It was, of course, impossible to ignore Oleksei once he'd interpolated himself into your path, literally and physically.
Ilarion's gaze leveled out, implacable and luminous with low slanted light as a windswept steppe.
"You do," he said.
He was conscious of Oleksei's dark skull, angled at odds with his own bright head, and their equal and opposite stances, like antagonistic bookends.
No. More like alter egos. There was nothing hostile in their impasse. Only a quizzical intensity, the transient stalemate of two men, equally made, though minted in different metals entirely.
Oleksei was well-suited to this post, thought Ilarion, idly, as a foil, and a counterpart. Isaev could not help but give recognizance to a man who did not fear the lash of his tongue or the crack of his knuckles as he flexed his fingers to hold a silver pen.
Beside Oleksei, he was the opposite of shadow. It may have been the only place he ever saw that category.
"I gave you a hand up, when you wanted blood unpunished. When you wanted to slake lusts you couldn't speak to your own kind. I ask you no questions, Taras."
no subject
Ilarion's gaze leveled out, implacable and luminous with low slanted light as a windswept steppe.
"You do," he said.
He was conscious of Oleksei's dark skull, angled at odds with his own bright head, and their equal and opposite stances, like antagonistic bookends.
No. More like alter egos. There was nothing hostile in their impasse. Only a quizzical intensity, the transient stalemate of two men, equally made, though minted in different metals entirely.
Oleksei was well-suited to this post, thought Ilarion, idly, as a foil, and a counterpart. Isaev could not help but give recognizance to a man who did not fear the lash of his tongue or the crack of his knuckles as he flexed his fingers to hold a silver pen.
Beside Oleksei, he was the opposite of shadow. It may have been the only place he ever saw that category.
"I gave you a hand up, when you wanted blood unpunished. When you wanted to slake lusts you couldn't speak to your own kind. I ask you no questions, Taras."
Lasha's lips settled like snow.
"When I need a hand, I expect yours."