"So far, hetaira, your ideas make excellent sense," Alcaeon concurred, still in his remote and dignified tone. The lust was impossible to conceal, but...it didn't detract from his inherent majesty. No one could ever mistake this boy for a commoner or even a regular noble. He was a member of the royal family, for sure."Thank you, kyros. I am honored by your words and interest in my humble person," Zoe answered sincerely. No matter how little she knew him as a man, the courtesan could find nothing. The combatants rolled up to the steps and struggled on the ground, Deadman bouncing Aitch’s head off the lowest step. I grabbed the railing and climbed it, propelled by adrenaline alone, and seized a folding chair. Deadman had just risen to his feet, wobbling a little, he spotted me and beckoned. I tossed him the chair, he caught it out of the air and brought it down with a crash over Aitch’s head as he tried to get up. When he collapsed, Deadman grabbed his hair and shoved his head between. "Candy swallowed in relief. Thank God. Thank God!M continued. "Revenge is visited upon those whom we fear and respect on some level. I neither fear nor respect you. So I do not seek revenge. I will kill you though. I will kill Candy Kane."She started to shreik, but the tape was reapplied. The scream died in Candy's throat. No one could hear her in this place. This place...familiar somehow...M stroked Candy's thigh. "Let me finish-- I will kill Candy Kane," he spat the name out in. “But I’m not going to ask her to do that. I believe that Kara has to be an equal. To me, and to my legal wife. I don’t think what I want can succeed any other way. I can’t accept the compromise that you offered.”“So it really was goodbye,” Karin said.“I think you were aware of that when you made the offer,” I said gently.“I guess I was,” she sighed. “Will you marry Bethany?”“That’s what I want, yes. I think it’s just a matter of time.”Karin laughed softly, “So now it’s you who’s waiting,.