“You never thought about leaving?”
“Only to come here.”
“Why?”
“For the honor,” Shar said.
“The honor?”
“Being chosen to come here is not only the highest service, it’s the best way for me to become equal with her,” she said with a nod at Lauren. “I’m lucky to have made it. Of course, I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Happy to help,” Meris said, with mixed feelings. Her eyes fell on Evan who had finally come out of the water and was wiping herself down with brisk strokes.
“I’ve had the feeling you’ve been avoiding me,” she said softly.
“Well, there hasn’t been much time for socializing,” Shar said.
“I don’t really think that’s it,” Meris said, ready to let it drop.
“To tell the truth, Meris, I’ve been wondering if a mistake had been made.”
“Oh?”
“You seem to have been in t
