Republic
Page 68
“Good evening, Lieutenant Yara,” Maldynado said warily.
“Good evening, Maldynado.”
She wore a determined expression, and he waited for more, but she didn’t seem to have her next line worked out.
“Are you here to arrest me?” he asked.
Evrial blinked. “Have you done something illegal?”
“Not that I know of, but that doesn’t mean much. I don’t always pay that much attention to the legalities of the world. It’s a flaw. I’m a creative and unrestrained spirit.”
She glanced up at his hat, the golden vines dangled to either side of his eyes. “Yes.”
“If you’re not here to arrest me, what brings you all the way into the city?” Maldynado noticed Basilard and his lady dancing by, their ears turned toward him. Had he just become the gossip for the evening? He thought about taking Evrial into the hall, but didn’t know if she wanted privacy for... whatever she had come to say.
“My new promotion. In the NoDoc District.” A small smile found its way onto her stern face. “I just got off my first day’s duty.”
It dawned on him slowly that yes, that was a city enforcer uniform, not one from rural district whatever number she lived in. “I... How? I thought...”
“I told Captain Brinst that I had an offer for a promotion back in my home district and that if he wanted to keep me on his team, he would have to offer me a promotion here.”
“When was this?”
“A few weeks ago. After we... chatted that night at the building site.” Evrial lifted her eyes toward the ceiling and nodded, maybe impressed that this was the same site.
Mahliki and Sespian danced past, much as Basilard and his lady had a moment earlier. Maldynado noticed it because they were obviously spying and also because they had left the room earlier—quite a bit earlier. Mahliki was still wearing her plant-smeared coveralls, but Sespian didn’t seem to mind. Indeed, they were both wearing large grins. Well, one mission accomplished.
“He was slow in making up his mind,” Evrial said. “I’d already been working back at home for two weeks when he made his offer. Are you still...” She glanced at the extra women on the dance floor again. “Unattached?”
A grin stretched across Maldynado’s mouth. “I’m still attached actually, to this strong, brave enforcer woman, who must have a lot of courage to come back to the city and seek out the man her father and brother so dearly loathe.”
Some of the rigid enforcer-ness melted out of Evrial’s body. She rested a hand on his arm, her eyes crinkling. “They loathe you less now.”
“Oh?”
“They heard someone was naming a building after you.”
“They heard? Way out in the country?” Maldynado realized his jaw was dangling open, so he shut it. “Did everyone know about this except for me?”
“You didn’t know? There was an article in the Gazette.”
Mancrest shambled by with a young lady supporting him. He winked at Maldynado as they headed for the beverage station.
Maldynado sniffed and made sure Mancrest heard his comment. “I don’t read that droll periodical.”
“Regardless,” Evrial said, “I’ve... missed you.”
“You must have. You haven’t called me a dolt or a dunderhead once tonight.”
“I’ve only been here five minutes. The night is young.”
“Oh? Will we be spending it together?” Maldynado wiggled his eyebrows.
Evrial draped her arms over his shoulders and gave him an inspired kiss, though all she said was, “Why don’t we start with a dance?”
“I would love to, my lady. So long as you don’t prong me overmuch with that baton.”
“No promises.”
THE END
Afterword
Thank you for reading along with Amaranthe, Sicarius, and all the others. If you enjoyed the story and have time to leave a review, I would appreciate it. If you want to discuss this world with others, you can check out The Emperor's Edge Forum, or if you want to say hi to me, I'm on Twitter, Facebook, and Google+, and I post regularly at lindsayburoker.com.
Looking for more to read? Check my website for the most up-to-date list of my books.