Hezza backed up a few feet as Rion passed and did not say a word as he left. There was nothing else left to say to him, he had made his choice. She did not look at Slade for a moment, but concentrated on the squeezing in her chest. It was difficult to breath in; her abdomen did not want to stretch to take in air. Hezza shuddered, as if she could feel the cold from Rion's words.

Slowly, her head turned to look at Slade. "I have no right...," she began, slowly, "to ask you to come with me, Slade...I want you to come, but I know you don't care what I want. I've made a mess of everything for you, for Rion. And it's very selfish of me to ask...but the offer still stands for you..."