But as her eyes grew more
accustomed to the half-light, she saw plainly the scene laid out before
her.
And there she remained, her mind and heart a whirlwind of conflicting
impulses. She wanted to rush at the woman and scratch her eyes out.
She wanted to walk up calmly and ask, 'Have you quite finished with
my husband?' Her HUSBAND? She wanted to scream at Kalus, to
apologize for being cold, to seduce him, and to have him out of her life
forever.
But she did none of the things, remaining stock still in the doorway.
She forced herself to be calm, and tried to rationalize. Why was she so
upset? After all, what had he done? And why did it matter to her
anyway? She wanted to break away, and put the whole thing from her
mind. But she couldn't. She had to see what he would do.
After a time Kataya sensed the man-child's indifference, or at least
his unwillingness to yield to her. This did not cool her half-admitted
desire for him, but only made it more patient, tactful. She moved to
sit in a corner chair, beside him.
'Why so glum, Kalus? Or are you just ignoring me?'
'I am sorry, Kataya. It's not you. I just
feel. . .overwhelmed.' And with this, he surrendered.
'How so?'
'So much has happened,' he began, feeling as he said the words the
bewilderment that lay beneath all other emotions.
Pages:
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279
280
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293