Damned dark ones! I never thought that I would stop enjoying my work, but for two days now, the need to make amulets did not cause delight, but only a desire to wince. Nayan seemed to have forgotten that he, in fact, had a separate office and spent almost whole days sitting in the common room. I tried my best to look calm, but it was hard. His every appearance, every look and even just a voice caused a real storm inside. I felt cheated, used, caught, but to my shame I still missed it.

It's good that, having once been refused, Lord Alair did not insist on anything else....