You have to start somewhere. Take what you can from them now. When I'm free, we'll give it all back.

[ He can tell that she likes being important to him for something other than the purpose he intended for her. Really, he had only one thing in mind when he'd chosen her. If he knew he'd need her like this, he may have put a bit more effort into their relationship just to keep the chances of betrayal nice and low.

She can learn magic, but he has to make sure no one here poisons her with their own ideals. Others may see their relationship for what it really was: imbalanced and manipulative. ]

I'm glad I have you here, Nadine. Where would I be without you? [ He can swallow his pride and butter her up a little. ]