But he’s right. If we don’t get out of here, it’s all moot anyway.
Rune scrambles onto my lap, the cot creaking under our combined weight again. “We’ve seen that we have some chemistry, right? Maybe there’s more to that. Shouldn’t we try to find out?”
“Okay.”
He offers a relieved smile. “Good. Now, how does it work?”
RUNE
I thinkI’ve convinced him. Of course this is risky, but only if it works. If it doesn’t, we didn’t lose anything, but if it does, well, wouldn’t that be something.
“The legends say that three things must occur in order for the bonding ritual to take. We have to be physically connected through sex, we have to verbally accept each other as our mate, and I have to have a marking of my mate’s choosing etched into my stone.”
“A marking?”
Atlas nods. “It can be anything. Initials, a symbol, it just has to be chosen by the mate.”
“How does it get etched into your stone?”
“As long as the first two things are happening…” He shrugs. “I guess it’s magic. You would trace the marking on my skin, and it will embed itself if we’re actually fated.”
“And if we’re not?”
“Then we had sex for the thrill of it.”
Not exactly a loss. Warning bells ring in my head though. This is a major decision, and one that shouldn’t be made lightly. If we are somehow fated, then we should take the time to court and truly know each other. We’d have to decide where to live and how this all works between us. I’ve only known of one other mated mage. They’re mated to a vampire, and they have a tumultuous but enduring love.
Human mages don’t mate on their own. We’re rather mortal in our love and relationships, unless fate has decided we’re to be with a supernatural being. Could that be the case here?
“Have there been any signs we’re fated that you can tell?”
Atlas shakes his head. “No,” he says, but then he hesitates. “Maybe?”
“Tell me.”
“I, um, well, I dream about you.”
“Yes, you told me.”
“Not just the one time. Since I met you. Not every single night, but frequently enough to notice.”
Intriguing. “What kind of dreams?”
He shrugs, averting his gaze, a subtle blush creeping into his cheeks. “Just random stuff.”
“Sexy random stuff?” I ask with a grin.
He clears his throat, and since I’m on his lap, my whole body jostles. “Maybe,” he mumbles.
“Atlas. Have you been having dirty thoughts about me?” I tug on his beard. “Naughty boy.”
“I can’t help it. It just happens. Especially after I read some of your journal.”
His words hit like I’ve just walked into a wall. “The journal. Gods, yes. That’s a big clue. You shouldn’t be able to open it. No one should, but you can. You can touch its pages.”
Atlas nods. “Yes, but I told you before I’m mostly immune to magic.”
“Not mine. I mean, yes, you’re immune, but I think it could be more than just your nature.” I cup my hands to his cheeks. “Even you knowing I was in trouble and how you found me is pretty compelling evidence. I can’t believe I’m saying this but, Atlas, I think we might actually be fated mates.”
