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“That’s not what I mean, Ivory”

“Then what do you mean?”

With his ar a member of the Royal Guard has been a dream for s to support the household”

My father and his associates never ventured into the town to converse with the civilians he ruled over, and he didn’t spend uards ould die in his stead But I did, and it made me realize how much I had I didn’t needwith everyone else, wasn’t blessed with the same luxury I hadn’t even earned it I was just born into it “You needn’t say more I understand”

“No, you don’t understand” His dark eyes became fixated on my face “I want more…with you”

I could feel the features slip on my face, slowly sink down

“The second I set eyes on you, I knew you were thewith you…has been an honor I don’t want to sneak around in the dark I don’t want to be clandestine lovers I want us…to be together”

The disappointut “Quinn, I made it very clear what this was—”

“I know you did But things have changed Have they not changed for you?”

I wouldn’t mince words I wouldn’t let him down easy I needed him to understand—for his own sake “No”

He winced

“It’s just physical”

“But you gave yourself to me—”

“I’ve given myself to men before you, and I will do so after you I’m sorry that you feel this way, but trust me, I’m not worth it Your fareat irl who thinks the sairl I’m not worthy of your heart”

His eyes dropped

“This is over, Quinn You should go”

He re to recover from the way I’d ripped him apart

“I’m sorry”

A small smile moved on to his lips before he raised his head “Noish I hadn’t said anything”

“I’lad that you did”

“I’m not” The smile remained, fused with sadness “Because I don’t want this to end”

My hands cupped his cheeks, and I brought our foreheads together “When you’re old and sitting by the fire, you’ll look back on this and grin to yourself You bedded the duke’s daughter—and it was a lot of fun”

Now his senuine