“I’ll consider it,” he replied judiciously, and loud enough for anyone nearby to hear, “for anyone who has signed the NDA and is duly contracted.”

Jadren set his jaw, folding his arms. “How am I to discover if our magics can combine to create these water-related artifacts if I cannot practice in the workroom? Unless you’ll allow me to use the House Phel arcanium.” His expression was stoic, but something in his manner held a hint of slyness.

You never want to bring another wizard’s magic into your arcanium, Nic’s voice whispered in his mind, and he caught a glimpse of an emerald-green side-eye. Yes, he realized Jadren was baiting him.

“Careful,” he growled, allowing his magic to sharpen. “You risk angering me, junior wizard.”

Jadren’s black eyes hardened further. “You don’t frighten me, Lord Phel.”

Gabriel picked up a sharp knife, spinning it between his fingers before using it to slice off a bite of poultry. Nic might scorn his tendency to reach for physical weapons before magical ones, but he estimated he could slit Jadren’s throat before the arrogant man knew what had happened. This Convocation nicety of sitting down to dinner with your enemies made no sense to him. You dined with your friends and killed your enemies.

Whatever Jadren gleaned of Gabriel’s intentions, it made more of an impression than anything else had thus far, because he cleared his throat. “Perhaps we can discuss the products you have in mind, Lord Phel. I understand you’d like to make flasks that are always filled with clean water?”

Gabriel dipped a chin. “To begin with, yes.”

Jadren grunted thoughtfully. “Shouldn’t be too difficult, as you’ll handle the water magic, I assume. I can enchant a flask.”

Gabriel didn’t reply that he knew that. He’d used an everyday, unenchanted flask to hold the spell that kept it ever full of clean water, but Nic had explained in excruciating detail that House El-Adrel held the monopoly on all enchanted artifacts. Having Jadren “assist” with that product line—and not incidentally giving El-Adrel a chunk of the profits—was necessary only to abide by the legalities. The trick would be discovering what else Jadren could truly contribute. “We’d like to offer clean wells, too,” he added, remembering Nic’s suggestion.

Jadren frowned, though thoughtfully this time. “Now there’s a greater challenge. I don’t know how you’d accomplish that without going to the well.” Nic had said the same thing, so Gabriel nodded. “Perhaps a device that could be installed in the well,” Jadren mused. “What other ideas do you have?”

Reflexively, Gabriel glanced at Nic, the font of revenue-producing ideas. “Nic?”

“Waterproof footwear and clothing,” she reminded him. “Perhaps Wizard Dahlia can collaborate?” She smiled down the table at the Ophiel fabric wizard who, having been listening to the conversation along with everyone else, looked intrigued.

“Familiars should be seen and not heard,” Jadren snapped dismissively. The entire table fell silent, only the proctor looking pleased.

Gabriel held onto his temper with a silver sliver of control. “You will respect Lady Phel,” he instructed quietly.