This one will, too. And when
you find yourself safely landed among us?' She hesitated. 'And if
the girl is no longer yours? What then?'
'I cannot even think of that. It would be the end of everything, of
life itself.'
Kataya hung her head. WHY MUST IT ALWAYS BE SO?
Kalus saw this gesture of defeat and knew, for all his confusion and
despair, that he had been selfish, and forgotten her. There in the
stillness of night he felt her presence acutely, felt the soul inside
her and knew she was as achingly alive as himself. And the feelings
this knowledge aroused in him both troubled and comforted his own
loneliness. He put his hand beneath her chin and raised the lovely,
oval face to look at him.
'You are very beautiful, Kataya. I have chosen Sylviana, but you are
a woman that a man could truly love.' She wrapped her hand about his
wrist, whispered something in a strange language, then broke off and
quickly walked away. He watched her go in sadness.
All this time Sylviana had watched them, unable to hear what was said,
imagining the worst. Then she saw him lift her face to his, and whisper
tender words which should have been hers alone.
Confused and angry, she stormed back into her room. Confused and weary,
Kalus spread himself on the ground like an animal, missing them both,
and staring at the stars.
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