Page 38 of The Mating Magic
Tristan rested a hand on his shoulder. “My friend, we are leaving you, but if you cannot…rise to the occasion, I will give you advice. Untilthen…”
He waved a hand and vanished. So did theothers.
Evie felt confused, but for some odd reason, the fact the other wizards had left reassured her. Because for all his scowling and enormous power, she sensed Drust did not intend to hurt hersister.
The Coldfire Wizard turned to Chase. “Tell me where you wish to go, and I will give you aboost.”
“Home,” Chase told him. “I have something important to askEvie.”
Before she could ask, Drust waved a hand. She squeezed her eyes shut. When she opened them, they stood in the kitchen of Chase’s condo, with the sliders overlooking the tawny sweep of beach and turquoiseocean.
The same kitchen where Lacey had appropriated the magickpotion.
Stolen, she silently correctedherself.
Chase wrapped his arms around her, kissed the top of her head. “Don’t worry about Lacey, my love. She can handleherself.”
“I worry more about your uncle Drust.” She leaned against him. “But judging from the way he looked at her, there’s something there. I think he really likesher.”
“I agree. But right now I’m more concerned withus.”
Heart racing, she turned around. “Will there be an ‘us,” Chase? You apprenticed yourself to Drust, and your family reveres dragons with high esteem. I have no realfamily.”
Chase regarded her with such love, her heart turned over. “Dearest Evie, you have what matters more than a family name and background. You made me whole again, and opened me tolove.”
“But yourapprenticeship…”
“I did it for you. The only way I could break free from my family was through apprenticing myself to Drust for two years. When my service is over, I can buy your heart’s desire – an art gallery on WorthAvenue.”
She stared at him in confusion. Gradually the words sank in. An art gallery for her, where she could showcase her drawings, perhaps even the watercolors she secretly painted and had shown to noone.
“Chase, your father’sbusiness!”
Anger flashed across his face. “It means nothing to me, Evie. Not without you. I managed the business, but I couldn’t break free without cutting ties with my father until Drust offered me this opportunity to work as his apprentice. And the money to shape my own life however Iplease.”
Her mouth wobbled as he dropped to one knee and took her hand. “Evie, darling, I want to marry you and be your mate for life. You say you can’t live fully as a dragon, well, then we’ll live as humans. I’ll have enough money to start our business. You create the art and I’ll sellit.”
Wonder filled her. “You’d give up your family legacy as a direct descendent of Drust, all that prestige, to be withme?”
“If you’ll have me.” His voice turnedhusky.
“But your parents…” Evieprotested.
A rueful smile touched his mouth. “They won’t care, but even if they do, I will do what I wish, Evie. When you find someone you truly love, nothing else matters but making her part of your life,forever.”
Chase had done all this simply out of love for her and a deep desire to share his life with her. He hadn’t abandoned her for hisfamily.
But he stood ready to abandon his family forher.
She slid her arms around his neck. “I don’t need an art gallery or a showing, preppie. Just your belief in me. Chase Burke, will you marryme?”
His smile widened. “I was going to ask you first, Evie. I don’t care where we live, here or at your house with Lacey. Anywhere with you,” he said huskily, as he pulled her close, “would beheaven.”
As his mouth descended upon hers, she thought heaven never tasted assweet.
Chapter 14
Happy as shewas for her sister, and Chase, Lacey knew today wasn’t a greatday.
