He reached out his hand and caught hers in a firm, compelling grasp. A splendid creature sent to comfort him. A creature blown by the winds of heaven to his threshold. A dear defenceless thing without home or kindred, unprotected, uncared of, weak and in need of affection, in dire need of love.
Helpless, unshielded, unguarded ... unprotected ... unguarded ... uncared for....
Seth frowned. The wind had wafted itself into his brain again. He was growing dazed.
He caught his hand away from Cyclona's. He thrust his fingers through his hair. He pressed them over his eyes.
These strange words persisted in piling themselves solidly between him and his desire. They formed a barrier stronger than walls of brick or mortar.
Unprotected, defenceless, unguarded, uncared for, this girl who had rocked his child and Celia's in her arms, who had held him close to the warmth of her young bosom. This beautiful unprotected girl who had tenderly closed the eyes of his child!
The fragile barrier built by unseen hands was cloud-high now.
If the wraith of Cyclona had occupied the chair there by his side she could scarcely have been further removed from his embrace.
Humbly Seth bent over the small brown hand.
Reverently he kissed away the tear.