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His eyes went starry at the sight of aze With his tone neither warht the wisdom of a Tarasova, so I went hat in hand"

"What did you want to know?"

He hiked his broad shoulders "Alas, Iupset her," he said, not answering ine Her hatred bubbled upphysical and otten so paranoid she wouldn’t allow hts anymore--because of "the Tower" Only the fire lit her room Shadows crept over the walls, over my vines, the flarew slack on one side, she’d finally allowed Paul to exa ministrokes--which she’d refused to believe She’d slurred, "I wouldn’t be surprised if Death is iven her a prescription from his stockpiled rand we could do for her

Now I sidled even closer to Aric, craving co hi me miss him even more "Please tell nored my question "You look exhausted, Empress" Was that a flare of pity in his eyes?

My own line’s Tarasova was beatingto my trust in my allies, and to myself as a person

Yesterday Gran had murmured, "All you have to do is surrenderdraw on your hatred and pain Becorandain, to undo the work of shrinks and psychdecent

Myto see Gran, which uilt

Aric said, "Paul could help out with her more"

"He’s already with her so et her to calm down and even to eat But he’d also toldeach day will be herlast" Couldn’t Aric sense i death? I wondered what he’d say if I asked him for a heads-up

I also wondered why I wasn’t sadder about Gran Yes, she was being hateful, but she hadn’t been during my childhood At least, as far as I could trustcould affect led azed at Aric and knew the answer to that question I was grieving for hiht here in front of me

I’d lost the love offor h an apocalypse alone?

Studying my face, Aric said, "The Tarasova will no doubt tell you I’ve harmed her For the record, I would never hurt her"

"And I would never believe you could"