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Ladvarian was right She was all there, but she was barely ans and bones

As one finger delicately traced her nipple, he stopped, thought about the open shirt, then looked at the beach where Ladvarian stood near Kaelas, watching hi, did she?

No, Ladvarian replied

He didn’t have to ask why If he hadn’t been able to accept what he saw, the kindred would never have told her he had come--and Ladvarian would have taken her somewhere else, to someone else to heal over the winter months

He knew his answer to that He loved her, and all he wanted was to be with her But, despite what Ladvarian had said because of what Ladvarian had said he was no longer sure she would want hioing anywhere unless she sent hi himself so that he wouldn’t hurt her, he leaned over and brushed his lips against hers

He raised his head Her haunted sapphire eyes stared at him

"Daemon?" There was so much uncertainty in her voice

"Hello, sweetheart," he said, his voice husky with the effort not to cry "I’ve missed you"

Her hand ainst his face Her lips curved into a smile "Daemon"

This time, when she said his name, it sounded like a promise, like a lovely caress