It wasn't purely an intellectual question, as she wanted it to be. He sensed he had hurt her in some way, disappointed her. She moved restlessly, as if waiting for her lover. The thought of her with another man enraged him. Feelings after hundreds of years. Sharp, clear, in-focus. Real feelings. That was the stark truth. He was a powerful being, and one responsible for his entire species. Control of such power was essential. He was exhilarated, joyous, yet at the same time all too aware that he was more dangerous than he had ever been. Power always needed control. The less emotion, the easier the restraint. There was something in her voice, something he sensed more than the actual words, as if she knew he was a threat to her. And he knew he was. He saw her smile even as it filled his emptiness, as it registered in his heart and lungs and sent his blood soaring. The laughter faded from her voice, her thoughts, lingered in his blood. He prompted gently. Finality. Mikhail took flight, soaring high above the forest. It wasn't good-bye. He wouldn't allow it. He couldn't allow it. His survival depended on her. Something, , had aroused his interest, his will to live. She had reminded him that there was such a thing as laughter, that there was more to life than existence.