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"They stay"

"What? They itch like crazy!"

"They-stay"

She see, "As you wish"

To reward her cooperation, he beganher shoulders Sheover her neck When her pale nape was left uncovered, he was helpless not to kiss it

Her breath hitched in, and she shivered

He kneaded her upper ar back up "Better?"

"Hmm? Oh, yes, better"

"Then it's time for questions"

"Ask me, then"

"How many times have you died?"

She tensed beneath his palms, but answered, "Over a dozen"

"What's itlike?"

"The ine"

"Tell h above a village, then droppedon a cobblestone street with rew distant "You can feel your blood seeping out Without the blood, the body gets so cold, but then, if it pools around you, it's like a warm blanket, for a fewthisthat she'd been thank­ful for a pool of blood

"Rydstro her too hard

He let up the pressure "Why would they hurt you like that?"

"Because I killed their leader The Vrekeners were responsible for s"

"One of the?" He shook hiet off-plane I will seek them out and inform them that you and your sister are under ainst either of you will be considered an act of war againsther delicate hands on his knees "You'd do rhat?"

"You're my female-I will never let anyone hurt you" He brushed her face, and she scarcely flinched "Since your sister helped keep you alive, I'm indebted to her as well Is she the black haired female as in the cell after ot to be so worried about ees, we'll send word to her that you are unharenuine, heart-wrenching s "You couldn't behis lips quirk Then she added, "You're not too shabby yourself In fact, I think you're the most handsome male I've ever seen"

He exhaled "Why do you always have to lie?"

"All right, you're not the most handsome But you're in the top ten Mayhe even in the top three"

"As long as I ly well- hi her soft palms over his chest, shoulders, and neck

When she brushed kisses along the scar on his face, she said, "How did you get this?"

"Fro, I was a brawler That's how I broke my horn, too"

"You weren't always so calm and steady?" When he shook his head, she asked, "And the tattoo?"