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You will come back to the castle with me."
"I don't belong there. I don't belong anyplace."
"You belong with me," he replied without the slightest hesitation.
Her chin trembled as she held his gaze. "I-I'm not your responsibility."
"Yes, you are. You are mine. They gave you to me, remember? And I want to keep you. Come here," he ordered softly.
She lifted her arms and stepped into his embrace without another word.
He hugged her close, his heart pounding. "Listen to me. I don't want you to worry for one instant what will become of you, all right? I'll look after you. Whatever you need. You have my word, Kate. You're not alone, do you understand?" he whispered as he held her.
After a moment, he felt her nod against his chest.
"There's my brave girl," he murmured, brushing a kiss to her forehead.
It was at that moment that it dawned on him what he was going to do when they returned to the castle. The thought shocked him as it struck, igniting his heart, even as it filled him with an odd relief.
Of course.
She was already under his protection. By now, anyone outside the castle no doubt assumed she was already his mistress. They already wanted each other so badly. He saw no reason now not to offer her his carte blanche.
Yes. She must become more securely his.
It was not his way to keep any one particular mistress to service his needs. But if Kate were his, then he would not have to worry about her, even beyond all this business with O'Banyon. He would know exactly where she was, that she was fed, clothed, protected, and provided for.
Admittedly, it might come across as utterly ruthless of him to make such an offer at a time like this---as though he were coldly taking advantage of her at the moment of her greatest vulnerability. But he was not motivated by lust.
At least not entirely.
Obviously, he could not marry her---not with his curse, and her Promethean blood. But if Kate was his mistress, then he could watch over her, and if anyone ever tried to hurt her again, they would have to deal with him first.
Besides, he knew by now how her mind worked. If he were simply to make her a promise of financial help, she wouldn't take it. She was too proud. Hell, with her independent spirit, she would abhor any offer that she interpreted as charity. So, let her work for it.
God, he had dreamed of making love to her since that first night when Caleb Doyle had brought her to the castle for that very purpose.
Even now, she felt like heaven in his arms. If she was willing, he knew one sure way to comfort her when they got her back to the castle. He could make all her tears and sorrow melt away...
Cradling her in his embrace, Rohan pressed another possessive kiss to her brow.
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