‘And you know that I love you, Fool. As a man loves his dearest friend. I feel no shame in that. But to let Jek or Starling or anyone think that we take it beyond friendship’s bound, that you would want to lie with me is—’ I paused. I waited for his agreement. It did not come. Instead, he met my eyes with his open amber gaze. There was no denial in them. ‘I love you,’ he said quietly. ‘I set no boundaries on my love. None at all. Do you understand me?’ ‘Only too well, I fear!’ I replied, and my voice shook.
