Nic considered that with some astonishment and considerable consternation.
Alise smiled blissfully at her.“How do you suppose a pair of rebels like us emerged from the same family, particularly ours?”
“It’s a fine question,” Nic answered faintly.All along, she’d blamed Gabriel for this, but more and more it seemed she’d played a larger role than she’d realized in positioning House Phel against the Convocation.And now it seemed that perhaps Maman had, too, by helping her.“You know, if the Convocation had simply let me go, they wouldn’t be facing this now.”
“Yes, well, the Convocation has never been smart about picking their enemies.”
“Not that we’re much of an enemy.More like a biting gnat who will be easily swatted.”
“I don’t know… We shall see!”Alise’s smile turned sunny.“Let me get to work.I don’t have a familiar, obviously, but I’ve got a fair reserve of magic.Where’s your list of needs?I know you have one.”
“Am I that predictable?”Nic asked, somewhat chagrined that she apparently was.She shuffled through her papers and found the list of unfulfilled vendor needs, pulling out her wishlist of Elal conveniences, ranked according to priority.Another sheet wafted out from the unruly pile, and Alise deftly caught it, reading with a raised eyebrow.
“Wedding plans?”she said with considerable surprise.
Nic snatched it back.“It’s important to Gabriel.”
“He really is soft-hearted under all that broody glowering, isn’t he?”
“Yes,” Nic agreed, both ruefully and with affection.“He is.We’re telling his family that it’s a second ceremony, so they can witness and participate.His mother and I have been making plans.”And who knew where those plans stood now that Daisy was so angry with them both?Nic would have to sort that out.“His family doesn’t know I tried to run away,” she added, a note of pleading in her voice.She didn’t want to ask Alise to lie for her, but…
“Your secret is safe with me,” Alise promised.“No reason for commoners to be dragged into Convocation politics.I’ll get started on your list.”
“But you haven’t signed a contract yet.”
Alise’s wizard-black eyes unfocused a moment.“Lord Phel still has a considerable queue for interviews.I’ll wait my turn.Meanwhile, I’ll handle some of your wishes for your bathing chamber.Consider it a wedding gift.”Alise winked and stood to go.
“Alise?”Nic said, impulsively holding out a hand.Alise’s slim, cool fingers slid smoothly into her hand, and Nic squeezed it lightly.“I am really happy that you’re here.”
“Let’s aim to keep it that way,” Alise replied.