She nods, "I understand. I won't say a word. It is a very noble choice on your part, Vadim; you want what is best for everyone."

He looks at her, his deep brown eyes searing into hers. She can see the yearning on his face, the want, the need to be with her, "If I were to take a human mate, I could give her the world—a normal life, away from Centuarna. Build her a house in the woods by a river, raise human children during the day, fall asleep in her arms every night. We—we could be happy."

Coral gets lost in his eyes, considering the life she always...