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Zelandoni got up and walked toward the structure, one of theplaces of various sizes scattered within the li that divided the private living space from the open public area, she tapped on the stiff rawhide panel next to the drape-closed entry and heard the padded strides of soft leather footwear approaching The tall, fair-haired, surprisingly handsome man pulled back the drape Eyes of an unusually vivid shade of blue looked surprised, then warmed with pleasure

“Zelandoni! How nice to see you,” he said, “but mother isn’t he

re right now”

“What makes you think I’one five years” Her tone was sharp

He was suddenly flustered and at a loss for words

“Well, are you going to leaveout here, Jondalar?”

“Oh… Co into a habitual frown, erasing the war the drape aside as she entered

They studied each other in silence for a ti Those Who Served The Mother; she’d had five years to grow into the position and she had grown into it The woman he knew had become immensely fat She o or three tie breasts and broad buttocks She had a soft full face crowded by three chins, but her piercing blue eyes see, and she carried her great size with grace, and a dee and authority She had a presence, an aura of power about her that commanded respect

They both spoke at once “Can I get you …” Jondalar started

“You’ve changed…”

“I’ized for what see oddly constrained Then he noticed just the slightest hint of a smile, and a familiar look in her eye, and he felt himself relax

“I alad to see you … Zolena,” he said His brow smoothed out and his s eyes full of warmth and love on her

“You haven’t changed thatherself respond to his charisma and thetied, though Grown up some You’re more handsome than ever…”

He started to protest, but she shook her head at him “Don’t make objections, Jondalar You know it’s true But there’s a difference You look … how can I say it … you don’t have that hungry look, that need that every woman wanted to satisfy I think you have found what you’ve been searching for You are happy in a way that you have never been”

“I never could keep anything fro with an excited, alht “It’s Ayla We plan to mate at this su cere the way, but I wanted to wait until we got ho over our wrists and tie the knot for us”