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He rubbed his knee and looked at her "I need you to calm down so we can talk about this"

"I hate you"

He stood to his full height, already recovered from the blow Clearly he wasn’t that easy to kill as hu a shattered knee froive me a chance?"

"No" He seemed startled by that

"Can’t you even try?"

"No"

"Can you tellfor me?"

"I felt for the dragon who rescued me Took care of me"

"And the man?"

She shook her head "I don’t knohat I felt for himyouwhatever"

For the first tis for the man were Lust Pure, simple, and quite exquisite But she couldn’t tell him that She could never admit that to him now Even as she had to cross her ar niles or that dahs No, she could never adlanced up at him, she realized he already knew Just by the expression on his handsoain so that he stood in front of her Brave ht with intense bitterness He looked down at her, then lowered his head until his forehead rested against hers He didn’t try to kiss or grab her He siainst her And it felt wonderful

She stood stock still, wondering exactly what he was up to until she heard hiive y Not in a y as sweet and heartfelt as that

"There is nothing you can ever say or do that will ive you," she whispered back

He pulled away fro, but she wasn’t expecting the grin that spread across his face

"Was that a challenge, Lady Annwyl?"

Her face grew hot as she pushed away from him "It wasaround the table He stood on the other side, his hands resting against the hard wood