The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms - By N. K. Jemisin Page 0,54

not so much casual as insolent, with one leg drawn up and his head lolling to the side. It took me a moment to realize he was naked, because his hair was very long and draped over his shoulder, covering most of his torso. It took me another moment to understand, with a jarring chill, that this was Nahadoth.

Or at least, I thought it was him. His face was beautiful as usual, but strange somehow, and I realized for the first time that it was stilljust one face, one set of features, and not the endlessly shifting melange that I usually saw. His eyes were brown, and not the yawning pits of black I recalled; his skin was pale, but it was a human pallor like that of an Amn, and not the glow of moonshine or starlight. He watched me lazily, unmoving except to blink, a faint smile curving lips that were just a shade too thin for my tastes.

Hello, he said. Its been a while.

I had just seen him the night before.

Good morning, Lord Nahadoth, I said, using politeness to cover my unease. Are you well?

He shifted a littlejust enough for me to see the thin silver collar round his neck and the chain that dangled from it. Abruptly I understood. By day I am human, Nahadoth had said. No power save Itempas Himself could chain the Nightlord at night, but by day he was weak. And different. I searched his face but saw none of the madness that had been there my first night in Sky. What I saw instead was calculation.

I am very well, he said. He touched his tongue to his lips, which made me think of a snake testing the air. Spending the afternoon with Scimina is usually enjoyable. Though I do grow bored so easily. He paused, just for a breath. Variety helps.

There was no doubt as to what he meantnot with his eyes stripping my clothing as I stood there. I think he meant for his words to unnerve me, but instead, strangely, they cleared my thoughts.

Why does she chain you? I asked. To remind you of your weakness?

His eyebrows rose a touch. There was no true surprise in his expression, just a momentary heightening of interest. Does it bother you?

No. But I saw at once by the sharpening of his eyes that he knew I was lying.

He sat forward, the chain making the faintest of sounds, like distant chimes. His eyes, human and hungry and so very, very cruel, stripped me anew, though not sexually this time. Youre not in love with him, he said, thoughtful. Youre not that stupid. But you want him.

I did not like this, but I had no intention of admitting it. There was something in this Nahadoth that reminded me of a bully, and one did not show weakness before that.

While I considered my response, however, his smile widened.

You can have me, he said.

I worried, for the briefest of instants, that I would find the thought tempting. I neednt have worried; all I felt was revulsion. Thank you, but no.

He ducked his eyes in a parody of polite embarrassment. I understand. Im just the human shell, and you want something more. I dont blame you. But And here he glanced up at me through his lashes. Never mind bully; what lurked in his face was evil, pure and plain. Here was the sadistic glee that had gloried in my terror that first night, all the more disturbing because this time it was sane. This version of Nahadoth gave truth to the priests warning tales and childrens fears of the dark.

And I did not like being alone in the room with him. Not one bit.

You do realize, he drawled, that you can never have him? Not that way. Your weak mortal mind and flesh would shatter like eggshells under the onslaught of his power. There wouldnt be enough left of you to send home to Darr.

I folded my arms and gazed pointedly at the corridor beyond Sciminas couch-throne. If she kept me waiting much longer I was going to leave.

Me, though Abruptly he was on his feet and across the room and entirely too close. Startled, I lost my pose of indifference and tried to face him and stumble back all at once. I was too slow; he caught me by the arms. I had not realized until then how very big he was, taller than me by more than a head and well-muscled. In his night