"Paul B.Thompson, Tonya R.Carter. Darkness and Light ("DragonLance Preludes I" #1) (angl)" - читать интересную книгу автора

Kitiara lifted her chin. "I'm not ashamed of what I do."

"I don't expect you to be. The point is, I've come to realize
more and more clearly that you and I are of two worlds, Kit. Worlds
that can never hope to be reconciled."

"So what are you saying?"

"I had a birthday while you were gone. Do you know how old I am?
Ninety-seven. Ninety-seven years old, Kit! If I were a human, I'd be a
withered ancient. Or dead."

She eyed his willowy form appreciatively. "You're not withered
or ancient."

"That's the point! My elvish blood will extend my life far
beyond the normal span of humans." Tanis stepped closer and took her
hands. "While you, Kit, will age and die."

Kitiara laughed. "Let me worry about that!"

"You won't. I know you, Kit. You're burning your youth out like
a two-ended candle in a gale. How do you think I feel, knowing that
you might be killed in battle for some petty warlord, while I would
live on and on without you? It has to end, Kit. Tonight. Here and
now."

Though it was dark, and the white moon, Solinari, was hidden by
boughs of val1enwood Tanis saw the hurt in Kitiara's expression. It
was there but an instant. She mastered it and forced a superior smile.

"Maybe it's just as well," she said. "I never did like being
tied down. My poor fool of a mother was like that - she never could
get along without a husband to tell her what's what. That's not my
style. I take after my father. Burning in the wind, am I? So be it! I
ought to thank you, Tanthalus Half-Elven, for holding a mirror up to
the truth -"

He interrupted her tirade with a kiss. It was a gentle,
brotherly kiss on the cheek. Kitiara glared.

"It's not what I want, Kit," Tanis said with great sorrow.

"It's how it must be."

She slapped him. Being the warrior she was, Kitiara's slap was
no light tap. Tanis staggered and put a hand to his face. A thin smear
of blood showed in the corner of his mouth. "Keep your pretty
gestures," she spat. "Save them for your next lover, if you find one!