The tiger that got the largest share crept closer and when Sam sat, it laid across his feet, the same comforting gestures he gave Elizabeth.
"What is there to say that has not been said?"
The pearls of the necklace slide through her fingers again and again, her thumb brushing over them to give herself some measure of comfort. "If you are here to remind me what I am to do..." Her fingers tightened again. "... or give me some words of comfort..." her grip turned her knuckles white and her eyes lowered with such hatred in her voice. "... I have not want or need or care for them."