“And I see now it was hasty that I made arrangements with your mother without your participation, but although I made it clear how I feel about stipulations in such matters, I will also note that I did it not once thinking you wouldn’t agree with me,” he said.

So now he was making caveats while (somewhat) apologizing.

“It would be useful if you participated in this conversation, Elena,” he remarked when I remained silent.

And now it would be useful if I participated in our conversation, one he instigated, when earlier he made it clear he had no desire to participate in the one I commenced.

“I wish to go home,” I announced.

His arm got even tighter.

Indeed, it was near to cutting off my breath.

“Pardon?” he asked.

“I wish first, for you to let me breathe,” I wheezed.

His arm loosened, though not that much, at least I could breathe.

And speak.

“I wish to go home,” I repeated.

“To leave me?”

“No, you can come with me.”

His body pulsed in surprise behind me.

“To The Enchantments?” he asked.

“We are delayed due to Ha-Lah and Aramus going to the sea. We have time. The sea is much farther away than The Enchantments. If we don’t dally, it’s but a few days ride from my home to Notting Thicket. We’d be there before Ha-Lah and Aramus, for certain.”

“You could see Dora,” he murmured.

“Yes.”

“And I could see your home.”

I felt my eyes grow round.

Had he lost his mind?

“No,” I said.

“No?” he asked.

“You’ll wait outside The Enchantments while I go in, see Dora and visit with my mother.”

For a moment, he was completely still.

After that moment was over, neither of us were for I found myself on my back with Cassius for the most part on me.

“Say that again,” he growled.

“I would…you would…that is…” I stammered, staring at his shadowed head and not able to think because first, he seemed suddenly to be very annoyed in a way that was concerning and second, his weight felt altogether too good. I decided to finish with, “My visit won’t last long.”

“You’d have me wait outside The Enchantments?” he asked.

“Um…”

“Like a dog waiting for his master to return?” he demanded.

“Not exactly like that,” I mumbled.

“Not exactly like that?” he bit.

“Not at all like that,” I amended. “Like a human male fishing and, um, practicing with your bow and, well, whatever else men do when they while away time.”

“While away time waiting for you,” he declared like I’d said, “While away a hundred years waiting for me to live my life, marry another, have dozens of children and perhaps take a trip to the heavens.”

“Well…yes,” I answered, before I stated the obvious. “I mean, you can’t go in.”

“Why not?”