Ashley also reaches out to touch. His tentative fingertips brush over Arkady's cheekbone, which is as sharp as ever, but the sunken cheek below is strange and different. Ashley has never minded monstrosity, but the change is unacceptable. Arkady was always a fixed point in his life--until he left, until he changed.

Pulling his hand back as if stung, Ashley's breath quickens a little, frightened because he doesn't know this Arkady, who is so changed.

"I did not give you permission to change," Ashley tells him, voice shaky despite his attempt to be imperious.