The black lacquered case sat inside the opened cabinet with the grace of an object that had not caused him to cross half the palace, argue with a prime minister, ignore medical orders, and reopen rooms sealed since Felix's poison had taken Goliath from his own life.
Arik placed his bandaged hand over the lid.
The case recognized him with a soft pulse of old gold moving beneath his palm.
"No," he muttered.
Severin, standing behind him with the expression of a man watching a disaster choose its preferred doorway, tilted his head. "You have not opened it yet."
"I know what is inside."
"Yes, but the box has not been properly judged until you glare at the contents directly."
"I can destroy it closed."
"That seems emotionally imprecise."
Arik turned his head just enough to look at him.
Severin looked back with perfect calm.
Then a voice came from the bedroom doorway.
"Is that the thing you did not want me to see?"
Arik's entire body went still.
