Lion Head Mesa Thlípsi

it was the first time she had said his name, and his features fell.

tamar watched him knowingly. maybe now he could see the way that some part of her had turned to jade. "what if i said i would let you have me now?" she wanted to see what expression arsenio might give her now.

now she did not think he was acting. it did not amuse him.

"the fire is the chase. when you have me  —" tamar pursed her lips with a puff of air as if to end a candle "— then there will be no more fire." was this not always the way? how many girls had given themselves to a handsome face and ended up less for it?

the maidservant stepped back. "there is no man who has made me feel that." and there would never be.