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“I was always listening.”

“Mmm.”

“I simply didn’t agree.”

She laughed. “I’ll take progress where I can.”

Asterion pushed himself to his feet, still turning over everything she’d said. “I suppose talking to children is easier when you can simply charm them with magic.”

The words slipped out before he thought about them.

“Oh?” Ria’s pleasant expression vanished.

He recognized that tone. Unfortunately, he chose that moment to make it worse. “I imagine it’s convenient. If they don’t listen, you just wave your hand and fix the problem.”

She stared at him for a long beat. “That’s what you think I do?”

“It would explain why she listens to you.” He shrugged.

Ria’s eyes narrowed.

“I have spent the last twenty minutes explaining that children need patience, trust, and conversation”—she raised one finger—“and that is what you took away from it?”

Asterion realized, a fraction too late, that he may have misjudged the situation. “Ria⁠—”

Zap.

The bolt caught him square in the chest. He flinched, every muscle tightening for an instant. “What in the⁠—”

She lifted her finger again.

“Oh no,” he muttered.

Before the second spark could fly, the study door swung open.

“What are you doing?” Korinnae stood in the doorway, looking between them.

Asterion straightened immediately. “Nothing.”

At the exact same moment, Ria answered, “I’m teaching your uncle a lesson.”

“Really?” The little calf gasped.

Asterion pointed at Ria. “Do not encourage⁠—”

“Show me!” Korinnae bounced excitedly.

“With pleasure.” Ria’s smile turned positively wicked.

Zap.

Asterion jerked again. “Gods!”

Korinnae dissolved into laughter, clutching her stomach as she watched her enormous uncle rub his arm with an expression somewhere between offended and bewildered.

“You made him jump!”

“I sure did.”