Iliana shrugged that off. “I’d do Sylus anyway, even knowing that. Don’t tell Han. So, tell me,” she said, switching topics rapidly, “is the ‘meet me in the arcanium’ line code for—”

A door opened, Quinn Byssan popping her head out. “I thought I—Iliana! I heard you were here.” She hugged the redhead, both of them making happy noises of reunion.

“And…” Quinn remembered herself and inclined her head. “Wizard Alise. Forgive me for not greeting you properly.”

Beside Nic, Alise stiffened unhappily. “You don’t have to be formal with me, Quinn. It’s good to see you again.”

“Thank you… Alise.” Quinn looked uncomfortable.

“I seem to recall a time when you were visiting House Elal, and you called me a snot-nosed thief,” Alise remarked, pretending to think.

It was Quinn’s turn to blush in mortification. “I am so sorry for that. I—”

“You could’ve called me worse, and it would’ve been true.” Alise grinned. “But, for the record, it was Nander who stole your grooming imp and replaced it with an earth elemental, not me.”

Quinn’s embarrassment turned to outrage. “That little shit! Do you know how—” She stopped herself, realizing that “little shit” was also a wizard now.

Alise burst out laughing. “Nander is a little shit, unfortunately. Maybe he’ll mature someday, but…” She and Nic exchanged glances, processing that the little shit might become Lord Elal. Nander wasn’t an idiot, but he did have a mean streak. Having the power of running a house on top of being a wizard wasn’t likely to do his character any favors.

Quinn ventured a smile, holding out a hand. “Fresh start?”

Alise bypassed the hand and hugged her. “Sister minions of House Phel,” she declared. “We were just grilling Nic about her sex life, want to join us?”

“Oooh, yes!” Quinn exclaimed, even as Nic declared they were doing no such thing.

“I’ve got a gorgeous suite on the top floor,” Alise said. “How about we impose on Lady Phel to order up some lunch, and we can all catch up.” She looped her arm through Quinn’s, steering them toward the stairs to the third floor and ignoring Nic’s protests. “I understand you did the windows? They’re lovely.”

“I only supplied the magic,” Quinn said modestly. “My sister, Sage, is my wizard, and she does all the work, but she does have exquisite technique.”

“Now, now,” Alise reproved. “I’m learning that in House Phel we are exploring what familiars bring to the equation. Be proud of your magic.”

“I really do have things to do,” Nic grumbled to Iliana as they found themselves trailing behind.

Iliana smiled sympathetically. “You can take time to eat lunch, Lady Phel. The babe needs it, even if you don’t feel it. I’m sure Healer Asa would say the same.”

“Asa,” Nic echoed, remembering. “I promised I’d check on the patients.”

Iliana caught her arm. “Please don’t go yet. I’m sure Wizard Asa has the situation well in hand, and it would be really lovely to spend an hour chatting with girlfriends, you know? Like we used to do, before everyone… moved on.”