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A worn paths of faded colour, one led to her

Feather Witch huddled, pressed up against the wall, hands covering her face, racked with shudders

Much rowing everof what it cost him and everyone around him Even worse, he ithout constraints

Udinaas considered walking over to her, if only to tell her to be quiet But his eyes fell on the intervening expanse of rugs and their ireat

Mayen had re down

‘Again,’ the ean her motions, and Udinaas watched her search for that spark of pleasure And then find it

Wanting good, yearning for bad As simple as that? Was this contradictory, confused map universally impressed upon the minds of , Udinaas decided He had lost enough already

‘Shut that bitch up!’

The slave started at the erown louder, probably in answer to Mayen’s audible panting

Udinaas pushed his to where Feather Witch crouched in the glooet out!’

She did not resist as he lifted her to her feet Udinaas leaned close ‘Listen, Feather Witch,’ he said under his breath ‘What did you expect?’

Her head snapped up and he saw hatred in her eyes ‘Fro’

‘Frouided her to the side door, then through into the servants’ corridor beyond He closed the door behind thee ‘There’s no cause for crying,’ Udinaas said ‘Mayen is trapped, just like us, Feather Witch It is not for you to grieve that she has sought and found pleasure’

‘I knohat you’re getting at, Indebted,’ she said, twisting her arrip ‘Is that what you want? My surrender? My finding pleasure when you make use of me?’

‘I am as you say, Feather Witch Indebted What I want? My wantsThey have fallen silent in my mind You think I still pursue you? I still yearn for your love?’ He shook his head as he studied her face ‘You were right What is the point?’

‘I want nothing to do with you, Udinaas’

‘Yes, I know But you are Mayen’s handmaiden And I, it appears, am to be Rhulad’s own slave Emperor and empress That is the reality we must face You and I, we are a conceit Or ere Not any more, as far as I am concerned’

‘Good Then we need only deal with each other as necessity demands’

He nodded