“You’re welcome,” I finally said when I was sure I could speak again. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“I, too, must thank you for what you did,” Melantha said as I stepped back. The words were a little stiff, but I sensed no lie in them—it was just hard for her to admit the truth. “Mother told me the Mages Guild gave Shiftertown a generous sum of money to rebuild, and I doubt we would have gotten so much without your influence with the Chief Mage.” Her lips curved a little. “Congratulations on your engagement, by the way.”

“Thank you.” I gave her a small smile in return. “I’m glad things are starting to look up.”

“Me too.” She hesitated a moment, then said, “Perhaps you should come over for tea sometime.”

“Maybe,” I hedged, not sure if I was ready for that. “Speaking of which, the reason I stopped by was because I wanted to invite Aunt Mafiela to lunch.”

Melantha’s eyebrows rose. “I suppose it is a good time to bury the hatchet, what with your recent engagement. Mother’s been much more interested in acknowledging your relationship with our clan ever since she learned you were going to be the Chief Mage’s bride.”

I fought against the urge to roll my eyes—of course she was. “Well, if you can just let her know I made the offer, and to contact me at the Palace, that would be great.”

“Are you inviting us to the wedding?” Mika piped up. I turned to see her looking hopefully up at me, her eyes shining with the possibility of attending a grand wedding.

I smiled. “I’m sure I will, but it won’t be for some time yet,” I told her, unwilling to disappoint her. “I’ll send you invitations, but for now, I’ve got to run.”

We made our goodbyes, and I hopped back onto my steambike, hoping I could shake the cocktail of emotions rolling around in my chest before I got to Lakin’s place. He lived closer to the town square, on a row of single-story, one-bedroom homes that were small and neat, but looked like someone had copied the same simple design over and over. Boring. The last time I’d been to Lakin’s, a duo of bird shifters had been in the middle of trying to convince him to support the Resistance. He hadn’t agreed, of course, especially after I’d informed him that the Resistance planned to turn on the shifter community once they were done overthrowing the mages. But if he was still in touch with those Resistance soldiers, he might have information that would help me rescue my missing friends.