The abina's tongue emerged like a snake from its lair to lick his lips. His small eyes glittered, and his fingers—each one heavy with rings—clutched as his blanket. "Why do I need your title? Your kingdom lies in ruin. I could muster my army, march across the desert, and claim Eteer without your aid."

"And my people, those who survived the demon wars, would never accept you as ruler. At every turn they would resist a tyrant; ever would the blades of my surviving soldiers find the flesh of Goshar. Many of those soldiers wait outside your walls, and they are still armed, still ready to fight. Even should you claim and hold Eteer, defeating both the nephilim who infest its streets and those Eteerians who still survive behind its walls, you would find only a gateway to darkness. Only the rightful ruler of Eteer can seal the doors of the Abyss. My father has forfeited that claim; it is now mine. Let us join our forces! The remnants of my army and the might of yours. My claim to Eteer and your leadership. Together we will recapture the coast, slay the children of demons, seal the Abyss . . . and rule together."

Saliva dripped down the king's chin to land on his chest. He leaned forward in his cushions with a sticky sound. "So you suggest a marriage. I've offered King Raem to wed you before; he replied by laying siege to my walls."

Issari closed her eyes for a heartbeat and took a deep breath, steeling herself. "I offer myself to you."

She heard Tanin give a strangled sound behind her, and Issari lowered her head. She knew that she must do this. She knew she must sacrifice herself to save Eteer, to save her people. She would not love her husband, but she loved Eteer, and she loved Tanin, and she loved her people; this was how she would save them.

She caressed the amulet embedded into her hand—her mother's amulet. I do this for our home, Mother. For our people. We are daughters of Requiem, both of us, but so are we daughters of Eteer. And I do this for you, Sena, for your memory, for the love I have for you, for the love you had for our fallen home.

The obese abina slapped his hands together, jiggling his rolls of fat. He mouth opened in a grin, and sweat dripped down his red cheeks.

"Excellent! We shall be wed at once. Tir-Kahan! Step forth, Tir-Kahan! I add another jewel to my treasure. This one will be the crown of my collection."