Kneeling beside Klia, Rhazat gently patted her thin, pale cheeks. She was growing very thin. “Come, you must eat.”

Klia’s eyes fluttered open, and she lay there looking up at Rhazat. “I’m not hungry.”

“Of course you are. Why deny it?”

She pulled Klia up and slipped an arm around her, guiding her back to the dining room and into a chair. “Just a simple meal, my dear, but you may have as much as you like.”

Klia watched, listless as a doll, while Rhazat filled a plate and set it before her. She sat there, hands limp in her lap. A tear ran down her cheek, and more followed. She did not sob or wail, simply sat there in silent despair so sweet Rhazat was tempted to devour her on the spot.

“What is wrong, my dear?”

Klia kept her gaze on the plate and shook her head.

“What’s that? I don’t understand.”

Then, so softly Rhazat almost didn’t hear it, “I want to leave.”

“Why the sudden change of heart?” she asked.

Klia placed her hands over her belly where the child was stirring, and more tears rolled down her cheeks.

“Ah, I see.”

“Will you let me go, if I do what you want?”

“Of course! I wouldn’t be so ungrateful not to. Are you saying you wish to break the seal?”

Klia just sat there for another long moment, then gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“Was that a yes?” Klia nodded slightly, but Rhazat wanted to savor her victory. “Say the words, my dear, so I can be certain we understand each other.”

Klia closed her eyes, and more tears spilled from between her lashes. “I will break the seal. I will free you, if you promise to let my child and me live and go our own way, free of you forever. Swear you’ll have no further hold on us and I’ll do as you ask.”

“Princess, you fill me with joy. All I ask is that you break the seal. Then you will indeed be free to go. I swear it by Seriamaius, whom I worship and hold most dear.” Never mind that the Eater of Death was the patron of liars and murderers, she thought with an inward smile. It was such a pleasure to see the first, cautious glimmer of hope in those tear-filled blue eyes.

“Now eat, my darling, and then you must rest. Tomorrow is soon enough. I shall miss you, you know, although I liked you better when your pride had not been broken. Such a shame that it had to come to this, eh?”

Klia sank her head in her hands. “Must you mock my shame?”

“Where are my manners! I beg your pardon, my dear, only I am so pleased with your decision that I neglected to dissemble my true feelings toward you. Now eat.”