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"Oh" Jissa’s brow furrowed, her sharp little teeth biting into her lower lip "Meat, he always eats the meat," she whispered "Even I, bad cook I, can’t make it taste that terrible"

"Never fear, Jissa," Liliana said, kneading the dough with deterreen, so very beautiful, so very deadly "He’ll never notice the lack"

The dinner bell rang loud and sonorous Seated alone at the head of a massive table of polished wood so dark it was near black, the Guardian of the Abyss raised his cup and took a sip of red wine "Where isforward to the food that didn’t deserve the name

If Jissa weren’t already dead, he was sure he would have executed her long ago for atte to starve him Of course today it was his new prisoner ould face his wrath He wondered if she would look hiht in the dungeon

"I will see,man turned to open the doorto reveal the prisoner, Liliana, and Jissa standing there with huge trays in their arms

"Thank you," Liliana said with a smile that was much too wide "We couldn’t open the door" And then she alking into the great hall with that halting stride of hers, her face brutally exposed given that she’d pulled her hair back

Again, he found hi her tray on the table and waiting for Jissa to do the same, she whipped off the covers fro a small round tart on his plate, "is not ive s early today"

He picked up the tidbit, wondering if all her food came in so small a portion And if her words were meant to warn him that she’d lied about her ability to cook If she had, he would have to send her back to the dungeon Lines furrowed his forehead He was intrigued enough by her that he wanted her around, but he couldn’t spare her - he was the Guardian of the Abyss Mercy was a weakness he’d never had Though perhaps he would ask Bard to give her a blanket

"Well, my lord? Will you not eat it or are you afraid I will poison you?" A question as tart as theher for her impertinence, decided she was likely feebleminded and didn’t know any better "The Guardian of the Abyss cannot die"

She tucked a stiff strand of hair behind her ear "But only while you are within this castle"

Amused by her, he decided to answer "No While I a whispered in the depths of her eyes, and he wondered if she was a very clever spy, coainst the Lord of the Black Castle? And ould they send this creature so weak and se? Ridiculous With that, he ate the tart