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"I’ll only break the bed"

Daniel paused on the threshold of the door

"I know you’re terrified, King I know you’re pretending not to be for all our sakes"

Kingsley said nothing in reply To deny would be a lie To agree would be to admit weakness

"And I know" Daniel continued, "I know you and Eleanor have had your differences I know you and hisley said

"I know you do Please, don’t let that cloud your judg to let her die on the off chance he and I can be together She’s one offor me that I would keep her safe One promise I intend to keep"

"I didn’t think you’d let her die to get him I just" Daniel paused and raised his hand He started ticking off on his fingers "She saved ed, and the use of "theue If she died, there would be no hole they could dig wide or deep enough to bury Søren’s grief He knew this for a fact He knew this because he once overheard Søren saying it That was the day they buried Maggie, Daniel’s first wife

"I know you will" Daniel turned again but immediately spun back around "To answer your question froe six, Archer, age four Oh, and Leonard"

"Leonard?"

"The goddahed

"You have to blame Anya if you don’t like the names," Daniel continued "Her rule--she has the babies, she nasley sed a sudden knot in his throat It took all his strength to meet Daniel’s eyes and speak in an unbroken voice

"They’re beautiful na You’ll call when this is over"

"Non," Kingsley said "She will call"

"She better"

"And knowing her, she’ll desley a long searching look, one Kingsley tried to ignore He turned and left Kingsley alone in the sley sank down onto the bed, letting his guard down finally He couldn’t let his fears overwhel his eyes, he tried running through what he remembered about Elizabeth’s home--the layout, the rooms, possible places to hide, the trees--but instead he heard Daniel’s voice Marius, Byrony, Willa, Archer Long ago he’d forgiven Nora for her choice not to have his child His shock of the discovery had translated into horror to her Howhad she told hi sorryaccidenthad no intention, she swore to God And no matter how much he tried to calm her down, she’d re in the balance Every moment with Søren she had to steal A child would steal the already too few hours he could make for her So he let her make the choice and didn’t try to sway her, didn’t tell her the secret truth