Jessia was quiet for a long time, staring up at the starless darkness. After a while, she shook her head.
"Maybe, Xiv. Maybe. I suppose that's one of the great secrets of life." She glanced at me, a familiar smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "You're not mad, are you?"
I tilted my head.
"No, I don't suppose you would be. It never mattered who I was to you."
"Only what you did," I said, nodding. "And that was plenty enough to make me scared."
She chuckled. "I see your point. But if it's any comfort, I really was on your side. You can tell because we're here. If I wanted to hurt you, or turn you over to Rash'alon or the church, I would have."
I shivered. "Maybe."
"Heh. Maybe." She took a step forward, turned to face me, and stretched her arms over her head. "You know, I think I've had enough of beginnings for now. Maybe I'll go check out those endings you were talking about. I'd be curious to see what kind of secrets those hold."
