"They didn't have to do this to him," Selene whispered. "To kill is bad enough. That monster didn't have to do this."
"Selene, we have to bury him," Layla said gently. "It's been too long already."
"Yes," she said dully.
"Antonio and I will do it. You go back to the cave and wait until--"
"No, I'll do it."
"It's too much. You--"
She jumped to her feet and whirled on Layla. "I said I'll do it," she said fiercely. "You didn't know him. You didn't care about him. He deserves to have someone--" Her voice broke and she had to stop until she was able to go on. "You and Antonio go dig the grave. I'll prepare him."
"It's not wise. It would be easier for--"
"I don't care. I don't want it easy. He wasn't allowed to have it easy." She turned back to Haroun. "Go away."
A moment later she heard the sound of Layla's and Antonio's departure.
She needed a shroud. She took off her cloak and laid it on the ground. "We have to do this together, Haroun," she whispered. "You've always helped me. Now let me help you."
They laid Haroun to rest at sunset.
For a long time Selene stood looking down at the pile of earth. It didn't seem right that any man's life should end like this. There should be . . . more.
"Are you ready to go?" Layla asked.
"Not yet."
Haroun laughing as he diced with Kadar in the stable at Montdhu.
Haroun wet and shivering after he'd been pulled up with the anchor on theDark Star.
Haroun smiling brilliantly, hovering over her after he'd learned of the child.
Pain rippled through her as she remembered how annoyed she'd been at that cosseting.
"Selene!"
Layla sounded alarmed, Selene realized finally. Something must be wrong.
Of course something was wrong. Darkness was all around them. Haroun was dead. Haroun had been chopped--
"Catch her, Antonio."
It was too late. She fell to the ground beside Haroun's grave.
Chapter 14.
LAYLA WAS BATHING HER FOREHEAD when Selene opened her eyes.
"It's about time." Layla threw the soft cloth aside. "I was beginning to believe you would never wake. Do you realize I'm becoming deplorably adept at this boring task?"
They were in the cave, Selene realized. "How long . . ."
"You fainted three days ago."
"Three--" She shook her head. "It's not possible. No faint lasts that long."
