NORI’S POV

“You’ve been a bit distracted lately, and you’re involvement with the Cauldron…” his voice, pitched to match my muffled tone, scratches at my sense of fidelity to the beings in my charge.

“Did you think I was so distracted I wouldn’t notice this?” I ask heatedly.

“I’m glad you care, mon bel ami,” he says, bending his head toward me as though we would touch foreheads. I don’t match the overture.

The truth is, I have no desire to ...