“You scare me, Gage."  Her eyes pleaded with him to understand.  "You tore me up, ripped me apart.  It took me a long time to put the pieces back together again."His thumb grazed along her cheek in a soft caress.  "I know baby, but I promise you, you have nothing to fear this time.""How do you know that?  How can you promise something like that?""Because I would die protecting you.  I would slay dragons for you."  He fisted her hair and brought his face close.  "I would get on my knees and beg for you.”