---
He remained bowed toward Sekhmet and said, with the awful calm of true conviction, "I serve Master Sekhmet from this moment until my death."
That struck Mihos far harder than if Kess had wept or begged or explained himself badly.
Because this was not a weak panic. This was a decision.
Mihos stepped forward. "Stephen. Kill him."
That was the exact point where Lady Seraphiel's patience ran out again.
"No."
Her voice cut through Mihos's order before Stephen could breathe.
The heir turned sharply. "But aunt..."
"You said it yourself," Seraphiel said. Her tone was not raised. It did not need to be. "If he chose willingly, then he could go." Her eyes hardened. "Why are you changing your words now? Do you have no shame?"
That landed directly in front of the guards, the servants, the road, the lower branch, and everyone else Mihos would have preferred not witness such a question.
Mihos felt the humiliation immediately.
