Kira gained her footing in a flurry of tangled silk, poised to run, but the warrior did not move at all in pursuit. She caught her breath, finding herself snared once more by his assessing regard.
Again they watched each other warily.
The moments stretched long and Kira began to wonder if he had turned to stone in truth. Suddenly his eyes narrowed and he abruptly stood. She hurried out of his path and he spared her a glance that could have been indulgent had it come from any other man.
With smooth gestures, he lit a lamp and hung it from the central pole. He carried a flame from the lamp to the small stove reposing in one corner, his attention fixed on his task. Indeed, it seemed unlikely that this supremely unconcerned man even knew Kira was in his presence, let alone that he expected
