Free Magic in the Shadows by Devon Monk

insanity results.”
    I took a minute to absorb all that. “You and I are Soul Complements?”
    He nodded.
    “We’re going to drive each other insane?”
    “Probably.”
    “I’m serious.”
    “All right. We won’t go insane if we just use magic together, and we won’t go insane if we are with each other in all other intimate ways.”
    “Sex?” I asked.
    He grinned. “I wasn’t talking about water-skiing. There are boundaries—how close we can be with each other mentally, soul to soul. Boundaries that must be obeyed so that we can be together, closer than anyone else on Earth, but not so close that we lose ourselves.”
    “So, the shared thoughts and feelings are out?”
    “It’s better that way.”
    Well, I for one wasn’t seeing a downside.
    “I could look in your mind to see if your father’s memories are still there,” he said. “I have the training. Should I? Once in your mind, once that close to you, I may not be able to step away.”
    I blushed. No, I don’t know why. Okay, yes, I did. Zayvion was looking at me like I was something beautiful he wanted and could not have.
    “I could make you leave my mind,” I said uncertainly.
    “I don’t think so.” He let go of my hand and pushed his plate to one side so he could rest his arm in front of him. “You aren’t the only stubborn person at the table.”
    I smiled. “Speaking of which, about that other thing.”
    “Which other thing?”
    “All those long-term scar-filled relationships you were talking about.”
    “You aren’t the first woman I’ve dated.”
    Yeah, well, I knew that. “Go on.”
    He leaned both arms on the table. The table was small, intimate. We were close enough that if I stretched just a little more, I could touch him, kiss him. His gaze held me exactly where I was. “You just might be the last I’ll survive.”
    The blush rushed up my neck and washed hot across my face. Slow , I told myself. We said we’d go slow.
    To hell with slow. I leaned forward, my wineglass still in one hand. Zayvion had both hands free, and drew his fingers down the side of my face, fingertips stroking the length of my bare neck. He bent toward me, his fingers slipping up to cup the edge of my jaw, as if he wanted to make sure I wouldn’t disappear, as if he wanted to draw my mouth to his. I opened my lips and inhaled.
    My heart beat harder. I wanted to taste the wine on his lips, wanted to savor the pine scent of him against the tip of my tongue.
    But instead of pulling me closer, instead of kissing me, his fingertips clenched gently beneath my ear. He ran his tongue across his bottom lip and then slowly, mechanically leaned back, away, shoulders squared against the back of his chair, fingertips splayed wide against the tablecloth, brown eyes filled with fire that had nothing to do with magic.
    He didn’t say anything. He didn’t have to. But I did.
    “This isn’t going to be easy,” I said.
    He held very still, watching me. “The best things never are.”
    Our waiter of impeccable timing returned, cleared away our plates, and brought burgundy and cheeses.
    I nibbled on the cheese, but mostly drank the burgundy and thought about Zayvion’s lips. Well, thought about his lips, and tried to pull up even the smallest memory of his naked body. No luck.
    For his part, Zayvion finished his food, gave me a few smiles, and moved on to lighter subjects. The weather again—still foggy. The view—still sparkly. The time—late. As a matter of fact, it was past midnight, and the warm glow from all the wine was making me yawn.
    “How about we skip dessert?” he asked after I’d hidden yet another yawn behind my hand.
    I nodded. “I’m sorry. It’s been long. The day, not the dinner. I think I’m a lot more tired than I thought I thought.” Wait, what had I just said?
    Zayvion grinned. “We’ll save dessert for next time.”
    “Next time?”
    “You didn’t think this was the only date I was going to take you on, did you?”
    “Uh .