Imager (51 page)

We sat there, with Seliora leaning forward slightly, holding hands, just holding hands.

After a time, she said, “Grandmama said that you would get the Ferran. I was afraid you’d be hurt even worse. I saw an explosion sweeping over you.”

“That’s a good way of describing it.”

“You said that you had some good news?”

“I’m being advanced to master imager—the most junior master. Maitre D’Aspect—and I’ll have a new position.”

“With the civic patrollers?”

“How did you know?”

“I didn’t, but I did have a vision of you in the middle of a group of patrollers, and I couldn’t figure out why that would be.” She paused. “That’s not a normal position, is it?”

“No. It’s used to season talented and difficult junior master imagers. Master Dichartyn hopes it will give me enough experience so that I can make better decisions based on that experience.”

Seliora nodded. “Grandmama will be so pleased—a master imager.”

“And your parents?”

“They were pleased from the moment they met you, but Odelia helped with that. She really would like to marry Kolasyn.”

I understood that as well.

“What about the wedding? The one with your cousin, I mean.” I flushed as I realized the double implication of my last words.

Seliora laughed, warmly and kindly. “We have time.”

And so we did.