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On the Far Side, Payne sat on the edge of the reflecting pool and stared down at her own face in the still water

She recognized well the black hair and the dia features

Was all too aware of who had sired and birthed her

Could recite the days of her history thus far

And yet, she felt as though she had not a clue as to who she truly was Inup, she was naught but this echo on the surface of the pool, an ie that lacked depth and substance and would leave nothing of permanence in her hen she departed

As Layla came up from behind her, she met the female&039;s eyes in the mirror of the water

Later, she would consider that Layla&039;s sh of course, &039;twas more than that but her sister&039;s radiant expression hat ultie, the subtle push that had her tu off the cliff

That ss,for you"

"And alas you have found me" Payne forced herself to turn about and stare up at the Chosen "Please Sit and join ood cheer that your time with the male continues apace"

Layla lowered herself for but a ain "Oh, yes, indeed Indeed, yes He is to call ain Oh, dearest sister, you cannot iine what it is like to be held within a circle of fire and yet ee unscathed and o&039;erjoyed &039;Tis a "

Payne turned back to the water and watched as her own brows tightened "May I ask you so intrusive"

"Of course, my sister" Layla came over and settled once "

"Are you thinking ofhis shellan?"

"Well, yes Of course I aht time to broach it"

"What shall you do if he says no?" When Layla&039;s face froze, as if she had never considered such a thing, Payne felt as though she had crushed a rosebud in her palm "Oh, damn me I don&039;t mean to upset you I just--"

"No, no" Layla took a bracing breath "I am well aware of the construction of your heart and you have not a cruel chah I et I asked"

Now Layla stared into the pool "I we have yet to actually have relations"

Payne&039;s brows popped Verily, if just the precursor to the actual event was eliciting such elation, the act itself must be incredible

At least for a feht her ar the feel of another, stronger set "I have wanted to, but he holds back I hope I believe it is because he wishes to mate me properly first, in cereht of preentle soul"

Layla got to her feet, her smile now saddened "Yes, I am But I would rather my heart be broken than unopened and I know that one must ask if one is to receive"

The female was so certain and steadfast that in the shadow of her courage, Payne felt small Small and weak

Just as she? A reflection? Or a reality?

Abruptly, she stood up "Will you permit me my leave?"

Layla seemed surprised and bowed low "But of course And please, I s--"

On iiven none Worry not And best of luck with your male Verily, he would be blessed to have you"

Before anythingquickly past the dor speed the hill that led up to the Pri place, which was never used anymore, she entered her mother&039;s marble courtyard and strode down the colonnade

The in&039;s private quarters was not what one would expect to herald such a devine space But then when the whole world was yours, you had nothing to prove, did you

Payne did not knock Given what she was about to do, the inappropriateness of bursting in uninvited was going to be so far down her list of sins, it was barely going to count as one

"Mother," she demanded as she stepped into the e wait before she was answered and the voice that cahter"

"Let me out of here Now"