“You certainly do,” Comenius said, sounding more than a little bemused. He examined the gems for a moment, then tucked them into his pocket. “I know a reputable jeweler who will give a fair price for these. I’ll call him today to set up an appointment.”

We finished lunch, and I bid them both goodbye. I tapped my enforcer bracelet twice to activate it, so that I would receive any emergency broadcasts, and took a ride around Solantha on my steambike. I had time to kill before my lesson with Iannis, and I figured I might be able to catch a bounty while I took a look around the city to see if the other neighborhoods were improving.

Not that I needed the money, I reflected as I rode down one of the very steep hills on the main drag of Rowanville. As I’d just demonstrated to Comenius, I had plenty of it now. Even if I did somehow find a way to blow all the gold and gems I’d acquired, Iannis or the Mages Guild would likely find me some way to earn more, now that I was the Chief Mage’s bride to be. Besides, all mages, even lowly apprentices like me, received a stipend in gold once a year.

I was determined to make my windfall last as long as possible, though, as I really didn’t want to rely on charity from Iannis. It would be one thing if we were actually married, but until that day came, I was still a single woman. And seeing as how a year was a long way off, I might as well put away some extra money to hold me over until then.

Besides, the future might look bright now, but the turmoil I’d experienced over the past few months was proof that life was forever uncertain. My newfound wealth might come handy in an emergency. If anything happened to Iannis, or if we ended up breaking off our engagement…

No. I resolutely shoved those gloomy thoughts away. I wasn’t going to let anyone, or anything, take my hard-won happiness from me. Iannis was mine, and if anyone thought they could change that, they’d be singing a different tune once I got my hands on them.

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