“An elemental doesn’t have a lot of intelligence,” Alise murmured, gaze unfocused. “I maybe should have tried a more complex… ah. Wait a moment.”

The thrashing had decreased incrementally.

“Can you determine anything about the creature?” Gabriel asked quietly.

“No.” Alise sounded disappointed. “I’ll keep trying, but so far all I can determine is that the elemental has made contact and that it’s happy in there.”

“Keep concentrating,” Gabriel coached her. “I can see what you’re doing. Try something else, something new.”

Alise grunted softly. “I can tell you that the elemental seems to really enjoy the water.”

“Nothing finer than House Phel water,” Nic murmured.

“Good tagline,” Jadren said from right behind her, making her jump. “We’ll use it in the ad campaign for the higher-end ever-replenishing flasks. Should it be spelled with a P-H? Nothing phiner—or is that too cute?”

Gabriel scowled at the El-Adrel wizard. “I thought I told you to guard Asa and the patients.”

“Did. Done. They’ve all gone off to the infirmary.”

Nic realized that was true. While they’d all been so focused on taming the sea monster, everyone else had cleared out. Jadren stepped forward with a jaunty grin, surveying their group with considerable interest. Nic groaned internally. “Is now a good time to ask when and where you acquired two more unbonded familiars along with the House Elal heir?”

“No,” Gabriel bit out.

“Now I understand why you offered me a familiar,” Jadren continued, leering at Iliana. “That’s a tasty morsel there.”

Iliana flushed but otherwise ignored him.

“I offered you access to a familiar’s magic, subject to their agreement,” Gabriel returned evenly, “much as Wizard Alise is utilizing. And you are a distraction. Get back to work. Later, you can explain how this happened.”

“It wasn’t my fault that—”

“Later,” Gabriel repeated, cutting him off. “All I require of you now is silence.”

Jadren stalked away and busied himself on the other side of the room—making very little noise. Nic smirked to herself with pride at her wizard’s ability to command. Gabriel caught her eyes and lifted his to the ceiling ever so slightly in exasperation, a shining tendril of moonlight sliding through their connection to caress her with affection. With a start, she realized he’d likely sensed her turmoil and shameful jealousy, which only made her feel worse about it. The affectionate tendril tightened, a sense of cold silver chains caressing the inside of her skin making her shiver, this time with need. She risked a glance at Gabriel, finding him watching her with hot black eyes.

Yes, they would always have that between them. She managed a smile for him. He’d been right in saying that it had been easier when it was only the two of them.

“I can’t sense anything,” Alise ground out, her frustration clear.

“I can,” Iliana said, with considerable surprise. “I mean…” She flushed a deep pink that made her fawn-colored freckles stand out as everyone focused intense attention on her. “I can’t do anything to communicate with the creature, but I must be feeling this through Alise’s wizardry. I can sense how it’s feeling, and some of its thoughts.”