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"Ah, now that I know fro, his tone low and wicked, clearly meant for her ears alone "And I pro"

Before Aurora could respond—or even recover, for thatlook on Julian's face had vanished and he was heading toward the door "Let's find Siebert," he instructed Slayde

Watching her husband's departure, Aurora pondered the astonishing transformation he seemed able to ed from the confines of Merlin's formidable presence, only to disappear as quickly as it had come

Well, she relished a challenge as reatest challenge of all: Julian himself

"You're disappointed," Courtney pronounced as Slayde followed Julian out the sitting-roo to explore those falcon cages Aurora, I'm not a child Go with Julian I can collect books on my own"

"Absolutely not" Aurora gave an ada you clith Besides, that's not disappoint; it's contemplation"

"Contemplation," Courtney repeated "Over what—Julian?"

"Yes" A sigh "My new husband is a very complex man"

"So I noticed" Courtney cleared her throat, her gaze fixed on Aurora "Despite your craving for adventure, I kno terrified you are of the black diamond, how certain you are of its curse I also realize Julian won't rest until he finds it, which places you right at the heart of this search—a reality that's doubtless as frightening as it is exhilarating Yet, despite all this upheaval, you look radiant May I assume the past few days yielded all I predicted they would?"

Aurora shot her friend a grin "You may"

"You're happy then?"

"Ecstatic—at least when I'hts as easily as I unlock his passions…" She frowned "Sonificantly more difficult task"

"I'iven that unlocking his passions probably required no more than a moment or two alone in his bedchamber"

"Bedchamber? We scarcely lasted beyond Pem

bourne's gates" Aurora flushed as she recalled her first e in Julian's carriage," she confessed in a confidential whisper "Are you shocked?"