“Magic should be able to recognize your mate instantly.”
“That's not how Dragon mating magic works. It's different with every Dragon. Sometimes it happens during the first sexual encounter, and sometimes it takes months before the mating magic awakens.”
“That doesn't make sense.” I tightened my hands into fists to hide their trembling.
“It's magic. It doesn't have to make sense.”
I looked at the crumpled shirt in my hands. “I don't like these feelings.”
He moved closer. “What feelings?”
“I don't know.”
“Yes, you do. What are you feeling, Sevarin? You agreed to tell me.”
I lowered the shirt and looked at him. This had to be done. An alchemist never shies away from results or breaks a contract. We face what we do, whether it's a failure or a success. I didn't know what this was yet, so it was even more important that I analyze it without bias.
“Uncertainty,” I whispered. Then I strengthened my voice. “Confusion.”
Falken took another step toward me. “What else?”
I rubbed my left horn and tried to unravel my emotions. “Anxiety. Need or maybe want. Desire, definitely. Fascination.” I met his gaze. “Curiosity. And there are feelings I can't define.”
“Does your heart race when you feel those undefinable emotions?” His voice went low, sending thrills down my spine.
I nodded.
“Does your body seem restless, as if your muscles want to move when you're still?”
“Yes!” I frowned at him. “What is that?”
“Does it seem as if there's something you must do urgently, but you don't know what it is?”
“Yes, that's it! You feel that too?”
Falken leaned down to whisper in my ear, “Yes, it's called longing. It's the ache of falling in love. We're almost there, Sevarin. Don't leave me now.” He moved back a little to slide his cheek along mine and then brush our lips together. “You're feeling the start of a great romance. Even that cold rationale of yours can't defeat this.” He stepped away from me so he could meet my gaze. “It will get better. When the longing is satisfied,your racing heart will slow, and you'll know what you need to do.”
“What?” I whispered. “What will I have to do?”
He took my hand and smiled. “Just let yourself fall.” Then he blinked and looked down at his wrist.
I followed his stare to find the end of my tail wrapped around him there. My body had made the decision for me. I couldn't fall yet, but I took a step in the right direction—toward Falken.
It was all I had to do. Falken lurched at me and picked me up off my feet. My tail twining up his arm, I wrapped my legs around him. Then came a revolutionary kiss, one that brought those feelings he helped me name to the surface. It felt wonderful. He felt wonderful. But even as our tongues twined and our bodies hardened, anxiety crept in. Unwinding myself from him, I pulled out of our kiss. Falken let me slide down to the floor.
“When will the longing abate?” I demanded.
He stared at me for a moment and then burst into guffaws—booming, unfettered laughter. Frowning, I stepped back.
“I'm sorry.” Falken held up a hand as he composed himself. “You are so earnest. I have to remind myself that you aren't familiar with love.”
“And you seem to be overly familiar with it.” I scowled deeper.
His smile faded. “I have been in love before, yes. But he mated someone else.”
“So you know how it feels to lose someone you love to that magic.” I lowered my arms. “I'm sorry.”
“I'm not. We weren't right for each other—constantly arguing, and not in the fun way.” He winked at me. “The magic is infallible, Sevarin. I trust it.”
