Nancy at peace: Nancy in her element. She stood tall and calm and strong, one arm raised in a graceful arc, her chin canted slightly toward the ceiling, calling attention to the delicate line of her neck, the organic sculpture of her collarbone. She wore a long white gown, like so many of the other statues, but unlike them, there was a wine-red, pomegranate-red ribbon tied around her neck, casting the rest of her into monochrome relief. Someone had styled her white and black hair, arranging it so that the black streaks left by the Lord of the Dead’s fingers were perfectly displayed, like the badge of honor that they were.

Christopher whistled low. “Damn, girl,” he said.

Kade said nothing. He only stared.

Both thrones were currently empty. The Lady of the Dead led them toward the dais, stopping when they reached Nancy, who must have been aware of their presence, but who did nothing to betray that knowledge.

“Nancy,” said the Lady softly. “Please move for Me. You have company.”

Nancy moved like frost melting: slowly at first, almost imperceptibly, and then with more speed, until she finished lowering her arm and chin and turned with something approaching, yet far greater than, human grace. She allowed herself to look at the people clustered around the base of her pedestal, and her eyes widened, ever so slightly.

“Kade,” she said. “Christopher … Nadya?” She looked at the others without recognition. “What are you all doing here? Is everything all right? Are you…” She stopped herself. “No, you’re not dead. If you were dead, you wouldn’t be here.”

“We’re not dead,” said Kade, and smiled. “It’s good to see you, Nancy.”

“It’s good to see you too.” She glanced to the Lady of the Dead, seeking permission. The Lady nodded, and Nancy dropped to her knees, sliding into a graceful kneeling position atop her pedestal. It was a practiced, easy motion; she had done this before. “I’m sorry I didn’t say goodbye.”

“I don’t think most of us would,” said Kade. “You happy?”

Nancy’s smile was brief but brilliant. Artists would have died for the chance to paint that moment of pure, unfettered bliss. “Always.”

“Then all is forgiven.” Kade gestured for Rini to step forward. “This is Rini. Sumi’s daughter.”

“What?” Nancy’s expression faded into puzzlement at the mention of her former roommate. “Sumi didn’t have children. She was too young. She would have told me.”

“She was supposed to come back to Confection and save the world and get married and make a baby,” said Rini. She held up her arm. Her hand was entirely gone now; her flesh ended at the wrist, and at the tear her disappearance was leaving in reality. “She needs to stop being dead and come home and have sex until I exist again!”

“Um,” said Nancy, looking nonplussed.