[ Bastien’s looking at the ceiling first, thinking vaguely about the plausibility of that, but the movement of Byerly’s head brings his attention down, and the flirtation in his smile sharpens Bastien’s. ]

Strong enough to rescue a respected old rival from a high tower? [ He pulls Byerly’s hand up from his chest to kiss the backs of his talented fingers. ] Where he is kept by his cruel new master: the Marquis Rabat-Joie d’Obligation.