            "No." His firmness startled her. After a moment, his expression softened again, and he drew her in for a kiss. "Sorry, love, I don’t mean to frighten you." Their foreheads met, their chests rising and falling in unison as he was quiet for a long moment. "We thought the prophecy could change, but look where we are. What we did to get here. I’m afraid there are some things even your will cannot withstand."