"In the eyes of my people, in the eyes of God, we are." There was an implacable resolve, a my-word-is-law, in his voice that set her teeth on edge. "What about in my eyes, Mikhail? My beliefs? Do they count for nothing?" she demanded belligerently. "I see the answer in your eyes, feel it in your body. You struggle needlessly, Raven. You know you are mine..." She stood up quickly, pushed the chair out of her way. "I don't belong to anyone, least of all you, Mikhail. You can't just decree what will be in my life and expect me to fall in with your plans." Raven rushed down the three steps to the path winding into the forest. "I need some air." Mikhail laughed softly. "Are you so afraid of yourself?" "Go to the devil, Mikhail." Raven set her foot on the path and began walking quickly away before he could charm his way around her. And he could, she knew it. It was his eyes, the shape of his mouth, the little grin he gave her when he was deliberately provoking her. The fog was very dense, the air wet and heavy with it. With her acute sense of hearing, she could hear every rustling in the bushes, every swaying of the branches, the beat of wings in the sky. Mikhail paced behind her. "Perhaps I am the devil, little one. I am certain that has crossed your mind." She glared at him over her shoulder. "Stop following me." "Am I not a gentleman, obligated to see his lady home?" "If you laugh at me one more time, I swear I won't be responsible for what I do." Raven became aware of the slinking figures then, the burning eyes following her. Her heart nearly stopped, then began to pound. "Fine!" She whirled around and glared at him. "This is great! Just great, Mikhail. Call in the wolves to eat me alive. I find the idea so 'you.' So logical." He bared his white gleaming teeth at her like a hungry predator and laughed softly, teasingly. "It is not the wolves that would find you delicious."