Chapter 712 (2/2)

“Shoo, Ryal,” Alta said with a mock scowl. “We are talking business.”

“I’m delighted to report that I am an expert in business, Alta-”

“That is Madam Bounty to you,” Alta interrupted.

With the sort of smirk of a man in the know of an inside joke, Ryal Huln let the wet towel fall to the ground and walked up to Alta. “Whatever you say, Boss. But I have to ask: as your fiance, am I allowed a kiss?”

“With me naked?” Alta asked, arms akimbo. “Of course not. I am a lady. If I can't be described as chaste, all of my maiden aunts will cluck like hens. Do you wish for me to be driven mad?”

With a low growl, Ryal ignored her words and pounced toward Alta. Alta shrieked and struggled against his grip, using her slippery skin to slide away. Both of them were giggling the whole time. Lucretia stood stone still, an aggrieved expression on her face.

Finally, Ryal captured Alta and moved in for a kiss, but then he paused. He looked up at Lucretia. “Creta, you are dismissed.”

“You cannot dismiss me, Mr. Huln.” Lucretia said, for the one-hundredth time. “I only follow Alta’s orders.”

“And those only when she wants to,” Alta added with a smile. She stood on her tiptoes and pecked Ryal on the lips. Then she placed both hands on his chest and pushed him away. “We are going to be married in a week; why can’t you wait until then?”

“Have you looked at yourself in a mirror recently?” Ryal drawled.

Lucretia repressed the urge to vomit. Not that Ryal didn’t have his positive traits, but some of the lines that he delivered with a completely straight face…

“Ryal, seriously, I have work,” Alta said, patting his cheek. She pulled away, but not before Ryal reached down and squeezed Alta’s ass cheek for several seconds. Then he sighed and slumped off, acting dejected.

“I’m never going to assassinate her, you know. You don't have to be so protective,” Ryal called over his shoulder. Lucretia’s mouth tightened, but she knew it was pointless to talk to him. He was a lovely creature and spoiled for it. Teaching him a lesson was not her work.

After Ryal left, Alta gave Lucretia an amused look. “You know, I think you are growing on him. He barely swore at you today.”

“How delightful,” Lucretia said in a monotone voice. “Well, I must be off to continue the training with your bridal party.”

To this, Alta pouted. What irked Lucretia was that she had learned that inane act from Ryal. “I really don’t see why you couldn’t be my maid of honor! There’s no one else in my life, really.”

“Yes well, you doomed yourself by finding such a… charming mate.” Lucretia coughed into her hand, her very throat resisting the words she tried to deliver.

Alta smiled then, and it was a very different smile than what was there previously during Ryal's flirting. “I know your thoughts. But he is exactly what I need right now. Trust me. It will work out.”

Repressing a shiver, Lucretia nodded. It was suddenly extremely cold in the room. This had happened often, of late. It seemed that from initially being afflicted by a heat wave the like of which the Seven Lands had never seen, it was not experiencing commiserate cold gales. For all that most of the Lands worried about the effect the war would have on the World Tree, Lucretia was much more concerned with the unpredictable nature of the weather recently.

Some thought this signaled the end of times. Others believed that industry was altering the health of the world tree past the point it could recover. Some have even pointed to the Bounty Mechanicals’ actions as the reason.

Few understood the world as well as Lucretia did. And although she didn’t know why, she knew it was not a good sign. The single ash grey flower of karma in Alta’s chest had grown into a full bouquet. Even though she didn’t want to, Lucretia couldn’t help but see it as a sign of a certain sort of blessing at the oncoming wedding.