If sacrificing herself for her husband's sake were to prove the last thing that Jassi ever did willingly for her new master . . . well, then, so be it, however bitter the taste to Carcharos. Pride had always been his substitute for honor, but his pride was so long gone from him that he could barely recall the feel of it. And so be that, too.
In this excerpt, the protagonist grapples with the weight of her decisions and their implications for herself and her husband. She reflects on the possibility of sacrificing her own well-being for his sake, understanding that this act may symbolize her ultimate submission to her new master. The bitterness of such a sacrifice is evident, yet she appears resigned to this fate, accepting the consequences that come with it.
The character of Carcharos serves as a stark contrast to her somber acceptance; he is depicted as someone who has lost his pride, which he previously viewed as a substitute for true honor. His disconnection from pride reflects a deeper struggle with his identity and values. Both characters bring attention to complex themes of sacrifice, pride, and the cost of loyalty in a narrative laced with fantastical elements.
