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Skleros grimaced at Kia’s handiwork.
“That’s right,” Kia said. “I’m a methodological deconstructionist.”
Cassia cleared her throat. “Sophia Eudokia, I’m afraid I have never heard of that affinity. Would you be so kind as to explain it?”
“Certainly, Lady Cassia,” Kia answered. “Strictly speaking, methodological deconstruction is an application, not an affinity. If I had remained mortal, I never would have been a mage, but I gained blood magic with the Gift. Using the abilities and awareness common to all Hesperines, I am able to act on scholarly observations to reverse charms and castings.”
“She destroys the honest work of other mages,” Chrysanthos said, “by dismantling their spells.”
Kia beamed and dropped the stone back into Skleros’s hand. “There. Perfectly safe.”
“Don’t ask me to light your smoke for you.” Xandra joined them with her sketchbook under her arm and Nodora at her side. “The no-fire rule applies to everyone, even princesses. Kia’s family has my solemn promise that I shall never practice in here.”
“Then let us take this outside,” the Gift Collector invited.
Xandra’s eyes narrowed at the smoke dangling from Skleros’s lips. “Are you sure that’s wise? Fire magic is rather unruly, you know. I might miss your smoke.”
“Oh dear,” said Nodora. “That would certainly lower the spirits of this cheerful Summit. How would you explain it to the ambassador?”
Lio showed his most conciliatory smile to the necromancer. “That’s all right, Princess Alexandra. Accidents are understandable. Speaking for Orthros’s ambassadors, we could hardly classify a helpful gesture gone wrong as a diplomatic disaster.”
Skleros put his leather-armored hands into the sleeves of his necromancer robes and gave a mocking bow. Lio heard the Gift Collector’s knuckles crack.
“Princess Alexandra,” said Cassia, “if I may beg a helpful gesture of you, there is a different matter with which your unique knowledge would be most helpful.”
Lio sensed Cassia’s decision and confidence. Her grim frame of mind was definitely not due to Xandra.
Xandra answered with hopefulness in her aura, betraying her uncertainty by adjusting her sketchbook under her arm. “I endeavor only to be helpful to the embassy, Lady Cassia.”
“As you so kindly showed with your generous hospitality to us last night,” Cassia replied. “The game was quite a challenge, but after giving it more thought, I understand it much better now. It was a pleasure to participate in your match with the Honored Master.”
Lio could only listen with admiration and relief as his Grace made amends with Xandra in front of the entire embassy.
Xandra smiled. “I’m so glad there are no hard feelings. About your side’s defeat, that is.”
“Of course not.” Cassia glanced at Chrysanthos, who was watching her. She tilted her head, giving him an arch smile. “We would never have hard feelings about that, would we, Honored Master?”
He gave a mage bow. “Speak for yourself, Basilis. If you have a favor to ask the princess, catch her in a good mood.”
“I am in a most generous mood tonight,” Xandra assured Cassia.
“Then perhaps,” Cassia went on, “you will allow me to take you up on the kind offer you made me during the royal celebration to educate me about mulberries.”
Xandra’s face lit. “I would be delighted, if you’re still interested.”
“I look forward to it more than ever,” Cassia assured her, “after glimpsing your extraordinary trees through the window of your greenhouse.”
Nodora gestured at Xandra’s sketchbook. “Princess Alexandra brought her notes with her, and the library contains many works on botany for the two of you to discuss.”
Kia went to Cassia’s side. “Come, let us enjoy the collection while we wait for everyone to gather for the circle.”
Lio caught and savored this moment. Cassia and all his Trial sisters standing together.
Kia showed the embassy through the library, introducing them to Orthros’s scholars along the way. Xandra cast an indicative glance at Konstantina across the room, and Kia nodded, steering them all in the opposite direction.
The mortals soon broke up into smaller groups, some pausing to study pictorial works, others captivated by the movement of the astronomical models overhead.
Lio stayed close to Cassia’s side, although he was unable to give her even a brief touch to show his concern.
