Nico feared for the woman and her child. He feared for me. I could see the concern wrenching at him, pulling the lines of his brow as though they were window covers.

"Nico, dear," I said. "Let me keep us warm. Let me light our way."

"Hush, love," he said, ever so gently. He was gentle then. A kind man, without the bitterness you know him for. Without the stern face and the sharp words. "I'll set us right. I promise."

"Nico," I said more urgently, determined to give him pause, but again he said, "Hush, let me think."

Then, I took off my boots.