Adatha Za sighed as she nestled back into his arms, and whispered, "There are some things, Jonathan Morgan, that even evolution can't do."
IV
Adatha Za came for him the next day, to go with him to the Arena. Her eyes were dark and sunken, her soft red mouth quivering. Her hair hung loose, uncoiffed. She came into his arms and kissed him; drew back to look up into his face, trembling.
"I am glad for last night," she whispered. "Though I did have hopes—some day in my villa over the Jaralayan Sea—"
She buried her face against his chest, moving it slowly from side to side, distrait.
"Hey," yelped Jonathan, lifting her face with a finger beneath her chin. "Why the gloom? I thought we'd decided last night that I had a chance."
"You did—last night. Today ... today Shar Bytu announced that the winner of the mental monomachy is to attempt the black shadows! So—"
"Oof," Jonathan grunted, "that sort of knocks the stilts out from under a guy. No matter who wins, both will die, unless—no, the age of miracles passed a long time ago. What does Morka Kar say to that?"
"Oh, he raved and swore, but he dared do nothing to disobey. After all, he is a scientist, and he is here to fight those flames. Even he cannot hope to fight all the scientists on Neeoorna right now. I—I think he will temporize. Have the monomachy declared a draw. That will allow him to save face and his life at the same time."