“Oh!” I exclaimed as a memory popped into my head. “I did meet someone in Dara, a mage, who bore an uncanny resemblance to me. His name was Coman ar’Daghir, and, last I knew, he was the Rhodea Mages Guild’s Legal Secretary. He did not act as though he knew anything when we met, and he is too young to be my father—I think. But he might be a relative of some kind.”

“That is very helpful indeed,” Janta replied, pulling a notepad from her sleeve. She extracted a pen as well, then wrote the information down. “We have an up-to-date genealogical section. I should be able to trace his family history and connections.”

“That’s great!” Excitement bubbled up inside me, but it quickly faded as I recalled Iannis’s warning about my father. “Is…is there any way my father could pose a problem for my upcoming marriage to the Chief Mage?”

“Most certainly,” Janta said, her eyebrows rising. “Your father could prevent the marriage if he decides he does not want his family allied with Lord Iannis’s.”

“What!” I shouted, then winced as Janta frowned. “Sorry,” I said, lowering my voice. “But how could my father do such a thing? He gave up his right to be my father the moment he walked out of my mother’s life. Surely he has no legal authority over me.”

“I’m afraid that’s not how it works,” Janta said, sympathy in her eyes. “Regardless of whether or not your father raised you, you are of his bloodline. You would not have your magic if that were not the case. That you no longer have a living mother only strengthens his claim, should he choose to exercise it.”

“And just what claim is that?” I asked, doing my damndest to keep my voice even. Janta didn’t deserve my fury—she was just the messenger. “I’m an adult, aren’t I? Why does he get to decide who I do or don’t marry?”

“Well, by shifter standards, you most certainly are an adult,” Janta allowed, a small smile briefly curving her lips. “But mages don’t reach their majority until they are thirty years of age or finish their apprenticeships, whichever comes first. If you were done with your apprenticeship, your father would not have a say, but considering your late start, I doubt that will happen anytime soon. Therefore, your father unfortunately has every right to disallow the match, should he find Lord Iannis an unsuitable candidate for any reason.”

I snorted. “That’s so ridiculous. He’s the Chief Mage. Magorah knows that the majority of Canalo doesn’t think I’m a suitable match for him, but I doubt anybody would claim that he isn’t good enough for me.”

Janta nodded. “That is true. However, I assume you don’t wish to count on your father’s benevolence, considering his track record with you.”