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“When?”

“Just after I left the hospital. She said that if I wished to return to Otherworld, I would be offered the leadership of the sect.”

“Oh.” She forced a smile. “That’s…great.”

“You think I should take it?”

“Well you’re the perfect man for it, aren’t you? With your power, you could keep that bunch of idiots in order and provide a counterbalance to your father’s evil schemes.”

“That’s what my mother said.”

“I told you she was smart.”

Silence fell between them, broken only by the odd drip of rain from the trees.

“If I took the job, would you come with me?”

She swallowed hard. “And live there full-time?”

“As my mate, you would be treated with great respect and bear the title of princess.”

“Me?”

“Yes.”

Indignation thrust through her hurt and made sitting still impossible. She shot to her feet. “And what about our jobs here?”

“Feehan would understand if we left.”

“And what would I do in Otherworld, apart from traipse around, being a princess?”

He looked up at her. “Most females would think that being mated to the most powerful male in Otherworld and being treated like royalty were gifts in themselves.”

“But then most females don’t realize what a dork you are, do they?”

He blinked at her. “What’s wrong?”

“What’swrong?I spent my whole day writing a lovely fictitious report to keep you and your family out of trouble with the SBLE, and this is the thanks I get.”

“What does the report have to do with anything?”

She glared at him, her hands on her hips. “I made a deal with your grandmother!”

“You did what?” He rose too, his expression darkening.

“Your grandmother asked me to keep your family out of our report, and in return I—I made her promise something. Not that a promise means anything in Otherworld, apparently. What was your motherthinking?Doesn’t anyone talk to each other over there?”

She was babbling again…

“What did she promise you?” He was close enough now that she had to look up at him. He put his hands on her shoulders. “Tell me.”

“That she wouldn’t ever ask you to return to Otherworld.”

“And why would you ask her for such a thing?”

Magic sparked from his skin and made all the hairs on her head stand upright. She raised her chin.

“Because I don’t want you to go back there. I want you to stay here with me.”