My retreat wasn't to be just yet. Nero stood staring at me, my brother's kindness penetrating my aura at last. I jerked to a halt with barely a step of progress made. Had he not seen what I'd seen? Did he know the mist now seemed able to emerge and act, that I was glad of such a thing? But no, not from his expression. So, what I'd just lived, the door that felt so real, was all in my mind.
I was going mad, apparently.
Nero came to me, one hand taking mine, face showing concern a moment before his normally stoic calm returned. He led me in silence to one of the sofas and sat me down beside him, hand still holding mine. His seemed reluctant, as if he would pull free at any moment, but he held on anyway, his emotions swirling between compassion and disappointment.
"Are you all right?" His
