And oh, the difference between this plaintive explanation and the plea that Blodwen Rowlands had given to John during the Dark's attempt to have Bran Davies cast out of his place in Time-- the difference here is that Rilian believes Anghared, that he believes her.

She is almost trembling as he embraces her, offering support and comfort, and then a shiver passes through her. Anghared puts her arms around him and buries her face in his shoulder with a small sob.

He cannot see the unnatural inhuman brightness to her cold ice-blue gaze, not this way, but the few tears that fall are warm and seem real enough.

(when we live in your world... we feel and see and hear as you do)

She has had many, many years of existing in mortal form, after all, and when she wishes it to be, the semblance is very nearly perfect.

(only there are certain perceptions in us that are not in you - and these in the last resort have dominion over the others)

Very nearly perfect, indeed.