Gabriel bit down on the retort that the healer’s contradictory advice was hardly helpful.

“Second,” Asa continued, “being in what is essentially an animal mind is disorienting even for an experienced familiar. With Lady Phel’s… unusual form, it’s not unreasonable to expect a greater level of dislocation.”

Nic nodded. “I feel like I’m still not thinking straight.”

“Food and rest should help,” Asa told her. “If you still feel off, or in any way not yourself in the morning, come see me. The final consideration for Lady Phel’s present difficulties,” he said, turning to Gabriel, “is the matter of your nonstandard bonding.”

“There is nothing wrong with our bonding,” Gabriel growled.

“With your bonding, Lord Phel,” Asa emphasized gently. “It’s not reciprocal. A wizard binds a familiar. The very fact that you don’t speak of it that way gives me pause.” He looked between Nic and Gabriel. “Is there anything you two would like to tell me?”

Nic curled her fingers against his palm, a subtle warning he didn’t need. He produced a puzzled, hopefully innocently bemused frown. “I can’t imagine what?”

Asa sighed. “I’m under contract to your house, Lord Phel. You should be able to trust my loyalty.”

Gabriel highly doubted that. Nic had certainly made it clear that trust was a liability in the Convocation, not a strength. He regarded Asa impassively, offering nothing more.

“I’m concerned that…” The Refoel wizard paused, clicked his tongue against his teeth, considering his words. “No insult intended, Lord Phel—and I hope you know I mean that in all sincerity—but it’s common knowledge that you did not attend Convocation Academy. While you’ve clearly developed impressive skills outside of a conventional education, there remain… gaps in your advanced understanding, particularly as applies to working with a familiar, especially one as powerful as Lady Phel.”

In short: Gabriel was a shitty wizard who had put his familiar in jeopardy. This wasn’t the first time Asa had implied as much, though this time he spoke far more baldly. Nic squeezed Gabriel’s hand, still gazing up at him, her expression warm and loving. “Understood,” he grated out.

“Good.” Asa dusted his hands together. “For example, it seems you pushed Lady Phel into alternate form without using a compulsion spell?”

Shit. It hadn’t occurred to Gabriel to use compulsion, though the application was obvious, and he’d witnessed Lord Elal using one on Nic’s mother to put her in alternate form. “You’re correct,” he admitted. “But my compulsion magic isn’t strong.”

“It would be more appropriate to say it’s not as strong as your other magics,” Asa replied easily. “Still, I must admit I have no idea how you performed that feat without using compulsion.”

Gabriel exchanged a long look with Nic. Neither of them knew the answer, as she wasn’t trained in advanced wizardry either, and they’d simply… improvised. “And your point is?” he asked Asa.

“I don’t want to presume to offer instruction, as you are obviously far my senior in rank and power, Lord Phel. I am only a simple healer. I did, however, complete my advanced wizardry training at the academy with high marks, and I’m an adequate tutor. I feel strongly that you could use advice from a friendly quarter, from someone who will keep your secrets.”