“You know I’d never expect you to change who you are, if you were my wife,” he finally said. “It would change me to be your wife,” she said. He watched her eyes. “Yes. I understand you.” A log fell into the fire. They sat quietly. His voice, when he spoke, was hesitant. “It strikes me that heartbreak isn’t the only alternative to marriage,” he said. “What do you mean?” He ducked his head for a moment. He raised his eyes to her again. “I’ll give myself to you however you’ll take me,” he said, so simply that Katsa found she wasn’t embarrassed.
