[Ivar scowls, and for a moment, his temper flares up. She's being so stupid about this! It's just three little words and she's pouting like a little schoolgirl because things aren't going exactly the way she wants them to. But they must have different priorities. He's shown how he feels through actions and she wants words.

So he leans up, lightly tracing the line of Letha's collarbone that lies up against the silver necklace he's given her.]

I care for you deeply. I wouldn't be moving into a house with you or given you something like this if I didn't.

[He pauses to give himself a moment to form the words the way he wants them to.]

But you have to give me some time. I don't connect with people the same way you do. They're usually not real for me, just chess pieces on a board. But you are. I'm still getting used to that.