He had no idea how long they wept together; long enough for his eyes and throat to go raw. But flesh has its limits; finally he got himself back under control, carefully wiped her tears away for her, and took a seat beside her.

“I knew what happened to him,” he said at last. “Rolan made it through with your message.”

“How did—how did I get here?”

“I Fetched you—” he groped for the right words. “I mean, I had to, I couldn’t leave you there! I didn’t know if it would work but I had to try! Elspeth, the Companions, we all Fetched you together.”

“You did that? It—I’ve never heard of anything like that—It’s like—like some tale. But I was lost in the dark.” She seemed almost in a state of shock now, or a half-trance. “I could see the Havens, you know, I could see them. But they wouldn’t let me go to them—they held me back.”

“Who? Who held you back?”

“Love and duty—” she whispered as if to herself.

“What?” She wasn’t making any sense.

“But Kris said—” Her voice was almost inaudible.

He had feared before. Now he was certain. It had been Kris whom she loved—and he’d prevented her from reaching him. He hung his head, not wanting her to see the despair on his face.

“Dirk—” Her voice was stronger, not quite so confused. “It was you who called me. You saved me from Ancar, then brought me out of the dark. Why?”

She’d hate him for it, but she deserved the truth. Maybe one day she’d forgive him.

“I had to. I love you,” he said helplessly, hopelessly. He stood up to leave, his eyes burning with more tears—tears he dared not shed—and cast one longing glance back at her.

Talia heard the words she’d been past hoping for—then saw her hope getting ready to walk out the door. Suddenly everything fell into place. Dirk had thought that Kris was the one she’d been in love with!

That was why he’d been acting so crazy—wanting her himself, yet fearing to try to compete with Kris. Havens, half the time he must have loathed himself for a very natural anger at his best friend who had turned rival. No wonder he’d been in such a state!

And now Kris was gone, and he thought that she’d want no part of him, the constant reminder, the second-best.

Damn the man! Stubborn as he was, there would be no reasoning with him. He would never believe anything she told him; it could take months, years to straighten it all out.

Her mind felt preternaturally clear, and she sought frantically for a way out of her predicament—and found one in memory.