Looking at once very tired, Kara said, 'I don't know how to stop, to put down roots and enjoy life.' Her eyes seemed to flinch away from looking Heavenward. 'I don't know where I shall find the strength.' She cocked her head, thoughtfully. 'Perhaps it isn't strength that I need at all, but rather to forego any thought of personal happiness, give up my identity altogether, and start anew as another person. Perhaps I should go to Port Haven and become someone other than Kara Savalas. My father would never expect that something he sought was hidden in plain view, and he would not accept that there would come a point when I would stop running from him. After all, there is an old saying, The animal seen to be hiding is soonest caught-'
'I think,' Santiago said firmly, 'that perhaps the two of you should sleep until suppertime. In fact, I insist upon it. I don't question that the things you say have varying degrees of truth to them, Kara, but they are all the more harmful to my wife and yourself because of your present state of mind.'
After the two young women got undressed and into bed, as Kara lay awake a thought occurred to her that left her gaping at herself with shock. 'How utterly thoughtless and selfish I was behaving! I am unfit to be a wife to Roman and mother to his children! I am not the person he needs and deserves. I must find leave and find my own way to Port Haven, and tell no one. No, there is no happiness waiting for me at the end of the road. The best I can hope for is the sanctuary of anonymity. For my father's sins, that is all I can hope to deserve.'
'Come, wake up and get dressed. It's almost time for supper.'
Kara stirred as she was gently nudged into wakefulness by Anana, who was already up and dressed. For a moment it seemed as though she had awakened to a new, untroubled day, but then she remembered.
'Anana, I'm so sorry for all that ranting I was doing earlier! You must think me quite mad, not to mention utterly selfish.'
Anana chuckled at this as Kara dressed. 'Actually, you did me a favour. It is in moments like that when Santiago really shines and makes me realise how very lucky I am.'
'Still, I feel like such a fool and a nuisance,' Kara said contritely.
'Well, don't expect me to hold it against you,' Anana said, laughing. 'I'm afraid that I'm just not the recriminating sort.'