Lirael felt sympathy for Nick, recognizing that his being chosen by an evil spirit was not his fault. She felt a protective, almost maternal, instinct towards him, wishing she could care for him like a child by feeding him herbal tea and tucking him in. This softened her view of him, though she still saw him as an enemy due to his connection to dark forces.

While contemplating Nick's appearance if he were healthy, Lirael briefly wondered if he might be handsome, but she quickly dismissed the thought, reaffirming her stance that he was still an enemy. Despite her feelings of compassion, she knew she couldn't forget his role as the avatar of evil and had to maintain her resolve.