Garrick and Brenna, riding in a caravan on their way back to Dead Hand Ridge, negotiate terms of their relationship.

    Brenna faced forward, examining the looming outline of the Tamarian firebase, situated beyond a fire glacis several hundred yards distant. A cool, light breeze from the south played with her hair. "Would it matter if I told you that I loved you?"

    "Do you love Woodwind?"

    "Yes."

    "Then no, that would make no difference."

    Brenna sighed wearily. "It's not the same with him. I wish you could understand that."

    "What is the difference, Brenna? You hug him, you kiss him and then tell me that he's like a brother to you. Well, I have a real little sister, but we don't go around kissing one another."

    The Lithian girl prayed silently, rubbing her cold, unfeeling nose, wishing that Garrick would make this easier on her, but knowing that he wouldn't. Finally, she said: "Ok. I don’t know how to make this reflect what I’m feeling, but I’ll try. I want you near me. I want you in a way that’s different from what I feel for Woodwind. Just don't ask me to compromise my values for you."

    Garrick agreed. "I'll respect whatever you believe in, gods and all, as long as you don't insist that I think the same way."

    "Then what exactly do you want from me?" she asked.

    Garrick's answer surprised her. "Just be consistent. If it's ok to hold me one minute, don't pull away the next. I need to know that your affection is an honest reflection of your feelings. I think that's fair."

    "Very well," she acquiesced. "And in return, you must promise to uphold my virtue and trust that I care about you. When you won’t tell me what you’re thinking I begin to feel that I'm not really important."

    The Tamarian boy shook his head. "You're very important to me, Brenna. I care about you in a way I've never cared before, but I've been betrayed by people I trusted, people in my own family, and it takes time for the hurt to heal."

    Brenna reached for him, holding his face in her hands. "You don't ever have to be afraid of me," she said softly.

    Garrick fell silent, his pounding heart quickened by Brenna's nearness, her sensuality, her intelligence, her trust. Her lovely, alluring eyes drew him closer until breathlessly, their lips met.

Sudden Death