Eleanor breathed out, feeling some sense of relief to have the burden of her secret lifted at least a little bit more, but being reminded of what a roller coaster the weekend had been for her only meant that it made a little more room for something else she was stressed about to elbow its way in. Still, she tried to focus on this.

"Yes, please," she said. "I think some tea would be nice."

And, thinking back a little to when the steward had opened the door and that long pause before he responded to her, Eleanor realized that he was probably communicating with Liliana. Was that something she could develop with Rhys? Where she didn't need to tell him, she just needed to think it?

But, no, she didn't want that. She just wanted Rhys to be Rhys again, with his own thoughts and autonomy and not bound to her at all.

"And it would be about a year and a half now," she said. "Since just before I came here last summer. I had to do it. To save him."

And even if it was true, it always sounded like some pitiful excuse, especially since, looking at him now, she had to wonder just what she thought she was saving him from.

What would he ever have done with his life? Grandmere had asked. You'll make better use of him than he ever would have.