When I sat beside him, he flicked out a finger. The logs in the fireplace caught and flames leapt up.
I flinched.
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.”
“No, it's fine. But it is funny that you start fires and I fight them.”
“I also put them out, if you recall.” Kas took my hand.
“Do I have magic now?”
“What?”
“That woman on Earth said that my DNA has changed. You altered it. She thought I might have some of your magic now.”
“What is DNA?”
“It's, uh, the basic molecules that, uh . . . shit. How do I explain DNA? Okay, blood and bones and flesh—all of that have these things in them called DNA. They're like instructions for the building of our bodies. They tell our skin what color to be, that sort of thing.”
“DNA determines your race?”
“Yeah, you could say that.”
“And humans know how to . . . find DNA?”
“Yes. We have tests that can analyze someone's DNA and tell us what genetic markers they have—what makes them who they are. And mine have changed. I'm not human anymore, Kas. Not entirely, at least. She said I was similar to you, but not like you either. Something in between. A hybrid.”
“Fascinating,” he whispered. “Dragons have always known that any non-Dragon mate they take will be changed by the mating, especially humans.”
“Because we don't have magic.”
“Because you're the only mortals on Serai. But that changes after you mate a Dragon.”
“Right. I'm immortal now.” I swayed.
“Mate!” Kaspian picked me up and sat me on the bed. Kneeling before me, he asked, “Are you unwell?”
“It's just a lot, Kas. Why don't you understand that? You went through what I'm going through. Not the DNA stuff. But you were alone on another world.”
“I was not alone. I had you. I had you from the moment of my arrival.” He cupped my cheek. “And you have me, Demetrius. You will have me forever. I'm sorry if I thought that would be enough reassurance for you. I didn't anticipate your anxiety over my world. But you are not alone.” He bent to press his forehead to mine. “I will help you, Mate.” Leaning back, he smiled. “There's so much I want to show you.”
My heart lightened. But then I remembered what he'd said. “Sure. As long as I don't oppose you in public.”
Kaspian frowned. “I said that because of our argument. I'm the King. I can't be seen arguing with my mate. I must show a strong face to the populace. Any weakness, especially now, will be held against me.”
“Why especially now?”
“Because my dread will come for your presentation.”
“My what?”
“I told you they must accept you. The process includes a presentation. I will introduce you to the dread and present you to them formally. They will declare for you or against you.”
“You said it was a done deal.”
“A done deal?”
“Inevitable. A foregone conclusion. You said they would accept me because of the Goddess.”
