Page 86 of The Mating Claim

“Do you want to know my heart’s real desire? I want, no I need, someone to see me, really see me, as I truly am. Not what they think I am or what they label me or who I was in the past, this life or my previous one. Right here and rightnow.”

Lacey took his hand and guided it to her chest, letting him feel the rapid beat of her heart. “Hereinside.”

For a moment he rested his palm there, filled with wonder at the physical chemistry flaring between them, at how she wanted to trusthim.

Connection flared between them, one spark to another, so fiery he felt every nerve endingtingle.

Drust suspected she’d never lowered her defenses like this before another, not since she was a child. It meant taking a hugerisk.

“Why are you willing to trust me likethis?”

He had toknow.

A brittle laugh. “I’m probably going to die soon, because your fellow wizards demand of the book, and I’m tightly woven with the book, a walking, talking volume of it. But before I die, I need you to know I matter. That my needs matter, my lifematters.”

Her voice dropped to a bare whisper. “That I matter to you as much as you matter to me,Drust.”

Nothing he ever said to her would matter as much as his next words. Drust knew it with all hisheart.

“I see you,” he said quietly. He framed her face with his palms, his expression tender. “I see you, Lacey McGuire. I promise you this, I will always see the heart of you. For you carry part of my heart inside you, as I carry yours. This was so from the moment we met when I walked this earth as a mortal dragon shifter. You were my first, and only love and always will remain so. Nothing can ever part us again, not like it did in the past.Nothing.”

Chest tight, he rested his forehead against hers. Maybe there was hope in this crazy, mixed up world where demons tried to kill children and evil was damn tough todefeat.

Maybe Tristan was right. He needed to find someone tolove.

The moment was so intense, he could only study her rapid breathing. It was too important. Finally she gave a little laugh. “Even if you need glasses,wizard?”

He chuckled. “Always with the sarcasm.” He kissed her forehead, a mere brush of his lips, but he felt the responding warmth flare inside her. “Now, will you come inside withme?”

He held out his hand. Next move up to you, his expression said. Lacey nodded and clasping his hand, walked with him back to thehouse.

He knew what wouldhappen.

And he suspected she knew it as well, and longed for it to happen with all herheart.

But he wanted to savor the moments here with her, not rush her into bed. Anticipation boiled through him. Centuries of celibacy, and he wanted to make this nightlast.

“Let’s walk on thebeach.”

Hand in hand, they strolled around the house, removing their shoes and walking barefoot in the loamysurf.

“Drust… you know something? You’re my only real, truefriend.”

His heart turned over at the wistfulness in her voice. Little by little, she was releasing herdefenses.

Lacey released a dreamy sigh. “This is lovely being here with you.Magical.”

“This isn’t magick.” He released her hand, squeezed his fist and then opened it. “Thisis.”

She cried out and clapped her hands, child-like, at the dozens of blue fireflies sparking the air, glittering in the moonlight and winking their own specialillumination.

“It’s wonderful. And you created them, just like that. Like little fairylights.”

Drust smiled. “I feel sorry for people who don’t believe inmagick.”

He drew rune patterns in the air, the symbols glowing blue. Suddenly dozens of tiny yellow, green, red, blue and purple lights joined the glittering fireflies in dancing on the air. The tiniest of giggles echoed across thesands.

“Sprites.” Lacey held out a hand and a yellow sprite landed on her outstretched palm. “Hellothere.”