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Ignatia sighs. “It's normal. It's just like how everyone else does it. You just… I don't know, have sex?”

I snort. “So if we were to do anything, it would just be like if you were human.”

“Yes. I mean us dreamscreechers are just humans with a few extra steps.” Then her nose scrunches. “Well… there is one thing…”

“Really?”

“Yes. A mating mark.” She glances me up and down. “When feelings get so passionate, usually right before our first time with each other, sometimes we lose a bit of control.”

“Is this another joke?”

“No, I'm actually serious.” She looks at me, her smirk disappearing.

My body tenses. What does she have in store for me? “So you… lose control…”

“And usually women leave bite marks on the neck or collarbone when they come across a man they feel strongly about.” She rubs her neck, a sudden redness coloring her face.

“It usually only happens with one man, as we only have one chance to do it in our lives.

Usually hook-ups aren't strong enough to trigger that side of us, and there needs to be strong attraction in both body and mind.

And also it's a painful process but in a good way.”

“Painful in a good way?”

“What? A lot of people like a little pain during sex. It's not like I'd kill you.”

“Okay so wait,” I put a hand up as I gather my thoughts. “Are these bite marks permanent? And do they have to be on my neck?”

“Yes. It's like a symbol of love, but also of power which is why it's usually visible. My father had one. Or at least it's supposed to be a symbol of love and power. It was supposed to help when populations were still low and Godusa needed the women to stay alive. The mark was supposed to give power to a man who would continue to protect her and her unborn offspring when she can’t shift.” She shrugs. “Now it's more of an inconvenience.”

I shift my gaze to the floor. “And what does this do to me, outside of the permanent mark?”

“Not much. Just things you probably wouldn't notice.” She shrugs. “It just kind of adjusts your scent to combine with mine and people have said both the men and women tend to get hornier than usual. Maybe you’d get some of my power if I get pregnant, which better not be the case! But that's it.”

“Oh…” I'm not sure how much I like the idea. A permanent marking to go with my first time? Seems like life wants romance to be hard for me.

On one hand, a mark to symbolize our relationship would be beautiful. It's like having the symbols on the finger signifying soulmates. I'd like to show off a mark. Everyone would see that I'm hers, and she's mine. It's a symbol of our love.

But at the same time, that's not what I want. At least logically. They would try to kill her. I would have to hide it.

Ignatia continues, “Women, though, can always feel when it is time to bite right before we lose control. So we always let you know beforehand. But otherwise, that's how dreamscreechers differ. But everything else is the same.”

I think it's all over. The problem is never her. It's everyone else in this kingdom.

“What? Are you worried about the marking?” Ignatia furrows her brows, leaning in to inspect my face. “We could find some ways to prevent it. You don't have to get marked.”

“I'm not worried about me. I'm worried about how that's going to affect you. I wouldn't mind the marking if it didn't risk hurting you.” My stomach twists at the thought of losing her.

“Hurting me?” she snorts. “Trust me, Captain Prettyface, you'll be the one hurting in the end.”

“I mean if people find out about the marking, Ignatia. They'll try to kill you. I can't have them do that.”

She furrows her brows. “Because then they'll know?”

I bring a hand to her face, cupping her cheek. “And I don't want to lose you. If that wasn’t a risk, I'd wear it proudly.”

She leans into my hand, half of her lip tugged into a smile. “I know you would.”

“And I want to make all of the Amara kingdom understand the truth too. But that's not going to come so easily.” Why does love have to be so difficult? “They wouldn't hesitate to kill you.”

“You're right, but we will make them understand. We'll find a way. We will heal Amara and Somnia together.” She pulls my hand to her lips and kisses it. “We'll figure it out.”

I laugh from her little kiss. I want nothing more than to be tangled up with her and experience intimacy. I want to be claimed hers. I want to claim her mine.

But life just wants to make things more difficult for us. “Yeah. You're right. We'll figure it out.”

I think back to our kisses in the garden on my birthday. Releasing so much built up yearning with every kiss. I felt free from the feelings I locked up in my heart.

Then the flowers. The flowers glowed.

“Last question. Why do you think the flowers glowed?” Mother told me she was soulmateless. I'm soulmateless. Yet, the flowers glowed brighter than any soulmate bond I've seen.

Ignatia shrugs. “I don't know. If either of us should know, it's you.”

My lips twist. It doesn't make sense, and I guess it's never going to make sense if I don't know. I could ask Grandmother but she'd get suspicious.

But nothing is stronger than a soulmate bond. Right?

We talk for a little while longer, until Ignatia decides to leave the room, going down to explore the house a little more.

Suddenly there's a buzz in my pocket. I grab my phone, and see a text from Glaide.

We never got a chance to talk about your birthday. Can we talk about what happened?

I stare at my phone, wondering if I should go, or think this stuff through. I didn't really get a chance to talk to him. Maybe he's worried.

Or maybe our conservation will inspire something. Maybe it won't, but I need to step away from this situation.

I’ll figure this out… somehow.