"If I had stayed human, how could you have remained with me as a lifemate?" She pushed her rounded bottom against the cradle of his hips, enjoying the sudden excitement as his body swelled and hardened in response to the pressure. She laid her head back on his shoulder. "I would have chosen to grow old with you and die when you died." His reply was husky, and one hand cupped the softness of her breast. Her hair was brushing his body like so much silk, sending darts of pleasure through him. Raven lifted her head abruptly, swung around to face him, her blue eyes searching the mysterious depths of his eyes. "Do you mean that, Mikhail? You would have stayed with me as I grew older?" He nodded, trailed his fingers down her cheek in a gentle caress. "I would have aged right along with you. When your breath ceased, so would mine." She shook her head. "How can I resist you, Mikhail, when you steal my heart?" His grin turned her heart over, somersaulted her stomach. "You are not supposed to resist me, little one. I am your other half." His hands settled around her neck, urged her close to him until his mouth found hers and they melted together, sinking beneath the cool waters of the natural pool. Raven regarded him soberly, her eyes suddenly serious. "I wouldn't want to resist you, Mikhail. I believe you really would have grown old with me. You have the kind of courage I've always wanted to have but lacked. New things frighten me. I hate being a coward..." He snorted inelegantly in derision. "Raven, stop being silly. You put your life in danger for complete strangers. That is not the act of a coward."