Soon enough, however, her body answered that question with renewed urgency. At least now she could recall where the relief room was. Moving through the silvery moonlight filling the room, she felt like a ghost, silently passing the beds. There was Selly, and Jadren, and even Asa, sprawled face down, as if he’d collapsed there. Perhaps he had—and it made her hopeful that it was night of the same day, particularly as he wore the same clothes.

She wondered, however, that no one had made him more comfortable. Had Laryn simply gone to their rooms and abandoned him? They might not have a loving partnership, but most familiars were too well trained in seeing to the comfort of their wizards for this kind of neglect. So, after she blessedly relieved herself—sending a mental thank-you to Alise, who must’ve been the one to install a fire elemental in the little bathing chamber, one that courteously brightened when she entered, dimming again when she left—she stopped at Asa’s bed.

She removed his boots, then eased him into a less crooked pose, his head more firmly on the pillow, and she covered him with a blanket that had been left folded at the foot of the bed. While she was at it, she checked on Selly, too, and even Jadren. The latter lay on his back, arms and legs splayed in masculine abandon as he snored heartily. What had possessed him to help with Selly? Nic studied Jadren’s hawkish profile, remembering with distaste the feel of him sucking away her magic. It had been the right thing to do, and Jadren had been able to stop the flood of Selly’s magic. Who knew where they’d be if he hadn’t?

Jadren’s snores choked to a stop, and his eyes flew open, fastening on her, glittering black even in the dimness. “Mooning over me now, Lady Phel?” he taunted in a hoarse voice. “I know my wizardry can be powerfully attractive.”

She nearly retorted in kind, still unsettled by his earlier remark. No wonder he’s obsessed with you. But she bit her tongue, aware for the first time of a hint of vulnerability under Jadren’s bravado. “Why did you do it?” she asked.

He stretched. “Couldn’t have yon sweet Seliah sinking House Phel into the swamp again when I’m on the verge of creating a very profitable product.”

He sounded insouciant and arrogant, but there was something more. “Well, thank you,” she said. “I suspect we owe you our lives, Wizard Jadren.”

“Oh, I’m sure you do.” He smirked at her. “Ah… Nic,” he said, as she turned to go, using her name for the first time. “May I call you that?”

She hesitated, then nodded. It couldn’t hurt anything. And she was intrigued by his uncharacteristically humble manner.

“I’m sorry for what I said earlier,” he told her, pushing up onto his elbows, the moonlight revealing the sincerity of his expression, his auburn hair nearly black. “It was out of line and… truly obnoxious. I have no defense except that…” He shook his head. “Your magic is truly heady stuff. Between your potent magic and Selly’s compressed power, I’m afraid I lost my wits. Still, I’d rather not face Lord Phel’s wrath over my loose tongue. It’s your call—and I know you owe me nothing—but I’m asking you not to mention my indiscretion when he wakes.”