Berith shrugged. "I said nothing of the sort. Suppose you could accuse me of having a philosophical moment." He shuddered elegantly. "On second thought, don't."

He ambled over to a trellis and tapped the side to watch it sparkle. "But since lateness is on your mind, I have come to the impressive conclusion that you're avoiding something." It had to be bad news. Angels never waited on trumpet-blowing.