Page 24 of The Mating Claim

Secrets.

Mike had stabbed him and yet Drust stood by, doing nothing. The wizard was all powerful and could slay her ex with a flick of his hand. But Drust did…nothing.

He gently clasped her wrists and helped her rise. “Why do you care what happens tome?”

The Coldfire Wizard sounded genuinely flummoxed. For once, the irritation was gone from his deepvoice.

Lacey shrugged, unable to voice the emotions swirling inside her. Seeing Drust get stabbed had made gorge and panic surge in her throat, as if she’d witnessed such an atrocitybefore…

“It’s been a long night and I don’t want to clean up bloodstains. Especially blue blood. Hard to scrub out of the wooddeck.”

But her flip answer did not dismiss him. Drust cupped her cheek, rubbing his thumb against her skin. “You are an enigma, LaceyMcGuire.”

Her mouth twitched in a ghost of a smile. Then she saw the smirk on Mike’sface.

“Forget it, buddy,” Mike jeered. “Her legs are locked at the knee. She’ll never put out for you, chum. She’s as virgin as they come. Or don’t come. Frigid icecold!”

“You have no discretion,” she hissed athim.

He smirked at Lacey. “Sorry, notsorry.”

Fury arose in her, combating the embarrassment of her ex stating a very private and personal detail. Picking up a half-filled glass of beer, she tossed it atMike.

“Sorry. Not sorry,” she tauntedhim.

The dragon sputtered and wiped his face with a napkin. “You bitch. I’ll get you forthat.”

But as Mike started forward, a fist crashed into his nose. Blood splattered and the dragon went flying backward, crashing into a table. Moaning, he lay on the floor, holding hisnose.

Drust stood there, flexing hisfist.

“Sorry,” he said smoothly. “Notsorry.”

Lacey bit her lip, unsure of whether to laugh or worry. She settled on a compliment. “That was a wickedpunch.”

“I have not done that in centuries. It felt good.” He wriggled hisfingers.

Now she felt more than a little confused. Why did Drust defend her honor as if she were a maiden from medievaltimes?

“He’s not worth the trouble. But thanks for not vaporizing him, wizard.” Waving at the crowd she shouted, “Show’s over. Everyone inside for a freeround!”

“On me,” Drust added, his gaze never leavingher.

Shifters and dragons raced inside faster than you could mutter “happy hour,” leaving her alone with the wizard, and Mike, who still curled up in a fetal position on the floor. Curiosity filledher.

“Why did you hit him and not use your powers if you’re so concerned about me?” she askedDrust.

The wizard’s incredible blue gaze met hers. “I did not know if he still meant something to you personally and I had no desire to eliminate someone else you caredabout.”

Her breath hitched. All this time she’d thought him a callous bastard, and yet a glimmer of true compassion shone through. It made her uneasy. She did not want to like Drust, nor draw close to him. And yet she felt they were linked together in some odd way neither of them couldfathom.

“Still, you could have used your wizard powers to turn him into a toad or do something to him that wouldn’t have hurt him. Instead of punching him,” shepersisted.

Drust blinked, as if surprised by the question. “I felt the inclination to fight as a mortal, as if I have done this in my mortal life.Odd.”

Not odd. Downright spooky, because she’d felt the same way, as if they were acting out a scene from centuries ago, a scene they had both participatedin.

Drust regarded Mike. “I can still turn him into a cockroach, if it pleasesyou.”