A low hum was the only response Malachi gave, at first, and he let a silence linger for a while.

His eyes returned to the fire, where the flames had begun to die down as the wood within it turned to ash.

"I suppose we have something in common, then, darling."

English again. He smiled, too, in that practiced form that never quite reached beyond the curve of his mouth. Malachi turned away from the fire, and took a few steps away to distance himself from his guest.

"I can show you to your room," offered Malachi, in French. "There is a bath too, if you need it. I know it's hard traveling for so long."