With a shrug, Nian retrieved the abandoned food. “Wasteful. Simply wasteful.” He took a bite of the meat. “The man is insane, Elainya.”
I looked after the reflect’s retreating form and wondered.
Elen sat in a corner of the hall, tending a weak fire. Evening had come upon the castle and all had gone to sleep, leaving us alone.
“You are the daughter of Jethan and Marista, aren’t you?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“I used to braid your hair when you were a little girl.” I touched the gray bun tenderly. “How have you come to hate me so much?”
The ancient face looked into my eyes and tears appeared. “You killed yourself.”
“No, Elen, I simply went away. Perhaps it was selfish of me, but I wanted a life with Drenil. I wanted happiness.”
“I used to feed your cat.” She stared into the fire for a while.
