The Aurora Borealis Keeps Its Lament novel · Chapter 15 of 24

Chapter 15: The Offer

Sabina waited until breakfast on the second day, when all eleven of us were at the long table.

She came down the room with her tray and sat beside me.

She smelled of almonds.

"Alba," she said, loud enough for the benches. "Have you five minutes? It's good news, and I'd like everyone to hear it."

Paloma, across from me, put down her spoon.

Iker sat three places along, his face turned to the window, his bread untouched.

"Go on," I said.

"I've been reading your logs." Sabina's smile was warm and a little shy. "Four weeks, and not one gap. Do you know how many people on this ice could say that?"

"I'm sure you'll tell me."

"None. So I wrote to the director last night." She laid a folded sheet beside my plate. "The deputy post on the aurora programme is yours, if you want it. Two grades up. You gave up two promotions for Iker, and I think the Institute owes you both."

The room had gone quiet.

The cook had stopped stirring.

I looked at the paper.

It was a good paper, with the crest and a salary I would have cried over a year ago.

It was also a way to keep me quiet.

I knew that now, and Sabina knew that I knew.

I saw it in how steadily she waited.

"It's generous," I said.

"It's deserved."

"What happens to Iker, if I take it?"

Her hand went to my wrist, lightly.

"Iker will be well looked after in the Capital. I'll see to that myself."

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