"Don’t give yourself too much credit. There is the Inquisitor’s message to consider," he raises his eyebrows to himself, matter-of-fact, "and I don’t think you cared for me much at the time."

He hadn’t fully imprinted, or whatever this attachment is.

Richard is quiet again. Just for a moment, to reorient himself away from the sidestep of this latest exchange.

"Is your fear just that I will die?"