Ah, and that’s why she could speak with so much authority on the subject: he’s a fucking demon. Stephen hadn’t fully understood the reasoning or rationale at the time, but he had simply gone with it, immediately snapped to attention and taken Gwenaëlle’s verdict as writ.

And at that description of how it happened, he makes a noise; an exhale of breath and almost a laugh, at the unfamiliar sight of that awkward, sheepish look on her face. He’s so accustomed to her unrepentant that seeing Gwenaëlle even mildly abashed is a novelty.

But she’d accomplished the exact thing he’s been trying (with no luck) to do elsewhere, so he says, fondly: “So, let me get this straight. You did essentially get a man to give up his religious calling and his addiction and the cornerstone of his existence, through very successful bullying.”