Aery sighed. She really had a headache. "Lady Amethystia, your thoughts?"
Ame shifted on her chair. "Consider your place here established. You will be appointed as one of my advisers on magic. In the morning. You will answer to me and to your colleague Shadow, because of seniority. And any disloyalty on your part will be construed as a threat to the empire and dealt with accordingly. As far as the spell-books, give them to me before breakfast tomorrow. Just leave them on the desk in my study."
Her nanny came knocking at the door. "Ame, darling? It's past your bedtime! You can finish up whatever you're doing tomorrow morning!"
Ame sighed. "I'm the Mage Chancellor of Adarlan, quite possibly the most powerful witch in Adarlan, I'm on the Mages Council for all Erilea, and I have to answer to a nanny." She rose to her feet and curtsied prettily to Aery. "Your Majesty, I must adjourn, or Mistress Hannalea might come in here. And she might actually start trying to organize things. So, for your sake, and for mine, goodnight." She turned, blushing slightly, and quickly walked out the door. Aery could hear the nanny admonishing her in baby-talk through the door.