The Third Lynx

I looked over her shoulder at the matching set of necklace and ear cuffs, their intertwined strips of copper, gold, and silver glinting in the light from the Coreline. 'I'm glad you like them,' I said. 'I got them from that Nemut in the Artists' Paradise. They're sort of a peace offering.'

'You don't need a peace offering,' she said, pulling out one of the ear cuffs for a closer look. 'But thank you.'

'You're welcome,' I said. 'Are we …?'

'Yes, we're friends again,' she assured me, slipping the cuff onto her ear.

Friends. Earlier, I'd wondered if perhaps I might have drifted a little closer to her than just friendship. But if I had, I had apparently been moved back out again.

But that was okay. Bayta was a good companion, and a good ally, and very definitely a good friend.

We could leave it at that. For now.

'Meanwhile, we can start solving one of our other problems by getting these sculptures to the Chahwyn,' she said as she slipped on the other ear cuff.

So it was back to business. Typical Bayta. 'Right,' I said. 'After that, maybe we should look into those crates of coral the Modhri tried to bribe me with.'

'Definitely,' Bayta agreed. 'We can check with the Chahwyn and see if they've learned anything from the Spiders.'

'Good idea,' I said. 'And that, I think, should be enough for our plate for the moment.' I cocked an eye at her. 'That is, assuming you still want to share the same plate with me?'

'Of course.' She gave me a tentative smile. 'If you still want me as a partner.'

'Well, it's either you or a Spider,' I reminded her, patting the pocket where I had my kwi. 'And you're definitely better company than any of them are.'

She winced. 'At least when I'm not being jealous.'

'Even when you are.' I took her arm. This time, she didn't fight me. 'Come on—we've got an hour yet before our train,' I said. 'If Nemuti bars stock lemonade, I'll buy you a drink.'