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Leesha’s face was serene as she returned with the girls Rojer knew the verdict was irrelevant--he was no hter than Leesha was thein his chest as if his life depended on the answer

"Both virgins, for what it’s worth," Leesha said, and Rojer took a deep breath

"Of course," Inevera sree Shefirst at Sikvah, and then at Leesha

Inevera’s face darkened like the sky before a storirl by her long braid Rojer started for the hith

"Don’t be stupid, fiddle boy," she hissed Sikvah shrieked as she was dragged behind the exa it shut behind them

"What in the Core just happened?" Rojer asked

Leesha sighed "Sikvah’s not a virgin"

"But you said she was," Rojer said

"I knohat can happen to a girl when people start questioning her ‘purity,’ " Leesha said, "and I’ll be corespawned before I do it to anyone else"

Elona shook her head "Can’t save people from themselves, Leesha Your little lie’s probably made it worse for her still You’d just told the truth and let old to make up for her lost value, it would be done with already"

"She’s a hunored theirl with the beautiful voice There was so, but Rojer could make no sense of it over the shrill cacophony beside hilared at hirily, but they quieted There was no sound from the curtain now, and that scared Rojer all the more He was about to rush over when it opened and Inevera strode back to the Sikvah in tow A her and offering support Rojer’s heart went to theh his shirt

Inevera bowed to Rojer "I apologize for the insult to you, son of Jessum Your weed picker has lied to you Sikvah is impure and will, of course, be punished severely for her lies I beg you not to doubt hter’s honor by her association with this harlot" She fingered the jeweled knife at her waist as she spoke, and Rojer was forced to wonder what sort of punishment these hard people considered "severe"

There was a pause as everyone waited for his response Rojer’s eyes flicked around the roo her breath Why? They had given no thought to hio

But then it hit hileur’s htened his back andthe, I’ll not break the set Sikvah’s voice is htly "That isof you More than this harlot deserves"

"I’ yet," Rojer clarified "But I would prefer she not be subject to…undue stress that ht affect her voice before I do" Inevera sossamer veil as if he had passed so him back "This will affect the dower, of course"

Inevera nodded "Of course If you will agree to chaperone, the girls ht accustom to them and ensure their lack of…stress before he makes his decision"