Chapter Six

Two days later, the mating magic settled enough for me to allow Aras to leave the suite and be around other men. It wasn't easy, but I kissed him and sent him off to handle the things he'd been putting off to be with me. I had business to attend to as well, but my people knew why I had been unreachable. At least, my knights and steward did. I stepped out while Aras was sleeping one afternoon and informed the knights on duty of the situation. The rest of my King's Guard and Mossemas were to be told, but no one else. If they betrayed my trust, they would regret it.

As soon as Aras was gone, I got dressed, donned my crown, and headed to the lineup of meetings I'd been postponing. One of the perks of being King was never having to apologize or make excuses. My first meeting was with a merchant from Zaru who had been waiting days for his audience, but I didn't offer him a reason for the postponement. I just sat down at the table and waved for him to proceed.

By the fourth meeting, I was getting antsy. I needed my mate. Aras shouldn't be beyond reaching distance. It was hard enough to let him out of my suite, but to know that he had left the castle was excruciating. Where was he? Was he back yet? I told him we'd have dinner together, so he may have returned to his guest suite instead of coming straight to me. Why would Aras come to me? He didn't know he needed to. Because I hadn't told him that we were mated!

Calm yourself! the Eye shouted in my mind.

Do you have any idea how difficult this is for me?

I'm in your head, so, yes, I have a very clear idea, she drawled. But I'm the only one who can hear your thoughts. The other people in this room don't understand why you're glaring at them.

I blinked and refocused on my guests. They were from the local theater. They wanted something from me. What was it?

Your approval on their next play, the Eye said.

I cleared my throat and looked down at the paper in my hand. The play involved Dragons. That's why they needed my approval. No one wanted to offend a Dragon, much less a king. However, if I approved the performance, no other Dragon could criticize the theater . Not that there were many Dragons in Renris. Even now that our Water Magic had balanced us, making it possible for us to live closer together, none of my dread had moved to the crown city.

I told you, the Eye said. They are plotting against you.

Then wouldn't it be wiser for them to do so here?

Where you could find them out more easily? I don't think so. She paused, then went on in a kinder tone. I will look after you, Lyrandir. I will watch your back. You and I will form a partnership the likes of which this world has never seen.

Haven't you worked with a Dragon before me?

Yes, but he wasn't as resilient as you.

What does—

You should say something to your guests.

I scanned the pages that summarized the play, then handed them back to the two Deldin. They had their long ears down and bound behind their heads—the man tied his with leather and the woman with a satin ribbon. A glance at their flamboyant clothing would have given away their profession even had I not known.

“This looks interesting,” I said.

The couple visibly relaxed.

The man—I couldn't recall his name—said, “Then we can proceed with casting, Your Majesty?”

I set the pages back in the leather folder and handed it to him. “Yes. You have my approval to perform this.”

“Wonderful!” Your box is reserved for you, as always.”

“My box,” I murmured.

“Yes, the best in the house, Your Majesty,” the woman said.

“Yes, yes.” I waved a hand. “I'm sure it is. I think I'd like to attend a performance.”

“Really?!” the man perked up, the tips of his ears lifting behind him. “It would be an honor, Sire. If you could give us just the tiniest advance notice, I'll make sure that you will have every luxury we can provide.”

“What play are you currently running?” I asked.

“Oh, it's an adventure, Your Majesty,” the woman gushed. “It revolves around a world-roaming Argaiv who finds himself embroiled in the intrigue of a group of assassins.”

“Is there, uh.” I cleared my throat. “Is there any romance involved?”

“Oh, of course!” the man exclaimed. “Our main character falls in love with one of the assassins. It's the biggest obstacle in the story.”

“And the ending?”

“Happy,” the woman said with a wink. “A perfect performance to bring a date to, Your Majesty. If you happened to be considering that.”

I tapped the table decisively. “Then prepare my box for tonight. What time is the performance?”

The man nearly fainted from glee, so the woman had to answer. “It's at eight, Your Majesty. But we will, of course, hold the performance until you arrive.”

I could have protested such an extravagance, but I had learned long ago that people need to feel the difference between royalty and themselves. Their ruler had to be placed higher than everyone else. I had to accept what they offered or they would question my worthiness. Besides, I had no intention of being late.

“That's very considerate of you,” I said and stood up. “I'm looking forward to it.”

I walked the Deldin out and held my composure until they were beyond hearing range. With Deldin, that should have taken a while. But their ears had been fashionably bound. So, once they rounded a corner, I spun to face Mossemas, who always attended meetings with me.

“Where is he?” I growled.

Mossemas flinched and his wings drew in closely. “He has not returned yet, Sire.”

“What?” I snarled.

I didn't wait for an answer, just started for the entry hall. Two Dragon knights fell into place before and behind me. I would have overtaken the one in the lead, but he was clearing the path for us, and I knew he'd be nicer about it than I would.

Once we were in the courtyard, I didn't have to demand a carriage. The royal carriage rolled to a stop at the bottom of the main steps just as I descended them. Doubtless, Mossemas was behind it. He made sure everything ran smoothly for me. If I'd been in a clearer state of mind, I would have spared an appreciative thought for him. But as it was, I could only focus on Aras.

My mate. He was gone. He had left me and not returned as promised. Was he, even now, sailing away from me? If he was, I would shift into a dragon and hunt him down. Aras couldn't have gotten far. I would snatch him from the deck of his ship, just as I dreamed of doing all those months ago, and bring him back. Then I would make sure he never left again.

I jumped into the carriage and shouted, “To the docks!”

My knights had to run to get into their places on the back ledge and beside the driver. I didn't care. They'd be fine. I, however, was about to shapeshift into a half-dragon beast who would doubtless rampage across the city and then the docks.

Look, I know you're insane with mating magic, but you need to calm yourself, the Eye said. Your mate is a Hulfrin. That means he could walk away without suffering as much as you. Perhaps not at all. So, don't push him away before you've had a chance to explain who he is to you.

I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. She was right. Her words made sense. I breathed again. Slowly. So slowly. Hold it. Now, release. Aras was a ship's captain. He had business to attend to that he had been kept from for five days. Yes, five. It was two more than the average claiming period. Did that mean I was feeling the effects of the mating magic more strongly than others? I didn't know. But this urgent clawing in my chest was enough to make anyone go mad.

At least the voice in my head wasn't adding to it. Ironically, she was keeping me sane. It was so unexpected that I started to reevaluate our relationship. Did she truly care about me?

Of course, I care about you, the Eye said. I am a piece of your goddess—your creator. She loves you and so I love you.

Those words changed everything. I had been feeling defensive and suspicious about the Eye. But with her flippant confession, I felt the truth. She was indeed a piece of our goddess and although that divine woman could be cruel, even to her children, she still loved us as any creator would. And that love infused her magic, which infused the Eye.

Now, you understand, the Eye said. You can trust me, Lyrandir. I want to be in the hands of a Dragon who can use my power as it's meant to be used, but I also want what's best for you. I may not be with you yet, but I've formed a connection with you. You have access to my knowledge. Do you understand how fortunate you are?

Yes. Now I do, I said as I took a deep, calming breath.

Good. So you will believe me when I say that your mate has not left you. He is aboard the Tiger's Claw, performing his captain duties which you have kept him from. And . . . oh. He'll return soon, Lyrandir. It's best if you just turn around and—

What was that? I growled in my mind and sat forward. Why did you pause? Why the 'oh?'

Nothing. Aras is very busy. No point in you showing up. It will only make you look needy. No one likes a needy man.

I considered this. I didn't want to be one of those sappy, clingy lovers. I was a king. I did not cling unless it was to a mountain in my dragon form. I was the one who was clung to. And when it happened, it always annoyed me. I would be crushed if I so annoyed Aras. To have him look at me as I looked at those men . . . no. I leaned out the window to tell the driver to turn around.

That's when the carriage stopped before the Tiger's Claw, and I saw what the Eye had seen.

What timing. What perfectly horrible timing.

Lyrandir, it's not what it appears, the Eye said.

Too late. In the early stages of a mating, Dragons are especially volatile. It took a month, sometimes longer, for them to control their instincts. That's what I'd heard. And yet, I hadn't expected this. I considered myself to be an exceptionally strong Dragon in both body and mind. I had expected to gain control of the mating magic sooner than most. Maybe I would. It had only been five days, after all.

Five days and already my mate had betrayed me.

With a roar, I burst out of the carriage. All interactions on the dock stopped, everyone from merchants to whores turning to watch me dash up the gangplank of the Tiger's Claw. Aras also turned to look at me, along with the man in his arms. The man he'd just been kissing.

Henceforth, he shall be known as the dead man.

“Ly, no!” Aras pushed the smaller Hulfrin behind him, shielding him with his body.

This only served to enrage me further.

I pushed Aras aside—just enough to get him out of the way, not to hurt him—and grabbed the other Hulfrin by the throat. As I lifted him off his feet, Aras smashed into me, taking us both to the deck. Around us, his crew drew back, watching the battle along with my knights. No one interfered.

Snarls and growls rolled out of me. Aras matched them. Again, this did not help. To see my mate stand against me was heartbreaking and infuriating. To see him defend his lover against me was ten times worse. I could only assume that Aras's race made him immune to the mating magic. He felt no bond with me. No loyalty. I wanted to hate him for that but couldn't. Which made me even angrier.

I was bound to a man who didn't give a shit about me. A man who made vows he didn't keep. A fucking dishonorable whore.

Maybe he doesn't give a shit about you, the Eye said. But you don't love him either. Not yet. You need him. You crave him. But you haven't fallen in love.

Of course not! It's only been five days!

And yet you expect Aras to feel something for you beyond lust.

That gave me pause. I stared at Aras, chest heaving, and sanity slowly returned. Sanity and sadness.

You're right. It's too soon for either of us to feel love, I said to the Eye. But after these last five days, after the promises we exchanged, I thought there was more between us. I trusted the Goddess's choice and assumed love would come. Now, I see that I was wrong.

You are not wrong, the Eye said. The mating magic never fails. It always chooses the right mate. Aras is the only man on all of Serai who you will ever love.

Yes. I sense that. But am I the only man he will ever love?

The Eye went quiet. Into that quiet came other voices. Or rather, one voice.

“It's not what you think, Your Majesty,” Aras said.

The words sounded familiar.

Because I just said them to you, the Eye huffed. Listen to him and believe him. He's telling you the truth.

“Explain then,” I said, casting a vicious look at my mate's lover.

The Hulfrin sailor cringed back, his tail curling around his legs. Definitely a submissive. Was that what my mate wanted? Was I too aggressive for him? Too alpha? If I was, we were doomed. I couldn't go beta for any man. Not even my mate. It simply wasn't who I was.

“What you saw was a goodbye kiss,” Aras said. “I was ending my relationship with Fren.”

I took a deep breath but the dragon inside me refused to back down. “Ending?” I growled. “That did not look like an ending to me.”

“He has been my lover for over two years!” Aras snarled. “And I was giving him up. For you !” Aras turned his back on me to cup the Hulfrin's cheek. “Go below deck, Fren. I'll handle this.”

“But . . . are you sure, Captain?”

I growled, low and vicious. A warning.

But the man had bigger balls than I'd thought. He ignored me and waited for Aras to respond.

“Little cat, I'm going to skin you alive if you don't remove yourself from my sight this very moment,” I said. The words came directly from my dragon, spoken in a dark, primal voice. The voice of fire. No water to it. No balance. Only flames. And those flames were about to burn down a ship.

“Go!” Aras shoved the man toward the doorway behind him.

As soon as Fren was out of my sight, I started to breathe easier. I closed my eyes and sighed. But when I opened them again, my mate was glaring at me.

“With all due respect, Your Majesty. Get the fuck off my ship.”

I blinked.

“Excuse me?” I leaned in. “You betrayed me. You don't get to be angry with me. I warned you. I told you what a relationship with me would involve. And it's not merely my rage you must placate. There are laws against such disloyalty, Captain.” I grabbed the front of his coat and yanked him closer. Lowering my voice, I said, “Betraying a Dragon King has consequences. Deadly consequences.”

Oh, fucking great! the Eye huffed in my head. Now, you've threatened to kill him? What the fuck is wrong with you? Oh. Yeah. Never mind.

Her words did help. I released Aras but didn't step back. I did, however, take another breath. “I am not the kind of man who demands loyalty without giving it. I was going to dismiss my lovers from court.” I paused, then mimicked him with, “For you.”

“You were going to?” Aras crossed his arms, making his chest seem twice as large. “So, you haven't ended your other relationships either. And don't think I didn't catch the plural form you just used. How many lovers do you have? How many men think they're still your lover?”

I grimaced and looked around. It had finally occurred to me that I was having a very private conversation in a very public place. “Can we take this somewhere else?”

“Oh, now you're concerned about witnesses?” Aras threw his arms open. “ Now ?”

“I was overtaken with rage,” I ground the words out. “I am a Dragon. You will forgive me for my outburst.”

“Will I?”

“Yes.” I leaned in aggressively. But then I softened my expression and my tone. “Because I regret it, Aras. I apologize for my outburst. Now, can we speak privately?”

Aras blinked. His stare shifted to his crew and my knights. After releasing a deep breath, he nodded. “This way, Your Majesty.” He turned on his boot heels and led me through the same doorway his ex-lover had used.

The scent of that other Hulfrin made the hair on the back of my neck lift. It took all of my control to keep from tracking and killing him. I focused on the back of Aras's head. On his scent. On the way his tail twitched with agitation. Yes, that helped. It helped very much.

Here, kitty kitty. I licked my lips.

I don't think he's in the mood for fucking, the Eye said.

We'll see.

You could try a little romance.

I will be romantic. I'm going to invite him to the theater tonight. Right after we fuck.

How sweet, she drawled. Are you really that dense?

He's a sailor. He doesn't care about flowers or chocolate.

How do you know? The Eye shot back. Maybe he longs for those things because no one has given them to him yet.

I snorted.

Aras looked at me over his shoulder.

“Sorry, I just had a silly thought,” I said.

“Silly?” Aras showed me into the room at the end of the corridor. “I assumed you murdered every ounce of silliness that dared to enter your mind.”

“If only,” I drawled.

I know that was aimed at me, the Eye said.

It's good to be self-aware, I said to her, then paused, my thoughts stolen by the room we entered.

The bed was neatly made, the corners crisp, and anything breakable was set into some kind of holder, be it leather straps or wood brackets. Crystal decanters, luxurious rugs, and a gold writing set were just some of the extravagances I spotted. But it wasn't the things in the room that caught my attention. Aras's musky, masculine scent permeated the space. It was soaked into the wood and bed linens. Everywhere. An aroma of pure rapture. The sort that made me close my eyes and breathe deeper.

But the other man's scent was there too.

The dragon inside me had withdrawn but not fully. He'd been waiting. Watching. That scent brought him snarling back to the surface. I bared my teeth at Aras, barely keeping the beast in check.

“Oh, what the fuck is it now?” Aras demanded.

“I can smell him everywhere.”

Aras went still. As I've mentioned a few times, it helped that he had instincts to guide him through his interactions with me. Those instincts served him well. He didn't run, though I could sense that he wanted to. Instead, he held my stare without aggression and said, “I see now that this wasn't the most ideal location for our chat.”

I snarled again.

“All right, that's enough!” Aras slashed his hand through the air.

Oh, fuck. He was acting against his instincts. Not a good idea. My dragon wanted submission, not . . . whatever this was.

He went on as if he didn't notice the rumbling growls slipping past my clenched teeth. “You're the King, and I will give you the respect that deserves—in public. But when it's just you and me, I need to be your equal.”

My dragon paused, as confused as I was. Our mate was speaking gibberish. His words were incomprehensible. Equal? What was he talking about?

“Look at you.” Aras motioned at me. “You're baffled. You have never treated a lover as an equal, have you?”

“Of course, I have!” I snapped. “I'm baffled because I don't understand what I've done to make you feel as if you've been treated unfairly.”

“You've treated me fairly, yes. But not as your equal.”

“Because you are not my equal!”

Aras narrowed his eyes.

Wrong thing to say, the Eye said.

Fuck of!

Another wrong thing to say! I felt her presence vanish.

I didn't care. Good riddance. I didn't need her mouthing off while I was dealing with my mate. I needed to focus on Aras. In particular, on explaining his role. “I'm the King.” I stepped closer to him. “Do you know what I went through to become King?” I asked, my temper cooling even though that man's scent still stung my nose. And my pride.

Aras winced.

“Ah, I see you've heard the stories. Every Dragon kingdom is different. There are rules determined either by previous kings or the dread as a whole. Some kingdoms don't require contestants to fight to the death. My dread is not one of those. And my crown tourney was especially brutal.” I paused, hardly believing I was about to share this with him. It was humiliating, but Aras was my mate, and I desperately wanted him to understand me. He couldn't do that if he didn't know my history. “No one wanted me to win.”

“What?” he whispered.

I sighed, feeling the weight of ruling those who looked down on me. I went to Aras's little dining table and fell onto a chair.

“Ly.” Aras took the seat across from mine. “Are you saying that your people don't like you?”

“Not the entire dread,” I said. “That would be ridiculous. My family loves me. But I'm not the easiest man to get along with.”

“Isn't that the case for all Dragons?”

“In the past, yes. We've mellowed now that we have our Water Magic back, but we used to be temperamental beings. I was especially volatile around those who . . .” I blinked, suddenly comprehending why Aras needed to feel like my equal. “Oh, fuck. I'm a fucking hypocrite.”

Aras snorted a laugh. “Why do you say that?”

“I was about to tell you how the Dragons who thought they were better than me—the wealthy and the nobles—always inspired my ire.” I rolled my eyes. “I couldn't stand them. Couldn't abide the way they looked down on me and my family. And yet, here I am, making you feel less than. I'm sorry, Aras. I don't think I'm better than you as a person. When I said I'm not your equal, I meant that my status is higher than yours.”

“And you're especially prickly about your status because you've fought so hard to achieve it,” he concluded.

“Yes. Aras, I'm going to tell you things that I've never told another non-Dragon. Fuck, I've never said this to anyone. Dragons know because they were there, but I—”

“Ly.” Aras touched my hand. “You can trust me.”

“I know,” I said. Tenderness came then, another unfamiliar emotion. “I do trust you. I just hope you don't see me differently afterward.”

“I'm sure I will,” he said. “But I'm also sure it will be for the better. Go one. Tell me.”

Aras trusted me too. I heard it in his words but also felt it through our bond. He truly believed that whatever I said next would only make him see me as a better man. I hoped that trust wasn't misplaced.

“I was not born a nobleman,” I said. “I didn't have the training of the other men who entered the crown tourney. I trained myself with the help of my father. But that wasn't the greatest obstacle for me to overcome. From the moment I entered, I was pushed down—both physically and mentally. Even though I fought one Dragon at a time, it felt as if they were all in the ring with me during every fight. They helped each other, tossing weapons into the ring, throwing things at me, shouting insults, and generally fucking with me. It was the only tourney in my dread's history in which most of the contestants banded together against one. They didn't care who won, as long as it wasn't me.”

“Great Sera,” he whispered the name of the Hulfrin God. “And you still won.”

I frowned at him. “They didn't want me as their king. They still don't. They think I'm unworthy.”

“Only the nobility,” Aras growled. “And what the fuck do they know about being a good king?”

I lifted a brow. “It's rather in the word. Nobility.”

Aras snorted. “I think you know what I'm going to say, Ly.”

“They don't deserve to be called nobles?” I smirked.

“Something like that. I was going to go with a simple, 'Fuck them.'”

I burst out laughing. “My crown was hard-won, and I find pride in that, but I've always felt humiliation under the pride. I suppose even rebels feel the sting of scorn.”

“That's why they become rebels.” He squeezed my hand. “Fuck, ruling must be harder for you than other kings.”

“I can't speak to the issues other kings must deal with, but I have to constantly maintain a regal demeanor that I wasn't born with. If I let the mask fall for even a second, they will deride me. They probably do so despite my efforts.”

“There are no Dragons here but you and your knights.”

“My knights.” I snorted. “They are all nobles. Only noblemen may serve the King.”

“Oh, shit,” Aras whispered. “So those guys out there, the ones who are supposed to protect you, they all think you're a piece of shit?”

“Well, that's not how I would put it, but yes. They all think I am beneath them. A commoner who killed many of their own to become King. Let's just say, I don't trust them to put their all into protecting me.”

“Ah, so it isn't just that you weren't born noble. It's also the fact that you proved yourself better than they are. And many of them died in the process.”

“Have I proved myself better?” I leaned back and glanced out the circular window. The sea was so calm. But it wore a mask too. That serene appearance hid deep waters full of dangerous creatures.

“Ly?”

I looked back at Aras.

“Thank you for sharing this with me. I know we haven't been together for long, but I feel . . .”

“Yes?” I whispered, not daring to hope that he might be developing feelings for me.

“Close to you. These last five days have been incredible. I really did end a two-year relationship for you.” Aras wove our fingers together. “I want more than sex. Do you want more? With me?”

“Was I not clear when I vowed to murder anyone you fucked?”

Aras laughed boisterously. When the laughter settled into a smile, he said, “Not really. No. I thought you were being possessive, which I can get into, but it's a far cry from the real connection I'm looking for.”

“Real connection,” I murmured, wanting more than ever to tell him that we were already connected forever. “Yes, I want that too.”

“Then tell me more, Ly.” He squeezed my hand and wrapped his tail around my right calf. “Why do those nobles look down on you? Who were you before you became the King? Is it just that you weren't one of them?”

“I suppose there are different levels of common that I'm not aware of. All my life it's simply been nobles and everyone else,” I said with a shrug. “I was a farmer. There shouldn't be anything shameful about that.”

“Not unless you're a noble,” Aras muttered.

“Yes.” I grimaced. “Dragons are an elitist bunch. We think our race is better than all others on Serai, but even if you're a Dragon, you're not immune to scorn. There is still a hierarchy among us. I've heard it's not the same in every dread, but I can't imagine an enclave where the wealthy don't look down on those with less.”

“So you got tired of feeling their scorn and decided to become King?”

I nodded. “Anyone can enter the tourneys. Dragons may be elitist, but we respect strength above all else. If you can prove yourself to be the strongest, they will bend the knee to you. But I am the first commoner in my dread to ascend the throne.”

“But the common Dragons must outnumber the nobles,” Aras said.

“Oh, we do. That's why I can say that my entire dread doesn't hate me. The Dragons in the lower classes might enjoy having one of their own on the throne. Or they might think that I've reached too high. I don't know. When I took the throne, I installed Dragons I could trust in positions of power. But I still have to deal with the wealthy and nobles. They give me the minimum of respect I'm due, hiding their derision behind backhanded compliments. Still, they obeyed, and they accepted my rule. Until now.”

“What's happened?”

“Nothing yet. But I believe they plot to overthrow me.”

“Can they do that?”

I shrugged. “Not legally. But there are ways, I'm sure.”

“That's why you want the Eye!” Aras jerked his hand away from mine, but only to lift both hands in revelation. “You need it to defend yourself. To keep your crown!”

“Yes. And now you know my weakness, Aras. You know that I rule alone, barely holding control over my dread. Is that enough to assure you that I want more than sex from you?”

His expression softened. “It is. Of course, it is.” He stood up, took my hand, and pulled me to my feet, right into a kiss.

As much as we had established a need for more than lust, desire could not be banked by sweet thoughts. And then there was the mating magic that still rode me. I needed to do some riding of my own.

Our mouths bashed together, fangs drawing blood, and Aras growled appreciatively. The taste of him spiked my arousal as well. I guess we were both animals at heart and animals know that blood is life. Sex is also life-affirming. It seemed natural for the two to go together. So natural to go from savoring that primal taste to savoring the feel of Aras's bare body against mine. The softness of fur over hard muscles. The alluring buds of his nipples. That damn tail. I wanted it all, wanted to touch it all and learn every dip and plane of my mate's landscape. With a growl, I tossed his belt aside.

Fabric tore in our haste, but I didn't care. Not when more of my mate's primal form was revealed with every removal. I pushed aside cotton and leather until he stood before me as he should—bared for my pleasure. Our pleasure.

Touching wasn't enough. I wanted to taste him. I grabbed Aras by the waist and shoved him against the door. With a growl, I bent my head to bite his neck.

And came up sputtering fur.

Aras stared at me for two seconds, then burst out laughing. I started laughing with him, and then we were on the bed, in each other's arms, still laughing boisterously. Crying with it.

Then the laughter subsided into a tingling warmth. Smiles shared. Eyes twinkling. Gentle touches. Happiness came then. Joy unlike any I'd experienced before. I trembled with it. It filled me to my fingertips and vibrated into Aras. He sighed and arched into me.

“You're magical,” Aras said.

If only I could tell him how true that was.

“You're rather magical yourself,” I said. Another truth.

“No, really.” He pressed his palm over my heart. “Can you feel that? I . . . fuck, Ly. It's as if I can feel you . Your touch goes deeper than skin. Is this a Dragon thing?”

My breath caught. I had to bite my tongue to keep from confessing. I just stared at my mate, everything about him reeling me in like a hooked fish. I couldn't draw back. Couldn't look at all of him at once. It might kill me. It would certainly stop my heart. Or burst it. Aras was that beautiful. That genuine. And that amazing.

“Ly?” Aras wrinkled his forehead, putting furrows in the sleek fur.

I stroked them away and smiled. “No, it's not a Dragon thing,” I lied. “It's an us thing. And yes, I feel it too. Will you think I'm crazy or clingy if I say I think we're meant for each other?”

His eyes shivered. His whole body did. I covered his hand with mine and pressed it still.

“Do you think . . . ,” Aras trailed off, swallowed, then tried again. “Do you think I could be your mate?”

Oh, fuck me. Fuck this!

DO NOT TELL HIM! the Eye shouted loud enough to make me wince.

“I guess that's an answer,” he whispered.

“No!” I laid my hand on his cheek. “No, that wasn't my answer. It was just a sudden pain in my head.”

“A headache?” Aras frowned. “Do Dragons get those?”

“When we're under extreme amounts of stress, we can.” I waved it away. “Forget about that. I do think you could be my mate.”

“You do?” His eyes went wide and hopeful.

“Would you want that?” I countered. “Do you know what it would mean? How your life would change?”

Aras frowned as reality intruded. I could feel his hesitation. “I would have to leave the sea?”

“Not permanently,” I hurried to assure him. “But I'd need you with me more than you weren't.”

He stared at me, his expression unreadable.

I started to panic. It had never occurred to me that Aras might reject not me, but the life I offered him. “Aras?”

“We'll figure it out,” he finally said. “If I'm your mate, then we'll figure it out. We'll have to.”

A flood of relief made me go limp. Well, mostly limp.

You might as well tell him with that attitude, the Eye snapped. He'll think he has you wrapped around his little finger. If you recall, the whole point of not telling him he's your mate is to keep him submissive and afraid. He is neither of those things now.

And I don't want him to be!

Then he won't be as motivated to find me!

There are other things that motivate men.

She went silent for a few heartbeats. Long enough for me to kiss Aras and get back to what we were doing before a mouthful of fur distracted us.

I was just about to roll onto my back when she said, Very well. Motivate him as you will. But when it comes time to send Aras after me and he doesn't seem inspired, you had better do whatever it takes to see to his success.

I will, I replied absently. Now, please, give me some privacy.

As if I want to witness this, she huffed and left.