Obediently, Claire read it and looked over at her husband. 'What do you want from me?'
'I want you to realize that what I'm are doing is for the good of our people. There can't be one to find the true homeland if there isn't one! And the one to find it is pure. Not a half-breed, not an Esper with a... celestial mongrel,' he spat.
'You don't care what I want.'
'Only because you want the wrong things, my love. You need to see clearly, and that will be my new task. I will help you see clearly why things are the way they are. Our bond, our marriage, our children; they are all important to the survival of our kind.'
'Forcing yourself on one who doesn't want you?'
Claire winced as Ruthivan crossed the space like a thunderclap. He grabbed her arm and shook her, his eyes going hard in a moment. 'What has gotten into you? Why do you keep saying such asinine garbage? We are married, we are mates, and that is permanent.' He finally let go of her and took a moment to clear his throat. He sat down at her side, smoothing the sleeve of her robe. 'Claire, I love you, I want you to love me, too. Love our family, love what we are, and have pride in the fact we are doing everything possible to help the passage in that book come true.' He leaned in to her, his nose on her cheek. 'Do you love me?'
Claire closed her eyes and took in a slow breath. She could tell him what she truly thought, but it would only send him into a rage. The quicksand rose up, enclosing her completely, cutting off her breath and clenching her soul. Her flames that had already been low, went out. She nodded her head slowly. 'Yes.'
'Good. Read it again.'
