"Da?" Ilarion raised his eyebrows in a curious, soporific way. "You might like some of the books that Ni-"

He broke off abruptly, eyes averting with brush-fire swiftness.

"That I have at home in my library," he remonstrated, neutrally. "If ancient Roman and Greek culture interests you, that is."

For a moment his heart beat staggeringly out of rhythm, like the wings of a dying bird.

Lasha glanced up, eyes seeking Oleksei again.

He paused, letting his head sink back onto the pillow.

"We'll be home soon."