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smile. ―Nope. Just goes to show you how strong the bond
    between true-mates really is.‖
    After a moment, like he was considering my words, he nodded.
    ―Indeed.‖
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    I inhaled deeply, trying to steady myself.
    ―Are you afraid of me?‖
    Without thinking, I scowled.
    ―No?‖ He seemed almost annoyed. I could not get a read on the man.
    Did he want me to fear him or like him?
    ―Not yet.‖
    ―Good. I don‘t want you to be frightened of me, reah.‖
    But he did, a little. It was there in his tone, the way he looked at me.
    He was used to people cowering, and he wanted that from me.
    I cleared my throat. ―Thank you.‖ I indicated all the food. ―I needed
    to eat.‖
    ―I know you do. I can feel it.‖
    ―Can you?‖
    ―Yes,‖ he assured me, leaning forward, gazing into my eyes. ―In
    fact, I have felt all that you have since the moment you were brought here
    to my home.‖
    ―The phocal‖—I cleared my throat—―Jamal. He was very kind to
    me.‖
    ―I care little for the priest‘s muscle, but it is good to hear the words
    from your lips. Was my own sheseru not kind as well?‖
    ―He was,‖ I told him as I started on one of the shish-kabobs. ―I just
    scared his mate.‖
    ―She turned murderous eyes on you, reah.‖
    I shrugged. ―She didn‘t really even look at me.‖
    ―She will now,‖ he said ominously. ―When she begs your
    forgiveness as she kneels at your feet in two days‘ time—she will look at
    you.‖
    ―Is that really necessary?‖
    ―What‘s that?‖
    ―The begging? Can‘t we just let it go?‖
    He tipped his head, smiling at me. ―My dear reah, you are quite
    confused about your place and your worth, and the list of people I blame
    for this is long.‖
    ―I don‘t under—‖
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    Mary Calmes

    He raised his hand, and I went instantly silent. He was not a man to
    be argued with. ―Your life should have been completely different.‖
    I just waited… and ate. I really couldn‘t just sit there and be
    respectful and silent. I had to eat. My body needed the protein, plain and
    simple.
    ―I blame your father first. As sylvan of your tribe, the moment he
    knew you were a reah, you should have been brought here to me. Failing
    that, your semel should have brought you to me when your father did not.
    Neither of those men followed the law; neither acted honorably toward
    you. They have broken the law, and I will ask the priest to pass sentence
    accordingly.‖
    I focused on breathing.
    ―They tried to kill you instead of bringing you to me when they
    discovered you were a reah.‖
    I had one shot to save my father. I didn‘t care what happened to the
    others, but Mitchell Rayne, him I still loved. ―My father thought me an
    abomination, still does, and as he had only the greatest, deepest respect for
    you, semel-aten, he never even thought to denigrate you with such as me.‖
    His eyes were locked on mine, searching, looking for the truth.
    ―If he knew I was with you now, in your presence, he would be
    sick.‖
    After long moments, he nodded. ―I will speak to your father.‖
    I started breathing again.
    ―I think that everyone is confused and somehow considers that
    normal rules do not apply to you because you‘re a man.‖
    ―But they don‘t apply.‖
    ―They most certainly do. Even your current tribe does not understand
    your value. Your semel, Logan Church, even he is blind to the treasure he
    has.‖
    I wanted to disagree, but I couldn‘t. You didn‘t argue with a semel in
    his own house.
    ―Laurent Bruyere kidnapped you from your home because after two
    years of looking, he was accidentally told your whereabouts by the aset of
    your tribe. He had no idea that you were mated, but that does not excuse
    him taking you by force and holding you against your will and torturing
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    125

    you. He and his tribe, I am certain, will answer to the priest for this
    atrocity.‖
    ―No, please.‖ I leaned forward, and without thinking, I covered his
    hand with mine. ―Don‘t let him do that. Talk to the priest. Laurent‘s whole
    tribe shouldn‘t be punished just because he‘s a psychopath. Even his
    sheseru had no idea what Laurent was doing, and neither did anyone else.
    It‘s not fair to make everyone accountable because a few guys screwed
    up.‖
    He closed his eyes, and in that second I realized that I was touching
    him. When I tried to move my hand, he took it, holding tight, keeping me
    close. I searched his face,