"Asset makes it sound like something you can just 'pick up'," Kash demurred, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "There are magic artifacts that people without magic can use, but most magic has to be learned. And the price for learning can be steep."

Every other human in existence who knew the goddess's existence, forced marriage and rape, one hundred cuts, sweat, blood and a goddess's memories steep, in his case.

"I've trained to be a healer since I could hold myself upright." He didn't sound offended, at all. Just firm and a little gruff in the way he always did.