Page 75 of Primal Bonds

But she wasn’t just fae, she was human, too. A mixed-blood, just like Silver.

“Fada don’t mix with other humans or fae.” Leron had pounded that into all of them, until Jace had believed it. “Humans are weak, easy to break, and the fae would sell out their own mothers for a handful of jewels. And you’ll have cubs who can’t take an animal form.”

Jace had shuddered. The cat was part of him, clear to his soul. Being without it would be like cutting out a vital, irreplaceable piece.

That had clinched it for him. He was pretty sure he’d muttered that to Adric, when he’d given his friend the news about Takira’s mating. “Her cub probably won’t even be able to shift.”

Gods, he’d been so fucking self-righteous.

And Leron had been wrong because Merry could shift. She was a beautiful black jaguar, just like him.

He tucked Evie closer and stared at the ceiling as one by one, the fae lights winked out until the room went dark.

Chapter 21

Evie came awake in slow increments. She was curled on her side, a big arm draped over her waist.

Jace. Her lips curved.

No covers except a sheet tangled around her legs, but he was spooned around her, and his body generated plenty of heat.

She was pleasantly sore in places that hadn’t seen any action in way too long. She might even have a couple of slight bruises where he’d gripped her hip at the end, but who cared when she felt so good? She curled her fingers around his hand where it rested on her stomach and opened her eyes.

Without windows, there was no way to tell the time, but she guessed it was close to morning. Above her, the fae lights glowed on, painting the room with the muted colors of dawn—rose, a soft yellow, a pale sky-blue.

“Nice trick,” she murmured.

Lips tickled her nape. “Who’re you talking to?”

Her cheeks heated. “No one.”

The arm on her waist tightened. “The fae lights?”

“Yeah,” she admitted. “They seem almost alive. I thought about morning and they came on.”

“It’s you. They’re somewhat self-directed, but I’ve never seen them as responsive as they are to you.”

“Really? Huh.” She stretched out a hand on the mattress. A shining ball the color of sunlight slid over her palm, sending a tingle up her arm. “So why does that bother you?”

He released her waist and rolled onto his back. “It doesn’t.”

“No? It sure seemed like it did last night.”

“It’s like we said in your kitchen—we don’t mix. Fada, humans, fae—” He moved a hand.

“Wow.” She sat up and swung her legs off the bed. “So I have two strikes against me. Maybe I’d better just leave.”

“No—wait.” He grabbed her wrist. “Don’t be mad.”

She pinned him with a look. “Let. Me. Go.”

He released her and sat up. “Just listen—please? I’m sorry. But you said yourself that we don’t mix.”

She had. And she’d be wise to remember it.

She sank down on the edge of the mattress. “What?”

“I told you about my niece Merry. Her mom—my sister—was killed by some of our own people. But the night fae helped.” He blew out a breath. “Because she had a baby girl who was a quarter fae. I know you’re not a night fae, but the baby was part human, too, and it caused problems for Takira in the clan. Things were so bad then, anyway—people went a little crazy. After Takira died, a night fae went after her mate and the cub. Merry was the only one who survived.”

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