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like a barrel of burning pitch, but he did get his eyes open and moaned, "Math, get off. Shut up!" |
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The results were not in the least what Simon desired. Math did rise to a standing position, but he did not stop purring, and rather than jump down, he walked with slow dignity further up Simon's body so that he could peer down into his victim's face. Moreover, since Simon was neither perfectly firm nor perfectly flat, for security Math inserted his claws well into the surface he was walking on with each step. |
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Simon howledbut he did not make the mistake of trying to push Math off. His agonized gaze met Math's enigmatic green eyes. The cat stared. Simon shut his eyes again, moaning softly at the burst of agony the light caused in his brain. His stomach heaved. Math sat down heavily right over the uproar in Simon's mid-section and began to knead Simon's chest with his claws. Surprisingly, instead of adding to Simon's misery, these actions were helpful. The sudden weight on Simon's churning stomach quieted it, and the rhythmic pricking in his chest steadied the whirling in his head. He reopened his eyes. |
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"What the devil are you doing here?" he asked the cat. |
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Naturally the question answered itself. Rhiannon must have gone out. Simon knew she took no part in the early-morning household chores, and he realized the sun had not quite risen, although it would at any moment. Simon was not troubled by Rhiannon's leaving Aber so early. She took great pleasure in seeing the sun rise out in the open. Actually, it was not Rhiannon but Math who occupied his thoughts. |
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"You cannot sit or lie on top of me," he said severely. "You are too heavy. You know Lady Rhiannon does not permit that. Now get off." Very gently he exerted pressure on one side of Math. "I will make room for you," he promised, turning sideways as he spoke. |
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