Caomh was the reaper equivalent of a life mate if I'd understood the little Azriel had said about them. "So, is the fact that you can recharge through me a sign that the assimilation threat is greater than you were admitting?"
"No. I am, as I said, merely explaining why I react to Lucian's presence in your affections."
Because he wanted to protect something that was rare and precious in his world. And yet, at the same time, he was desperate to avoid it because he feared that it might cloud his judgment when it came to his task here. No wonder he seemed all over the place when it came to the two of us.
"What happens to reapers who do not find someone who is compatible energy wise?"
He shrugged. "Their life span is shortened. Even energy beings eventually need some means of sustaining themselves."
"So recharging is as much about food as sex?"
"Yes."
"Then how did you survive so long without your recharge partner?"
"I survive because recharging for a reaper is not the everyday necessity that it is for flesh-and-blood beings. We can go eons before the lack affects us."
Thank god I wasn't a reaper, then, because I actually enjoyed the daily necessity of food and sex.
"Look, I'm sorry you've been put in this position, Azriel, but I can't stop living my life because you and I share what is rare in your world—especially when it's something you fear will endanger us both."
"I understand this now and, as I said, I will not mention it again." He hesitated briefly, and again emotion flashed through his eyes. This time, though, I couldn't really define what it was. "I just wanted to explain why I react as I do."
"Thank you," I said softly. "But you haven't actually explained why you can recharge with me, when I'm not a full energy being."
"No."
I waited for him to continue, but when it became obvious he wouldn't, I turned and walked out of the room.