“Yeah, I get it.” Another deep sigh. “Don’t think I’m not supportive of you both, I’m just concerned, you know?” Then Will straightened, a haughty expression on his face. “And you best have honorable intentions, or it’s pistols at dawn.” He tapped the table. “I’ll meet you in the study when you’re ready so we can discuss terms and wedding contracts.”

He stood up and put his mug in the sink with one hand while tapping away at his phone with the other as he headed toward the bathroom to shower.

“I’m calling your nana,” I yelled. “And telling her to move your book club away from Regency and Georgian romances. They’re giving you ideas!”

He peeked his head out of the doorway. “I already have. Who did you think I was texting?” His phone pinged and he looked at it. “Next one up is a sexy werewolf book. She says good for you and she applauds Declan’s stamina.”

“I think maybe you and Nana are a little too close!” I shouted. “And stop telling her things about me!”

“No!” Will said, shutting the bathroom door. “I keep no secrets from Nana!”

I grumbled and went to refill my mug before calling out for Vanessa’s ferrets. They were going to get a long lecture about boundaries. At least someone in this house would take my wrath.

Chapter Twenty-One

Lou

Declan and I didn’t get to have a fun “let’s dissect last night until all joy has been sucked from its marrow and everyone regrets getting naked in the first place” conversation—as Van liked to call it—right away because we were subjected to our first Tribunal surprise checkup. We only had to deal with two out of the three people from our Tribunal. Unfortunately, one of those two was my very last choice.

Declan came in to the kitchen scowling, followed by Woodridge, master arcanist, major asshole, and Prisha Bhatt, animal mage and dubious supporter.

“Surprise,” Declan mumbled at me.

Vanessa froze, her eyes on her father. I racked my brain trying to remember when they’d last seen each other—or even talked. It had been at least a year or two, probably longer.

“Oh no.” I made a chopping motion with my hand. “Ms. Bhatt, we agreed to checkups—from you. As the animal mage, that makes sense.” I folded my arms to keep from pointing…and possibly poking Woodbridge’s eyes out. Repeatedly. You know, on accident.

“There’s no reason for Arcanist Woodbridge to be here.” Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Declan take out his phone and start typing furiously.

“You agreed to visits by Ms. Bhatt,” Woodbridge said. “There was no wording in the contract saying other members of the Tribunal couldn’t attend.” His smile was cold. I would say reptilian, but I happened to like snakes. Woodbridge, not so much.

I was slightly comforted by the look on Prisha’s face, telegraphing that she wasn’t too happy with the setup, either. “He’s correct. Look, the sooner we do this, the sooner everyone can go about their day.”