“The powerful fey close to me still hate me and don’t want me on the throne. If they could have, they would have killed me long ago. They try to control me and keep me tightly bound to my duty. I have to fight every day to rise above it all. Darkness and cruelty, I can hardly bear each second of it and yet I have to. I guess I’ve closed myself off from the world since then, since you.”

“You should have told me as soon as you saw me!' he shook her slightly. 'Don’t you know how dangerous he is?''Of course I do!' Kath said steadily, her mind finally working perfectly now that he seemed to be losing his. 'I was there the last time he attacked me!”

“Kaevin, it’s you, it has always been you. With Raeshon, things are easy, and I have to admit that was refreshing but I don’t have the same feelings for him that I have for you. It’s harder to be with you because I feel more for you. I care about you so much that it scares me, Kaevin.”

“Ash!” Keath said tightly. “Please don’t do this. Do you know how hard this is for me? Do you know what this is doing to me? It feels as if my heart is being cut to pieces, and you’re making it harder.”Ashley breathed in sharply and instantly stopped struggling. When he was sure she wasn't going to run again, Keath slowly released her. He didn't get off her though, and she didn't try to push him away. They just stared at each other, caught up in the same terror.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Kath protested, getting to her feet. Keath was telling her how to kill him.“I just need you to know.” Keath got to his feet too. He reached out and up his hands firmly on her shoulders, looking into her eyes. She wanted to look away but she couldn’t. There was something in Keath’s eyes. He was afraid of something, something he didn't want to tell her, as though he didn't want to scare her anymore.“I want to know that if it I need to be stopped,” Keath continued. “You will be able to stop me. Just promise me that you will, Kathleen.”

“So what are you saying?” Keath asked, though it was clear he was dreading the answer.“I’m saying is that I don’t want to be a part of this. I want my life to stay the way it is, and that means I can’t be a friend of yours. I don’t want any part of the faerie world.”“That’s how normal people are supposed to react when they find out about all this,” Carlow said, looking pointedly at Kath and Katie, who just shrugged. They had never pretended to be normal.”

“It won’t kill you, or him,” Raeshon replied, his voice slightly louder than usual. “It’s nothing physical.”“Physical I can handle,” Kaevin rasped in pain. “But this, this I don’t think I can.”Kath gasped as another wave of pain wracked through her heart and she fell onto her side.“It didn't know it would be this bad,” Raeshon said quietly, his posture tense. “I really didn't.”“I think you did,” Kaevin ground out. “And I think you didn't care.”