“I will give you what you want.” I could not find my voice, only a husk of one; it could barely pass through the fire in my throat. I clung more tightly to his hands, and held his eyes; I saw the first touch of icy anger struggle with his patience. “I will leave you. I won’t trouble you any longer with my love. But I want to give you something first. With my love.”

“What?” he asked indifferently.

“Freedom. From me, from this house, from her wood. I will hold you fast until you stand free of us all. And then I will leave you.”