“She does not hesitate to reveal what is in her heart,” said Tanar. “The girls of Sari are not like that. They would die rather than reveal their love before the man had declared his. But perhaps she is only a child and did not realize what she said.”
“A child nothing,” snapped Stellara. “She knew perfectly well what she was saying and it is quite apparent that you liked it. Very well, when she comes to save you, go with her.”
“You do not think that I intended to go with her alone even though an opportunity for escape presented itself through her, do you?” demanded Tanar.
“She told you that she would not help me to escape,” Stellara reminded him.
“I know that, but it would be only in the hope of helping you to escape that I would take advantage of her help.”
“I would rather be burned alive a dozen times than to escape with her help.”
There was a venom in the girl’s voice that had never been there before and Tanar looked at her in surprise. “I do not understand you, Stellara,” he said.
“I do not understand myself,” said the girl, and burying her face in her hands she burst into tears.
Tanar knelt quickly beside her and put an arm about her. “Don’t,” he begged, “please don’t.”
She pushed him from her. “Go away,” she cried. “Don’t touch me. I hate you.”