WHAT HE REFUSES
The truth being said did not, as it turned out, mean everything became straightforward.
I had known this. I had not expected straightforward. But I had perhaps in the optimism that follows a long-held breath finally released, underestimated the specific shape of what Roger meant when he said he couldn't yet.
He said it that afternoon.
We were in the study again, the documents spread between us, working through the council case with the efficiency that came from having established something honest. The air between us was different, less careful, more warm and I was aware of him in the new way, the post-confession way, as a person who had said you and meant it without conditions.
And then Soren knocked and came in and said there was a message from the Northern Council re
