Page 98 of Silent Jay

“Magic needs balance.” Og slid to my side.

Rehan put his hand up. “I don’t need a lecture on magic. Even our elemental magics need balance. Water can’t come from nothing. I’m pulling it out of the world around me. The Ley Lines work the same. All dragons know that instinctually.”

Og cuddled into my side. I made him room before draping an arm over his shoulders.

“This isn’t a lecture,” Og promised.

Rehan scowled but crossed his arms over his chest and waited.

“Right.” Og looked at Tyson. To my surprise, Tyson nodded to show he listened. “Well, spells work the same. So, if Jay’s as powerful as she says…” He turned to me. “Which I believe, this isn’t me doubting you.” He turned back to Rehan. “Then the spell holding back her magic would need the power and will to counter that.”

I saw the lightbulb go off in Tyson’s head.

Rehan swore.

“Squeak, squeak, squeaking squeak,” I added, most helpfully.

Og nodded. “I think the curse requires all your mates to be touching you at the same time.”

My clit throbbed, and my mind spun.

This isn’t some other woman’s bad romance. It’s a hard-core porno.

Nothing wrong with that.

“There’s no fecking way I’m sharing.” Tyson shot to his feet.

I leaned back, steepling my fingers. Someone knew enough about dragon shifter culture to set up this impossible task. Most likely, that same person understood my magic well enough to balance the two. I should know who this is.

A memory pushed into my consciousness....

I lay naked on a white tiled floor. Runes carved into my skin covered me more thoroughly than Ogden’s tattoos. Blood dripped down my sides and pooled in my belly button.It’s the only way,a rough man’s voice said.

“Wiggles,” Tyson snapped.

The memory vanished, leaving behind a strange sense of emptiness. Goosebumps peppered my flesh, but I couldn’t figure out why. Og poked my side, and I leaned forward so he could wrap an arm around my waist.

I snapped my attention to Tyson. “Squeak?”

He scowled. “I won’t repeat it, so listen this time. If you’re so powerful, you need all four elements to break this curse.” He side-eyed Rehan and Og. “Can you reverse a mate mark?”

My stomach twisted uneasily, and I pressed my hand to it before motioning for the pad and paper. ‘Mate marks are magic of their own. In theory, yes, I’ve never failed at something I’ve put my mind to. But in reality, mate bonds are connected to the stars, to our souls….’

I flipped the page, carefully wording my next bit before writing it. ‘If the mate marks result from unnatural magic, then yes. That is something I can fix.’

Tyson’s frown turned into a grin as he read my not-so-neat handwriting. “So, if we free you, you’ll pick one of us at the end. And only one.”

I bonked my head with the pad of paper. Of course, that’s what he got out of that.

Rehan and Tyson shared a look before their gaze bore into me. Og squeezed me. I was suddenly quite happy with my inability to talk. Once I lifted the curse, I wouldn't choose any of them. They would be free. Despite Rehan’s acceptance of my situation, he wanted kids. Tyson wanted someone he could possess. And Og’s family was here.

Where did that leave me?

Alone again. The true price of immortality.

Keeping my expression even, I nodded sharply.

The dragons let out a relieved breath.

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