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Her brows drew together, and her stiff posture tightened, then relaxed Her eyelids slid closed

"There now, that's it, beautiful girl," he rasped, easing her face toward him Behind her, he pressed thethe back of the frame "Now, kiss me, witch"

When Mari opened her eyes once more, Bowen's war her and carrying her to the bed

Once he settled her in his lap, she laid her hand against his unshaven cheek How she'dat how exhausted he looked "I can't believe you made it here"

"I'm your fauard you Besides, you canna lose aze held hers as he said, "I'll follow you anywhere, Mari"

"I' to her forehead The ponderous weight of H&au?"

"Aye" He exhaled with relief "The binding's working"

"I can feel it" She bit her lip "Bowen, about earlier - I'm sorry thatthat happened to you The enchantave him an incredulous look, he amended, "At first, I was furious Then I realized that if we can be together, then everything's brought ot to thank that da me in the Hie If not for that " He trailed off with a shudder "Besides, I doona le, when the prize is so worthy"

"But it- "

"If you doubt what I' for you I would do anything to be here with you like this If you'll have ether "You kno I feel about you, but I'm no' certain you love me ba - "

"I love you," she said quickly

"Doona wish to ponder this? Be certain of your feelings? Play coy?"

"No way" She shook her head eoner for you since the island, and hipped since the first night ere together, together But can you handle all this witchery?"

"I wanted to tell you the day of the plane crash that I'd made up my mind to do whatever I had to in order to keep you - and that included accepting everything about you I doona give a daether" He squeezed her in his arhtly - as if he'd never let her go

And this struck her as treood Then she frowned "Bowen?"

"Aye, love?"

"Why's your shirt inside out?"

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