---
Sekhmet stood in silence for a few moments after the room quieted again.
Elena was the first to break the silence.
"If you intend to answer tonight, answer now. If you intend to delay, tell me now."
Sekhmet's eyes remained on the folded letter. "He wants tomorrow."
"Yes."
"Then he can have tomorrow."
Lily glanced at him, but said nothing yet.
Seraphiel, meanwhile, watched him with the expression of a woman who had lived long enough to recognize family habits ripening in new faces.
Sekhmet turned slightly toward Elena. "Tell Kess he will have my decision tomorrow night."
Elena's brows moved by the smallest degree. "Tomorrow night?"
"Yes."
"That is unnecessary."
"No," Sekhmet said. "That is exact."
Lily's mouth twitched faintly. She already understood what he was doing. Seraphiel understood it too, and unlike Lily, she was entirely delighted by it.
"Oh," Seraphiel said softly. "How arrogant."
Sekhmet looked at her.
