Fighting my tears, I tiptoe through the dark hallway. All is quiet. Good. My lips move in a silent prayer. If I just can get to my room without being noticed, I’ll be fine.
“I’ve been waiting for you.” Palmo’s calm voice echoes from the darkened kitchen.
I shrink towards the polished banister and hold my breath. Now what? Her tall shadow appears in the doorway. “Won’t you come in for a moment?” As silently as I entered the hallway, I move into the kitchen. Palmo sits at the stove. The soft smolder lights her loving smile.
“Ama-la,” I say, and bow my head to hide my burning shame and tears.
“Oh, Nordun,” she says and chuckles. “You look like one of my juniors, waiting to be reprimanded after being caught with their hand in the tsampa bag.” Her slender hands hold my heated face.
As
