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"Good" She peeled back the covers, exposing her naked body "Join me"

His heart thudded so hard he feared his sternu became difficult, and the desire to rip the rest of the blanket off and press her to hih his body Yet he reht and Onora

"What’s wrong?"

"I need to tell you--"

"Is it i herself "All right, tell me"

He kicked off his boots and lay down next to her She scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her Valek infor her neck," Yelena et close to her"

"Is that why you had the knife at Onora’s throat?"

"Yes She needed to understand that will be the last tie"

"Until the Commander says otherwise"

"True"

"And will you take orders fro orders from another woaze "Is that so? What type of orders?"

"You have a dirty e a diaper or rock a baby to sleep Things like that"

"Not near as exciting as assassinating a crierous, either Besides, I think the teen years could be quite exciting No one is going to hed "You can’t assassinate bullies or boys who kiss your daughter"

"Pity"

A brief srew conteht, that increases the possibility I’nant What e do?"

"I expect we’ll do what most people do in that situation--becoure this out--I proled in and fell asleep Valek took comfort in the steady rise and fall of her chest, but far too soon, it was his turn on watch He slipped from her embrace, pulled his boots on and searched for Janco

A half- into tree trunks Valek found Janco near the glass house Condensation misted the outside panels of the structure Inside, coals burned to keep it warm, and the pans of water addedthe equipment in order to keep the plants alive until his father arrived The whole idea of the house and growing Curare far froinal notion, or if the Commander had speculated about the possibility and sent Owen to put it all together