“For tonight, I’ll join you, but the ward is my priority.” Milo cut some cord to help speed Reagan’s assembly along.
For some reason, both girls shared an arch look, then turned back to him.
“The ward is your only priority?” Roana teased. “Not my uncle?”
“Now, why are you asking silly questions?”
She snickered, enjoying herself immensely over there. “Are you going to marry him?”
“Gods, wouldn’t that be amazing? But we’re still early in dating, so it’s too soon to talk about it.”
Roana seemed to not expect this reaction. She stilled, focus intent on his face. “Wait, you really would? Does that mean you’re okay with living up here?”
Why was he getting this reaction…? “Listen. I adore your uncle to bits. I’d stay for him alone, but the honest answer is, I really like being here. I know I haven’t been in Gravegarde very long, but everyone is kind, and I love the land. It’s amazing up here, and I feel like I’m a part of something bigger. I’m sure the record snows you get will be a challenge, but I’m a mage—I thrive on challenge. I don’t see it as an insurmountable problem.”
Roana’s face unfurled into a brilliant smile as he talked. Reagan was her perfect mirror. The twins shared another glance before Roana pressed this point.
“So will you ask to be permanently stationed here?”
“Probably? I’ll ask, at least, but I have to get this job done. The Magic Council won’t consider any other request until I’ve actually completed my original task, see.”
“Ohhh.” Roana bounced in her chair, blue eyes alight with glee. “Can you teach me magic?”
“I’d have to test you to see if you have the aptitude for it.”
“I do,” she surprised him by saying. “We were both tested last year, but Mom and Dad can’t get a good teacher up here for us. They were talking about sending us down to a boarding school in Goldguard next year. Reagan wasn’t super happy about the idea of boarding school, though.”
Reagan gave a grumbled noise that may have been agreement.
Such talent was normally shared with twins. “Great! I’m quite happy to teach both of you.”
Roana clapped her hands, lighting up with excitement. “Really?!”
“Sure. I’m working on my villain origin story. You can be my first minions.”
Reagan snorted a laugh, listing sideways.
“I mean, we’ll still have to go into Goldguard to get you properly certified as an apprentice, but that’s after I teach you at least the basics.”
“No one will argue with you about teaching us? I mean, you have, like, the credentials?” Roana tucked a wayward lock of ginger hair behind one ear. “I don’t know how this works.”
“Ah, well, anyone above Third Circle can teach. I’m Second Circle, so no problem.”
The twins looked downright poleaxed, as if he’d just announced he could fly. What, had no one told them his rank?
The door opened without warning and Raina stepped in. She took them in with a blink before shutting the door behind her.
“Mom!” Reagan pointed to Milo, still bouncing in her seat. “Milo said he’d teach us!”
Raina looked surprised. “Will you really?”
“Would love to.” Milo meant every word. The girls were sweet, and he honestly didn’t mind teaching. Enjoyed it, even, but he rarely got the chance. “I’m staying up here anyway, so I mightas well teach them. Just, uh, let me get the wards finished first. Then I’ll have enough time to squeeze some lessons in.”
“That’s absolutely fine, and what I would request of you.” Raina hesitated before asking, “Should I pay you…?”
“Don’t you fucking dare. Your family has already been beyond generous, I’m just paying back. Ah. I will need money for supplies, though, as I have no teaching materials. I can sort of make do until we get things up here.”
“I’m happy to pay for the expenses.”
