Chapter 36 - Lex

I've been glancing at my phone every two seconds since I returned from Nic's apartment. She said she'd call me when she's ready to talk. Where is she? When will she be ready to talk? Strangely, my dragon doesn't share my anxiety. Ever since we rescued Nic, he has been totally calm and content.

When my phone finally rings and I see Nic's name displayed on the screen, I grab it and answer within milliseconds.

"Lex." It's so good to hear her voice. "I'm ready to come home."

My heart soars when I hear her words. She tells me she's at my parents, which surprises me, but I'm glad that she's somewhere safe. Without wasting any time, I shift and fly towards my parents' cabin in the woods in the mountains of Virginia.

When I land on their doorstep after a couple of hours, night has set in. Mom must've spotted me flying in. She opens the door before I even knock. I hug and kiss both my parents, but my eyes are frantically searching for Nic. She's standing right behind them.

"Nic."

She rushes forward and puts her arms around me.

"I missed you. I love you, Lex. I love you more than I'd imagine I could love anybody," she whispers in my ear. I tighten my grip around her and lift her up in my arms. My throat suddenly feels tight. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I set her down.

"I love you too, Nic. I want to spend my life with you. But there's something you should know. You asked me once why I didn't seek what my parents had, and I'd told you the risk is too great. I want to explain what I meant by that."

She looks alarmed.

"Shall we go for a walk?" I ask, holding out my hand. My parents are watching us from the sidelines, their arms around each other. Their love gives me hope.

"Okay," she says, placing her hand in mine. I take her around the house, through the woods, down a little path that leads to a gurgling stream. The moon, not yet full, is bathing the stream in silver light. We sit on the soft, cool grass by the stream.

I take her hand in mine and look deeply into her eyes. I tell her everything about Quartz dragons, the sub-sects of Quartz dragons. I tell her how they become insane if they lose their mates. I tell her about my fear, about the recurring dream I had about claiming her as my mate and then losing her.

"The man… the dragon shifter who had kidnapped me, he kept saying he was saving me and you. Do you think he meant to keep us from mating?"

"It does seem like it."

"You think the dragon shifter went crazy when he lost his mate?"

"Yes. We believe he is the Carnelian."

"So if you lose me, will you also become like him?"

"Yes. But don't ever talk of me losing you again," I say, clenching my jaw. Then I put my arms around her and hug her tight. She cups my face with both her hands and kisses me softly on the lips.

"And you still want to get married to me? To mate with me?" she asks, searching my face.

"Yes. Without a doubt. I can't live without you, Nic."

"Can we be married and not be mated?"

Her question takes me by surprise. I had never given it a thought. Can it be possible? I mean, Liam did something similar, didn't he?

"I suppose, but I want to be mated to you, Nic. Mating is a deeply intimate ritual that will strengthen our bond a thousand fold."

"How does this mating actually happen? Is it painful?"

"It is extremely pleasurable," I say, grinning down at her. "And instead of telling you how it is done, I will show you on our wedding night," I say, capturing her lips in a kiss.

"Say you will marry me, Nic," I whisper against her lips.

"I'll marry you Lex. There can be nobody else for me."

"I'm the luckiest person in the world!"