554 No Condemnation

LERRIN

He'd been careful to keep his mind guarded. He hadn't sent her the memory. But something must have passed over his face, because her brows pinched together. "Don't condemn Reth for being the same kind of male that you are, Lerrin. He helps me when I ask because he cares… he isn't… there's no… motive."

He grimaced and she misread his intention.

"Do not condemn me either, Lerrin," she whispered, an edge in her tone. "Not when I ask less of him than I asked of you… and you gave it to me, despite not knowing me at all."

His head spun. She always did this—always turned him around, made him see a piece of the landscape that he hadn't noticed before. He swallowed, tried to figure out how to tell her this, but she obviously thought he would argue with her.

"Lerrin, please! You must see—"

Suhle, he sent. But she wouldn't stop.

"—you are all strong, you all have honor."

Suhle.