When she came out, the meal had arrived. Ronan was stuffing pickled plums into his mouth as if he hadn’t eaten in days. Which was, she’d learned, pretty much how he ate every time an unlimited amount of food was placed in front of him. Presumably food in this quantity and variety had not been part of his daily table, as it had hers. And perhaps that should soften her annoyance. It would later, when she looked back, after he’d made his escape. She’d think of his life and would not question why he’d chosen to leave her behind, to consider only himself. That was his life. She should expect nothing more. But for now, thinking of all they’d been through, she did expect more. She couldn’t help it.

“We need to talk about Tova,” she said as she took a bowl of rice porridge. “He can’t go through the roof.”

“We’ll figure—”

“Do not tell me we’ll figure it out.” She struggled not to snap the words. “I think we have been through enough for me to expect a little honesty. There is no way to get Tova out through the roof. Therefore I cannot leave. You’re waiting for me to realize that. First, though, you needed to make sure I helped you open those tiles for your escape.”

He’d chewed steadily slower as she’d spoken. Now he swallowed and his eyes narrowed. “If I wanted to escape alone, Ashyn, I could have done that yesterday, when you were taken. I was outside the village walls. I could have escaped.”

“Without a reward.”

His face darkened, and he set down his plums.

Before he could answer, she said, “If my tone is harsh, I apologize. I’m tired and my fingers hurt from prying those tiles. But I would have done it for you. I only wish you’d show me the respect of honesty. I’ve never faulted you for wanting a reward. You deserve it. You helped me, and I do not expect you to suffer with me. As you said, you came back. The reason doesn’t matter. The point is that you are leaving alone, and I wish you would not pretend otherwise.”

“You could come.”

“Without Tova? Even to suggest that—” —shows how little you know me. She wouldn’t say that, though. It spoke of disappointment.

“I meant that you come with me, and Tova will find a way back to you. He can take care of himself, Ashyn, and he can do it better if he doesn’t need to worry about you.”

Ashyn stroked Tova’s head. He lay beside her, quiet and still, as if not to interrupt or influence the conversation. “And what if, in trying to get back to me, he’s killed? They’ll not hesitate to kill him, which means I will not leave him. I did once and . . .”