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They fell silent, which was not the least bit uncomfortable. Although it was certainly a bizarre occurrence to have the most powerful man on the continent in her modest home, it also felt soothing. However, she sensed there was more to his unexpected visit than to lend her a book.
“You’re pensive,” she said. “Are you sure you don’t have news about the fire wraith?”
“Morgan hasn’t located him. Wraiths can be very difficult to track when they vanish completely. One of his men did find the horse. The beast didn’t survive its injury. The patrols are now reaching farther in an attempt to find the demons that had banded with the ghost.”
She studied his tense expression, then asked, “You don’t believe they’ve simply given up?”
“I suspect the wraith will return. I don’t intend to give him purpose to enter the village, though. If he wants to come after me, he’ll have to do it on my territory.”
Jade’s heart sank. Not a sensible feeling to have, but she couldn’t help it. “Meaning this is the last I’ll see of you.”
“My presence is what got you hurt.”
“I’m not afraid to die,” she said, a bit too speedily. His gaze narrowed on her. She explained, “It’s a natural progression for humans, Davian. An inescapable reality. And one that offers the hope of reuniting with the loved ones we’ve lost along the way.”
Her response seemed to agitate him, because he stood and began to pace in front of the fireplace.
“I wasn’t being accusatory,” she told him. “About my parents’ deaths.”
He pulled up short. “I take full responsibility for my actions and their impact on your race. I’ve already confessed as much.”
“That wasn’t what I was getting at all.”
Letting out a long breath, he said, “You miss your parents. I understand that. But you’re alive, and you have the potential for a richer life than you’ve recently led.”
She resisted the urge to scoff at him. “How do you figure?”
He pinned her with a shrewd look. “I have something to say and I want you to weigh my words carefully. Put substantial thought into my idea, Jade.”
Her curiosity mounted. “All right.”
He turned away for a few seconds and she noted his bunched shoulders and rigid stance. Whatever he was about to lay at her feet seemed to eat away at him. She left the sofa and crossed to where he stood.
Placing a hand on his shoulder, she softly prompted, “What is it, Davian?”
“Likely the most difficult thing I’ve had to do since the war ended.” He faced her, his amber irises stormy with dark emotions she couldn’t read. “I want you to marry Michael Hadley.”
Jade stared at him, aghast.
The Demon King rushed on, insisting, “It’s the only thing that makes sense, Jade. He’s your closest companion and the two of you could have a family together.” Jade opened her mouth to protest, but he said, “If you don’t want to leave the cottage, have him move in here.”
Anger and disbelief replaced her shock. “Really? Have him move into my house, which is in perfect alignment with your bedroom windows?”
Davian groaned. “You have an overhang along the back portion. I can’t see into your house, Jade.”
/> “But you can see it.”
With a shake of his head, he said, “That’s completely irrelevant.”
“Is it?”
The flash of aggravation in his eyes told her he loathed the idea he’d presented.
She pushed him hard, for even suggesting such a thing. “You’d really be okay with seeing our children playing in the yard? Or Michael and I strolling hand and hand along the riverbank?”
His teeth ground.
“No,” she added. “I didn’t think so.”
