as if what he was about to say pained him, “I suspect he is more than the perception he gives to others. I also suspect you have seen that for yourself. Besides, sometimes we can’t help who we love.”
“But . . . Emane,” she protested.
Drustan put his hand on her knee, pity in his eyes. “ I know. I have seen how you feel about him. But the magic doesn’t lie.”
Her shoulders slumped. “That’s what Alcander said.”
“It is true. And he has more to lose than you do, I am afraid.”
“Why would he pick me?” she asked, looking to Drustan for an answer. “After waiting all these years?”
“It’s like I said. You can’t help who you love.” Feeling Alcander’s thread approaching, Drustan pulled his hand away and looked expectantly at the entrance as Alcander ducked inside. Kiora tried to hide the look on her face, but her eyes felt wide and haunted despite her efforts. Alcander froze, staring at her for far too long before turning slowly and leaving.
“Well. ” Drustan cleared his throat as he stood. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something. Instead he patted her on the shoulder in a fatherly way before leaving. Kiora could hear him yelling to Alcander, “What are we flying as today?”
* * *
ALCANDER PACED BACK AND forth on the sandy beach. Where the hell was Drustan? They had been ready to leave when Drustan said he had forgotten something at the tent. That had been at least thirty minutes ago.
He glanced back at Kiora, who sat with her legs up to her chin, her arms wrapped around them, staring out at the water with distant eyes. “I’m going to get Drustan,” he announced. She didn’t even glance in his direction.
Throwing back the flap to the tent, Alcander found Drustan standing at the back, arms crossed. “What are you doing?” Drustan demanded.
“We are trying to leave,” Alcander said shortly, his temper flaring.
“That is not what I was referring to.”
A savage rage rolled through Alcander’s gut. He had hoped that moment in the tent between Kiora and Drustan had not been what he thought. “She told you?”
“Yes.”
Alcander growled. “It is none of your business what I do, Shifter.”
“Call me Shifter all you want, Alcander, if that’s the best you’ve got.” Drustan leaned forward. “Kiora had no idea what she was doing when she kissed you.”
“Nor will she.”
“She already does.”
Alcander leapt forward. His hands splayed at his sides as magic crackled across his fingertips. “How dare you share that with her?” he seethed.
Drustan stepped closer. Alcander swore silently at his latest height adjustment. The massive Shifter stared down at him. “She had a right to know,” Drustan said. “As Kiora was the only person you could have bonded with who didn’t understand the implications, you had an obligation to tell her.” He pointed accusingly. “You did not, so I did. ” He inclined his head, looking down his nose at Alcander. “Now I ask you again, all pretenses aside: what are you doing?”
There was something in Drustan’s eyes, a fierce protectiveness for Kiora that Alcander understood and couldn’t help but respect. Pulling his chin up, he dropped his hands back to his side. “I can’t control it, anymore than she can control loving . . .” He stopped, his teeth grinding together. “Him.”
“You love her then?”
Running his hands through his hair, Alcander turned away. He could not believe he was having this conversation at all, let alone with a Shifter. “You know I do.”
“But not enough to tell her about the bonding.”
Alcander laughed out loud. “Is that what you think?” he asked, spinning around. “I know her enough to realize how badly this would hurt her. I was protecting her.”
Drustan’s posture relaxed. “How bad did you think it would hurt her when she realized what you did?”
Alcander’s mouth twisted. “It would have been painless if she had never known. But that isn’t an option now, is it?”
Drustan’s eyes narrowed appraisingly. “You were willing to sacrifice the rest of your life? Willing to let her live in ignorance?”
Alcander leaned forward before enunciating, “Yes.”
Drustan shook his head, chuckling.
“What is so funny?”
“When she told me that magic had flowed between you two, I was surprised. I could not figure out what she possibly could have seen in you.” Drustan grinned wider at Alcander’s annoyance. “I don’t think she knows either. Regardless, she managed to pick someone who would sacrifice his own happiness for hers.”