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"I’ret you’ll carry around forever"

"No, you won’t," he agreed solemnly "But will you bemoment Then slowly, she shook her head "No No, I can’t do that You’re only saying it because your honor compels you to"

He swore a harsh curse "Melena, listen to me See me I know you can read my intent, so open your eyes and hear me out I love you I want you in my life, byyou said before? You didn’t want another mate under your protection You didn’t want that responsibility ever again"

He blew out a bitter laugh "And as you so accurately pointed out fora coward and an idiot"

"I don’t think I said you were an idiot," shelashes

"Well, I was And as soon as I realized that, I came after you"

"Because you orried about er and your blood wouldn’t let you stay aithout trying to help me"

"No, Melena Because I love you" He stroked her cheek "And because I realized the only thing worse than loving you and dreading that Iyou in the future, was the idea of losing you now Before we’ve even begun to knoe can have together"

He leaned over her on the bed and kissed her tenderly, deeply, with all the love in his ageless heart "I love you, Melena"

"And I love you," she whispered She held his gaze, her own so open-hearted and trusting, it took all of his control to keep fro her in a fierce e to be yourto have to let me save you sometimes too"

"Oh, love," he murmured "Don’t you know? You already have"