She didn't seem at all frightened by the sudden growled response or his reaction. Although she did let him go, standing up much straighter as she grinned up at him, looking not at all sorry for the nickname. Her hands tucked behind her back, she rocked back on her heels for a moment and eyed him in delight.

"I know," she agreed amicably. "You're in a bad mood. Did you fight with Dad over something?" Even though Taras wasn't at all her father either, but it pleased him when she called him that. "If you're here, does this mean I can go home now? Did I pass? Or are you part of the test too?"