She kissed him then, with all the gentleness that mirrored his desperation. “I love you more than she ever loved Sylus—because you love me for me.”

Groaning deep in his throat, he kissed her again, almost beseeching this time, and she answered his need as best she could. Asa cleared his throat, and Nic reluctantly extricated herself.

“Apologies, Lord and Lady Phel,” Asa said quietly, “but our window of opportunity is narrow.”

Nic looked to Gabriel for explanation.

“Asa wants me to tap Selly’s magic as soon as possible.” Gabriel frowned. “He seems to think the first tap will have considerable backlash and that I should be the one to do it.”

Asa met Nic’s gaze somberly, his wizard-black eyes more serious than she’d ever seen them. She’d never heard of a familiar who’d gone this long without having their magic released, but she wasn’t surprised that there could be issues like he described.

“You’re the most powerful wizard I’ve ever met,” she reassured Gabriel. “And you have affinity for Selly’s magic, and for her as your sister. You’ll do well.”

Gabriel didn’t look convinced. “I suppose I need to move my parents along, then.” Letting go of Nic, he went over to join the group by the bed, fortuitously leaving Nic alone with Asa.

“Just how dangerous is this?” she demanded once Gabriel was out of earshot.

Asa didn’t blink at her aggressiveness. “Dangerous,” he acknowledged. “Under other circumstances, I’d insist she be given into the immediate care of the Convocation. They have the expertise to release stagnant magic of this scale. And they have Hanneil wizards who can heal Selly’s mind, if it can be healed at all.

“Alternatively, I’d point out the risk/benefit scenario here: Is it worth risking Lord Phel to save someone who perhaps cannot be saved?”

Nic’s gut chilled. “But under these circumstances?”

“Do you think Lord Phel would be amenable to either of those arguments?”

No. No, he wouldn’t be. He’d risk himself to save Selly. With a heartfelt sigh, she realized she’d placed a hand over her belly. Would she be raising this child alone? When she’d contemplated the prospect once before, it had seemed daunting but doable, the price she’d pay for freedom. The baby had also seemed considerably less real. Now…

Now that she’d had this time with Gabriel, he’d somehow become the center of her life. And it wasn’t the Fascination, or not only the Fascination. Deep in her bones, she wondered if she would survive losing him.

“Nic?” Asa asked, looking concerned. “Is all well with the pregnancy?”

“You tell me,” she shot back, then shook her head. “I apologize. That was uncalled for. I’m just realizing I don’t want to raise this child alone.”

“You won’t have to,” Asa promised. “You have all of House Phel. And, as Lady Phel, mother of the sole possible heir to the house, you can always opt to bond to a new wizard, one of your choosing this time.” He smiled in what he likely thought was a reassuring manner, quickly fading in light of whatever he saw in her face.