yet he wants me . i can see it in his eyes , in the way that they 've darkened with appreciation and even desire . '' i want - '' '' i 'll take that package . '' a body muscles swiftly between the stranger and me , breaking our connection . a petite woman with striking red hair plucks the box out of my hands and turns to the
stranger

'' i left the northerland a month and a half ago . '' joram cackled . '' the dark magic of this place . it ... it distorts time . ridmark , you 've been gone ten years . '' '' no , '' said ridmark . '' that 's not possible . '' '' the dux sent his best knights and swordbearers to rescue you , '' said
joram

his mocking smile returned , and her anger blazed anew . '' take your hands off me . '' he raised them to show they were no longer connected to her person . '' i 'm trying to apologize , lady patience . '' drat him for that spark of sincerity . '' you did n't want to hear mine . now i do n't want to hear
yours