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told them. His travels had taken him to several planets, and
    he’d been away from Xenthian for more than seven years. Still, he knew
    practically nothing about the planets or races he’d seen.
    “Humans were preoccupied with conquering and warring at the
    time, not a threat to anyone except themselves.” He’d watched them

    destroy one another for more land, more gold, more power, and instead
    of fear, he’d pitied them. “Nothing I hadn’t seen before, and I didn’t have
    much interest in staying.”
    Ivy tilted her head to the side and frowned at him. “You call me dove
    because you think I’m uninteresting?”
    He had to laugh at her. “Quite the opposite. As I prepared to leave
    your planet, a pair of birds flew past, perfectly synchronized, in complete
    harmony with one another. They were fascinating.”
    The lines across her brow deepened, and she shook her head. “Okay,
    I guess I’m still not getting it. You find me fascinating?”
    “Immensely so.” Taking the pendant, he slipped the chain over her
    head, settling the stone gently between her breasts. “I later learned they
    were turtle doves, intensely loyal creatures that formed strong
    attachments with their mates. At the time, I hadn’t given much thought
    to finding my soulmate, but in that moment, I knew I wanted a bond like
    those birds, unconditional, fearless.” Still clasping the stone, he tugged
    lightly, pulling her closer to nuzzle against her throat. “You, Ivy Dalton,
    are my turtle dove.”
    A quiet, breathy moan escaped her, vibrating against the pulse point
    in her neck. “That is simultaneously the strangest, yet sweetest, thing
    anyone has ever said to me.”
    If she didn’t stop squirming in his lap and making those beautiful
    noises, he’d have her right there on his desk. “I speak only the truth,” he

    answered tightly, his jaw clenched so tight his teeth ached. He needed a
    distraction, or so help him… “Let’s try a simple spell.”
    “Kai, I told you, I don’t—”
    “For now, you can borrow some of mine.” He tapped the center of
    the stone. “Focus on this, and I’ll guide you.”
    She still looked skeptical, but she didn’t debate him. “Okay, let’s do
    this.”
    “It’s one of the first spells we teach the younglings. We’re going to
    create dancing flames.”
    “Right, okay.” One eyebrow winged toward her hairline, and she
    gripped the pendant in her fist. “What do I do?”
    “Hold out your hand.” Circling his fingers around her wrist, he
    turned her palm up toward the ceiling. “Now, just picture a single flame,
    any color you want, see it in your mind.”
    The look of concentration on her angelic face was adorable, and he
    couldn’t resist swooping in for a quick kiss.
    “Stop it,” she chastised. “I’m concentrating. Now what?”
    “Keep thinking of your flame, and repeat after me. Chroma flago. ”
    “ Chroma flago. ” Her eyes narrowed, the lids thinning into slits. “It’s
    not working.”
    “So impatient.” It had taken him weeks to produce his first flame, but
    he also hadn’t been as determined as his mate. “Try again.” Using just
    the tip of his index finger, he stroked the center of her palm. “Imagine
    the flame right here, a pretty little spark right in your hand.”

    “It won’t burn me, will it?”
    “No, dove, I’d never let anything hurt you.” He’d move mountains
    and destroy entire worlds to keep her safe. “Try again.”
    Ivy took a deep breath, inhaling slowly through her nose, then
    releasing it through her pink lips. “ Chroma flago. ” Nothing happened.
    “Again.”
    Again and again, she tried to produce the flame, and each time she
    failed, the look of disappointment and discouragement almost broke his
    heart.
    “Damn it!” she growled, clenching and unfurling the hand he held.
    “Look at me. Ivy,” he cooed when she ignored him, “look at me.”
    The moment she lifted her head, he slanted their mouths together,
    delving