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She nibbled her lip So they were back to this After he’d taken her as his mate, pierced and adorned her with Zandian crystals, after he’d ad her like nothingslave

She tried to build a wall against the pain lancing her heart Should she fight him? Insist he communicate with her?

But no Zander retreated when so bothered hi her farther away Only, there was one question she couldn’t hold back “Have you taken my mother from me?” she croaked

“No” He didn’t turn to face her, giving her his back as he stripped out of his clothes

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p; “Where is she?”

“I’ve given her to Seke for punish”

Lamira sucked in her breath, shocked Every cell in her body went on alert, protectiveness for her“My lord—”

“Do not speak” His voice lashed like a whip

Tears gathered in the corners of her eyes, but she blinked the over what he’d said Punish Her ed to rifar Lamira how to blend in, keep her head down and her rebel heart well hidden Seke would be a kind and hurifarm Besides, Seke cared for her mother Everyone had noticed He took special care with her—with little chivalrous acts like escorting her through the halls, opening doors He always had an eye on her, standing silent in the shadows, his large presence uard’s

“Go to sleep, Lamira” Zander sounded weary He still hadn’t looked at her, or even faced her,about the chamber with heavy purpose as he readied for bed

She rose to her feet and padded to the sleepdisk, curling up on her side

Zander voice-co her, just as he’d done the night before This tinancy h she’d always cried easily when it came to Zander He’d turned her inside out from the day he sent Daneth to purchase her

“Why won’t you just punish me, Zander?”

He flipped over and lunged for her, covering her , er behind it, her body responded to his nearness, to his touch