But he was smiling his familiar smile.
Marin felt a lurch of relief. She didn’t know why, but there was a piece of her that kept whispering that she wasn’t ever going to see him again, which was ridiculous since he’d always been the one to come to the dock for her deliveries in the past. Even if he stayed at the conservatory, there was no reason why that wouldn’t continue.
I don’t want to just see him for deliveries. I want him sailing with me.
She knew that was a selfish thought. He belonged here in the conservatory, surrounded by the music that he loved all the time. This was where his future was.But his future doesn’t have to start yet. We still have a job to complete.He’d said he wanted to help her locate Rijes Velk. After that… She wasn’t going to think about after, not yet.
“I found out where she is,” Dax said with no preamble, as they pulled up alongside the dock. “She’s being held in a government facility nearby.”
Ree gasped. “A prison?”
“Not a prison, but she is essentially a prisoner, since she has not been allowed to leave.” Dax’s tone was grim. “The address is three canals over. Grandmaster Vorac has given me an introduction letter—it should be enough to get us in to speak with her.”
“That’s amazing,” Marin said.
Ree said, “You’re amazing, Dax.”
Ree’s right. He’s amazing.And it wasn’t just because he was a good musician. Everything about him was amazing: his optimism, his great heart, his smile that made you feel like you were the sun and the moon. She wondered if anyone had ever told him that—that he was amazing for more than just his music. She wondered if she should, or would that just be awkward? Maybe it was enough that the plant had said it.
“Thanks, buddy.” Dax hopped onto the boat. She noted he didthat so easily now, his feet sure on the deck, knowing exactly where to step, where to put his hands. As soon as he was on board, she began to pole out of the tunnel. Perri swam beneath them, adding extra speed.
Ree hopped around Dax’s feet. “Was everything okay? Your friends?”
“Yes, I saw Shiare briefly, and she said the others have returned, safe and sound,” Dax said. “Unlike the imperial palace, which I’m told was reduced to rubble, the conservatory weathered the revolution. No structural damage. A few of the cosmetic spells, like the fountain, haven’t been renewed—the sorcerers have other priorities right now, much more important ones—but the conservatory is back to how it’s always been, at least so far as its music and its musicians. I wasn’t there long enough to learn how the new politics will affect it. Truthfully, I didn’t ask.” He directed them through the canals to a narrow unmarked building squeezed between two towers. “That’s it. That’s where she’s said to be held.”
The government facility was made of black stone that was caked with algae near the water level but smooth black matte the higher up it went. Its windows were slits shaped like diamonds, and the door at the dock was painted red. Even without a sign, it was clear this was an Official Building that had no sense of humor, joy, or fun.
“Subtle,” Marin said.
“Yeah, the empire wasn’t known for that.”
She noted the past tense. She still needed to get used to that.
Dax stepped onto the dock as Marin and Ree tied off. “Ree…” Marin began.
“I’ll guard the boat,” Ree said stoutly.
She glanced at Perri, who rolled his round eyes at her. Of course he’d guard it too.
“We’ll be back soon,” Marin promised. Hopefully with the news they wanted: that Rijes Velk was safe and well and would be back at the Great Library soon, with her beloved books.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Dax was already knocking on the door. He presented his letter to the man in all gray who answered it. After a brief discussion, they were allowed inside, as simple as that.
Over his shoulder, Dax flashed her a smile. His letter had worked. He’d gotten them in. She had the sense this place was easy to enter, harder to leave. She followed Dax in and wished she were on the open sea.
The entry room was sparse and gray, with no decorations on the wall, only a desk and a row of uncomfortable-looking chairs lining the side.Yep, no humor or joy allowed here.
Standing in front of the desk with his hands clasped behind his back, Dax explained they were here to speak with Rijes Velk, head of the Great Library of Alyssium, on behalf of the Music Conservatory of Alyssium, blah, blah, blah.
It was jarring to watch. He didn’t seem like the Dax she knew. As he talked, Marin studied him and tried to figure out why he seemed so different here than he did when he was on boardSilverout on the waves.
It was his posture, she decided—he held himself stiff and straight, his head angled up so that his horns caught the gleam of the light from the sconces. He looked official. Regal, even. Not at all like therelaxed Dax who played his tri-lute on the bow of her sailboat.He’s a different person here in Alyssium.
She wondered which was the real him, Dax or Daxicend.
Or maybe they were both him. She felt a smile tug at her lips and suppressed it. Usually, he was so open and joyful that he came across as guileless. But here he was, full of so much smooth confidence. She liked seeing it—he’d spent so much of his life pleasing his parents, his mentors, and his classmates; it was nice to see him be forceful.I didn’t know he had it in him.
