Redsand Canyon I never stay in one place too long

Fennec stopped when he stated what he did next. She frowned and the fur at her neck stood a bit. I won't force a marriage again. You don't owe me anything. Her tone was sharper than she even really intended, but the thought of repeating that sent more than a little panic through her.

She would never go through that again. If she needed to leave Mereo, so be it.

Germanicus' offer to keep it their secret relaxed her some, though it essentially confirmed that it was a one time thing. Don't worry. I can stay your dirty little secret. No one needs to find out. She picked the harsher wording on purpose, something she knew would offend him more. But she delivered them with a casualness that belied them.

She should know better than to think anyone would want more than this from her. It would always be the same - but at least for a moment she'd been reminded what it was to be wanted again.