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He narrowed his eyes "Why would you?"

"Centuries ago, you told me that you were born for me, and I for you You told h his caring And his patience and generosity His selfless protection

"Da He moved his hand from my throat to my nape So steady in battle, his hand now shook

My ed onceout for both Which meant I would force my mind from the past From the other half of my heart "We don’t have tiether"

He dropped his hand, seeainst me "And still your interest arises only because of our circus; I’d put myself out there I’d never expected thison into meet me even a tenth of the way? That’s the reality of our ‘circu that looked a lot likehate "If Deveaux were here, you would choose hiave away a flicker of another eht from my dreams and our past hit me, and for once, clarity sparked in my et past that No, you’re pushing me awayout of fear"

No denial

"At this ain You’d rather have the ongoing drea your hope crushed once liht before you struck, Ibelieved In the last game, the end of hope nearly destroyed me Those first moments after your death, when I comprehended I would spend a dozen rew stark "I could not survive it again"

"And I couldn’t survive losing you" I pressed ether Part of a you"

"I don’t believe that But say it was true I’d accept any risk to myself if I kneould be your husband in truth Understand me: if I could trade seven hundred years as the victor for seven ain in an instant" Hedown at me "I would trade those centuries for seven days Seven hours"

"Aric" I sidled closer, inhaling his heady scent "What are we going to do?"

"I can’t vow that you’ll never losecould convince hiether

"Then ht," I said "We either consummate our relationship now--or never If we don’t move forward, our worst fears will be realized in a way"

"Tonight?" His voice had roughened

I nodded up at hi to touch hihtning crackled overhead, and the hail grew louder "Before you decide, I need you to know so" I placedbeneathelseI want you"