“I would give,” he said, his voice rough, “everything I am to keep you from being hurt.”

“Do you like being teased?" I whispered."I enjoy previews," he said, the words confident, but his voice rough with arousal. -Merit and Ethan”

“Daniel, he said. I would have you follow me.Master!....I will fight for you to the end!.My loyal friend, he said, I would ask something much harder than that. Would you love for me to the end?...I don't understand, he said again, You tell people about the kingdom. Are we not to fight for it?The kingdom is only bought at a great price, Jesus said. There was one who came just yesterday and wanted to follow me. He was very rich, and when I asked him to give up his wealth, he went away.I will give you everything I have!....Riches are not keeping you from the kingdom, he said. You must give up your hate.”

“I get to keep you,” he said, staring at me with anintensity that made me shiver.“Keep me?” I asked, reaching up to kiss his chin and trailkisses down his perfect neck.“Not here. I can’t take much more, Pagan. I’m only sostrong,” he said in a husky voice as he pulled me against hischest. “You’re mine now. While you walk the Earth youbelong to me. Nothing can hurt you.” I heard a touch ofhumor in his voice. “It’s pretty impossible to hurt what Deathprotects.”

“You want this?" His voice was hoarse."Yes," she said. "Do you?" His finger traced the outline of her mouth. "For this I would have been damned forever. For this I would have given up everything."She felt the burn behind her eyes, the pressure of tears, and blinked wet eyelashes. "Will ...""Dw i'n dy garu di am byth," he said. "I love you. Always." And he moved to cover her body with his own.”

“There's a look of mischief in his eyes. 'Smilla. Why is it that such an elegant and petite girl like you has such a rough voice.' I'm sorry,' I say, 'if I give you the impression that it is only my mouth that's rough. I do my best to be rough all over.”