Page 27 of The Emperor's Concubine

She found his revelation overwhelming. Her need to get back to Earth to get her daughter conflicted with her longing to stay with Blaze. She burst into tears. It would be hard to leave him, but her child came first.

“‘Why are you crying, my flower? All you have to do is say yes. If you’re worried about London, I’ll raise her as if she were my own. She’ll be a princess, with all the luxuries she can dream of.”

“I love you so much, but I can’t stay with you.”

He gripped her shoulders and gave her a bewildered look. “What do you mean you can’t stay with me? If I love you and you feel the same, what’s the problem?”

“The problem is that London isn’t my only child. When we were taken by the Adieaens, my other daughter was at home with a sitter.”

“You have another child?”

“London has a twin. Her name is Paris. She’s too young to be without me. I can’t just leave her there to fend for herself.”

“So that’s the reason you were trying to escape?”

She nodded with a sniff.

“We’ve wasted so much time. If only you’d told me, we could have done something sooner. Just tell me exactly where on Earth she’s located and we’ll find her.”

“You would do that for me?” She was touched, her heart feeling like it would overflow with love for him.

“Yes. We’ll find her and bring her back. I will love London and Paris as my daughters. How could I not when they’re a part of you?”

“Oh, Blaze, I don’t know what to say. I never thought things could turn out like this.” Though she’d never get over the way she’d been taken from her home, Callie realized that if she hadn’t been, she wouldn’t have met Blaze. Things happened for a reason, and she was happy he was now in her life.

“Neither did I, but I’m glad.”

“Of course you know you’ll have to get rid of your harem. I don’t want to share you.”

He chuckled, wrapping his arms around her. “Consider it done.”

“But don’t sell them off. They’re living beings with feelings.”

“My flower, we’ll handle it however you see fit. I’ll find them suitable husbands if that’s what would please you.”

She mulled it over in her head. That was probably the best solution. Callie couldn’t stomach slave trading. “I think that’s a great idea. Besides, if they’re occupied with their own men, they’ll leave mine alone.”

“You’re getting very possessive, Calliope,” he said with a wide smile on his face.

“Of course I am. You belong to me!”

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