Page 85 of Twisted Magic

“I’d be happy to—though first I want to go visit Maman. I understand they’ve put her in the infirmary with everyone else.”

“Lady Elal,” he mused. “I recall her visiting Convocation Center with Lord Elal. Is she unwell?”

“In a word, yes. She was our father’s familiar until—” Alise broke off, realizing what she’d nearly spilled in her brain-fogged weariness.

“Until what?” Cillian asked, curiosity clearly piqued. “I’ve never heard of a familiar separated so long from their wizard and still alive.”

Jadren frowned. “That’s an excellent question. How has that been possible?”

Out of Jadren’s line of sight, Seliah was giving Alise a wide-eyed, panicked shake of the head. So she’d never told Jadren the truth? Well she was safe for the moment, because—whether Cillian was friend or not—no way was Alise handing House Harahel the information on what she’d done. She shrugged. “The wizards have been bleeding off her magic and our resident Refoel healer, Asa, has been keeping her alive with his wizardry. He’s very good,” she added in the face of Cillian’s patent disbelief.

“I find it extremely difficult to believe that would work for any length of time,” he said.

“It hasn’t,” Nic inserted, coming to the rescue. “In truth,” and now she turned to Alise, grief in her eyes, “I should warn you that you’ll find Maman much deteriorated from when last you saw her.”

Apprehension stabbed at Alise. “How much?”

“You should see for yourself, but…” Nic’s emerald eyes filled with tears and she looked away, blinking rapidly to clear them.

“I’ll go now,” Alise said. Then, remembering her manners, she turned to Cillian. “Ah…”

“I’ll give Wizard Cillian the tour,” Gabriel offered with gentle compassion, “while you all pay a visit to the infirmary. I know Jadren and Seliah have people they’d like to see and Nic will want to be with you.” She gave him a grateful smile, while Seliah looked decidedly unhappy with the arrangement. “This way, Wizard Cillian,” Gabriel said graciously. “Perhaps I can convince you to abandon Convocation Center and become our resident Harahel wizard.”

“Thank you, Lord Phel.” Cillian flashed her an astounded look. “But very rarely do houses keep Harahel wizards on staff. We’re not considered to be all that valuable. And, please, just ‘Cillian’ is fine.”

“Then you must call me Gabriel. And that surprises me. I confess our library is in dreadful condition and desperately needs any magical assistance you can provide.”

“I understand there may be books in the Phel library never before catalogued,” Cillian replied eagerly, as they wandered off.

“Gabriel has found a new friend, it appears,” Nic said in Alise’s ear. “A cute one, too.”

“Just a friend,” she hissed back reprovingly. “Now, how much should I brace myself for seeing Maman.”

Nic’s face fell. “As much as possible, baby sister.”

~28~

This is it, Selly thought to herself glumly. All her pigeons—or Ratsiel couriers, to use a Convocation analogy, rather than a farmer one—were coming home to roost. And Jadren was so up, so jubilant over his incredible feat, winning that battle with his newly discovered skills. They were in harmony, at the height of their partnership, and now he’d find out that she’d withheld vital information about Alise being able to sever their bond.

Why, oh why, hadn’t she told him the truth before this? Her mother always said it never paid to put off difficult tasks, they only grew harder for the waiting.

The infirmary boiled with barely contained chaos. Asa stood in the middle, directing the positioning of patients, assessing those as they were brought in, and making determinations for prioritization—all while cuddling the sleeping baby Cornelis in the crook of one arm. His professional gaze raked the four of them, face relaxing as he took in their relative good health.

Selly recognized a number of the healers she’d known at House Refoel, busily assisting, and waved to Maya and Liat. They’d catch up later. Chaim was still out at the erstwhile battlefield, which was just as well. He and Jadren did better apart, especially if Jadren would soon insist on severing their bond. She didn’t need Chaim crawling all over her with his invitations. Jadren wouldn’t do that, though. Not now, after all they’d been through, all the promises they’d made each other. Would he?

Catching her unhappy thoughts, Jadren glanced at her. “You all right?”

“So many injured,” she said, gesturing vaguely. It wasn’t fully a lie.

“They’re getting the best care. Look, Asa’s baby was born. Life goes on. Congratulations,” he said to Asa, who returned the grin, looking fondly down at his son. “Would you like to hold him?”

“I’d love to,” Jadren answered, taking the infant with care, surprising Selly with both his lack of hesitation and skill. “Look how tiny,” he said to Selly, chuckling as Cornelis woke and sleepily grabbed for Jadren’s fiery beard. “I want one.”

She brushed a fingertip against the little fist, moved when Cornelis wrapped his hand around it. “Me, too,” she told Jadren.

“Then why do you sound so sad?” His brow creased with concern. “It doesn’t have to be right away. We can wait.”

“Let’s talk about it later,” she said, and he frowned more deeply at the edge of desperation in her voice. “I have something I have to tell you.”

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