11
I WAS SURPRISED by how shaken I felt when leaving the room.
Considering the severity of the situation, the talk had gone well. There had been no fighting, not even verbally. Sheydu had simply agreed to step aside. She had even assured me that she wasn’t going to harm herself. This outcome was the best I could have hoped for, but why did I feel so bad about it?
I went into our bedroom, where it was dark.
There was a little alcove with a washbasin just inside the door.
I splashed water on my face, looking at the deep shadows in the haggard expression on my face. When had I become so old?
Eirani was right. I looked—and felt—terrible.
Who was I to think that I could solve any kind of problem in this state?
The door slats rattled as the door rolled aside, and Thayu came in. I could s
