Phoenix sighed and I brought my focus back to him. He was deep in thought, staring at the desk between us before he lifted his eyes to mine.
"One of the reasons I have not claimed you is that I do not want you to have to fight and potentially die for the right to be with me," he said. "It is also why I pushed so hard for your training. If I had shown you any open affection the way I wanted to, people would have started asking questions and challengers would have come forward before you were ready."
I blushed despite myself and went to respond but he continued before I could.
