It's the first time that Mat's been directly asked that question. Neither Jesper nor Kaz needed to ask. It was a forgone conclusion.

He's quiet a moment, before nodding with a glance to Wilhelm.

"The 'or' option," he confirms. "I've mastered my magics well enough that I'm not worried about any accidents anymore. I don't need the safety net of Thorne's mages any longer."

And it had been the main thing keeping him in the castle. That and his friends, of course. He's grown close to plenty of folks there. But all other Summoned, it isn't as though living in different regions mean they never see one another. He and Jesper lived apart for years and did just fine.

"And we want to get married. Properly and all."