“Please, I beg you, do not sacrifice yourself.” She kissed his unyielding mouth, and her voice shook. “I’d rather have the god in the world than you gone from it.” “Sweet woman, I’m dead already.” Silhara lifted her off her feet, enfolding her in an embrace that threatened to break her ribs. He kissed her eyes, her nose, her mouth—heedless of her tears that made his lips glisten.
