Lord Bayar stood. “Your Highness, as you know, the queen appoints one member to the Wizard Council, who speaks for her interests. Our next meeting is scheduled a week from now, and it would be wise for you to have a representative there. We will want to choose a new High Wizard as soon as possible to provide you proper protection.” His gaze swept over Han, as if he were an example of improper protection.

“Really?” Raisa said, raising an eyebrow. “It’s scheduled in a week, is it?” She drummed her fingers on the table.

Bayar should have known better. Either he was blind to Raisa’s moods, or he didn’t care to try to read her. “As time is short, may I suggest my daughter Fiona?” he said. “You grew up together, and, as you said, it would be useful to have another young lady on the council.”

A young lady who would like to nudge Raisa right off the throne, Han thought.

Raisa folded her arms, a sign of resistance. “Don’t the Bayars already have a seat on the council? In addition to your role as High Wizard and chair?”

Lord Bayar nodded. “As my eldest, Micah, has turned eighteen, he will assume the Bayar seat on the council. I, of course, will continue as chair until a new High Wizard is chosen.”

So Micah’s the older twin, Han thought. Add Fiona, and that’d be three Bayars on the Wizard Council. That wasn’t such a good idea, especially if they were getting ready to pick a new High Wizard.

“Thank you, Lord Bayar,” Raisa said. “I appreciate your suggestion, but I have already chosen a representative to the council.”

Lord Bayar’s head came up, and he wiped a look of startlement off his face. “Really, Your Highness? So quickly? Is it someone I know?”

“Alister has agreed to serve,” Raisa said, nodding toward Han, where he stood against the wall. Once again, heads turned like beads on a string.

Street face, Han said to himself, looking back at them.

Gavan Bayar didn’t bother to hide his opinion.

“Your Highness,” he protested, turning back to Raisa. “No doubt Alister would bring a refreshing new perspective to our deliberations. However, despite your generous pardoning of him for past crimes, he would be ill suited to represent your interests among members of the oldest and most illustrious families of wizards in the queendom. His rather colorful history doesn’t prepare him for his duties there.”

“I don’t know, Lord Bayar,” Raisa said, her voice like sweet poison dripping into their ears. “The wizard council has been described to me as a nest of vipers. It may be that his street-fighting experience will serve him well in that environment.”