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"How can I believe you after you yelled her na" - he stabbed his fingers through his hair - "that I doona talk about, ever But I ith you" He gazed to the right of her as he said, "When Mariah died, she died fleeing ht Even as I was thinking of naught but you, always the guilt for her death lingers at soasped "Why didn't you tell me?"

He finally faced her "I feared it would only hurt you to reveal this, that it would set up the sah Right? You can't carry that guilt forever"

"Sometimes, lately, I feel it's worse, because " He trailed off

"Because what?"

He scrubbed his hand over his face "Even if I do believe you're of the same soul as her, I never wanted Mariah like I want you" He seemed sha toward him - as ever "And what does that say about me? How could you choose for yourself a uilt?"

"Of course you do - it's been nearly two freaking centuries! Enough's enough"

"Gods, I was hoping you would believe I've waited long enough" He exhaled a relieved breath "I want to look forward"

"As you should Cut yourself some slack"

"Done - if you will do the sarated sound of frustration "Oh, you sly - "

"Lass, we're going to have probleive thened on for the long-teret another shot with you?"

"Nothing you have My ti? But you have no' seen everything that I have What if I told you I've an olive branch that the er under her chin "You've never shied away froret this now"

She needed to stay strong, to stay furious But all she wanted to do was get back to being with hi"

It was then that shehis breath

Daone with a whiain, Bowen It hurt"