Shanna grabbed up one of the cloths she'd left out in case she came back soaked and crossed the room, stopping in front of Ahmla and reaching up to gently clean his face. "I'm so sorry that agreeing to help me resulted in such a grisly and unhappy task. Thank you for doing it for me. I am in your debt, Master Ahmla."
"There is no debt, my queen." For the barest moment, he seemed to turn slightly into the press of her hand, eyes flickering. Shanna's heart twisted painfully, eyes stinging with tears she was only barely able to blink away.
Then he gathered himself and stepped back. "The matter is tended. The bodies will not be found. I dislike doing your stepfather's dirty work for him, but no good would have come from leaving the assassin's body. I am sorry again for your lost associates.
