Page 115 of The Mating Claim

“Are you sure, Lacey?” Drust’s gaze was intense. In his typical cobalt tunic, trousers and doeskin boots, he looked official and wizard-like.

“Yes.”

She closed her eyes. When she opened them, they stood at a serene-looking pool of quiet water ringed by trees. But this water had a dark tinge to it, and she smelled something dank and ugly aboutit.

Death.

Lacey sucked in a deep breath and stared down at the water. Hands seemed to beckon her tojump.

If she jumped, she would die. But so would the book. Emotion clogged herthroat.

“Okay.” She scrubbed her hands against her jeans. “Is there something I need tosay?”

Still holding the book, Drust shook his head, watching her quietly. He held the Book of Shadows in hishands.

Lacey went to take the book, thought about her life, all the damn mistakes she’d made, all the joys she’d experienced. The love she held for thiswizard.

“I can’t do this.” She clenched her hands. “I’m not ready. I’m sorry Drust. Maybe the book,maybe…”

The book’s cover rose and fell, as if the evil within it struggled to befree.

Before he could stop her, she grabbed the book and threw it into the water. For a minute it floated, and then the pages flapped like dragon wings and flew back into herhands.

It sat there, and she could imagine seeing a face inside, gloating with triumph.You will never be rid of me. I am with you forever. Jump, Lacey, it is the only way to destroyme.

Her heart banged against her chest. She dropped the book, and hugged herself. “I’ll do it. I can do it, I have to, Drust, give me a minute… there’s no otherway.”

“Yes, there is. I found the answer in Caderyn’smanuscript.”

Words fed her hope until she saw his haunted expression. “Drust…”

“I did not bring you here to forsake your life by jumping into the portal of the Shadow Lands,caramine. I brought you here to say good-bye, because I am taking the book theremyself.”

Drust flexed his hands, his expression haunted. “It is the only way, Lacey. If you enter the Shadow Lands, you may never leave. You will die and your spirit may wander, lost, for centuries. I could not bear that. I am immortal. I can return from the Shadow Lands. Youcannot.”

He framed her face with his hands. His palms… which had turned cold. To her horror, she realized he had not worn gloves while touching the book and it was siphoning power fromit.

He knew this as well, for she could see it in his blue, blueeyes.

“There isn’t much time,caramine. I love you. I will love you through time eternal, and beyond. Until the moon no longer shines and the sun ceases to rise. I will love youforever.”

Heart hammering in her chest, she seized his hands, trying to warm them. Trying to pull him back. She could not lose him. Notnow.

Notever.

Gently he pulled free and picked up the book with his right hand. “Lacey, this is the onlyway.”

Lacey grabbed his free left hand and held tight. Maybe if she didn’t let go, he wouldn’t dothis.

Not going to let go of your hand, if I don’t let go you won’t jump, you won’t dothis.

“Drust, I love you, please don’t do this,don’t…”

“I must.” He kissed her, swiftly, his gaze tormented. “Sebastian and Skylar know where I go. Go to them, Lacey. They will care foryou.”

Before she could utter a protest or scream, he gave a sudden tug, freeing his hand. And then he jumped into the pool with the book. It swallowed him whole, not even a dropletsplashed.

And then he wasgone.