"I am not angry, mon chat," Asher murmurs, shaking his head gently.

"Truly, I cannot think of anything to say. Nothing that will not upset one of us, at least." But he tries, anyway.

"I am happy for you, that you have formed this connection with Anita. Even that you have it with Damian." He closes his eyes, presses his face to Nathaniel's shoulder.

"But I cannot be glad that those I love, those most powerful amongst my friends, are all now connected, save me." He has never felt quite so alone as he does now.