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"How exactly would I do that?" she said. "Run to the gates and tell them I made a terrible mistake? If you suggest that I return and pretend I'm secretly in love with Gavril Kitsune and came back to be with him . . ." She choked on the words. "If I even attempted it, I'd give myself away so badly that Alvar would execute me as a spy before I finished my declaration."
"I know," the emperor said. "You're no performer. I'd not ask you to do that. You will instead return as you originally arrived. As a hostage. Captured by someone who has been pursuing you since you escaped last night."
"Who?"
"Me."
The voice came from the forest, and with it her heart stopped.
No, it cannot be. I cannot recognize a voice from one word.
Everyone turned toward that voice as a figure stepped from the forest. A tall figure. Cloaked and hooded. He reached up to pull the hood down, and even as he did, Moria saw those fingers--long, dark fingers, the nails trimmed to the quick, and she knew she was right.
I cannot recognize a man by his fingers. I cannot.
Yes, she could.
Gavril pushed his hood back and stepped into the clearing. "You'll be coming back with me, Keeper."