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Corday cut her off "I know," he tightened his hold, "but she won't be alone"

Nona's severity lessened, she even smiled at the boy "You care for her"

Corday did "Swear to one Swear you will keep her safe"

The inevitable was unstoppable "She is pregnant and pair-bonded, Corday Even if you tend her constantly, she won't be able to stay for long"

Looking Nona dead in the eye, Corday chewed out each word "Shepherd da now"

Older and wiser, Nona spoke as gently as she could "That is not possible… what he daed was Claire"

"So you'll just let her wander back to Shepherd?" Corday would be damned first

"You are not an Oa You can't possibly understand the finality of a pair-bond" Nona began to s at her friend with pity "The only way for Claire to be free, is with Shepherd's death or hers I guarantee she knows that, no matter what she may say"

"But…" Corday chose denial, "Claire told me…"

Her friend had always had misplaced altruism "She would want you to have faith" In a hushed voice, Nona confessed, "I know better than to give you false hope But know this, so long as she is pregnant, she is precious to Shepherd That makes her safe"

Corday pulled down the scarf around Claire's neck Nasty bruises sat on display "Would you call this so treated as precious?"

Nona took in thein her eyes Words were difficult "It's more than just the pair-bond Everyone here knows she is mated to Shepherd They will not trust her They will drive her off"

Corday glared at the collection of wolances in their direction "Claire saved their lives"

"Listen to"That does not a in this rooain"

Had the Oas not learned? "The woed by Shepherd I watched their executions myself"

"You and I both know that fear s"

"Then she comes home with me"