This time when they came in, Fin and Salvadora slowed properly and touched down gently. Salvadora looked over Lord Aurexian’s shoulder and past Hemi Kaelan.
He was great.
It was good to know.
The way Dora snapped her head to Lord Aurexian as he leapt from the platform suggested a negative comment, but I’d find out what that meant later. Hemi followed them and the three riders were left in the middle of the empty platform. I wouldn’t interrupt the discussion. I had to respect the training, but it was hard to hold back.
Flight Captain Ang Shi had his say, Gahunia and Fin both saluted, then Shi turned towards me. He was removing his flight cap and unbuttoning his coat.
“The boy did well,” Shi told me. “For a first formation flight, very well.”
It was so annoying, Shi didn’t have a hair out of place. Always so perfectly well-turned out. Did he even knowhowto bea mess? Did he even suspect how much of a mess he was making me?
The problem was that made me turn away and I realised that Gahunia still had his hand on Fin’s shoulder. It could just be camaraderie or mentorship, but it looked just a little too friendly to me. The two of them were laughing together as they headed towards us. Towards me.
“You’ll be a great Ride—” Gahunia glanced over, caught my dark eye, “—er.”
I glowered at Gahunia until at last he lost that grin and took his hand off my son.
Once they were inside, I moved to follow, but Shi grabbed my shoulder, pushed me against the wall of the fortress.
“No.”
My glower refocused on Shi. “What?”
“I haven’t forgotten Eustace. I will not allow you to make that same mistake again.”
“But Gahunia—”
“But nothing,” Shi cut me off. “Gahunia was being friendly.”
“Too friendly.”
“By whose judgement?”
“Mine.”
“Then reassess.” The warning was stark and cold. “Because unless Fin objects, you’ve no reason to.”
“Fin’s a child.”
“Fin is fifteen. He’s taller and stronger than the majority of men here. If he feels threatened, he’s more than capable of looking after himself. You can’t keep holding him back.”
That cut. “I am not holding him back.”
“Sullivan, you didn’t even want him to fly this morning. The more he flies now, the easier he’ll find the Rider’s college.”
I knew he was right. “It’s my call. He’s my boy.”
Shi took a breath and spoke calmly. “He will not remain a child forever, and you cannot make him.”
“And what wouldyoumake him?” I snarled back then sneered. “Just like the rest of you?”
Shi reared back, his eyes hard, lips pressed into a flat line. He pulled his hand away from me like it burned, then turned on his heel and marched inside.
Chapter Twelve
Nausea roiled in my belly for hours after than confrontation with Shi. The grumbling carried on for days. Every time I thought about it, I tasted bile. I had to face the Flight Captain frequently, it was my job, but I found I struggled to look him in the eye. It was all I could do to control the tremors when I was near him. I wasn’t even sure why I was fighting any more, was it him? Me? Gods I was so confused. If only I had the emotional control he did.
