[Magnus opens his mouth with another line of excuses, then his shoulders slump. He crosses to the bookshelf and puts the book back, instead of sending it there with a little wave of his fingers. When he turns back, his fingers twist together in a sign of nervousness he'd normally never show.]

I'll tell you, but I'd prefer it to be during, if you don't mind. As you saw, my wards are all but vanished already.

[He crosses to the patio doors and closes them, as though that would make a difference.]

This isn't something I'd like shared with everyone.