I cleared some nothingness in my throat and spoke weakly. “Vincent is quite stubborn. If he has vowed to rage a war, there is no stopping him.

That was shorter than I had even intended. Even he was not satisfied. It was like I opened a debate and gave only the title.

“Tell me more,” he asked.

I took a long moment, deliberating whether to tell him the truth or lie to him just to soothe him. After a long moment, I made up my mind—half-truth and half lie.

“The truth is,” I began, my ...