“He is most loyal to the Danfeys, Councillor. I quake in fear lest I offend him, and earn his wrath.”

“Quake in fear, Mage Lindin? You?” Again, that hinting smile. “I find that idea a nonsense.”

Why was he being so nice to her? Why did he care for how she felt, what she thought? Unless…

He finds me appealing? Is that why he’s done this? Venette Martain thinks so. She thinks I’m a threat.

Councillor Danfey frowned. “What’s wrong? Are you in pain? The binding?”

The laden tray was growing heavier by the moment. She tried to ease its weight by shrugging her shoulders a little. “No, sir. I’m fine.”

He stepped down another tread. Now he was so close she could feel his breath on her cheek. “That’s not true. Tell me what’s troubling you. Perhaps I can help.”

She couldn’t tell him the truth. Causing trouble between him and Lady Martain would do her no good at all. But if he meant what he said…

Remmie.

“It’s my brother, sir. He’s bound to come looking for me, and once he learns what’s happened I’m afraid he’ll do something rash. Please, will you let me write to him? Will you—” Her voice cracked, because her fear for Remmie wasn’t a lie. “I’d bear my punishment with a far better grace if I could just stop him from getting into trouble because of me.”

Morgan Danfey looked at her, his expression guarded. “This brother of yours,” he said at last. “You must love him very much.”

“I do, sir,” she whispered. “Remmie’s a good man. I don’t want him touched by my strife.”

“A good man deserves an explanation in person, don’t you think? I’ll go to him myself. I’ll tell him what’s happened.”

She almost dropped the tray. “You’d do that?”

“I’ve just said so, Mage Lindin. Do you doubt me?”

“No, sir,” she said quickly, and pulled her scattered wits together. “Of course not.”

This time his faint smile had an edge to it. “Good. All I need is the incant you’d use to travel home. Wait—” he added, as she opened her mouth. “You mustn’t utter it while you’re still bound.”

She wasn’t certain she could take any more surprises. “You’re going to unbind me?”

“Only for a moment. Now I suggest we’re careful, and do this off the stairs.”

Feeling numb, she retreated to the second floor landing. There she put down the tray and waited, docile as a child, for Morgan Danfey to join her.

He rested one elegant hand on her shoulder. “The unbinding won’t hurt you. But when I rebind you—”

It would hurt a great deal. She didn’t care. It was for Remmie. “Go ahead, Councillor. I’m not afraid.”

“I know. Now, you’ll need to close your eyes.”