Weysh shook himself, focusing on the present. “Yes, sorry, lovely.” He broke off a piece of flat bake to scoop up some salted snapper. “I guess we’re no longer killing and pillaging, so there’s that. Still, no matter what pretty words the emperor and the powers that be may spout, it will be a long time before the colonies are perceived as equal. They’re like the bastard children of the Empire, as it were. Perhaps that’s why I’m so close to my maman’s Island side of the family. That and she would ship me off there every school break to get me away from my stepfather.”

He popped the bake and snapper into his mouth, only to choke at the peppery sting of it. He had such a visceral reaction he was forced to spit it out lest he empty his stomach. It brought him right back to when he was on the ground of the chapelle, his eyes swollen and streaming tears. Thrice-damned Movay, he’d always loved spicy food. So Noriago had ruined that for him as well. Rat prick.

Yenni didn’t seem to notice. She frowned into space, lost in her own thoughts. “But I have met kindhearted Creshens in my time here. Captain Augustin, the woman at the pubs, Har-tha.”

“Oh, indeed,” said Weysh, pulling a plate of sweet, non-spicy plantains to his side. “I have many Creshen friends as well. I am Creshen, for the blessing of Byen. I’m not saying to write us off entirely, but curb your expectations, en? Sometimes just when you let your guard down someone will pull something shady, like this professor. It’s disappointing, but as a society we still have a long way to go.”

“I see. I hope—I hope my family is not like that. I have considered telling them about the rune, but it seems wrong somehow.”

“I think anyone with power is bound to abuse it at least a little. There have certainly been times when I’ve thrown my weight around as a dragon. You’ve just got to do your best to treat people fairly, en?” Yenni rested her hand on her fist and watched him. “What?” he asked, wondering what could be going through her head.

“That was a more thoughtful answer than I expected.” She smiled at him. “How did you do it, Weh-sheh Nolan?”

“Do what?”

She shook her head. “I can’t think of anyone I disliked more than you on first meeting.”

Weysh cleared his throat. “Ah, well, that is . . . perhaps I did come on a bit strong.”

Yenni gave him a flat look, and a flush of embarrassment crept up the back of Weysh’s neck, which he rubbed self-consciously.

“Fine, I was an ass. And I am sorry, truly. But it’s been half a year and I’ve already learned so much and grown so much thanks to you. You make me better, Yenni.”