Ilyien's distrust for Sabev's friend grew with every word she said. She had already decided how phoenix should live in this new existence. It did not seem to matter to her that it was not her decision to make. In fact, it seemed that Niks had decided that their secrets were no longer allowed to be kept.
Unlike his companion, Ilyien's emotions were so buried under his expression that it took either a deep familiarity with him or a telepathic link to gain any grasp of his true reactions.
His eyes stayed trained on Niks after she finished expressing her preferences. Like Sabev, she had apparently given secrets away through this friendship his companion forged. Unlike Sabev, he doubted that such secrets could spell the doom of not one but two beings in this black-and-white world. An educator, she called herself. Ilyien turned his eyes then to the small human-shaped bird beside him. If anyone educated anyone else on Sabev, Ilyien would ensure that the education stopped immediately.
She was too precious. She was everything.
"Your perspective has been enlightening," Ilyien said mildly.