Unlike the last time we came to Dara, we didn’t land the dirigible on the front lawn of the Capitol Dome. I wanted to, of course, but the pilots wouldn’t let me. In fact, they shooed me back to the main cabin because they didn’t want to risk me crash-landing at the airport. Disappointing, but not exactly surprising—I’d done well enough for a first lesson, but I was no pilot yet, that was for sure.

“I didn’t expect you to be up there for the entire flight,” Iannis remarked as I sat back down into my chair. “You’ll need to freshen up a bit before we get off the aircraft.”

“Huh?” I glanced down at myself, then noticed the crumbs clinging to the bodice of the satin green dress I wore. Unlike the ridiculous lacy confection I’d worn for my interview, this one was quite comfortable and easy to move in. But I couldn’t go before the Minister with crumbs on it, and I probably needed to redo my makeup too.

“Here, let me help you,” Iannis said, standing as I got up to retrieve my bag from the overhead compartment. He settled his hands on my waist to pull me forward, then gently slid one hand down my front, brushing stray crumbs away.

“Are you cleaning me up, or trying to cop a feel?” I asked, raising a brow.

“I can always do both,” Iannis murmured, dipping his head down. He kissed me lightly, then skimmed his fingertips over my cheeks. The scent of magic tickled my nostrils as tingles skipped up my face, and Iannis smiled, stepping back.

“Perfect.” He pulled a small, circular mirror from his sleeve and handed it to me. “You’re all set now.”

“Is there anything you don’t keep in that weird magical compartment of yours?” I asked, examining myself in the mirror. Iannis had used magic to freshen up my makeup, and I had to admit the effect was beautiful, and much less time-consuming. My eyeliner was bold and dramatic, my lips red and glistening, and the light dusting of blush on my cheeks gave me a healthy glow. Even my hair, pulled back from my face and artfully arranged with jeweled pins and clips, looked like I had just come from the salon.

“I believe in being prepared,” Iannis said, smiling down at me. “You look stunning, by the way.”

“Thanks to you.” Grinning, I returned to my seat, and we settled in for the landing. It didn’t take us long to disembark from the dirigible, and it was pleasant to head directly into the waiting carriage without worrying about our luggage. The steward would take it directly to our hotel.