Then Shayma did something unexpected. 'Yes...' she said, 'We accept.'
'What?' Zue and Falcon growled at once. 'No, we don't...'
'WHAT else choice do you have!?' Shayma snarled. She had stood up and was glaring at the two of them with her eyes blazing. 'Tell me...are you thinking of taking him and breaking out of here? Ha! Didn't you hear her?' She gestured towards Ignis, who had now taken her place on the larger of the two thrones and was watching them as if they were a morbid TV show.
Falcon met Ignis's eyes and she grinned, shrugging. She knew she was in control. They had nowhere to run to.
'Take me...' He said. 'Take me instead.'
It was Aurelia's turn to say, 'No. Never...'
'Please...' Falcon said, his eyes brimming with tears. 'Spare Aurelia...take me instead...'
Ignis stood up. She towered over him like a very large, very ugly, hot air balloon. 'Do you mean it? Then beg...'
