A Time of Changes

25

Impatiently I awaited Halum’s return from her isle in the Gulf of Sumar. Neither bondsister nor bondbrother had I had for over two years, and drainers could not take their place; I ached to sit up late at night with Halum or Noim, as in the old days, opening self to self. Noim was somewhere in Salla, I supposed, but I knew not where, and Halum, though she was said to be due back imminently from holidaying, did not appear in my first week in Ma

“Halum?” I said uncertainly, hoarse-voiced, dry-throated.

“She is not yet here.” A voice like falling snow, deeper than Halum’s, more resonant, colder.

I was stu

I said, “Forgive this foolish error. One mistook you for Halum.”

“It happens often.”

“Are you some kin of hers?”

“Daughter to the brother of the High Justice Segvord.”

She gave her name as Loimel Helalam. Never had Halum spoken to me of this cousin, or if she had, I had no recollection of it. How odd that she had hidden from me the existence of this mirror-Halum in Ma

I could think only of Halum, Halum, Halum, Halum. This Loimel existed for me solely as a reflection of my bondsister. An hour after we first met, Loimel and I were together in my bedroom, and when her gown had dropped from her I told myself that Halum’s skin must be creamy as this, that Halum’s breasts must be much like these, that Halum’s thighs could be no less smooth, that Halum’s nipples would also turn to turrets when a man’s thumbs brushed their tips. Then I lay naked beside Loimel and made her ready for taking with many cu

That evening my bondsister Halum at last returned from her holiday in the Gulf of Sumar, and wept with happy surprise to see me alive and in Ma

The two years had not aged Halum so much as burnished her, and she had come to the full radiance of her beauty. She was deeply ta