Lion Head Mesa flax [m]

ramesses grinned.
"i do. and i will demonstrate new things today."
a moment as he called for belen; another for the girl to enter and understand her role once more.

***

ramesses touched satsu's side. it remained unchanged. he only marveled at what might be. belen was gone now. it cost him nothing to send her away once her admittedly pleasant tasks had been fulfilled.
"i do not regret choosing you, satsu. i always believed that my father regretted the choice of my mother. but there is none of that in me."