“Don’t compare me with that boy,” Leolo snapped.  He wasn’t proud of everything he’d done, but that didn’t lower him to the level of some human fool.  “I  never betrayed my queen with my body -- only with my desire.  But fairies can tell these things.  She knew that I was pining for another, so she cursed me.  And I don’t blame her.  I probably would have done the same thing, if I’d been in her position.”<br/><br/>Leolo paused, thinking back on that moment.  Was there something he could have done differently?  Some way to make things turn out right?  Or was it simply impossible to control the cravings of his heart?<br/><br/>“As it happens, we do continue seeing each other.  But it would be nearly impossible not to, since diplomacy requires interaction between our two courts.  And we still haven’t consummated our feelings.”<br/><br/>Rose’s next words made Leolo shake his head.  “You weren’t prey.  You would have been left with memories of a wonderfully passionate night, nothing worse.  In time, you probably would have even made up with that sorry excuse for a boyfriend.  No harm done.”<br/><br/>Leolo saw Rose jerk when he touched her.  Sadly, he finished wiping away the tear and withdrew his hand.  “I’m not quite sure why you’re so special,” he confessed.  “Of course, you’re beautiful.  You possess a poetic soul and a fierce heart.  But there’s more to it than that.  The mark chose you for a reason.  That’s the thing about fairy magic...there’s always a reason.”