Page 88 (1/2)

"You are carrying a child," Amanvah said "I want to know if it is one So, too, was Leesha’s weariness and frustration Adrenaline flooded her, every sense on alert If Ahtest threat to her child …

"I don’t knohat you’re talking …"

Amanvah held up her hora pouch "Do not lie, mistress The dice have already confirs, these dice Fickle, it seems Unreliable"

"That you are with child, there is no doubt," Amanvah said "To know more, I would require blood"

She looked at Leesha pointedly "Just a drop or two, and I could tell the father, the sex, even the very future of the child"

"Even if I hat business of yours is any of that?" Leesha asked

A, blood of the Deliverer, it is my duty to protect it Fe better than I how many assassins a child of Shar’Da offer The sex of the childith Krasia, and Leesha desperately wished to know the path to keep the child safe

But she did not hesitate to shake her head Giving A that could lay out Leesha’s every weakness No da would ever have the nerve to so bluntly ask another hora user for her blood It was an insult that could create enenerations

Leesha turned her voice to a lash "You forget yourself, daughter of Ahht Now, before I lose patience with you completely"

Amanvah blinked, but Leesha’s stare was hard, her words sincere Leesha was in her place of power Everyone in the Holloould turn on Aer Most of the priestess kept her dignity as she rose Her quick strides to the door were not quite a scurry

As the latch clicked shut, Leesha put her head back in her hands

Amanvah had a queer look about her as she climbed into the motley coach Rojer had beco the as easily as he did with the corelings

But no e now Her htiness She seemed alht, my love?"

Amanvah returned the squeeze "All is well, husband I ah he kne frustration looked on Amanvah, and this wasn’t it

"Mum still won’t see reason?" Kendall asked

"Surely Mistress Leesha has convinced her," Sikvah said

"Wouldn’t count on that," Rojer said "She may not openly oppose it, but Leesha ent thrilled about the idea, either"

"It remains to be seen," A to mediate the contract, but I am not convinced she is impartial She may drive the dower beyond our ability to pay"