Rachaela lifted the jug before it was ready and filled a cup. Her heart was thudding against her breast, her legs felt heavy. Somewhere in her brain tears were trying to rise like fish out of deep water.

To her consternation, she heard the silky whisper of Althene's garments as she left the table. Althene came up behind her, very close. The subtle perfume wrapped around Rachaela like a veil.

"One rape per evening is enough," Rachaela said. "Isn't it?"

"Were you thinking of raping me, then?" Althene asked.

Rachaela put down the coffee. She was frightened, her nerves alight.

"Please don't crowd me."

But Althene's body was against her now, Althene's breasts pressed into her back. And Althene's hands circled around her cupping her own breasts, covering them, stroking.

Two thrills like fire shot through Rachaela.

She tried to resist. She pulled away and came about, and Althene caught her again, as if it had been choreographed.

Althene placed her hand behind Rachaela's head. Althene's mouth came onto hers. The scented taste of lipstick… Althene kissed her, the long cool tongue moving in her with a passionate stealth.

Rachaela thought how it had been when Adamus kissed her. The whirling and the fall. This was not like that. Nothing could ever be like that again. She gave up. Gave in.

She did not put her arms around Althene, only let Althene move her body as she wanted. A dizzying arousal saturated Rachaela. She did not care anymore.

When Althene drew back, Rachaela was angry. She had not wanted it to stop. If it stopped she would have to think about it again. Then it would be unacceptable, maybe ludicrous.

Althene looked cruel, but still flawless. Not a smudge. Only her lipstick had vanished away.

"Yes?" she said. "Or no?"

"I suppose yes."

"You suppose. What a nasty virginal little bitch you are."

"No, then," said Rachaela.

"Be quiet." She took Rachaela's hand, and they walked from the kitchen.

Out in the hall Sasha was standing by a pillar, as if waiting for them.

She must see it all. The bruised ripened mouths, the hands linked, emerald and ruby rings.

Sasha smiled. Nodded.

It was all madness. Rachaela laughed.

Althene led her up the stairs and her legs were so heavy now she could barely make it, her breath coming in gasps.

In the corridor above, Althene pushed her firmly to the wall, and kissed her again. Her large sensitive hands were inside the neck of the dress. They burned on flesh. Rachaela was overpowered, capsizing. Falling after all.

She had been so long without sex. That was all it was. And Althene was clever, of course.

It was Rachaela's room they came to. Rachaela checked. "Don't you want—"

"The little nun will be happier in her own apartment."

Rachaela had a vision of two nuns writhing together in union in some shadowy place.