Truthfully, it was hard to tell which of us was drawing more attention, or perhaps it was the sight of us together, arm in arm, as we walked up the white marble steps to the entrance of the Dome. Unlike last time, I wasn’t disguised as a mage, and my bottle-green shifter eyes were on display for all to see. Whispers ensued as we passed, some of them uncomplimentary, others simply disbelieving. They’d heard the rumors, but they hadn’t been sure what to think of them until Iannis and I had shown up.

Now it was official. Now the whole world would know, without a doubt, that the Chief Mage of Canalo had engaged himself to a bastard hybrid shifter. And his apprentice, at that.

“Pay them no mind.” Iannis’s voice murmured in my head as he gently squeezed my forearm. “They will settle down soon enough, once they realize you are not a passing whim and that I intend to keep you by my side.”

“Of course,” I replied as we stepped over the threshold of the huge, gilded double doors. The guards bowed as we passed, and I returned their greeting with a strained smile. I didn’t doubt that Iannis would stay by my side, but it was still hard to walk by these people as they tittered behind their hands. I saw coins exchanged several times, and knew they were betting on how long Iannis would take to come to his senses and call the engagement off.

Glossy mosaic tiles patterned the floors of the entrance hall, under arching ceilings decorated with runes. The center of the large space was dominated by a fountain sculpture of the Founding Trio—Jeremidah, Faonus, and Micara. The three mages stood in a circle, back to back, and water burbled into the marble basin from their outstretched hands. If one looked into the fountain itself, they could see a mosaic pattern of the Northia Federation beneath the water. The message was clear—these three, through their power, had given life to the Federation, and were forever honored for their service.

“Good evening, Lord Iannis, Miss Baine.” Pamina, the receptionist greeted us. “Welcome back to Dara.” Her brown eyes lingered on me, bright with curiosity and maybe a little envy. As human, I imagined she would be jealous of my position, considering I was a hybrid.

“Thank you, Pamina.” Lord Iannis inclined his head. “We are here to see Minister Graning.”

“He is expecting you,” she said, and gestured to a well-dressed mage who had been hovering in the background. “This is Loris ar’Mengis, one of the Minister’s aides. He will escort you.”

The young man bowed to Iannis, somehow including me without bowing again. “If you will follow me, Chief Mage, Miss Baine.”