He’ll be so proud of me. We’ll forget we ever had harsh words. And if Morgan’s right and my artisan work makes me rich, then I’ll buy him a cottage wherever he likes, even if it’s pokey little Batava, and after Morgan’s married maybe I’ll live there too and maybe I won’t… but he’ll be happy. We’ll be happy. Everything is going to be all right now. I know it.

Behind her, Morgan slapped his hands to the workbench. “Very well. Have it your way. Four then two then five. But if we can’t use Berring’s Compulsion, Mage Lindin, what do you suggest?”

A few weeks ago she’d never even heard of Berring’s Compulsion. But the books in Morgan’s library had taught her so much she sometimes thought her skull would burst. Hiding a smile, she turned away from the window.

“I thought perhaps Chalwyn’s Quatrain? The alternating rhythms are compelling, but still subtle.”

Morgan considered her a moment. “Elzear’s Variation carries more weight. And this is a difficult transmutation.”

Difficult didn’t begin to describe what they’d be attempting. And in truth, there was almost nothing to choose between the two incants… so surrendering with grace would do her no harm.

“Elzear’s Variation it is, Councillor.”

Together they crafted the new version of the reworked transmutation incant. When at last they were satisfied, Barl retreated from the bench.

“You can deal with the beetle, Morgan. I don’t like creepy crawly things.”

Which was true… but it wasn’t the whole truth.

And Morgan knew it, of course. “You still fret for the beetle’s insignificant life?”

“No,” she said, lying. “The work must come first. But in killing this beetle, though it be for a noble cause, we break our mage oath. I don’t want us to overlook that because the life lost is so small.”

There was an intent, almost angry look in his eyes. “You think I have no respect for the rule of law?”

“I think…” She swallowed. “I think that when you believe you’re right no law ever written could stand in your way.” No law. No person. “I think I want you to think about that, before we do something that can’t be undone.”

“I have thought about it!” he snapped. “Would I cross this line if I didn’t know I had to?”

He sounded hurt as well as angry… and why wouldn’t he? He’d asked her to trust him, to have faith in him, and instead she was berating him with suspicion and doubt.

Remmie would question if I can trust someone I’ve known only a handful of weeks. But he fell for that girl in Granley the first time he met her. And Morgan has risked so much for me.