By Fairy Means or Foul: A Starfig Investigations Novel(79)

“I want it known that if I have to go back to Brandsome I want the right to break the wizard-familiar bond.” Quinn’s voice rang out in the room, strong and sure.

“No,” I said.

“Yes. Non-negotiable. I’m not giving you to Brandsome. No matter what.”

“You don’t get a say in this, pet. Be quiet. You’re going to be in enough trouble as it is.” Brandsome glared at Quinn, his expression promising all sorts of painful lessons. I almost shifted at the implied threat. Only Quinn’s hand on my arm kept me from it.

“Enough.” My father’s voice rang with authority. “Why not just break the bond now and be done with it? A Starfig under someone else’s control is unnatural.”

“No,” I persisted. “He’ll lose his magic. I’m not doing that.”

My father tilted his head again, considering me. Like a pixie under a manticore’s paw. “You care for him.”

I gritted my teeth. I really didn’t want to discuss this with dear old dad. He wouldn’t understand anyway.

“Yes,” I forced through my teeth. Quinn’s intake of breath shouldn’t have surprised me, but it did. He must know I cared. I wanted to mate him, for fuck’s sake. I covered the hand that still rested on my arm with mine.

“But not enough to mate him.” Ah, there’s my dad.

I stiffened. “It’s complicated.”

“I see.”

“I want to.”

“You do?” Now his eyebrow rose infinitesimally. Wow. I’d surprised him. He quickly masked it, and I doubted anyone else noticed.

“Yes. If he’ll have me.”

Quinn’s hand tightened on mine.

“What about it, wizard? I suppose you can’t wait to be mated to my son?” He shifted his gaze to Quinn. My father’s tone was insulting and suggested that of course he’d want to be mated to a Starfig. “If Twig refuses to break your bond, I suppose a mating would be the next best thing. At least then he’d have as much control over you as you have over him. And the first wizard in a thousand years wouldn’t bring undue shame on the family name. Not the ideal candidate, but my PR people could work with it.” He sounded so matter-of-fact that it raised the hair on my nape.

“The dragon must have my permission,” Brandsome chimed in. “I mean, I’d certainly be willing to give it, but he still has to ask me first. My pet doesn’t have any choice, so if your son wants to do it, I’m sure we could come to terms.” To say his smile was oily was an understatement.

I wanted to rip his spine from his body for talking about Quinn like that. My father, however, was not some novice, and I could tell that he didn’t like the way Brandsome tried to muscle into the conversation. It was the only thing keeping me from acting on my urges. My dad’s face stayed perfectly blank. Well, actually, he scowled, but that was his default expression, so, yeah.

“We’ve never had a wizard-familiar pairing settle in the Elder before.” My father rubbed his chin. “A unique and special bond. And then to have you mated, as well. Yes, interesting.”

“What’s that mean?” Brandsome demanded.

“Well, Mr. Nightwind, my son is quite correct that witches are not allowed to be sold into indentured servitude. It would give the master too much power, plus the witches’ Council of Divine Magic would protest. One word that you’ve got a wizard as a bed slave and they’d demand action.”

“Well, it’s the feather-brained witches’ council who sold him in the first place. They didn’t want him.”

“Yes, most unfortunate.”

Quinn and I watched the exchange between my father and Brandsome. I wanted to interject, only my father was a million times more qualified than me to take on this issue. I couldn’t be positive, but I think he was actually on our side. If not for me, then because of the danger a wizard-familiar under Brandsome’s control posed to the Elder.

Brandsome smirked. “So you see, I’d like to collect my servant and go. Your son can decide whether he wishes to accompany us. If so, I’d be happy to come to terms with him for say . . . keeping my pet from servicing others. I’m a reasonable creature, after all.” He smirked.

Quinn grabbed me around the waist before I launched myself at Brandsome. Fucking bastard unicorn. I’d gut him for this.

“Oh, settle down, Twig.” My father sighed. “You have so much to learn.”

“Are you going to help me or not?” I snapped.

My father chuckled, the sound dry as the Expanse. “Of course, my dear boy. I can’t have a power-hungry unicorn galloping around with you and a wizard. No, that simply won’t do.”

“You don’t have the right—”

“I have every right, Mr. Nightwind. More importantly, I have the documentation to prove it.” His form disappeared.

“What happened?” Quinn asked. “Were you disconnected?”

“I don’t know.” What in hydra’s hell fire? He makes a pronouncement and then just disappears?

Brandsome didn’t seem to know what to make of it either. “Well, that was . . . convenient. Come, Quilt, we’re leaving.”

“Quinn. My name is Quinn.” He glared at Brandsome, his face full of loathing.