"I know," Ashley insists, pouting briefly at Ereuvir but not really objecting to any of his arguments. "I want him to stay. I'm grateful. And I'm glad you're intrigued by him. I knew you would be." He looks at Ereuvir as he says it, though Arkady's confession of having offered himself to Ereuvir is at the front of his mind.

Pressing a soft kiss to Ereuvir's throat, Ashley looks out of the side of his eye at Arkady, wanting to see his jealousy. "I offered you to him," he says, annoyed at everyone else talking like this whole situation was their idea.