Chapter 23

It did not occur to Netya until later just how hasty she had been to consider running that night.

Khelt himself had asked her, on more than one occasion, whether she was happy with her position and duties to him. If she had simply spoken to him first before letting her emotions run away with her, perhaps he would have allowed her to leave with his blessing, maybe even granted her safe passage back to the village.

She did not forget his kindness, but she also worried what it would mean if her request was denied. Then she really would be a prisoner, and any illusion of kinship she might have had with the Moon People would be gone.

For the time being she contented herself with the knowledge that it was a question she did not yet need to ask. When she woke up the following morning her temper had calmed, and she remembered again all of the things that had compelled her to stay in the first place. The ways of the Moon People would take some getting used to, but she was w