“You cannot leave me. The world would never survive my wrath.”

“Flopping down in the chair I had been seating in only moments ago, I put my elbows on my knees and dropped my head into my hands. What a fucking mess!“Women.” A heavy voice sighed from above me. “Who understands them?”

“I didn't mean it to sound so challenging, but I needed to try to reassure my friend. Gritting my teeth, I tried to think of some way to placate Gideon. It was as if I was standing in quicksand, the earth slipping away from my feet the more I spoke. A smart man would keep his mouth shut. I wasn't always a smart man.”

“I have doubts, but I'm willing to try. It's the best I can offer. Will you try? I need you, Mira. Try for me.”

“I could feel her wipe away something wet, but I refused to think she had made me cry as well as admit that I was a coward. The League of Men was going to come confiscate my balls at this rate. But it didn't matter. Trixie was worth it.”

“It was nice to see him angry with someone other than me.”

“We’ll find a way,” I whispered. “I always do.”Danaus leaned forward and brushed a kiss against my temple, sending a wave of peace deepinto the marrow of my bones, helping to ease some of the pain. “And then we’ll kill each other asGod intended.”