"Unfortunately, my head wasn't getting thoughts through to my mouth. "You aren't . . . I'm not sure if I can . . . Karrin, I want this, but . . ." "It's all right," she said quietly. "I'm not sure," I said again. I wanted her. But I wanted it to be about more than desire. I could have that if I wanted--mindless, empty sex is not exactly in short supply among the Sidhe of Winter. But that kind of thing can eat you hollow, if you let it. And Karrin was courage and loyalty and brains and heart and so much more than mere need and desire. I tried to explain that. Words just sort of sputtered out. I wasn't even sure they were in the right order. She slid her hand over my mouth after a few faltering moments. I could hear the smile in her voice as she spoke. "I've had a year to think about this, Harry. And I don't want to wake up one day and realize that I was too scared to take the next step." She leaned down and kissed one of my eyelids, her mouth gentle. "I know that you're a good man. And I've never had a friend like you." She leaned down and kissed the other eyelid. "And I know you've been alone for a long time. So have I. And I'm right here. And I want this. And you want this. So would you please shut up and do something about it."