“Thibault,” the woman whispers. “I wish you’d never come back.” Her words do funny things to Ilapara’s head, but their meaning is clear enough. Tuk steps forward, his eyes remaining dusky. “Madam Ayzel di Vestri. I haven’t gone by that name in a long time. I’d like to keep it that way.” The woman he called Ayzel shakes her head, tears limning her eyes. “Please know that this gives me no joy, but you’ve left me no choice.”
