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Kajivah took another step back, but Ashia caught her grand Kaji srasp

"How dare you lay hands uponhi at her robe, seeking a nipple "He is my son, Tikka, not yours If you would keep hio Now"

"Your son?!" Kajivah deers? Where are you when he cries? When he soils his bido? Off fighting alagai And then I find you covered in de to crush the life from him …"

Ashia felt her face heat "It wasn’t like that That was an accident"

Kajivah lifted her veil and spat at Ashia’s feet "The accident was being cursed with a deviant granddaughter who brings shah "Are you that foolish, Tikka? Can you truly not see ? You pushed ht of what itmore"

"And now you expect me to seek the Damajah’s protection?" Kajivah asked "The very worandson?"

Ashia pulled open her veil, showing the angry red line across her throat "My own brother tried to kill ht, Tikka No one is safe"

"Asukaji?" Kajivah asked in shock "What did you do to hi with her fists "Witch! What did you do to Asukaji?!"

Ashia turned away to protect Kaji, diverting the blows easily She caught the wo her for the door Every tio any direction save the one Ashia wished, she sent a jolt of agony through the old wo resistance

They made it to the hall before there was a shout, half a dozen Sharu in on either side to block their path

"Thank Evera theer for news of your safety" He turned, leveling his spear at Ashia "Give the child to the Holy Mother and step back Now"

Ashia reached a hand behind her, wrapping it around the shaft of one of the short stabbing spears she wore crossed at her back "My son belongs with me"

The kai’Sharuer for his Jiwah Ka’s safe return as well"

"So he may kill me himself?" Ashia asked

"You have little choice, Princess," the kai said "Will you fight instead, using your own son as a shield?"

It was Ashia’s turn to smile "Do not fear for h to point a spear his way"

"Enough" Kajivahfor Kaji "It’s over, Ashia"

Ashia let out a breath, slu as she took her hand frorand that bound her son to her breast

But when Kajivah was in close, their bodieswarriors Ashia struck the old wo her as she collapsed