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He frowned, genuinely puzzled "I hardly know the lady Why did she ask for me?"

"She knows you’ll do whatever Richard orders you to," Alex said "Such as kill her and Gabriel if it looks like they’re about to be captured by the Brethren"

"Kill theretted it To her nose Korvel smelled exactly like vanilla pound cake: war she wanted to sink her teeth into "Gabriel spent years being tortured by the order, and she doesn’t want to see hiain She also knows they could use her talent for hoent as she is brave" Korvel looked thoughtful "Gabriel is not aware of this request, I take it"

"I seriously doubt it," Alex said "Just a thought--if you do have to kill them, you’d better take hiuy who attacked Nick"

Korvel nodded, his expression grih lord I cannot say whether he will release me from my duties"

"I think someone else can clean out his litter box for a few months," Alex snapped

"Under the circumstances, I do not think I can refuse Nicola’s request," another voice said "Even if it means dirty litter boxes"

Alex jumped as Richard stepped out of the shadows by the fireplace "I a that"

"Allow me my personal amusements, Alexandra I have so few these days" He turned to Korvel "I believeto you about the unfortunate level to which he allowed his infatuation with you to grow"

"It’s over," she said "Forget about it"

"No, Alexandra, he is right," Korvel said "I took advantage of the temporary bond that formed between us when you were held at Dundellan When Cyprien took you away, I knew you would bond again with him Yet I deliberately drew you into the drea toa few inches away He held out his hand "Please forgiveof the bond that had formed between them in Ireland She hadn’t understood it then, and it had co her life after she’d returned to America and Michael But she also knew that Korvel had fallen in love with her, and the crazy things that she had done because of her own love for Michael e of sympathy

She took his hand and let his out with Michael, I know you can get over this thing for htened and looked into her eyes "Are you certain that is what you wish, Alexandra?"

She felt it then--his talent, the ability tothe Kyn--and tried not to let it affect her "You’re a gorgeous guy, and you can have any woman you want Literally You don’t need me"

The scent of larkspur turned hot as he touched the dark curls next to her cheek "We alhat we cannot have, my lady" His hand fell to her throat "Have you not yet learned that frohtly less force than a hard slap: Korvel, naked, poised over her His tongue lapping at her nipple His fingers between her legs The pluainst her--

"You conniving son of a bitch" Alex shoved his hand away "You still think you can mess with et a scalpel, co heart out You’ll be dead before you crack an eyelid"

Korvel glanced at Richard before he shook his head "I cannot help myself, Alexandra There is no one else for ain control of her te her It surprised her that Korvel would pull a stunt like this in front of his et in her pants, the captain was one of the most reserved, controlled warriors who served Richard

So Nick had said about Korvel pounded in Alex’s head:… he does whatever the Va tells him, no matter how nasty it is …

"Jesus Christ" She turned to the high lord "You made him do this, didn’t you? What was the plan? To see if his talent worked on me better than yours does?"

"Evidently it does not" Richard’s eyes glinted from the shadows of his hood "You would do well to re, Doctor"

"Incredible You know, just when I think I can do this, that I can be a part of this, you try to slap a leash onhard-on, you’re supposed to be in love with o and pi romantic"

Korvel’s face darkened "I do love--"

Alex whipped up her hand "Oh, you don’t get to talk to me anymore And you" She turned to Richard "You tell ht out, or I’ Michael with me"

"Leave us," Richard said to Korvel