Consequences, a relationship with the Ministry — these things felt vaguely fascinating to Sera, because her brothers jobs were half-faked and her father and husband never spoke of work in detail. But Mr. Collins was a healer, he worked with his hands. Sera was now old enough to understand that she was romanticizing life in the middle class when she thought these things, but that didn't stop her from doing it.

Her expression was interested, despite the faint twinges of pain as he worked on her hand. "Oh, you can call me foolish," Sera said, tone light, "I'm just not as foolish as some people."