Page 107 of The Mating Claim
Drust jingled the keys in his hand, such a human gesture she could almost forget he was a powerful immortal. “The same reason why the alpha Lupine and his pack didn’t want to live here. They claimed it was haunted. No animals in the forest. It’s not haunted, but the land vibrates with intensity because of the vortex beneath the adjacentpool.”
He did not meet her questioning look, but studied the thick oak door with its iron hinges and dragon head knocker. “The pool is a permanent entrance to the underworld of the ShadowLands.”
Lacey’s breath hitched. “You bought land that guards an entrance to the world you loathe, the place that trapped you for centuries? Whatfor?”
“It’s complicated. I will share later, perhaps. For now, comeinside.”
The interior of Drust’s castle was bright and cheerful and welcoming. A fire crackled in the hearth of the stone fireplace in the living room, where modern chairs and sofas were arranged around a low coffee table. The Oriental rug on the hardwood floor was tasteful, and the oil paintings on the wall hinted of masterpieces, yet were brightlandscapes.
Only the two tapestries on the walls of the dining hall hinted of hispast.
“It’s lovely.” She ran a finger over the soft, plush fabric of thesofa.
He parked a hip on the sofa’s armrest. “I wanted to make it welcoming and homey. I always thought this could be a home for a long time for myself and the one I loved. You, Lacey. I loved you through time eternal, when we first met when I was mortal and I love younow.”
How did she respond to that? Emotions swelled in herchest.
She plucked at the wrinkled shirt, knowing her hair probably looked like a rat’s nest, and that was an insult to nesting rats. “A long time, huh? You know, I won’t always look this good when I’m older likeyou.”
Drust threw back his head and laughed, a hearty, free-spirited bellow. Deep and resonating, it lifted her spirits and fed her hope. Because they probably had a doomed relationship and that had not changed in centuries, but at least they had now. They were together now. And she planned to cherish every minute of thattogetherness.
It would be nice if everything, including her life, were tied up in a nice, neat package. But it wasn’t and it never would be because life was complicated and wonderful, it was bittersweet and painful, full of twists and turns. She knew how this one was going to end and it wasn’t going to be pretty. Probably painful as hell. But at least she had love, even if only for a little while. She held it with both of her hands, marveled at it, basked in it, cherished it, and that memory, she knew would carry her forward into eternity. When the darkness without Drust became too unbearable, she would have the sweet memories of how very much he had loved her, both in this lifetime and in theirpast.
She wanted to take every moment and hold it tight, knowing there was little time left. Because the answer to destroying the book was to destroyherself.
Drust was the first man she’d ever met who never demanded much of her, who held high expectations of her. He accepted her as she was, and her love for him grew evenmore.
But saying it was another thing. Words failedher.
“Would you like to see my favorite room?” he asked. Then he gave a wicked grin. “Other than thebedroom?”
At her nod, he led her upstairs to a vast library with floor to ceiling bookshelves. Lacey marveled at the overstuffed chairs set about the Oriental rug with gooseneck reading lamps, and the cushioned window seat. Everything was designed forbookworm.
A thick tome sat on the heavy wooden desk off to the side. She flipped through it. A history of his people and hisclan.
Drust watched her as she scanned the pages until coming to his name and how he had died. At her puzzled look henodded.
“The official history book reads that Clan Drakon and the Fae reached a compromise after the end of the Drakon Wars, after I died. It also says I brought in Fae as advisors. It is… a half truth. I had instructed my son to alter the history upon my death and the end of the Drakon Wars to keep the peace and write something neutral so my clan, and my people, would not fly into a rage and wish to avenge mydeath.”
Drust cupped her cheek. “Losing a father is a terrible thing. Again Lacey, I am sorry I had to terminate the life ofyours.”
“You did what you had to do to keep the peace back then, Drust, and you did what you had to prevent my nutcase father from slaughtering innocents.” She leaned into his touch. “I understand now, what my parents were, and I forgiveyou.”
“I have waited a long time to hear that,” hemurmured.
But as he went to kiss her, she pulled away. “One more thing. I need to see the entrance to the Shadow Lands. Please showme.”
Drust hesitated. Then he nodded. “This way. Be careful. The forest can be… treacherous tomortals.”
“Then I’ll fly there asdragon.”
“You cannot.” He would not look at her. “The trees are toothick.”
He held out his hand. “Come.”
His palm was cooler than previously, as if the coldfire within him burned like winter fire, not the warmth all dragonssought.
They left the castle by the kitchen’s back door. The back yard was a vast green space with lush gardens filled with wildflowers and cultivated yellow, red and white roses took her breathaway.
