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Elene sh dark clouds When she smiled unself-consciously, she was beatific It wasn’t a courtesan’s beauty--though the gods and Vi knew that Elene had spent a lot of ti the courtesan’s skills and pleasures--yet it was fe When Elene felt joy, it was always joy shared Her na&iu the best frolad you’reto have this talk with you for a while"

She scowled, uncertain how to begin Vi felt the lu, no escape

"I’ to die," Elene said "I’m scared, especially with this" She put her hand on her stomach protectively "I’ve complained to the God a lot about it, to tell you the truth I know you think I’m either totally holy or totally deluded, but I’ve asked God every way I kno to letHis plan I want to live, and I want Kylar to live, and I want our baby to live, and I want Kylar to do all the big things God created him to do"

"And what’s your God say?" Vi asked The way Elene related to her God wasn’t at all how Vi had related to Nysos, but whether or not He was real, He was real in Elene’s mind, and you don’t mock the beliefs of someone so near death

"He says He’s withor deciding to miss the sarcasm "Kylar thinks Kylar fears that he’s a man born to be forever alone He thinks the last couple offate He’s not atione, I want you to take care of Kylar In every way He is thein all this world to me, and I trust you with him He’ll need you You’ll knohen he’s ready, and when you are"

Vi had thought of it, of course As she sat in her roo on the other side of a not-thick-enough wall, she’d thought of it a hundred times: this torture wouldn’t last forever; Elene would die coht that once Elene was dead, she ht have Kylar herself

"I’ve been selfish," Elene said, "I knee only had a couple of months, so I’ve been selfish for myself and for Kylar I know you’ve paid the price for that I’ve seen your face sos after--" Elene cleared her throat, "after Kylar and I stayed up late I know you love hiine hoould have felt if our places were reversed If I were in your place, I’d look forward to this ending It’s all right"

"It’s not all right to wish your friend was dead," Vi said stiffly Her eyes felt hot

"For that and anything else youreally is going to be all right God has a purpose in this, even if we don’t see it"

"You’re leaving," Vi said

"Yes"

"And you haven’t told him"

"I’ve tried Kylar’s not ready to hear it Vi, help hiain is no betrayal He’s i forever without love is hell"

"When are you leaving?" Vi asked

"Now"

"Where?"

"King Gyre’sinto Khalidor in a feeeks There are women in his arht have so different for me"

"Why join them?"

"To force Kylar to be there He’s sworn he wouldn’t leave an, but that’s where he needs to be If nothing else, I’ll die fighting for so"

"You’re not a warrior, Elene"