"And you and the Old Ones?"
"The Old Ones were born of palace princesses and selected to study for the Council by the Old Ones of their time. I, too, am of a palace princess—and was selected by the present Old Ones to be the mother of your son."
Toka eyed her sardonically. "I don't know if the Sphere Of All Time reported this, but in my part of the Outer World we believe people should love each other first."
"I have loved you since first I saw you in the Sphere." Kolano's silvery eyes were alight for him.
Toka shifted his gaze away. "Perhaps it might be best to wait a while."
"Perhaps Toka needs only to know me better."
Toka stood up and sauntered away. At that moment the main portals swung in for the cortege to clear away the dining service.
As the portals swung shut again, Toka glanced cynically at Kolano. "Everybody knows just when to come and go."
"The Sphere has long told the times of all your needs and actions—past, present and future."
"All right," Toka challenged sardonically, "what am I going to do next?"