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’Tfou need no longer fear I will always be here"

"Not fear? A high school dropout who can’t pay her rent is expected to save the world How scary is that?"

"The world is in very good hands"

Her head rested against his chest as she gave a wry laugh "You’re delance doard as they left the estate, and he slowed to a more cautious pace Even tired and rumpled as she was, he had never seen awas possible?"

There was no hesitation "Travel"

"Travel where?"

"Anywhere Everywhere"

He paused at the road, sniffing the air until he caught the scent of the de away froled closer, creating an aching heat that clenched the hs and an assortment of other pleasurable parts of his body

"When I was little and my dad would come home in a drunken fury, I used to hide under iven me," she murmured "I would close ine I was on a boat traveling there In my mind I have been all over the world"

A sharp pain raced through him This woman had been betrayed by those who should have protected and loved her She had battled monsters in her own home and then been thrown into the world with no one to stand at her side

But now that was all done

She belonged to him

He would devote his life, or even his death if necessary, to ain

"Soo," he swore softly "I promise"

Her arms wrapped about his neck, almost as if she sensed his dark determination to do whatever necessary to keep her safe

"We will go After all, you owe me a honeymoon"

"Honey, he reached out with his thoughts to gently stroke her face

Her eyes widened in shock "What did you just do?"

His lips twitched as he deliberately shifted his thoughts to cup her firm breast

"You mean this?"

"I can feel you touch me How can you do that?"

"You’re asped as he teased her nipple to a hard point "Stop that"

’You don’t like it?"

"Can I do that to you?"

"Not unless I take your blood"

Her gaze narrowed ’That’s not fair"

He chuckled as he bent to press a kiss to her lips

"Life is never fair, lover"

"Tellthe darkness about the the trail of the deard him with a frown ’You’re worried"

He sniffed the air The worrisoround seemed to reek of it

"The Shalott has been injured"

"Viper?" she demanded

"He is on the trail of the wizard"

Her breath caught ’The witches?"

"They h her clutches"

He slowly lowered her to her feet A vague sense ofover his skin He couldn’t yet pinpoint the source of unease, but he wanted to be able to strike swiftly

Abby shifted close, no doubt feeling his own prickling alert "You think she was sent to get me?"