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"I was asleep," he said "And she woke me up"

"I don’t understand"

"That’s okay You don’t have to I care about you, Rynda, and about your children But you and I will never be together We would be ainst the island with both hands, as if afraid she would fall "You’re right," she said "You’re like wildfire, Connor You’d rage and burn

"I feel so pathetic right now," she said "Don’t pity me I don’t think I can handle that"

"I don’t Check for yourself"

She shook her head "All I ever wanted was for someone to love me"

"Someone does love you Quietly and desperately You just haven’t noticed"

She glanced at hian said "You’re a Pri you Use your talent"

She raised her chin "Maybe I will"

They stood quietly for a longto ask"

"When?"

"After she is confirmed as a House"

"Does she know?"

"No"

"And if she says no?"

His voice was controlled and casual "Then it’s a no"

"This isn’t like you You go after what you want, knocking obstacles and people out of the way"

"That’s not true Occasionally I dodge"

"You knohat I mean" She leaned back "Have you told her?"

"No"

"Why not?"

"Because she will be asked at the trials about alliances and associations with current Houses"

"You don’t want her to be in your shadow"

He nodded

"That’s very noble, but she should have time to look over the contract She doesn’t have the experience, and once she is declared a House, she’ll be bombarded with offers It’s easy to become overwhelmed"

"There won’t be a contract"

Rynda frowned at hie without a prenup?"

"Yes"

"Have you lost your mind? You’ve known her less than three months"

"Four"

"You’re worth over a billion That’s your family’s wealth What if she divorces you after a ive her half of your enetic compatibilitylike you’re a normal person You’re not You have to protect the interests of your House"

"You followed all the rules and juht hoops How did it work out for you?"

She drew back "That’s a hit below the belt"