Her voice was cold as ice as she spread her arms out, each scythe's inner blade catching a side of his neck. The sound that followed was one Carter hoped to never hear again, as Jiro's head was severed in a messy fountain of blood, his body dropping to the floor

Without so much as a second glance at her fallen enemy, Taki proceeded to move behind Carter, swiftly cutting the ropes that bound his arms and legs.

Carter was in shock even as he massaged his sore wrists. He was overjoyed to be reunited with Taki, but the things she had said and done gave him pause. He found himself afraid to turn around and look her in the eye. "Is it true? You... you really killed them all? Because of me?"

Taki's voice continued to betray no emotion. "I spared those few who did not try to fight me or warn Jiro, but yes, I killed the rest. This disturbs you?"

"Yes!" Carter turned around, to see that Taki was still standing largely hidden in shadow, but he was too upset to question this.

“Do you have any idea what you've done?!"

“Protected what is precious to me," she replied simply. "Should I apologize for saving you from torture and death? For killing horrid men like these?"

Carter felt the anger drain from his body as rapidly as it had come. He felt shamed.

“No... But why... why for me... you put yourself in this much danger, and even abandoned your territory... if you're gone for too long you could lose your home. I've done nothing to deserve you making all these sacrifices..."

“That is for me to decide, and I have decided my territory is worthless if you are not a part of it. There is no risk, no danger that can come between you and me.”

Carter's shame increased. "No... it's only because we had sex you feel this way!"

“And why did I have sex with you?"

He was silent for a moment, her question stunning him. "You... you needed a mate..."

“And I chose you," she finished for him.

“I took you in out of convenience, but I would not have consummated with you if you had not appealed to me and my instincts. If I had found you less than suitable

I would have never given you that ultimatum."

“But you said you wanted a warrior-"

"I was wrong!" she snapped at him, rare anger in her voice. "I was confused then... I didn't understand what my instincts were telling me,

I thought it was just the desperation from the past seasons of not mating."

She calmed, her voice softening. "Yet just as my mother said, a part of me knew you were who I wanted, from the moment I Laid eyes on you. Your past is pitiable, yet how you managed to grow despite those circumstances... it shows a valiant spirit as powerful and admirable as any warrior. That spirit showed me my own heart and helped it grow. For that alone I can truly say I love you."