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She nodded, her golden eyes settling on hiain with that preternatural clarity and stillness "I am sorry," she said "For how I spoke when I learned of your plans to go to Morath"

He was stunned enough that he just blinked Stunned enough that humor was his only shield as he said, "See off on you, Manon"

A half smile at that "Mother help me if I ever become so dull"

But Dorian’s aaze, letting her see the truth in it

It seeh for her Answer, and souttered "You’re leaving," she breathed "Tomorrow"

He didn’t bother to lie "Yes"

It was tied what she’d created It was ti warmth or the spirits of the dead to tell him that

"How?"

"You witches have broos"

For a few breaths, she said nothing Then she lowered her knees, twisting to face him fully "Morath is a death trap"

"It is"

"I--we cannot go with you"

"I know"

He could have sworn fear entered her eyes Yet she didn’t rage at him, roar at him--didn’t so o alone?"

"Of course I’ht mind would be But er flickered over her face, her shoulders tensing

Then it faded and was replaced by so he had seen only earlier today--that queen’s face Steady and wise, edged with sorrow and bright with clarity Her eyes dipped to the bedroll, then lifted to meet his own "And if I asked you to stay?"

The question also took hih his answer "I’d need a very convincing reason, I suppose"

Her fingers went to the buckles and buttons of her leathers, and began to loosen theo," was all she said

His heart thundered as she revealed inch after inch of bare, silken skin Not a seductive re, but rather an offer laid bare

Her fingers began to shake, and Dorianher to remove her boots, then her sword belt He left her jacket open, the swells of her breasts just visible between the lapels They rose and fell in an uneven rhythm that only turned an to remove his own jacket

Dorian let her Let her peel off his jacket, then the shirt beneath

Outside, the wind howled

And when they kneeled before each other, bare from the waist up, that crown of stars still atop her head, Manon said softly, "We could make an alliance Between Adarlan, and the Crochans And any Ironteeth who ht follow me"

It was her answer, he realized To his request for a convincing reason to reers

It wasthey’d shared, more vulnerable than she’d ever allowed herself to be "An alliance," she said, throat bobbing, "between you andthere

To est, most unbreakable of terms

"You don’t want that," he said with equal quiet "You would never want to be shackled to any man like that"

He could see the truth there, in her beautiful face That she agreed with hi on her hair "The Crochans have not offered to fly to war I have not yet dared ask theth of Adarlan beside ht be convinced at last"