QUOTE : You are the only person on this planet I have given my allegiance to. You have always had my loyalty. I count you as my family and my friend. Until your woman or some other gives me my lifemate, you are the only person standing between the darkness and me.<br />Gregori would never have admitted such a thing unless he considered the situation a dire emergency. He was giving Mikhail the only reason he could to reassure Mikhail that he could be trusted.<br />Affection and regret welled up, mingled. <i>Thank you, Gregori, I am in your debt.<br />I intend you to be the father of my lifemate.</i> There was a faint note in his voice, something Mikhail could not name, as though Gregori had already ensured that he would get his wish.<br /><i>I have the feeling Raven’s daughter would be more than a handful.</i> Mikhail tested his intuition.<br /><i>I have no doubt I am up to the challenge.</i> Gregori’s reply was purposely vague. <i>I will send your lifemate to the sleep of our people so that she will no longer be tormented by her human limits.</i><br />Gregori’s soft command was clear, imperious, impossible to ignore. Raven’s breath left her body in a soft sigh. Her heart slowed, missed a beat, ceased. Her mind was closed to the yawning terror, her body open to the healing power of the rich soil.<br /><i>Sleep now, Mikhail, I will know if you are disturbed.<br />You do not have to guard me, Gregori. You have done much for our people, things they will never know. I can never repay my debt to you.<br />I can do no other, Mikhail, nor would I want to.</i> Gregori withdrew.