"Ordinarily, I might envy you being able to choose who you are this week," Gregor says, cutting his eyes at Miles, habitually perceptive. "But I think perhaps that emotion is premature, this excursion, depending on how this ends up falling out."

His face eases slightly and he watches Miles, his mouth tugging up at one corner.

"I don't think you've ever been 'just' Miles a single day in your life and I'm not entirely convinced you even know how to be 'just' anything. But I'm your foster brother whatever you choose."