[ A week of a-Huan’s attention on him in the nights, stealing more of his virtue before he must return to Yunmeng and his duties. He doesn’t think it’s unfair to find a certain glee in the notion, thrilled at being wanted.

Still, he nods his head. ]

I can manage him enough during the days. I’m here for study, after all, not as a family visit. He will have to understand all my hours are not his to take.

[ His eyes are glued to Xichen’s face, to his reactions. ]

Many of those hours have been previously claimed by my a-Huan.