The benefit of the mutually shy, those less immediate and burning such as Cuthbert and Nariko, was that Kaine understood. She settled against the pillows and didn't mind that he didn't look at her just yet, but when he did she suddenly found it impossible to look anywhere but at him. When her lip trembled she bit it, ducked her head down for just a second and breathed out slowly, and then laughed thinly, with something close to relief.

"You're smart in that way that stops me from being an idiot." Because he was right. There was no combination of unearthly, crazy powers and strategy that would work. Not without Nariko. Not until Kaine had her sword back. "... Thank you. I know you're only telling the truth, but still."