Godwin made a mental note of which people they were. He could not act now, but he would find a way to pay them back for their part in this. How he would ever begin to repay his own part in this, he didnt know. Still, those voices confirmed the truth of this: Nerra could not stay.

You do not get to gainsay me in this, he said to Rodry. He looked around at the others. None of you do. I take this on myself.

How could Rodry understand that he was already doing all he could for Nerra? That hed kept her as safe as he could for years? That anyone else would have sought to have his daughter killed out of hand?

Nerra, he repeated. You will leave this place. You will be gone from the city by the turn of the next month, and if you are seen again within the kingdom, your life… He paused as he forced the next words past the wash of emotion that threatened to overwhelm them. Your life will be forfeit.

I… Nerra looked down. There were so many things that King Godwin wished he could say to her, so many ways he wished he could have prevented this. I love you, Father.

She turned, with more dignity than should have been possible, and started to walk to the door. People stepped aside for her, partly because of the fear of what she was, and partly because Rodry was there, making sure that none came too close. He saw Lenore going with them, obviously not wanting to leave her sisters side.

Call her back, Aethe said by his side. Please call her back.

I cant, King Godwin said, and he saw his wife turn her face from him. That hurt even more than the rest of it, because she of all people ought to know that he was trying to protect his family.

Then some idiot tried to start the dancing again, the music coming loud and happy and jarring.

Silence! King Godwin called out. Do you think this is a time for joy and feasting? He couldnt let out all the things he was truly feeling then at the loss of his daughter, but he didnt have to stand there and pretend that all was well. The feasting is over! The wedding harvest will commence, and we will be done with this!

***

Nerra was… broken. Everything in her felt fragmented and splinter sharp right then. She stared at her sleeve. She couldnt even remember how it had come undone. She thought someone had snagged it in the dancing, but that didnt even matter. All that mattered was that people had seen her, seen all that was wrong with her.

I shouldnt have been there, she said.

Beside her, Rodry reached out to hug her, hesitated, and that was all that was needed to make Nerra cry. He did hug her then, but it was too late.

Im sorry, he said.