"You look terrible," Fakir said, clutching his tea.
Rue jerked out of her thoughts on princes and ravens. "Excuse me?" she said, narrowing her eyes. "That was rude."
"Q-Quack!" Duck fumed at Fakir.
"Better," he grunted. "You haven't snapped at me in weeks."
"Fakir," Rue asked, biting her lower lip. "Do you ever..."
"Quack?" Duck said, nuzzling her elbow.
Rue swallowed, forcing herself to finish her question. "Do you ever regret how it all happened?"
Fakir regarded her for a long, long moment before petting Duck's head with his scarred hand. "No."
Rue looked away.