Page 97 of Shadow Wings

“Will you tell me about the Drae?” Iasked.

Tyrrik’s face smoothed. He volleyed, “What do you want toknow?”

“About our powers. Like you can breathe fire; somehow you warm up the bathwater. You can read my mind. You’re stronger thanme—”

“You’re faster, remember?” he said with asmile.

“Yes, which is probably the most important skill,” I grumbled. “But what else? You can pull the shadows to you and become invisible. Can I dothat?”

He shook his head. “Probably not. The male acquires all of the skills necessary to protect. In our culture”—he paused at my outraged growl—“that has always been theway.”

“What if the male dies and the female isalone?”

“That never used to happen. Most mates die when their other half passes on, so that is a mootpoint.”

I shrugged. “The emperor has female Drae who were mated, doesn’the?”

Tyrrik shook his head, his expression darkening. “Only the ones who were single survived the trip toAzule.”

“Well, I think everyone needs the ability to protect themselves,” Isaid.

“You will not need for protection with mehere.”

“You won’t need my foot up your butt, but it could still happen.” Somehow, I knew pointing out to Tyrrik that I’d literally been protecting him for most of a week was a bad idea. “I’m only good for giving you an energy boost? That’s it? My magical Draepower?”

“Everything you do is magical,” he murmured in a rough voice. “Drae were the protectors of the realm. We only fought to preserve the peace for the humans. Drae are naturally a peaceful species. You do not possess the weapons I have because you are pure . . . you are beauty . . . you are worth dying for. The females of our kind are revered; they are more precious than any treasure, which is why the males spend years collecting a stash to give to their mates. We do not give it to her because this will make her rich. We collect and give her these things because this fulfills a need she has and makes her happy—because we know doing so will settle an instinct within her.” He pinned me with his heated gaze. “You are my reason for being, my purpose, my world. I would do anything for you.Anything.”

I couldn’t look away. I couldn’t believe he’d said all of those raw, honest things. My breath hitched as my stomach erupted into butterflies. I laughed nervously and tore my gaze from his. I couldn’t handle so much emotion when I’d only just decided to let him in my head. I hadn’t said I’d mate with him yet. These were courting words, words he wanted me to return. “Where do you come up with theselines?”

He frowned. “You don’t like what I say toyou?”

“No. I mean, yes, kinda. Also, no.” I was being stupid, and it didn’t help that Tyrrik was sitting up, distracting me with his naked chest again. “Here,” I said, standing up. I grabbed the towel and shoved it at him. “I can’t think straight with you in thetub.”

“If you joined me, you wouldn’t need to worry about whether to join me ornot.”

I gave him a withering glare and shook the towel. “Not going to happen today. Tyrrik, I know I said you can be in my head, but this might be too fast. I haven’t decided . . .” I trailed offhelplessly.

He tossed the carrot top to the ground and grabbed the towel.I know, Khosana. But you didask.

You could’ve told me a story about how the first Drae was created from mortar and horse dung under the twin moons.I spun my back to him, the water splashing and moving as he stood. A moment later, I felt him behindme.

“You really don’t like my compliments?” he asked, his breath warm on myneck.

“It’s like you’re trying . . .” To pressure me. But that wasn’t really it. Everything he said sounded perfect, effortless, but . . . “I don’t know what to say back to things likethat.”

He trailed his hand down my arm, and his heat licked my skin. I froze. My breath hitched. The gates between our minds were wide open, and his yearning pulsed through me until I couldn’t tell if the emotion was his ormine.

“I love when you blush,” he said, brushing his fingertips up my neck. “It drives me nearmadness.”

I arched to give him betteraccess.

“I love when your skin touches mine,” he continued, his thumb stroking the skin above my collarbone. “It is a sensual gift.” He stepped closer, his body fitting tomine.

“I love when your desire pulls me to you,” he said, brushing his lips to my neck. “Your smell changes, deepens; like flowers andsunshine.”

I said silently what I was too scared to say aloud.Is that just the mate bond doing that to me?He pulled me closer, and I shut my eyes as I fought to gain control of the desire. I didn’t want to be with him because of some stupid bond. I wanted our emotions to be real, but how could I even know what was real whenthiswas all I felt when I was nearhim?

“What we share is real, Khosana,” he murmured. “There is nothing that makes more sense than what lies between us. If I could choose anyone, I would choose you. I would pick you out of a crowd of thousands. Your Drae calls to me. Please, my love, please . . .” He reached a hand around and rested it at the base of my throat, spanning his fingers above mybreasts.

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