Chapter 56: Summer in Tartosa
"Why do you so often do what the Count tell you to?" Helena asks him one day after they've made love. "What do you mean?" Valentine asks. "Well, you return home, for one. Every single morning, never staying the night, sometimes even at the risk of the sun." "You mean you want me to stay?" "Maybe." "You've never asked me to." "Why do I have to? If you want to stay, you stay, if you want to return, you return. You're a free agent and can do what you want." "And if I don't want to be a free agent?" "Are you asking me what I think you are?" "What if I did?" That morning, Valentine doesn't come home as usual, but instead tries to sneak through the door as the sun is descending, hoping the Count is not up from his slumber yet. Unfortunately, he has no such luck, the Count materialises in the hallway the moment he steps through the door. "I had expected you this morning...