"You may be right," she said in a tone that told him she still doubted. He opened his mouth to convince her, but she held up her hand. "I'll think about it, Eldon. For now, just give me that. I do care about you. More than I probably should. No, don't say it. I know you love me. I see your arguments in your mind, and they're good ones, but you don't understand everything. I'm not human. I never was a mortal. I don't think like them, but I do care for you, and I want you to be happy."
He wanted to say more, but held himself back. He couldn't ask more of her. It still hurt that she would admit to being able to fall in love with him, but refused to let it happen. She'd asked him to give her time, and he would do that. Meanwhile, he would still love her—as if he had a choice—and show her that it was safe.
