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"And she loves you?" Taloni asked. She glanced up, but then looked down again. Ethan thought he saw her eyes getting watery again.

Ethan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Yeah, she does."

"Then I shouldn't get in the way," Taloni said. "The Book of Light says that loving someone means doing what's best for them, regardless of what it costs you." she looked Ethan in the eye. "I'm going to do what's best for you, regardless of what it costs me."

"Taloni, I..." Ethan said, but voice caught in his throat as he realized the full implication of her words. It didn't make sense to him; how could she care for him that much after only meeting him a couple days ago?

"It's okay," Taloni sniffled and wiped away the tears that had started forming again at the corners of her eyes. "I'm a slave anyway and my master would never let me go."

"Maybe I could buy your freedom?" he offered.

"I want that more than anything," Taloni said. "But I doubt you h