Still, looking at the thin, androgynous Spectir, Ethan couldn't help but feel inferior. Sine was literally the perfect companion. He was there when needed, fiercely loyal, a wise counsel, and beyond all, truly caring about every of Minewin's needs.

"Sine?" Ethan was naked to begin with, yet being around the Spectir always made him feel even more vulnerable. Spectirs were beings of truth, and Ethan tended to think that the mist-born creature could see through any false thought or half-truth that fell from his mouth.

"What is it, young one?"

Ethan hated when he was called that. It could be shrugged off when it came from Minewin, but from Sine it felt like an insult.

It took a moment for Ethan to realize that to Sine though, he was a young one. Minewin had once mentioned that Sine was easily several thousand years old.

"Nevermind."

Ethan lost his nerve. He wanted to sink down into the bath and just end it all. He couldn't ever win against such perfection. Besides, it was stupid to think that Minewin would really want him. Minewin had Sine and the memories of his lost love.

There was no room in there for another.

"Should I find you an answer anyway?" Sine inquired, shifting ever so slightly where he sat.

"I thought you could only answer Minewin's questions," Ethan said quickly. Sometimes all the rules and magic in Agassia confused him. He knew this wasn't his world, yet it felt so much like home.

Sine smiled a bit of a sad smile.

"There are rules that can be bent for certain people," Sine said, choosing his words with a deliberate cautiousness that slipped right past Ethan anyway.

"I'm not sure I want to know," Ethan replied. "Really."

"Young one, does knowing the truth actually change the truth?"

Ethan frowned. Perfect as the Spectir was, he didn't seem to understand the concept of hope.