Domitian watched his son with pursed lips. His children couldn't have been more different, though what he or Matilda might have done to inspire either set of behaviors was beyond him. Zenobia would have charged in and asked directly for what she wanted — and then played coy if she was caught out. Nicodemus, on the other hand, looked like he would have preferred to melt into a puddle rather than admit to it.

"Stand up straight," he admonished lightly. "Are you looking forward to the race?"