Page 19 of The Mating Claim

She frowned. “It feels weird. When I touch it, I can seeyou.”

Startled, he recoiled a little, for he’d thought it was a one-way transceiver. “Where Iam?”

Her frown deepened. “No, just a hazy image of you. Sort of like a daydream. If I wanted to daydream about something Drust, it wouldn’t be your uglymug.”

Lacey looked hopeful. “Can you use your magick to invoke an image of Jason Momoa forme?”

“Who?”

Rolling her eyes, she grabbed her phone, typed something and then showed him. “You know,Aquaman. Oh wait. You’re still stuck in the 15thcentury.”

Though she insulted him, he laughed, for he knew she was throwing up a front to shield herself. Besides, Xavier was right. He was far tooserious.

Deciding to test her, he snapped his fingers, hoping he would get the illusion right. Gideon had taught him the art of glamour, but it was still a newpower.

Judging from her shocked expression, the trick worked. “Is this better? Do I resemble this aquatic man you admire?” heasked.

“Holy crap, you look like Aquaman.” Lacey blinked and then steppedback.

He was pleased to see disappointment flicker in her green eyes instead of desire andpassion.

“Turn it off before my shop gets invaded by fangirls.” She tilted her head. “On second thought, how about we go into business together? You stand outside my shop with a sign that you’ll give out autographs and photo opps in exchange for people purchasing $15 worth of items fromme.”

“Only $15?”

“Don’t want to begreedy.”

“No, you only wish to be deceptive.” Drust snapped his fingers, dropping theglamour.

Lacey sighed. “I like you better like this. I was only kidding about the autographs. I am a reputable businesswoman, Drust. I don’t cheat or lie. If I don’t have my values and my moral compass, I might as well close upshop.”

“And yet you stole a potion fromme.”

A flush tinted her face. “It was an experiment to help my sister. I would do anything for Evie. That’s where my moral compass goes a littleaskew.”

She glanced down at her wrist. “How is she? Is shehappy?”

“Very much so. She has everything she everwanted.”

“Good. She deservesit.”

And what do you deserve, Lacey McGuire?He did not voice aloud the thought, but wondered. “Why would you be rigid in your personal life with a code of honor and drop it for yoursister?”

At first she said nothing, only kept touching her tattooed wrist. Finally she spoke in a quiet voice. “Because Evie saved my sanity those last five years in my foster monster’s home. She kept me from cashing in my chips. With her to protect, I had apurpose.”

Gaze haunted, she finally looked at him. “You know what that’s like, wizard? To not havepurpose?”

His chest tightened as he recalled all the long, lonely centuries spent in the afterworld of the Shadow Lands, filled with guilt, regret and loneliness. “Yes. It is… notgood.”

“You’ve been there. Maybe not like me… but something else.” Lacey studied him. “What was it? I can see it in your eyes that something terriblehappened.”

How could he explain to her the horrible emptiness of his time in the Shadow Lands? She was a mortal dragon shifter. He hoped she never did findout.

“It is in the past. My past is not a topic for discussion.” His voice sounded edgy and he did not mean it, but damnit, just thinking about what happened after he died dredged up horribleemotions.

She held her hands out. “No worries, wizard. I get it. No need to get blue onme.”

As he stared, she offered a small smile. “That’s a joke. I mean you already dress in blue…and sometimes you glowblue…”