Ocean's Breath Plateau The wreck of the day

Her pain shamed him. Already, he was finding ways to disappoint her. He felt a deep, frantic need to fix this, to make her smile — and let out a little breath that was almost relief when the question she asked was one he knew the answer to.

"Because he cannot imagine another use for a woman," he replied, his expression darkening just briefly at the thought. "Even meeting you — "

He shook his head in an effort to lower his hackles. His anger was not helpful right now, and it was not directed toward Simbelmyne in any case. He looked back to her now, his gaze intent.

"I do not seek a second wife," he said to her, searching her sorrowful features for signs of understanding or acceptance. "Not in anyone — but especially not in Sulukinak. She is not much younger than you, but she is still so young in spirit. I know her as a frightened girl. Frightened and confused. My love could not take this other form for her."