Abelard gave Han a look that said, I’ll deal with you later.

“I nominate Micah Bayar,” Lord Mander said promptly. “He has inherited his father’s talent for charmcasting, and is politically savvy despite his years. Because he is young, he will be able to serve alongside the queen for all of her days. And he is well respected among both peers and elders. He will skillfully guide this body in these treacherous times. Service as High Wizard has been tradition in the Bayar family. Young Micah was raised for this.”

Lord Bayar looked gravely at Micah. “Do you agree to serve if elected?”

“I will serve,” Micah said. “I would be honored to serve both council and queen.”

Han wondered—if Micah were High Wizard, would he proceed with the plan to destroy Ragmarket and Southbridge? When he’d voted against it?

Likely his father would see that he did. The motion had passed, after all.

“Are there any other nominations?” Lord Bayar asked, tapping his fingers on the table. “Anyone else we should consider?”

Han waited. Abelard said nothing. She sat, looking straight ahead, a muscle in her jaw twitching. She was letting him stew in his own juices.

Would she really allow Micah to be chosen High Wizard by acclamation? Would he have to nominate himself?

Lord Bayar raised his gavel. “Well, if there is no one else, then…”

“I nominate Hanson Alister,” Abelard said, grinding the words out as if they tasted bad.

If Han had surprised them, it was nothing next to what Abelard had just done.

Micah leaned his head forward, looking out from under his dark brows at the dean. Then gave a slight shake of his head and sat back, refusing to look at Han.

Gryphon, on the other hand, stared at Han, head cocked, as if his former student had grown a long furry tail. Interesting, and worthy of further study.

But Gryphon shouldn’t be surprised, Han thought. Gryphon should have been expecting this. Unless…

“Mina, be serious!” Lord Bayar exploded. “While I realize you are opposed to proceeding with this vote, the will of the council is that—”

“I am serious,” Abelard said, straightening her stoles and glaring daggers at Bayar. “Completely.”

“This is preposterous,” Lord Mander said, his chins quivering with indignation. “Why would you squander—”

“I accept the nomination,” Han said, loud enough to carry down the table. “I will serve if elected.” His gaze locked onto Lord Bayar’s, a streetlord challenge.

Bayar sat very still for a long moment, looking back at Han. Then he pulled his notes toward him and picked up his pen. “Alister agrees to serve if elected,” he said, heaving a sigh as he scratched another note. “We will take a short recess,” he said, tossing down his pen. “Mina, please see me in my chambers.”

The High Wizard rose and stalked through the door leading to his private office, leaving an awkward silence in his wake.