"How does one lifemate split from the other? Separate. Break apart. No longer together." The glint of humor in the depths of his eyes deepened to total amusement. "There is no such thing, and if there was, Raven"--he bent very close, his breath fanning her cheek--"I would never allow you to go." Raven looked innocent and wide-eyed. The hand on her breast, his thumb stroking her nipple, was making it hard to breathe. "I was only trying to help you. Royalty has so few options these days. You have to worry about what the public thinks. You can rely on me, Mikhail, to help you ponder such issues." He laughed softly, tauntingly male. "I guess I must be thankful to have such a clever lifemate."