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“I see that you’ve been listening, but that’s not what I meant. How do you know that you’ve never been with anyone?”

Her cheeks reddened. I’d never seen a human woman blush before.

“Because Meriuam told me. I was examined.”

My gaze dropped to her body again, imagining what she looked like in the flesh. I was already letting my guard down, becoming weak, craving something that which could change my whole life.

“Sit down.” I gestured to the chair.

She moved gracefully as she came to take the seat I was holding out for her. Her sweet scent drifted up to me once again.

“Will you eat dinner too?” she asked.

“I’m not hungry. I’ll have supper later. There’s more soup on the burner, if you like. You do remember how the podhouse operates, yes?”

“Yes. I learned at the dorms. I was there waiting for you for almost two months, remember?”

“My memory is fine,” I replied.

She shot me a look of indifference, so I presumed she caught on to my sarcasm.

I grabbed my bow and arrow from the adjacent wall and tied a canteen around my waist.

“Are you leaving?” she asked.

“I’ll be back.”

“But—”

“We need food for two now. I’m going hunting. Don’t worry. I won’t go far.”

Her pinched expression told me exactly how she felt, but my departure was for her sake, not mine. If didn’t get out of there at once, she’d lose more than her memory. I didn’t know how long I could stop myself from ripping the silk tunic from her body and having my way with her.

I destroyed everything I touched. I would not destroy her.