“I guess we’re… more compatible than I thought.”
There’s no greater proof of compatibility than a mate bond, his conscience whispered. He told it to shut the fuck up, then pushed those thoughts behind a wall of will before she heard them. She’d reluctantly given him her trust. He couldn’t shatter it right out of the gate by telling her they were now essentially mated.
“So, what happens now?” she asked. “Do we move onto lessons in control?”
Under normal circumstances, yes, but he needed time to sort this out. His magic was already strainingagainst his hold, wanting more. More of her magic. More ofher. “I think we’ve done enough for today.”
“Oh.” She seemed disappointed, then rallied. “Are you sure? Because I don’t feel tired. In fact, I feel energized. Rejuvenated. Like I could do this all day.”
He withheld a groan as his magic swelled, wanting nothing more than todo things all daywith her. “Which is exactly why we need to take this slowly. Recognizing your limits is a big part of control.”
“Okay. I trust your judgment.”
The blade of guilt twisted in his chest, then turned into a punch of fear as she grabbed her satchel and headed for the door.
She couldn’t just leave. Not now. Sure, his magic gave her a measure of protection, but she also bore his mark. She might not understand the significance of the eye color change, but others might.
“Where are you going?”
“You said we’re done for the day, right?”
Think, Emrys.
“Even with my magic cloaking yours, the Collectors are searching for you. And you’ve had several surges prior to today,” he reminded her.
“I’m aware. I’ll figure something out.”
That loneliness he’d sensed earlier swelled.
“We’ll figure it out. You’re not alone anymore, Muriel,” he told her.Literally.
She dropped her gaze as if afraid to trust that was true. “Right. What am I supposed to do, then? I can’tgo back to Jessie’s. I don’t want to put her and her family in danger. I can't go home. Hotels aren't safe, even if I could afford one, which for the record, I can’t.”
“You could stay here.”
She looked around the shop doubtfully. “Here?”
“Upstairs,” he clarified. “The second floor is an apartment.”
“That’s where you live?”
He nodded. “I have a guest room and plenty of space, plus the building is warded. The Collectors won’t be able to sense your magic here, even with your surges.”
Muriel stared at him, emotions drifting across her expression. Surprise. Wariness. A fragile tendril of hope.
“That’s… I don't want to impose,” she said finally.
“No imposition.” He stood, feeling the absolute rightness of having her here, keeping her close.
“How long are we talking about?”
Forever.Aloud, he said, “As long as it takes for you to get a handle on your magic.”
Her teeth sank into her lower lip in a tell of uncertainty. She was so close. “I don’t know. You’re already doing so much for me.”
“I’m happy to help. And staying here has the added benefit of strengthening the resonance. The more time we spend together, the better.”
She considered this. He knew she’d made up her mind when she straightened her shoulders and lifted herchin. “All right, but only if you let me do something for you.”