The sun slanted in onto the well and Jezibiah strode lazily toward it, enjoying the sight of Janie's slim arms easily hauling up the water bucket. She did it with such grace, ease, and simple pleasure that he knew, deep in his heart, that she was capable of no ill. For, after all, how could a girl whose eyes lit with joy at birdsong be bad? How could she have come from the wild, jagged forest, sly and cruel with animal instinct, like the town had at first thought? No, if anything she was a sprite of the air and the sunlight. Her hair shone deeper and richer than even that gracious fiery orb, and her eyes taunted the deepest of the sky's purity. She was. . . .
Perfect.
She worked hard, had a gentle disposition, and goodness only knew she was beautiful. Jezibiah's parents had been after him for some time to marry, and he wondered if Janie might be willing. Beside her, all of the town's girls fell flat, and he was somewhat distressed at the burgeoning hope that she might say yes – and the dilapidating fear that she wouldn't. His emotions were caught too up with him, and he was frightened, sometimes, to even see her in the mornings.
When they found that she was pregnant, though, he became suddenly numb. When had this happened? Why had Janie done it? Was she forced? Certainly she must have been, because she was a good, modest girl, and would not have so besmirched herself.
"Dear, are you with child?" Maria had asked, and Janie's head had snapped up so quickly, her face filled with such horror, eyes overladen with fear, that Jezibiah's heart hurt for her and he had had to turn away. As he heard her struggle to make a calm reply, his heart almost burst and he left, quickly, so that they need not see his agony.
The pain she must have gone through! he thought. The mental anguish! And here he was worrying about asking her to marry him – him, a selfish oaf. But certainly, after this, she would be glad to marry! She needed to – had to! It was not a matter of love, but of honor.
He would offer tonight.

And so he returned later that night, joining them for dinner. The lamplight was low and yellow, casting long shadows across the quiet kitchen. Jezibiah sat across the table from the women, refusing the food they offered him. He didn't look at either of them, but kept his steady, brooding gaze on the table. Minako's eyes kept flitting nervously to him as she chewed, wondering what he was thinking so very seriously about.

When they had finished and Minako took the plates to the wash-tub, he started to speak.
"I will take the disgrace from you, Miss Janie, by marrying you myself if the man who . . . impregnated you . . . cannot be found or made to do his honorable duty." He seemed to have trouble getting some of the words out, but his rock-hard determination was clear and his eyes never wavered from the table.
Minako turned to stare at him, wide-eyed. She was perfectly still for a long moment, then took two steps and threw her arms around Jezibiah's neck. She gave him a good, healthy squeeze and backed up, eyes moist and appreciative.
"Thank you for caring," she said, eyeing him with curious fondness.
He glanced up from the table at her shortly and then looked back, an unhappy blush spreading over his nose and touching his ears. He was certain she could not refuse such a noble offer and it made him feel guilty, as if he were forcing her into the decision instead of giving her freedom in the matter.
But desperate times. . . .
"I can't accept your help," she finished, sobering.
"What?!" Jezibiah turned toward her in mortification. "You don't mean to have that child out of wedlock? What about the disgrace?! What people will think!" He was horrified.
Minako was a little surprised at his outburst. The laws of Venus still applied to her, even though she was not an acting princess or goddess. On Venus, women were very much in charge – only on Earth had she seen such evident masculine supremacy. It was not disgraceful on Venus for a woman to be unmarried – to never marry. As long as a woman loved, marriage need not be necessary.
But Jezibiah was not Venusian.
Minako sighed. "Then 'people' will think I have been impregnated by a man. That is all."
Jezibiah stood, staring at her. Mouth gaping in incredulity, he backed up and left, stumbling a bit.
Minako and Maria were silent for a moment.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Maria only shook her head and beckoned the younger woman to help with the dishes.

"Stay away from him," Ace murmured as he held Minako.

"I will," she promised, sinking into his warmth.
"I don't want you to see that child's father again." He squeezed her tightly. "From now on, think of me as its father."
Minako nodded and nuzzled against him. "Make love to me," she requested.
Ace kissed her. "I wish I could . . . but you're just going to have to wait until we're together again."
"When will that be?" she clung to him.
"As soon as I can arrange it, darling."
"When will that be?" she repeated.
He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Not for a few years." At Minako's protest, he shushed her and kissed her again. "I'll keep coming to you at night, I promise. My power . . . it's still growing."
"Make it grow faster," she murmured and lay with him on the smooth black ground until she woke up in her warm bed.
She had no memory of her dream.