Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Focusing on that almost keeps my mind off Caden and his maddening contradictions. He wants my body, aims to protect me, but can’t commit to truly being with me. What’s going on in that thick skull of his? I’d write it off as typical bloke fear of commitment, but the connection between us feels so strong. Or is it the diary’s magic playing tricks on us both?
Sighing, I peek in on Aquarius once more, surrounded by fresh ice packs, and wander down to the library. With the lights on, the room no longer has that air of forbidden romance. Sabelle and Olivia lounge on the sofa, oblivious. Clearly, they have no idea what Caden and I were up to here just an hour ago.
“I didn’t until you thought about it,” Sabelle says with a teasing smile. “Join us?”
Since Aquarius is resting and I’ve caught up on the notes for my next story, I’ve nothing else to do. Caden made sure of that. Maybe a good chat with these two is in order. “Thank you.”
With a nod and a smile, Sabelle gestures to me to sit in a nearby chair. “What would you like to talk about?”
“A way I can help magickind. Caden is furious, and may…I don’t know, paralyze my mouth if I say this, but—”
She bursts out laughing. “Caden is out, so he can’t overhear.”
True, but that worries me as well. Mathias could be searching for Anka. If he is, if Caden finds both of them and there’s trouble… I’m terrified for him. But I haven’t tried to prohibit him from doing what he must.
“Caden, Ice, and Duke are large wizards. Experienced fighters. Mathias is currently weak,” Sabelle says.
“But they’re all helping.” Even if Caden doesn’t want to. “Caden expects me to do nothing but cower in the name of safety.”
“Wizards can be overprotective,” Sabelle adds. “My brother is a perfect example of that.”
“Amen,” Olivia seconds. “I love Marrok—most days. Then he brings on the ‘me big warrior, you little woman’ crap. I have to remind him that this isn’t the Dark Ages anymore, and I’m not playing that game.”
I smile. I can actually see the little brunette standing up to her massive husband, and him backing down…eventually. He loves her to distraction; even I’ve noticed that. And I’m a bit green with envy.
Caden has his moments. While making love earlier today, he said something more romantic and poetic than any man has ever said to me. Become a part of me, as I become a part of you…
“He said what?” Sabelle demands.
Wincing, I flush red. “Sorry. I forgot to keep my thoughts to myself.”
Impatiently, Sabelle waves away my apology. “He said, ‘Become a part of me, as I become a part of you’?”
“Yes.”
The blond witch and Olivia exchange a glance. Obviously, something is afoot.
“Is that a problem?”
Sabelle hesitates. “Did he say anything after that?”
I scan my memory. “‘Ever after, I promise—’ Then he stopped and turned into an overbearing lout.”
Sabelle raises a brow and shoots Olivia another conspiratorial glance. They grasp something I clearly don’t. Good. Perhaps the witch can enlighten me.
“Indeed,” Sabelle says. “When a wizard takes a mate—a wife, in human terms—he speaks words. A Mating Call. What Caden said begins the wizard’s vow to his mate. Not the overbearing lout bit, though that comes with the territory.”
Heart beating in triple time, I gasp. “So he speaks those words and poof, we’re mated? For life?”
“Not quite that simple, no. You have to answer his Call.”
“And then?”
“If you Bind to him, you’re mates for up to a thousand years. No worrying about picking out the right china pattern.”
A proposal and a wedding all at once. Efficient. Did Caden really mean to “propose” to me, or was that the diary’s influence?
“Human males can take an annoyingly long time to decide if they’re in love and want to marry. Caden and I haven’t known each other long, just a couple of weeks. I love him, but…is a wizard any different than a regular man?”
Olivia snorts. “Totally. Want a list?”
Sabelle giggles. “Indeed. Magic cuts through a great many human mating rituals. A wizard knows his mate by taste. Instantly. One kiss, one taste of her—any fluid—and he knows. Often, her taste compels the words immediately.” She looks behind her, ensures the door is shut, then whispers, “It happened to my brother just before Caden came to work with you. He met a woman in a pub and brought her here—most unlike him. By morning, they were mated, and she had run off. Bram told me, one kiss and he could hardly keep the words to himself.”
One kiss? That explains so much. And it nearly crushes me. “Caden has never kissed me. I thought maybe he wasn’t the kissing sort or something. So often, we were rushed or he was frenzied.” I flush, realizing how much of my personal life I’m spilling. “But he’s never tasted me in any way, so why would he think I’m his mate?”