Zan tries to dash to the side, but there was only one way to go, and I’m ready for him, taking his hands in mine.
I feel it clearly now that I know what it is—the rush of power leaving me, into him.
Freely offered.
Zan’s eyes flare bright blue, and something in his expression goes a little feral.
And then he snarls, “It’s a mate bond.”
I blink.
I tilt my head, feeling like my entire being has just tilted on its axis.
Isthatwhy I’ve always known him?
Why he’s been obsessed with me?
A thing we didn’t even choose—
“It shouldn’t bepossible,” Zan bites out. “Whether or not you’re human, you’re not a dragon. The power differential between us should be too great. When I first felt the potential for it all those years ago, I thought it must be a mistake—”
“The potential?” I interrupt, trying to keep my voice even. “So wedon’thave a mate bond?”
Zan shakes his head. “Not yet. Dragons can always feel the potential for a mate bond, but we still have to choose it on purpose. But the times it has flared between us—”
“Are whenIchose,” I realize.
When I first reached out a hand to touch a dragon.
When I refused to let him leave me and took active steps to bring him back to me.
When I gave him my power on purpose.
“Yes,” Zan says, “even if you didn’t know it.”
Okay.
Okay, yeah, I’m pissed after all.
“So you want to leave,” I say, my hands tightening, “becauseI want you to stay?”
Zan steps in closer to me. “I don’t want to leave,” he snaps. “But you don’t know—”
“Then tell me!Didn’t you say mating would give you freedom? Do you want someone else—”
Zan presses his lips to mine, like he can’t help himself.
And gods help me, I don’t want to help myself.
The feeling of perfect togetherness fills me and makes me ache and want to rail at the universe, becausewhycan’t I have this? Why can’t I have him?
What kind of punishment do I have to suffer to deserve happiness?
Zan rests his forehead against mine as I try to breathe.
Then he says, “There is no other mate. Not for me.”
My breath catches.
