Dragonfae & The Soul Catcher by H. C. Brown Page B

you would decide to stay in Drakka with me.”
    “That would be nice.” Thalia let out a long sigh. “I know so little about myself, who my parents are or what being a witch really means. Having magyck is as thrilling as it is disturbing. If I stay with you in Drakka, will you watch me grow old and die or is there a way I can become immortal, too?”
    Lumos pulled away and stroked her cheek. He wanted to shout yes and tell her she was his mate, but how could he? In her fragile state, she would still fear him. He needed desperately to share his joy with her. The moment she tasted his seed, she would change slowly, to become a Dragonfae female. He knew this to be true, because he had seen the fire dancing in her eyes—fire for him. He shrugged, biting down guilt.
    “I’m not sure… I don’t know.”
    “Why did you come to my song?”
    Gods, not now, Thalia. If I tell you the truth, you will run from me. I cannot lie to you, either. Lumos sucked in a steadying breath.
    “You called to my dragon. When he is free, everything will become clear.”
    “You said the other day that I belonged to you. Do you remember? I’ve thought about your words for three days now, and it troubles me. Lumos, I don’t belong to anyone—I’m an orphan.” Thalia gripped Lumos’ thigh. “Why would you say such a thing?”
    A slip of the tongue, sweet butterfly. “You belong to me to protect… You know that, don’t you?” Lumos took up the reins and shook Albert into a trot.
    “Aye, it’s true. You say that often.” Thalia chewed her bottom lip.
    “Well then, it must be true… Look, this village has a tavern.” Lumos turned the wagon into the main street. Glad of the chance to change the subject, he smiled. “This place is much larger than I expected. Are you hungry?”
    “Aye, I’m as hungry as a wolf and I would love to sleep in a real bed for the night. Do we have enough money for a room?” Thalia pulled Brew onto her lap and rubbed his velvet ears.
    Lumos pushed away the image of Thalia lying naked on clean sheets and cleared his throat. “Perhaps enough coin for one room, although we have need of a horse more than comfort for one night. I’ll sleep in the barn.”
    “If we are to sleep under the same blanket in the mountains, it makes no difference if you share a room with me now, does it? I have no reputation to spoil, after all.”
    Pulling his cloak across his legs to cover his rampant desire, Lumos gritted his teeth. He had to keep her warm in the mountains so he might just as well practise his self-control between clean sheets. The dragon roared, insisting the time to mate drew near.
    “By the gods, dragon, don’t push me. I will not rush her. You must know my control is very near the end. Your insistence to claim her before she is ready will lose her to us forever. Do you want that?”
    “Mine…the witch is mine, Lumos. Just one kiss and she will be our mate.” The seductive voice of the Nightdragon purred in Lumos’ head.
    “Lumos?”
    Pushing the dragon from his mind, Lumos turned to Thalia. He forced a smile. “That is very kind of you. The ground has become very hard of late.”
    “I’ll be glad to sell the wagon as it holds bad memories for me.” Thalia smiled wistfully. “Although I’d never have met you if my fa—the king hadn’t banished me.” She curled a strand of Lumos’ hair around her finger. “Do you believe in fate?”
    A bolt of erotic lightning hit Lumos from the simple touch of Thalia’s gentle touch on his hair. She could not know that a Fae’s hair, unlike Nomags, held sensation and to cut one strand would bring great pain, to caress was an intimacy of lovers. He closed his eyes against the wave after wave of intense desire throbbing through him. The witch’s scent filled his nostrils. How could he fight this overpowering need? His skin burned. The dragon hovered beneath the surface, egging him on to take the witch to mate. He forced open his eyes to answer Thalia.
    “I