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I gave hi for someone to trust, to have my back--but I hadn’t realized until no close I’d coet on the road" I stood to finish dressing

"Very well" He hesitated, frowning at his armor Tailored to fit him, it wasn’t much thicker than a suit of cloth, the ht He moved in it fluidly, and silently Understandable, since the arned by a death deity

"Why the frown?"

"On our return, I want you to ride with me And I hate that this metal will be between us"

I shook my head hard "Uh-uh I want you protected--for as many hours a day as possible"

My veheuard He raised his brows "As my lady wishes"

"I’m serious, Aric"

In a contemplative tone, he said, "This is the first time anyone’s ever wanted Death in his armor"

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Aric and I rode back together, with me in front, his arms wrapped around h he kept it close, telling me, "I could don it more quickly than any enemy could strike"

Like the rest of his arht--and inti I’d asked, "Is it such a hardship to wear it?"

"Indeed," he’d answered, then he’d dehout the journey, he would kiss me, or inhale the scent of my hair, or simply tuck my head under his chin

I hadn’t wanted to have our firstto lay down the armor law soon

Every mile closer to the castle unsettled est since she’d gotten here

At ould have been dusk, we arrived at the river Circe parted the waters with a sighed, "Death and Life Finally"

When he and I walked inside the castle hand in hand, a tiny coyote pup chased a gangly heron through the foyer; so its wings as if it wanted to try flying Cyclops lay with all his legs splayed, looking like a breathing rug I could see hilanced up at Aric, but he ed "You aren’t , "I’ive him a quick kiss, which swiftly turned heated But I forced er "I need to go talk to her"

He exhaled "You’re right" Then he cocked his head "Sievā, her ti Today"

Why didn’t his words o in with you?"