Clarissa closes her eyes at her son's declaration of love for a Moon Blessed as tears of terror now join the tears of grief on her cheeks. She thinks, furiously, desperately, for the sake of her son's survival. Her political mind, the one that calculates angles and leverages weakness, kicks in one last time, fighting the dying wolf.
She opens her eyes, and the final decision is etched in a cold and ruthless resolve. She reaches out and grabs Amias's face, holding him captive with her gaze. The touch is both loving and terrifyingly demanding.
"You must focus on Lira for our revenge," she insists, her voice filled with an intensely emotional plea. She uses the last shreds of her emotional leverage, the weapon of guilt he just apologized for. "You cannot choose her, Amias! You cannot bring this shame upon yourself, not when I will be gone! You will be defenseless! Do not let your father win! Do not give Ines the final, victorious laugh!"
