Finally, he spoke. "Even if what you say is true, and I am not saying it is, my answer is still no. The Crimson Howl lands are too far. The dangers are too many. And most of all..." He turned to look at her, and his eyes were filled with true feeling. "I cannot stand the idea of losing you, Yueshuang. You are my only child. My daughter. Just the distance between us would be a constant pain, knowing you are so far away and that I could not get to you if you needed me."
For a short time, Yueshuang felt her strength weaken. This was not the clever Duke talking, this was her father, open and scared.
But then she felt it again, the weak, fluttering beat of her connection to Lian. He was dying. Her destined partner, the father of their child, was fading away with every hour that passed.
She could not let her feelings stop her. Not now.
