“Miss?” Gethen called through the closed bedroom door across the hall. Greeted by silence, Gethen repeated his question only louder. Behind him a door opened, and he turned to face Amon standing in the doorway. “Gethen, what are you doing?” he snapped. Stunned by Amon’s tone, he quickly answered, “I was trying to give Thea her new clothes.” Amon knew he shouldn’t be uncomfortable with his former servant’s actions. No matter what Gethen was, he’d always been loyal and more a friend than an employee. “I’m sorry. It must be the pain I’m in,” Amon lied. The two men stood awkwardly looking first at one another and then the hallway floor. After a few moments of tense silence, Amon was thankful Gethen began to speak again. “Where is Markku?” “I sent him on an errand for me. Here, let me take those clothes.” As Amon took the pile of clothes out of his arms, he was sure the other man saw the apprehension in his face. Eager to escape the situation his jealously had created, he moved toward Thea’s door.
