The prime minister laughed again, but it wasn’t unkind. Mina felt as if she was laughing with Mina, not at her. “You’ll think of a thousand when I’m gone, I’m sure. But you can ask your teachers. I’m certain they’re training you well. You must be excited for the Ten-Year Festival. I know I am.” She shared another smile. “In a way, it’s my first too, at least my first as prime minister, and I promise you it will demonstrate just how amazing Alorria is and how worthy it is of your service.”

The man who had whispered to her before darted forward again with another whisper. This time, the prime minister didn’t wave him away. She gave Mina yet another of her warm, motherly smiles and said, “Happy storms, child.” And she started past Mina.

Her perfume smelled like oranges, and as the scent wafted past, a question popped into Mina’s head, and she blurted it out:

“Does the festival cause the ten-year storms beyond the mountains?”

The assistants gasped. A few of them whispered to one another.

The prime minister stopped. She didn’t turn. “Oh, how very disappointing. That’s not an appropriate question, lightning child. I think it best if you do not attend the rest of today’s events.” She then swept on, and her assistants scurried behind her, all except one.

The one who remained, a large man with bulging muscles beneath his tailored uniform, took Mina by the arm and began to haul her down the hallway, in the opposite direction. Oh no, what did I do? She tried to think of what to say and how to apologize, but the prime minister was already out of earshot.

«Mina?» Pixit bounded out of the bathroom.

It’s my fault. I said something I shouldn’t.

«I heard you. I thought you asked a good question! Why did she get mad?» He wanted to spark lightning at the assistant who was marching Mina down the hallway, away from all the other students. «And where is he taking you?»

I don’t know. Get Professor Dano, she told him. Someone had to be told she was being taken . . . somewhere . . . and Professor Dano at least wasn’t the headmistress. Mina didn’t want to even imagine the look on Professor Werrin’s face if she heard that Mina had insulted the prime minister.

The overly strong assistant deposited her in a room lined with gold chairs. Before she could figure out how to ask how much trouble she was in, the man had left without a single word, closing the door behind him. She tried the door—​it wasn’t locked—​but she didn’t dare leave and risk getting in more trouble. She hoped Pixit would return soon.