It was only the three of them in the room.
"Why do you even bother coming here?" Nheera said after a moment, looking at the king's motionless form. "To gloat?"
"Why else?" Laheir replied without any particular shame. "Beyond that, people expect to see the king's chief advisor showing concern for him. The last thing either of us needs is for anyone to start wondering why I don't."
Nheera said nothing to that. She looked down at Zeriel, her expression tight and unreadable.
"He looks peaceful," she said.
"Most do," said Laheir, "when they are dying."
"I always thought he would die violently." Her voice was tinged with disappointment. "That would have been more fitting. It is the least of what he deserved."
