[ For a moment, a flicker, the interest recedes, replaced by a little bit of fear. Old childhood worries. Bastien’s put a lot of time and effort into ensuring he’d never wonder whether he could afford to eat.

But the way Byerly is looking at him—he can’t douse that. He doesn’t want to. For By’s sake and for his, for the life he used to want and still does when he isn’t feeling small and trying to be realistic.

He shifts into his side and squirms down to be face to face again. ]

I have money. From selling my shop in Val Royeaux, and I’ve saved nearly all of what Riftwatch pays me. It’s not enough for forever, but it would give us time to figure things out.