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THIRTY-ONE

The Perfidisian planet hadn't changed appreciably. Weather patterns were more regular, the air was thicker from the outgassing of fresh volcanic vents in the southern hemisphere, and clouds were more obvious.

"You're sure," Anna said, half inquiring.

"I'm sure."

"Back to the scene of the crime."

"Back to quiet."

"The dome is still there. We can outfit it with a suitable environment, build a good home. Stay for a few years."

Kawashita took her hand and pressed it softly. "You sound tired."

"A little. I'll relax for a while—it's your game now."

"What will DiNova do?"

"He'll stand in my place. He's disgusted, but he'll do it. Two years shot to hell—for him—already, a few more won't bother him appreciably. My empire is large enough to go on for a long time without me. It may not grow as fast, or do as many spectacular things, but it'll survive. And should someone sweep it out from under me, I can build it back in twenty or thirty years."

"You sound willing to try it."

"A challenge is a challenge. But if I thought there was much chance of it happening. I wouldn't be here now." She lay down in front of him in the observation sphere. "I'm enjoying my own soul-searching. I don't worry about being another Donatien anymore—I don't use the sleep inducers as much. I see people more clearly. You've taught me a lot."

"It was there before I came," Kawashita said. "It will remain after I'm gone."

Anna frowned. "What do you mean by that?"

"I won't choose any more life than I'm due."

"You're going to abstain?"

He nodded. "There's still plenty of time left, but when it's over, I see no reason to continue my long-running show."

"I'm not sure I even know what it means to grow old and die," Anna said. "I'd hate to make a decision, not knowing."

"Growing old and dying isn't difficult. It's knowing there's no choice in the matter that's hard. A choice has been given to me, by men I'll never have a chance to thank . . . and I politely turn it down."

Anna held out a hand to encompass stars. "How long will we live together, then?"

"As long as we can. We haven't killed each other yet."

"Any other man, I think I'd fight with him at least once a week. Bad fights, nasty. But you take fights out of me. DiNova doesn't think that's good. The mellowing of Anna Nestor—bad for business. But having more control should console him."

"You trust him?"

"I trust no one, Husband—save you, and even there I have an intellectual byway set aside for doubts. You know that."

"I don't ask trust," Kawashita said. "Only your presence when I wish to touch someone warm. Speak to someone intelligent. Be silent with someone I love."

Anna looked down at the Perfidisian planet. "I think everything we need for the dome is on the Peloros. How elegant should it be?"

"Simple, comfortable."

"Are we going back to nature?"

"Perhaps for a hobby. A sun under the dome—we can renovate the soil, which is probably pure minerals now—recirculate the water, and draw what more we need from artesian sources. We'll do well."

"I think so," Anna said. "Time to read, plan, create little things." She mock-grimaced. "I might go crazy, all that tranquility."

"You might."

"But probably not."

Kawashita grinned and bowed as best he could in freefall. "We'll see."

 

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Framed