Page 156

“No.”

Neither of them acknowledged me.

I did not like this alliance.

Talia leaned against the counter again. “What happens if we ignore it?”

“Nothing dramatic.”

“No biological emergency?”

“No.”

“No forced bond?”

“No.”

“No mysterious alien body deciding we’re married?”

Darev looked briefly confused. “Married?”

“Never mind.”

“Nothing occurs unless both of you make choices.”

That seemed to settle something in her.

Not comfort.

Boundaries.

She understood boundaries.

So did I.

That should have ended the discussion.

Instead, she asked, “How would we know for sure?”

Darev looked at me.

I already disliked the answer.

“Time.”

“Of course.”

“Repeated physiological response,” he said. “Increased awareness. Sometimes contact intensifies it.”

Talia’s eyes flicked to my wrist again.

I shifted my arm behind my back.

Darev saw.

His mouth twitched.

I considered striking him.