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He laughs softly “Well, it didn’t feel good”

“Will I have to get one?”

He sits up, cupping reen eyes search mine “Why would you think that?”

I shrug “If the Lords have to have a brand of soured the Lady does too”

“No—”

“What if I want one?” I ask softly

Silence falls over us and I look away fro to his brand

“Blake,” His hand coain “Why would you want one?”

Lickingto show my devotion To prove that I’m all in”

“You do” He frowns, his free hand going to

“That’s to you” I sigh

“That’s good enough for me” He states

Pulling away frohter aroundroo me

“Hey?” He says softly, “I don’t need you to prove yourself to me Do you understand?”

“You did before” I remind him

“That was then” Letting go of h his hair “This is now”

“And?” My eyes fall to it again The round circle with three lines through it I know it represents power Which a Lady doesn’t have much of