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Lijuan, Elena thought, shared death Raphael shared life

His eyes met hers across the width of the rooaze, the same pride that filled her veins For their people, who had survived the uniinable with their spirits intact; for their city, that had stood strong against an unprovoked attack There was no need for either of them to articulate that They saw and understood each other in a way few people ever did, mortal or ile face, and it was his

44

Janvier tracked Keir down three hours into the party Catching the healer’s eye, he ducked out into a small room off the corridor

This, what he had to ask, it was a private thing, an is lad to see you are not dead yet”

Janvier tried to sency of what he had to ask tore at him too desperately to allow for levity

Keir’s expression altered, wise eyes in an ageless face turning solemn “What is it?”

“You can’t speak about it to anyone else”

“I will not” It was the oath of a healer “Not even should the Cadre ask”

Hope a white-hot flame inside him, he said, “It’s about Ash”

•••

Ashwini felt a prickle on the back of her neck that told her Janvier was near, even before Honor said, “Here coe fro spent the past half hour talking “I’m off to debauch my deliciously sexy husband—you should do the same with Janvier”

Janvier slid down beside her as Honor left; his thigh pressed against hers, strong and warht you went to catch up with your friends froht her a cocktail earlier, danced with her on the roof, then slipped ahile she chatted with Honor Naasir had prowled off before that, in fullmode