“Everyone here,” Quinn answered, her smile fading.“At least, the people who’ve come from the Convocation.That can’t be a surprise to you.Unless you’ve already become so used to Lord Phel’s… unusual ideas that you’ve forgotten just how counter to the Convocation’s policy and customs regarding familiars they are.”
Perhaps shehadlost sight of that.Gabriel’s grounded conviction in his own notions, that deep certainty in his ideas—a certainty she could wish translated to confidence in his own motivations and feelings—made it easy to get swept up in believing in what he did.“No, I know how ‘unusual’ his ideas are, and what an unusual wizard he is, full stop.I should ask instead, what is the tenor of those remarks?”
“Hmm.”Quinn pulled out a chair, seating herself.“It varies, naturally, from person to person.Reactions range from confusion to interest to the outright certainty that the Convocation will have to move against House Phel.”She cocked her head thoughtfully.“Most fall under interested, even optimistic—which includes Sage and me—but we also have none of the wizards who truly regard their familiars as their personal slaves to use as they please.It might be different with them.”
“There’s a reason we don’t have those sorts here,” Nic replied with a wide, innocent smile, making Quinn laugh.
“I saw your request to House Byssan and noted your careful wording.Well done on collecting the sorts of wizards who would be intrigued by Lord Phel’s radical ideas rather than horrified.And now you’ve run off the few exceptions.”
Nic nodded, unwilling to confess that Gabriel’s outburst hadn’t been planned.
“The one exception,” Quinn said, “is Jadren El-Adrel.”
“True.”Nic pulled out a chair and sat, too.
Quinn waited, then smiled wryly.“I suppose there are things you can’t confide, even in me.”
“Let’s just say that Jadren is a special case and leave it at that.”
“I’ll say.Odd thathedoesn’t have a familiar.”
“Among a number of oddities.”She checked her pile of NDAs to make sure she hadn’t dreamed it.She waved Jadren’s at Quinn.“But he did sign.”
“Will he sign the contract, though?”
“I believe he will.”I am trapped by my mother’s machinations as surely as you are, Lord Phel.“You heard what he said at dinner.”
“I did, but…” She shrugged.“I don’t always know what to believe.”
“I don’t know Jadren’s story, but I think he says exactly what he means.And doesn’t care what people think of it.”
“Interesting…” Quinn drew out the word, then sighed when Nic said no more.“So, how about something youcanconfide?What happened when the deliciously virile Lord Phel dragged you off?You said before that he isn’t cruel to you, but he looked so furious!”
Nic couldn’t help a happy shiver.“Yes, he was.And what happened is exactly what you think.”
“I figured that explained the glow.What is it like?”she asked wistfully.“Having all that power and intensity focused on you?”
“It’s everything,” Nic replied simply.“I am happier and more fulfilled than I ever imagined I could be.”
Quinn sighed dreamily.“You two are just like Sylus and Lyndella.The way Lord Phel came to your defense—if he were a fire mage, I believe he would’ve incinerated the room in his anger.As it was…” She shivered dramatically, eyes bright.“All that icy coldness, that storm!And making silver rain from the air.I could imagine Sylus doing exactly that for Lyndella.”
Without the tragic ending,Gabriel’s voice cautioned in her mind.“Hopefully I won’t end up insane and dying in his arms before he drains the last of my life magic and goes on to wreak vengeance on his enemies, dying in the process,” Nic commented.
Quinn giggled and rolled her eyes.“Well, we all know that was just a story.Though their love was indeed epic.I want that, too.And I never dared dream I could have it.Now… I think maybe it’s possible.The epic love part, not the Sylus part, as Sage is all the wizard I’ll ever need.”
“Itispossible,” Nic replied firmly.“If anyone can create a place for everyone to chase their dreams, even familiars, Lord Phel can.”
In the morning,both she and Gabriel awoke early, feeling considerably refreshed—though his mood remained dark, and he was obviously still brooding over the events of the night before.They conferred on the day ahead and decided to check out the workroom before activity in the manse kicked into high gear.She put on the light-green dress she’d worn two days before, biting back a sigh.She’d worked out a rotation with her two day gowns, reserving the silk for dinner, but the cycle had begun to feel like a bit much.There was also the burgundy riding habit, but she felt silly walking around all day in it without going riding.
Gabriel caught her reaction anyway, frowning as he watched her from the bathing chamber chaise as she finished primping.“I thought the Ophiel wizard—Dahlia, right?—was going to make you a full wardrobe.”
“She will, but there’s a great demand for upholstery for the furniture, as well as bed and bathing linens for our increasing number of denizens.”
“I’d argue that you being adequately dressed is higher priority than chair cushions and towels.”
“You’re sweet, but I disagree.I can wait.Still, it’s unfortunate Dahlia doesn’t have a familiar, as her magic only stretches so far, but her skill and eye for design absolutely compensates for it.”
“Can’t she tap a familiar’s magic who isn’t bonded to her?You said I should be able to tap Selly’s magic to release that pressure.”