By Fairy Means or Foul: A Starfig Investigations Novel(50)

“No,” he said, a bare inch from my lips, his warm, sweet breath a reminder that we’d both come out of the swamp very much alive. “I ended up with something a lot better.”

I closed the final distance and felt his lips give under my own. An unfamiliar sound spilled from my throat, a kind of purr, as he opened for me. His taste filled my senses making me want more, want to devour him. I kept the kiss gentle. Neither of us were in any shape for something more and my bones still ached from my recent shift.

We kissed for what seemed like hours, but was probably only a minute or two. He went slack in my arms and when I drew back, his eyes were closed and his breathing had leveled out. He’d fallen asleep.

While we were kissing.

Talk about giving a guy’s ego a kick in the balls. Yet my dragon all but crowed watching him sleep. Scooping him into my arms, I put him to bed. I even tucked him in and brushed a kiss across his brow.

Ah, fuck me. When I wasn’t looking trouble came and kicked my ass. So, why wasn’t I more upset about it?





18





Krofom turned out to be a good guy. The next morning he sent up another tray of food, and he didn’t wake us until the sun shone high in the sky.

“Did you sleep okay?” I asked Quinn.

“I don’t think I’ve ever slept that heavy in my life.” He yawned, his eyelids still at half mast, the imprint of a pillow across one cheek. “Did you?”

“Same.”

We fell quiet as we ate, so many things to discuss, yet so hard to figure out where to start.

“You’ll have to get your last tattoo,” I finally said to start the conversation rolling.

Quinn’s hand went to his collar.

“I hadn’t considered that.” He didn’t meet my eyes.

“You don’t want it?”

“I didn’t say that.” Quinn kept his eyes focused on his plate, his hands fidgeting.

“So what gives, then?”

Quinn finally looked up, his gaze tortured.

“I don’t think you understand what it means to be my familiar. What it entails, I mean.”

“It means I’m a channel for your magic, right? And we can communicate with our thoughts. Wait, can we do that when I’m in this form?”

“Yes, but I’m purposely shutting down the connection right now for privacy’s sake.”

“Oh. Well, good.” I wouldn’t want Quinn rummaging around in my head any time he pleased. “So, can I shut you out too, or is that only on your side?”

“I honestly don’t know. I’ve never heard of a dragon familiar, much less a shifter. Most familiars are just simple animals. You shouldn’t even be able to be my familiar.”

Huh. I scratched my chin, thinking over what he’d said.

“But I am.”

“Yeah.”

Annoyance flared in my chest at his glum expression.

“Don’t sound so thrilled about it. I mean, I only saved your life.”

His expression only looked more bleak if possible.

“I know. That just makes it worse.”

“I don’t understand.” I huffed. What was wrong with a dragon familiar?

“You’re linked to me now. Permanently.”

“Like mated?” I asked. And why did my dragon practically chuckle with glee at the idea? As if I didn’t know.

“Not exactly.”

“Okaaay. Care to explain it?”

“Familiars are more like . . . pets. They channel a witch’s power, but they also are under that witch’s control.”

“Uh-huh. Well, like you said, I’m not your average familiar, so I’m sure things will be different between us.”

Quinn sighed. “I don’t know if they can be.”

“What do you mean?”

“A familiar is basically compelled to do a witch’s bidding. They don’t leave their witch’s side. At least not for very long. I’ve been told it makes them uncomfortable.”

I let that sink in. Under Quinn’s control? What exactly did that mean? I wasn’t about to be under anyone’s command. I’d fought against it my whole life. Even a mate wouldn’t have that kind of control over me. Quite the opposite. I’d control him.

“Give me a command.”

“What?” Quinn couldn’t have looked more surprised if I slapped him.

“You said you can compel me. So compel me.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea—”

“Come on. Don’t back out now. Compel me.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“Stand up.”

I felt a strong desire to stand up. I remained sitting.

Quinn said it again. I continued to sit, though the urge to stand was strong. But not impossible to resist. Okay, I could work with this. Quinn looked equal measures relieved and chagrined.

“See, I’m different from other familiars. I’m not just a dragon. My fairy-side must weigh in too.”

“So you didn’t feel anything?” Quinn asked.

“I wanted to stand. But I wasn’t forced. More like a strong desire. I don’t really like it, but I can live with it.”

Suddenly a rush of sadness filled my chest. It didn’t come from me. Quinn groaned.