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Then what? I asked, keeping ive you?

Heat bloo me blush so hard I had no doubt the reaction wasn’t ht inside my ear now

I did know As much as I wanted to deny it, I knehat Sabara wantedelse in the world

She wanted him

She wanted Niko Bartolo

I continued to think about what Sabara had asked of me, even as I bundled in as ain with a demon As if I’d damned myself to a lifeti to subject Sabara on one of the other royals, I was acknowledging that I was stuck with her

My purpose had become clear: to keep Sabara imprisoned within me

The only hope I had of easing my burden was to come to terms with her, to learn to live--if at all possible--in accord

I ignored the strange looks Zafir casthis questions about where I was going until the last possibleonly "Out" and hoping he didn’t pressfor too much, of course

"Out where?" he asked Then, "Why?"

I sed nonchalantly A nice touch, if I did say so s"

Zafir’s brows shot up "Really? You want to gofor a walk? Out there? In the cold?"

I couldn’t bla how I’d complained on the ferry How I’d huddled as far into my heavy cloak as possible and, still, my teeth had chattered so loudly I’d drawn attention froers Cold and I weren’t exactly on the best of terms

But I’d heard Niko was out there, in that ice and snow, and I had questions for him Ones that couldn’t wait

"Yes," I did ood"

There was no point pretending Zafir wasn’t co too There was no chance I’d lose hirounds on, either He nodded to the two an the arduous task of turning the cranks that would open the immense doors