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Page 317
How far would she run this timenot in the wood but in her thoughts? How could he catch her again? No, he knew the answer to that. There were multitudinous snares that could be set to trap a woman into love or to demonstrate to her that she already loved, but that was the last thing he needed. Rhiannon would be taken in the snare easily enough, since she did love him; but she would tear herself apartas a fox would chew off its own legto get free.
For the first time in his life Simon was truly and deeply at a loss in how to handle a woman. When Rhiannon had sent him away the first time, he had been hurt and angered by the rejection; nonetheless, he knew the right moves to conquer heror so he had thought. Now he was lost himself and did not even know to whom to turn for help. Ian could only tell him what he himself knew; not even Kicva could guarantee the future; and there was no sense in having a priest tell Rhiannon to trust in the all-encompassing mercy of Christ and His Mother. Rhiannon went to Mass and professed Christianity, but she still swore by Anu and Danu. The dark, merciless gods of a dim past had a strong hold on her.
Rhiannon ran until she could run no farther, then threw herself down to catch her breath. While she ran, there was relief. Her mind had been blank, her consciousness devoted solely to her physical effort. When her body was still, however, her mind began to move again. Tears flooded her eyes and then sank back. No one could run forever, or do any other task without rest and food. There was no way out by that door.
Simon was waiting at a respectful distance, not imposing himself. It was the right thing to do and, because of that, more wrong than anything else. Rhiannon came near to hating him for his gentleness and understanding. If only he would be angry; if only he would intrude so that she could find him coarse and unfeeling; if only he would even stare at her in

 
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