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so much energy, he often didn’t have time to do anything but give her sustenance and retreat before having to recharge himself.
    She pulled away far enough to raise her tear-stained face to his. “Do they look like me?” She looked so hopeful and fragile, he was glad to reassure her.
    Wiping away her tears with his thumb, he nodded. “Your mother looks just like you, except her hair is longer. King Darius looks much like me—all the Klatch do. Dark hair and lavender eyes are the easiest ways to identify the Klatch.”
    “Darius…” She looked up at him, her teary eyes sad. “I can’t believe I don’t even know their names. What’s my mother’s name?”
    He swallowed hard. How would she react when she learned of her mother’s illness? “Annalecia,” he said softly and kissed her forehead. He knew he’d have to face it and tell her eventually, but not while she was still so fragile. She took a deep breath and smiled, hoping to lighten her mood. “If you continue to cry, all your energy will be drained before we even get into the city. And if that happens, we’ll be extremely late getting back.”
    She laughed, as he’d hoped. The sound twisted around his heart, warming him.
    “I suppose I should pull myself together so I can meet them.” Wiping her eyes on the tail of her oversized shirt, she straightened and stood. Will I have a chance to get a shower before I meet them? I don’t want them to see me like this.” She gestured down at her rumpled clothes and looked so beautiful, he was tempted to get her out of them again.
    “Earth to Stone,” she said, and waved a hand in front of his face.
    He laughed as he realized he’d been staring. “Yes, you’ll have a chance to get cleaned up before your parents see you. I just wish I could help.” He pictured her naked and glistening with water in the bubbling baths, surrounded by dozens of other voluptuous Klatch women.
    Turning to him with desire smoldering in her lavender eyes, she asked, “Why can’t you?”
    “Because there is too much of a risk that some of my essence would reach you within the waters. Women who have not yet gone through the coming-of-age bathe together in all-female baths. It’s not a matter of modesty for them to bathe apart from the men, but necessity.”
    Her beautiful brow creased and she chewed her full bottom lip. He already knew from their short time together that this meant she was pondering something. “So, all Klatch women have that issue, not just me?
    Smoothing the crease from her brow with his fingers, he took her hand and they began to walk again. “Every Klatch has a coming-of-age, both men and women. But you are a princess and have more tolerance. What you experienced from just a small taste of essence is nothing compared to what effects a nonroyal would have.”
    “What about the men, do they have a bad reaction to ‘female essence’?”
    “Actually, they do. Female juices are just as dangerous for males before that time, but fortunately, males have their coming-of-age at sixteen, not twenty-four.”
    She whistled and he stared fascinated with the way her lips worked together to make the sound. “Another sexist society.” She smiled, removing the sting from her comment, and stopped walking, turning to face him. “You said once the ceremony is performed we’ll be able to…finish what we started. We’ll be able to do anything without worrying about me blacking out. Right?”
    Stone smiled at her enthusiasm and took both her hands in his, placing a gentle kiss on the back of each. “You are exactly right, Princess. And I can’t wait.” He just hoped she’d still be so enthusiastic once he explained the ritual to her.

Chapter 3
    A lyssa’s first view of the city literally stole the breath from her lungs. It was more beautiful than she’d ever imagined. And she knew this place. Her entire life, she’d thrived inside her own imagination and this had been her dream world. Only now, it was real.
    Her