite, endangered your citizens, and now they want to know what you’re doing about it. Set everything else aside and focus on the task at hand.”
Hers was the kind of authority that brooked no argument.
“I’m well aware,” Reagan replied evenly. “Mountheim comes first. Are you trying to embarrass me in front of Jane?”
“I’m sure you don’t need my help embarrassing yourself in front of her,” she quipped, an almost imperceptible smirk forming on her lips as she halted before the door, stepping aside to let him enter first.
“Hurtful,” was all Reagan said before crossing the threshold.
The audience chamber was just as expansive as I recalled. From my vantage point near the dais, the far end of the room was lost in a sea of movement, citizens steadily pouring in to fill every corner.
Reagan ascended the dais, coming to a halt before the imposing chair at its centre. Cerridwen stationed herself at his far side. I found my spot near Finnegan, who was leaning against a pillar and watching the crowd.
“Someone ruined your fun?” he asked, his grin audible.
“You and Gwinifer have an infuriating habit of omitting important things.”
Finn chuckled, his gaze sweeping over the assembly as Reagan began his address.
“Are you looking for someone?” I asked, keeping my voice low.
He shook his head subtly. “Just keeping an eye out.”
From the far side of the dais, Barracus approached, stopping on the other side of the Mage Lord.
All three remained standing, at least for the start of the session. Given the sheer number of citizens present, it was clear that many concerns were to be addressed, beginning with the naming of the battle mages who had aided during the Rite, each distinguished by rank. Security concerns were raised, and Barracus’s explanation of the newly established patrols appeared to satisfy many who attended the audience.
