Page 103 of Awakened Ash and Alchemy

“The Sleep Wizard guides you through a dream state to help you face your fears.”

There was a shift in her brow as a flicker of worry crossed her face. “So, I just go to sleep, and what then?”

“While asleep, you’ll enter the dreamscape where you can ask all those questions you want answered.”

“It won’t hurt?”

“No. I wouldn’t let them do it if there were any risk.”

“Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why do you have this need to protect me?” She lifted her chin as if demanding answers.

“I—” Helviti. “I swore to you I would.”

“Do you do this with all female mortals with mysterious powers?”

“No. Just you.”

“Why me?”

“Because Katarra is seeking you out.”

“So…” She stood slowly. “It’s purely because of Katarra, is that it? That if I hadn’t stupidly taken that shortcut to my car and walked into that alley and screamed, I wouldn’t be in this mess?”

“What’s wrong?” Wishing he could read her mind. “I can feel the storm inside you.”

“Sorry.” She took a deep breath then released it slowly, as if forcing herself to remain calm. “Okay, I’ll do this dream thing.”

“Why are you sorry?” If anything, he should be sorry for bringing her here, and what the Claiming was making him want from her. To lean over and brush his thumb over her lips, or tuck her hair behind her ear and let his finger trace down her neck. Foreign thoughts that had his heart pumping harder, they also risked breaking the Accords he’d sworn to uphold.

“If you hadn’t noticed, I’m really grouchy from a lack of sleep. I feel like tearing heads off. Or punching something. Or someone.” She glared at him. “And because I’m only allowed to talk to you, you’re the poor pigeon who’s copping all of this.”

Zarek laughed—actually laughed—and shook his head. “I like how you tell the truth.”

“That’s not meant to be funny.” She tried not to smile, but it lifted her foul mood just a little.

But it hadn’t quite settled his inner dragon. It was still wary, as if looking for some enemy to kill. Or was that something else that was making his blood pump a little harder?

“Very well, I’ll let Gellar know you’ve agreed to see the Sleep Wizard. We’ll get it sorted as soon as possible.” He headed for the door on the other side of the room. “Unless there is something else you wanted to talk about?”

“What is the Claiming?”

Zarek froze with his back to her.

Now he knew why she was angry.

Slowly, he turned around and faced her. “How did you—”

“I heard these Hearthbound women in the garden,” Angela said bluntly, observing him. “Was it true that you proclaimed me as yours—mine? What does that even mean?”

His head dropped as the shame of that memory burned through him. And she knew it too by their connection, thanks to the Claiming.

“I’m guessing it’s how we can feel each others emotions,” she said so calmly.

“I’d hoped that the emotional bond was the only side effect you had to suffer.”