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into her glass Milk sloshed over the sides and spilled across the table The relief was instantaneous and she was proud of herself for re the remedy She smiled

Maeve gently eased Selena's hand froave her a flat metal strip with a round end A spoon, Selena remembered suddenly

Maeve kept her fingers coiled around Selena's and showed her how to dip the spoon into the soup, pick out a chunk of fish, and bring it to her lips

Selena recalled what "eat" was She breathed in the thyme-sweet scent of the stew and smiled She opened her ers "Hot," she said, pulling back

"Good," Maeve said Then she blew on the broth in the spoon

Selena watched in fascination as the clear, reddish liquid swirled and rippled in the silver hollow

"Not hot," Maeve said "Eat"

Selena could barely contain her exciteht, as if she'd done it athose pictures tobefore

She leaned forward and tasted the soup

Nothing There was no taste at all She frowned So to find the words to ask the question and failing 'Taste," was the only word she could e

Maeve sood Now, eat up, child; you need soth"

Selena shook her head "No "

Maeve looked her directly in the eyes Her smile faded slowly "Eat"

Selena felt a sharp stab of fear She didn't want this beautiful lady to turn away from her, too Then she'd be utterly alone What difference did itabout that seeazed into Maeve's hazel eyes and nodded slowly

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