He continued to brush her hair gently and carefully.  The softness of her hair teased his fingers and scent of her caught his nose.  But if not for the way his eyes met her own in the mirror when she spoke it might have seemed as if he'd not heard her as he remained silent.  Her hair's tangles gave way to the brush and he lowered his hands at last.<br/><br/>"I would never begrudge you any pleasure," he said softly, "You are my princess... What I fear is what I desire.  I am but a mongrel, I can be yours, body and soul and heart.  But you cannot be... mine."