She left them, then, closing the door behind her as she departed.
Silence echoed through the room. Wordless, Craig turned to leave.
But Narla's voice stopped him: "Wait, Craig Nesom...."
He swung round. "What—?"
She said, "You didn't tell them that I was Zenaor's daughter. You let them believe I was your woman." A note of strain, of puzzlement, crept into her tone. "Why, Earthman? Why?"
Craig shrugged. "What point was there? Did it matter?"
"Yes, Craig." The grey eyes were thoughtful now. "Yes, it matters very much. You brought me here to use as a weapon against my father—yet now you keep my secret. Why?"
Craig shrugged again, not speaking.
"Because Zenaor's daughter would have received a different welcome, Craig; so very different. You know that, surely."
He nodded slowly. "Yes, I knew it."