"Yes, each time, but marriage isn't the only alternative because the telepathic contact part is optional. They'd found someone on almost my schedule, delayed my intended departure to pursue alternate treatment, and expected that would be that, but I managed to call Bella. Who then had to duel my affianced as though competing for my hand, because otherwise he would have died, but fighting is an acceptable substitute on a biological level - if seldom orchestrated to leave both parties alive in the state of nature. She put up enough of a fight to calm him down, knocked him out, and hauled me to my destination."