That sounded like an invitation slash opportunity to leave. Avery smiled politely and nodded, loathe to refuse the offered hospitality. "Thank you," he said, rising to his feet. "I'm honoured that you thought of me to help you today. And I hope she gets well soon." He nodded towards Erato on the floor, her face turned towards the window.
"But love, first learned in a lady’s eyes, Lives not alone immured in the brain, But, with the motion of all elements, Courses as swift as thought in every power, And gives to every power a double power, Above their functions and their offices."
Erato glanced back over her shoulder and met Avery's eyes, and for a moment his heart raced so that he felt breathless, sure and disconcerted that she was talking directly to him. She looked neither happy nor sad, but her look was knowing, and then she turned away again as if she'd forgotten he was even there. What the fuck was that? He shut his mouth and swallowed, taking a second before exhaling and looking back to Apollo to incline his head towards him.