Page 116 of The Mating Claim
“No!” Flinging herself onto the ground she reached out into the pool, splashing the water, trying to find his hand to grab again. Not Drust. Not that wonderful, arrogant, tender wizard who had done so much forher.
The water beneath her fingertips turned icy cold, forcing her to back off. Soon as she lifted her hand free, the water iced over. And the suddenly the pool was gone, as if it were neverthere.
“No! Drust, Drust, come back to me!” Wailing, she dug at the earth with her fingers until they began to ache andbleed.
It was no use. He was gone forgood.
For a long time she lay there, sobbing for what she had lost, until the sun vanished behind the trees and the night grewcold.
But not as cold as the empty, dead space inside her that was now her shatteredheart.
Chapter 25
When Drust had jumpedinto the portal of the Shadow Lands with the book, she knew it was gone. The shadow of darkness hovering over hervanished.
But he was gone as well, and she felt as if he had died all overagain.
Three days since he’d vanished into the Shadow Lands. Three days of thinking she would never see himagain.
Because it didn’t matter that he was an immortal wizard. The Shadow Lands had drained his spirit last time. This time, he was probably trappedthere.
Pacing in the living room of Sebastian and Skylar’s castle, Lacey wiped her streaming face. Crying accomplishednothing.
Funny how she used to scoff at women who wept over their men when they left, either through breaking up relationships ordeath.
Now she fully understood theirpain.
Drust’s family had been wonderful, caring and supportive. But with each passing moment, the ache in her heartgrew.
He was right about their being soul mates. Never had she experienced such a sense of loss as if her heart were cleaved inhalf.
Lacey closed her eyes, recalling the words he’d said to her. “Through time eternal, we are destined to be one. You hold my heart within you, and nothing, not even death, may partus.”
Hearing a gentle cough, she opened her eyes and glanced up. Skylar, Sebastian’s mate, stood in the doorway of the livingroom.
Skylar was a sweet, but spunky dragon shifter who ruled her household. Her young son and her mate adoredher.
Waist-length brown curls pulled back into a ponytail tumbling down her backside, Skylar had freckles and a curvy figure now encased in simple black jeans and a lightweight bluesweater.
She moved with a regal bearing indicating her ancestry, for Skylar came from dragonroyalty.
But you’d never know, judging by the way she was so friendly andopen.
“Lacey, please try not to worry. I’m certain Uncle Drust will return soon.” Skylar held out her hands. “Come, sit withme.”
They sat on the sofa as Lacey tried to gather her lost composure. “I misshim.”
Skylar nodded. “I know. But he loves you and he will come back toyou.”
“I’m not so sure. That place, the way he described it…it’s so horrible. And he went there for me, Skylar. All for me. If only I hadn’t taken that book to beginwith!”
“Regrets, I have found, are a waste. Drust would want you to go on, Lacey. You’re not eating, you’re notsleeping…”
Lacey wiped at her eyes again. “If Sebastian vanished from your sight and you weren’t sure if he’d return, what would youdo?”
Skylar sighed. “I know. You’re right. I just wish there was something I could do to help you. Maybe one of the otherwizards?”
Cringing as she thought of how she once loathed all the Brehon, she shook her head. “I’m not exactly on good terms with them. They knew I had the book and they probably blameme.”
