“You look at me and tell me you think you're some goddamn obligation to me. You look at me and tell me that we're pretending when the connection between us is the most tangible, overpowering thing I've ever felt in my life. If this is pretending, then I damn sure don't want to know what reality is.”

“Your eyes are green, too,” she muttered.Alaric’s scowl turned into a look of concern.“Are you sure you didn’t suffer a blowto the head you didn’t tell me about?”

“Tell me something Micah, If you found a naked woman tied to your bed what would you think? That I have been a very good boy in a pass life.”

“You hold your head up. You submitting to me doesn't mean you're anything less...the very last thing I want is for you to be some mindless puppet.”

“Alaric grunted. “Someone should tell herthat. I’m telling you, Ewan, she said nothing.She stared at me like I was some kind oftoad. Worse, she had Crispen acting like Iwas the enemy. The two whispered like104/756conspirators and glared at me when I daredintervene.”

“Tell me what you need.""You," she said simply, that one word tearing to the very heart of him. "Just you.”

“I love you, Bowen Montgomery. I love you so very much, and that will never change, even when we're old and gray. I thank God for you every single day, and that you came and lifted me from the depths of despair. You showed me how it can be with a man who loves me, and you've shined light on the darkest shadows of my memories.”