I paced the floor, up and down, anxious that Ansei would not return, frantic that he would, and to find me, a moth, caught in his web—guilty of having violated the only request for privacy he had ever made of me. Perhaps he had always known I would break that promise. If this had been a deliberate trap, it was excellently laid, and what did I expect, having fallen in love the son of an Earth Kumo?

  Gradually, I slowed my restless legs and watched my breath in practiced relaxation. After all, I was caught, and what was the use of worrying now? What spider laid a trap and never returned to check it? Ansei would be back.

  * * *

  He met me where I waited for him at the genkan, and froze at the sight of me. He stood so still, I detected the subtle escalation of his breath, and the fear, dilating his eyes.

  I lifted my chin, fighting for dignity I didn’t feel.

  “Was this what you meant by every seduction?”

  He betrayed a sly smile.

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  “It wasn’t quite fair; I admit. And some day, far in the future, I might be capable of feeling shame for having resorted to it.”

  “Seeing your work, I was hypnotized, and I had to try it on.”

  He shook his head slightly. “I can sympathize with the feeling. I must say; I wove a good fit, didn’t I?” He stepped up from the genkan, eyes never deviating a fraction.

  “You made it strong. I cannot get out of it.” I said, tugging at the seam.

  “It wasn’t meant to be easy,” he paused, “…even with help.” Then he stopped short of me. Again, waiting for me to nod.

  And what would a cornered moth say? “I am your prey,” I made this concession, but not without bitterness, and it disarmed Ansei entirely.

  At last, he averted his gaze. When he spoke, the warmth was gone. “We have one chance. I won’t spend it this way.”

  A tremor ran through my chest and I groaned, “I don’t know how to navigate this path.”

  “It was my mistake. I will free you, but I am afraid it will take a little time, and it will be difficult for both of us.”

  * * *

  I didn’t know which of us suffered more during the gown’s removal. Every touch of his hands enflamed me like a hot iron. I could not have refused him. Nay, I may have begged him to love me then, but having once acknowledged the trap unfair, he would not look at me, and when I chanced to catch his gaze, his eyes were dead.

  Ansei took his revenge on what remained of his masterpiece next morning, swallowing the fibers in a porridge of rice. I remained closed indoors, crying the floods I had forced back during the night.