“What about a younger guy? You know, someone who is say, twenty-seven or twenty-eight? I know social convention says ‘no’, but Jess is a couple ...f years older than I am. I know lots of lawyers and doctors and naval officers in the right age range, too. And, to be blunt, you’re young, sexy, smart, and successful. If you can overlook the social norms, I’m sure you could find a guy who didn’t have the same set of problems you’re encountering.”“So find a young stud, is that it?” she asked with an. The Emperor held the sword aloft and turned it one way and the other, watching the light play on the gleaming blade."My Emperor!"Z'haas said nothing as the guard ran into the chamber and stopped just past the threshold."My Emperor, we cannot find him anywhere!" the guard huffed. "Mage Q'holan is nowhere to be found, and no one remembers seeing him since yesterday." He is not here," Z'haas said in a seemingly unconcerned voice."We tried to search the grounds outside, my Emperor, but the enemy. The pain was finally fadingaway, but not the dreadful feeling that settled over her."Why, I've freed your mind, Trissa," Joaquin replied as he stepped over her,looking for his clothes. "You really should be pleased, Trissa. Or should Isay, Operative Trevor."Jumbled images began flashing through Trissa's mind. None of it made anysense yet, but things were obviously still coalescing in her mind."You've been missing for six months, Trevor," Joaquin continued as hedressed. "It took the Patriarchy. When he senses this, he pauses briefly and you moan unhappy, you want him to continue. You hear him whispering be patient my love; I want you to enjoy this more. You start to panting, moaning and wanting more. As you turn around and see his eyes in the candlelight and you hear him whisper softly “I love you”.It is the most beautiful thing you ever heard, you think this is amazing. Every time this man declares his love to you it sounds like the very first time he says it. You reach out to him.