Marcello grimaced. "Yes," he agreed. "That's what happened. I wished to get them back, and I did...but I lost everything else. And I...I probably didn't seem tentative to you, when I first came here. But I was. It's why I left home. I couldn't look at any of them any more."

Niabheara scooted near to him again and took both his hands. "I don't really have any place to tell people not to hide from something that hurts them," she said, almost whispering. "But it's been a long time now. Is it any better?"

"Not that long," Marcello answered. "It's...strange to see them, still," he said. "It's easier to let them think that I couldn't cope with the two who died than explain why I left them all."

"I . . . I don't think it's really easier for them," she said. "It's only easier for you. You wouldn't have to tell them. You could have them back again."

Marcello shook his head. "I'm sure it's not easier for them," he agreed. "That was never the question. I just..." he grimaced. "i saw them die. It's hard to look at them."

"You wouldn't have to," she said. "They'll be in England. You'll be here. If you wanted."

"Mira might stay," Marcello pointed out. "And Rillie." It was as if his words were suddenly used up, he spoke in tense, terse phrases. "I don't think that matters. I don't know. I made a wish and the next thing I knew, I woke up on a boat with a woman I'd never met before who already seemed to know me."

In response to his tone, Niabheara drew back from him, watchful and wary. "Aye, that's why he told me, I suppose. It must have seemed it was all happening again." Hesitantly, she added, "Rillie will not stay fore'er and I doubt that Mira will either. After that, you wouldn't have to see any of them again if you didn't want to. Whate'er you want. I'll help you. But . . . it doesn't have to be the same any more, you know."

"I don't know what I want," Marcello admitted. "I love them, but I don't like looking at them. Sometimes I think they're imposters who took the others' places."

She stayed tensed in place, clearly wanting to go to him but uncertain if he wanted her. "Nothing will change if you decide you don't want to see them again," she said quietly. "They know you're all right, you know they're all right; you can both part ways." She bit her lip. "It just. It seems a shame. You gave up so much to have them back, and you can't have them back."