Page 111 of The Mating Claim

Anam cara. Dimly she remembered it meant “soulmate.”

“Astor,” she said suddenly, another memory surfacing. “I called youAstor. Mytreasure.”

A shadow flickered across his face. “Yes. The names we gave each other, far from others, when we met in our secret place in thewoods.”

Music played from a dais in the shadows. The strains of violin, cello and other instruments indicated a waltz. Laceyblushed.

“I’m afraid… I can’t dance. Or if I did in another life, I can’t rememberhow.”

“Trustme.”

She went into his arms. Drust lead her in a waltz, twirling her around so all she had to do was follow. Funny how she loathed following men around and letting them take the lead, but with him, this feltnatural.

Because he treated her like an equal, she realized. He never degraded her or mocked her or made her feel inferior. With Drust, she could be her snarky, spirited self. He gave her freedom to be whoever she wished, as much as her dragon wings gave her freedom tofly.

“Have I told you lately that you’re pretty damn amazing?” she askedhim.

He smiled down at her. “Because I’m a wizard? Or because I’m devastatinglyhandsome?”

“Because you’re you.” Lacey sighed with contentment and rested her head against his shoulder. “You’re good at everything you do. Even dancing. I feel like I’m dancing onair.”

“Look down,” his deep voice whispered into herear.

She did. They still danced. But they had levitated upward about ten feet, waltzing above the ballroomfloor.

Lacey laughed. “You scoundrel. Good thing I’m not scared ofheights.”

He swept her around in an expert turn. “Of course you are not. You aredragon.”

When the dance ended and they floated downward, she felt giddy as he kissed her hand. “Thank you,caramine.”

“Can we go flying tonight? The air is so crisp and the stars are clear in thesky.”

Drust nodded. Then he waved a hand and they were outside in the garden. She shifted into her dragon form, swishing her tail around the grass. Drust shifted as well and grinned at her, showing a mouth of sharp, whiteteeth.

He went to give her a boost, but she had a surprise for him. Lacey beat her wings and did a vertical takeoff, her powerful muscles aching but working. She rose into the air, caught a current of air and wingednorthward.

Soon he joined her, flying to herright.

You’re much strongernow.

Thanks to all that good food you’ve been feeding me, wizard. I could always do a takeoff, just notlately.

Whereto?

Let’s just let the wind takeus.

They flew with the wind, drifting north. Fistfuls of stars glittered like diamonds on the dark velvet sky. The moon was a half nickel, hanging low in thesky.

I’m going to really miss this. I wonder if dragons can fly in the ShadowLands?

She did not voice that thought to Drust, but kept it secret andguarded.

Then they went upstairs and made love until they lay spent with passion in each other’sarms.

For dawn would come soon enough, and Lacey knew what she mustdo…

Chapter 23