"Yes, I noticed that," Solomon murmured a little drowsily. Craven didn't like the mere thought of him smiling an hour ago. He must have been wild right now, then. "I knew you were biased against smiles, Vandameer, but I didn't realise your issues went so deep. Were you not hugged enough as a child? Probably not. Pity."

And yet he smiled again, but not with sarcasm or amusement for Craven's stupidity. Not exactly. This smile was soft but broad, happy, wondering. "I smiled because unlike the rest of you poor pitiable sacrifices, I'm free. Free in ways you couldn't imagine, comprehend, or even come close to touching regardless of what you do to me. I smiled, Vandameer, because I'm no longer afraid. For the first time in four hundred years." There was quiet awe in his tone. "I'm not afraid."