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“Which I’m sure you will endlessly mock me for.”

Kara rubbed at her wrists where the handcuffs had pinched.

“Can I ask you something? Is this what you planned all along?”

“No,” Vahn admitted. “I was leaning towards your suggestion of putting you in an escape pod. But then I thought it would be easier just to marry you.”

“Right. Not sure your friends would agree.”

“They will if it brings about an end to the war. And I do genuinely believe it could do that. Don’t you?

Kara tilted her head, considering.

“It’s a big diplomatic gamble. But a new Emperor striving for peace coupled with a trade treaty and a free gift of energy crystals… yeah. I think it could work. You could throw in an embassy in Taa’riz to sweeten the deal.”

He nodded approvingly.

“A sound suggestion. That’s why I love you. You see things so clearly.”

“Don’t say that,” she said irritably. “Don’t use the L word. We both know you’re using me as a means to an end.”

“I love you,” he said calmly. “And you love me. Denying it will not make it less true.”

“IthoughtI loved you when you were the only other person around,” she hissed. “Now I see the real you and I’m not fooled any more.”

“Hm. Strong words. Why don’t you come here and prove it?”

“What?”

“Come here. Let me touch you. Then tell me you don’t love me.”

Color flooded her cheeks.

“I… I don’t want to.”

“But you do. You want me to touch you.” He leaned forward, his gaze locked on hers. “AndIwant to touch you. Come here.”

She swallowed.

“Why the hell should I do anything you say?”

“Because I am the Zhaal. And your future husband, if all goes well. Which, by the way, will allow me to touch you any time and anywhere I want.”

“In your dreams, snake-boy.”

“You forget. Vraxians do not dream. Now come here, small human.”

“Drop dead.”

With a sigh, Vahn extended one of his sinuous serpetri and wrapped it round her waist. Kara yelped as she was lifted off her feet and deposited in his lap.

“Let me go, you bastard!”

She struggled fruitlessly which did little but to increase his amusement.

“Tell me, if you hate me so much, why have you agreed to fight twelve other Potentials for the right to marry me?”

“Because you said it would mean peace with Earth. That’s the only reason, jerk-off.” She tugged at the serpetrus holding her in place.