“So, do we have a bargain?” she said… and couldn’t quite keep her voice steady.

Let her know what she did to him, and he’d be forever lost.

“Not quite,” he said, showing her nothing but indifference. “Prove to me this is more than desperate bravado. Prove to me you’re as great a mage as you claim. Show me where I have misstepped with my incant… and I will keep your brother safe.”

Her shoulders slumped. “Agreed.” Then she straightened again. “And me? What will happen to me?”

“Never fear, Mage Lindin. I’ll keep you safe too.”

“From the Council, you mean?”

From everything and everyone who might dare to harm you.

“Yes.”

“And when will I be released from your custody?”

“When the Council is convinced you’ve been punished enough.”

Grimacing, she turned away. “In other words, never.”

“Have patience, Mage Lindin. Give their tempers time to cool.”

“Patience,” she muttered. “Not one of my strengths.”

“Indeed,” he said, very dry. “I would never have known.”

Cheeks flushed, she scowled at him. “And my own magework? You’ll let me pursue it?”

Ah. He had her. “We will have to take precautions,” he said, hiding his jubilation. “The servants. Lord Danfey. But yes. You’ll have your magework.”

“And you won’t bind me again?”

“Mage Lindin—” Barl. He gentled his voice. “By taking precautions I meant allaying suspicion with the Council. If they should visit they must find you bound. But at all other times you will be free. I promise.”

He could see she was desperate to believe him, but couldn’t bring herself to trust.

“I know you count me an enemy,” he said, cajoling. “Because I’m granted status and privilege denied to you and your brother. But a man is born where he is born and has no say in the matter. And if you let me, Mage Lindin, I’ll prove an enemy can become a friend.”

“I don’t have a choice, do I?” she said, after a silence stretching beyond bearable. “If I hold my tongue on your magework, you’ll harm Remmie.” Her fingers clenched. “I hate this.”

“Then we have our bargain,” he said. “And we will both keep our word. As for my stubborn incant—” He frowned at his notebooks. “It will have to wait. I have matters requiring my attention. Stay behind a short time after I leave, then make your way downstairs and outside. I shall deal with Rumm. Meet me back here at midnight.”

Without giving her a chance to reply, not trusting himself to remain aloof in the face of her trembling relief, he left the attic.

“Sir!” Agitated, Rumm waylaid him in at the foot of the staircase. “I have scoured the grounds twice and Mage Lindin is not to be—”

“Fret not, Rumm. I found her, and have dealt with her intransigence. Where is Ranmer? Still upstairs with his lordship?”