Page 55 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

I touched my unscarred neck, feeling the cold loss of his body heat as Lucan padded barefoot across the bedroom and opened the door, scooping up and cuddling my needy cat.

Lucan is my mate.

“How exactly does this bond thing work?” I asked as he sat on the edge of the bed.

He looked away but not before I saw the hope flash across his eyes. For such a big, ferocious guy, he expressed himself easily. That only made me love him more. There were no hidden surprises.

What you saw with Lucan was what you’d get.

“After I bite you, you’ll take my venom through my fangs. Dragon mates exchange venom and that gives them the power to heal each other. I don’t know what it means for humans. But Kieran was able to heal Ember and he thinks that it might also do something to extend her lifespan.” Lucan continued to stroke Dobby behind the ears.

My cat looked at me with his judgmental eyes, waiting for my response.

I wasn’t sure about the longer life stuff, but we’d cross that bridge when we came to it.

“And what does being bonded mean?”

Lucan smiled.

That smile was dangerous. “It means we’ll have a connection that transcends the human and dragon barrier. We’ll form our path of communication and be able to feel each other in stronger ways.”

I chewed my bottom lip. “And what happens if we choose to break this bond?”

“Why would we do that?” he growled like the idea was a personal offense.

I had to stop myself from brushing off my worries by pretending they weren’t important. He deserved to hear the truth.

“What if you hurt me or if I hurt you?” I asked.

“Intentionally?” He shook his head. “Impossible. It would be like physically ripping my own heart out to hurt you on purpose. I’d tear myself apart if any harm came to you from me. Even now, without the bond, it kills me to see your fear. Could you imagine how much stronger that pain would be if I also felt what you are feeling and knew I had some part in it?”

“Sounds too good to be true,” I laughed, trying to lighten the mood.

Lucan’s smile fell. “You doubt me.”

“It’s not that.” I scooted closer, clutching the sheets to my chest. “It’s just my ex… Drew.”

I flinched when Lucan’s pupils narrowed into slits, but forced myself to sit tall.

“Drew is his name. He screwed me up in the head. It’s hard to trust again.” I took a deep breath. Lucan needed to hear this.

“It was so much. He lied all the time. He’d promise one thing and do another. All his paranoia I dealt with. Sometimes I didn’t know what was right anymore. It was a web of confusion I got tangled in deeper whenever I tried to escape. He’d be sweet one minute. Angry the next. And then he’d break down, needing me. I’d be walking on eggshells and know I should leave, but then somehow, I’d think it was all my fault and I couldn’t…”

Tears burned my eyes.

Just shut up, Riley.

I looked at Lucan, letting him see the vulnerability written on my face. “I was stupid and weak for staying with him so long.”

“No, no, no. My Riley.” Lucan’s growl was primal, but his touch was tender as he cupped my cheek. “You suffered and stayed because you thought you were needed. Love makes you a warrior, not a fool. Anytime you act from a place of compassion, you show strength. He was the coward who took advantage of and hurt you.”

“By that logic, didn’t he love me in his own way? Don’t you always need the ones you love?” I laughed derisively at myself as I wiped my eyes.

Dobby began to purr as Lucan stroked under his chin. My traitorous cat didn’t bother to check on me.

“A loving relationship shouldn’t be one-sided.” The pity on Lucan’s face made me look away. “What did you ever need from him?”

Tear my heart out why don’t you?

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