He didn't turn to look at her, just went on staring into the fire. "Way things are going, I won't be either for much longer," he said at last, quietly. "I'm not my father. I never will be. And I doubt I'll ever have their faith the way he did." Now he got to his feet, putting the gun down on the mantelpiece, although he still didn't turn. "He did bring me the letter, you know. I remember. But all I wanted was to be alone. I could have avoided this, if..." If the magic he'd picked up in Mejis hadn't still been there, eating away at his mind. If he wasn't back to being addicted. If, if, if. None of those were things he could say, though, so he let the sentence hang there, running a hand back through his hair as he turned to look at her.

"Are you all right?"