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“What…” She yawned again “What do you think the other Trials will be about?”

“I don’t know,” Rarev said “But I do knoill face theether Now, sleep,” he ordered

“Would you…will you purr for ain?” Em asked, a bit ti?”

Rarev smiled

“If you like It is a sound my kind makes to sooth and comfort a female I will make it for you any time you want me to”

“Thank you,” E in his war that she didn’t want to think just now—she just wanted to be held, safe in his arms, and not worry about the future

Rarev began ain and at the sa her back with his velvety hands The crystal panels around them reflected a dilowing red embers

Eht to end

28

Rarev never wanted the night to end

He stroked E of her sainst his She was so beautiful, his lovely Mature Elite—so beautiful and so wounded He had finally h outer shell, but he wondered how long it would be before she put her shields back up

You shouldn’t worry about such things, he told himself harshly It’s not like you can keep her, after all—not like you can bond her to you You —blasphemous!

And yet, he wanted the woman in his arms more than he wanted to draw his next breath E he desired in a feent And now he knew she had a bit of a subo with her other excellent qualities She was perfect for him, for she meshed ith his own dominant tendencies

He wondered how she would feel if he tied her down—if he teased her for hours before letting her coasm when he’d only ordered her to keep eye-contact with hiht a few toys and soht restraints into play?