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He frowned "What are you talking about? Beatrice is my friend I have no--"

"Not her Them Your best friend has finally found his partner in eternity His true mate Like Ioan did Like I did And I see how you look at the in his chest "I do not envy you"

"Not envy" She shook her head "Not envy Desire It is not a sin to want soh eternity by your side"

Carwyn said, "It is if you’re a priest"

Isabel raised an eyebrow "Do you really believe that?"

Carwyn looked away frouilty as ain the church at the saht him that the love between a man and wife should be the purest reflection of God’s love for the church A joy and testauided

In his heart of hearts, he knehat Isabel saw

"I’m… lonely," he finally said "I can accept that"

Isabel smiled and a pink sheen of tears came to her eyes "You shouldn’t have to Not if there is soht into your life"

He cut his eyes at her "You and your siblings talk too much"

She s about"

"And you’re a horrible liar" He walked over and pressed her cheeks between his hands, looking down at her lovely face "I love you all so iven me so much joy and companionship I love my faid’s hand still marked him "And we love you But it’s not the same"

He finally smiled and shook his head "No It’s not the saood thing that breathing is no longer a requirehter than he had in months Perhaps years He put his hands on his hips and looked around the roo restless

Isabel watched hi, I’rinned "Neither ae?"

"I think so" A knot of discomfort settled in his stomach "I hope so"

"Ioan would like this"

"He would, wouldn’t he?" Carwyn nodded

Hethe edge of thequickly to his new reality A wry smile twisted his lips If a thirteen-year-old runaway could adapt, then a thousand-year-old vampire should be able to, as well