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He pulled up short “I take full responsibility for my actions and their impact on your race I’ve already told you this”

“That wasn’t what I was getting at all”

Letting out a long breath, he said, “You miss your parents I understand that But you’re alive, and you have the potential for a richer life than you’ve recently led”

She resisted the urge to scoff at hiure?”

He pinned her with a look “I have so to say that I want you to seriously consider”

Her curiosity ht”

He turned away for a few seconds and she noted his bunched shoulders and rigid stance Whatever he was about to say seemed to eat away at him She left the sofa and crossed to where he stood

Placing a hand on his shoulder, she asked, “What is it, Darien?”

“Likely theI’ve had to do since the wars ended” He faced her, his amber eyes clouded with dark emotions she couldn’t read “I want you to marry Michael”

She stared at hihast

He rushed on “It’s the only thing that makes sense, Jade He’s your closest coether” She opened her mouth to protest, but he said, “If you don’t want to leave the cottage, have him move in here”

Anger and disbelief replaced her curiosity “Really? Have him move into my house, which is in per

fect alignment from your bedroom s?”

He sighed “You have an overhang along the back portion I can’t see into your house, Jade”

“But you can see it”