Page 20 of Hex and Scales

His slow smile did nothing to help her coherency. “Do you compliment all your dinner hosts’ kitchen skills?”

“Bold of you to assume I get many dinner invitations.” She tried for lightness. “I have a terrible track record with dating.”

Because I’ve been dreaming about a stranger for years, she didn’t add. Because no one else measured up to a face I couldn’t quite remember. Until you walked in and claimed every thought.

“Their loss,” he said quietly, and something in his tone made her pulse flutter.

The steak, when he served it, was perfection—exactly the right amount of char on the outside, perfectly pink inside. She couldn’t hold back a soft sound of appreciation at the first bite.

“Good?” His expression radiated satisfaction.

“Fishing for compliments now?” But she smiled. “It’s incredible. Where did you learn to cook like this?”

His features softened as he shared stories—learning cuisine across centuries and continents, watching empires rise and fall through their food culture, fighting in wars where a good meal could mean the difference between life and death.

“What was the most interesting historical event you witnessed?” she asked, genuinely fascinated.

“Meeting Einstein was memorable.” His eyes crinkled with the memory. “Brilliant man, but couldn’t match his socks to save his life. Used to get so caught up in equations he’d forget to eat. I had to remind him sometimes.”

“You knew Einstein?” She leaned forward, enchanted. “What else haven’t you told me?”

“Eight centuries hold a lot of stories.” He topped off her wine. “What would you like to know?”

“Everything,” she admitted. “You must be formidable in battle, surviving so much.”

A faint blush colored his cheekbones, surprising and endearing. Before she could tease him about it, he rose to clear their plates.

“Save room for dessert?”

“After that meal? I don’t think—” She broke off as he set a slice of warm apple pie before her, topped with vanilla ice cream. “Okay, maybe a little room.”

The first taste drew another appreciative murmur from her. “This is dangerous,” she declared. “I would absolutely pay you to make this again.”

“No payment necessary.” His eyes glowed with warmth. “I’ll make it whenever you’d like.”

They moved to the sofa by the hearth, and Sabine felt the atmosphere shift. The playful banter mellowed into something deeper, more intimate.

“I was nervous about coming tonight,” she admitted, setting down her wine glass. “You’ve been so distant lately. But this version of you?” Her lips curved softly. “I’m really glad I came.”

Gathering her courage, she turned to face him fully. “Why were you pushing me away?”

Pain shadowed his features. “I wasn’t sure I deserved a second chance,” he said quietly. “Not after failing to save my mate.”

Her heart ached at the raw hurt in his voice. Without thinking, she shifted closer, cupping his face in her hands. His skin radiated heat against her palms, and she felt the subtle quiver of his control.

“Everyone deserves another chance at love,” she whispered, watching his pupils dilate. “Especially those who’ve loved deeply enough to know its worth.”

Something shifted in his expression. One heartbeat she was gazing into his eyes, the next she was in his arms, his mouth claiming hers with desperate hunger. She gasped, and he deepened the kiss, drawing a soft sound from her throat.

Heat coursed through her veins, but it wasn’t just physical desire. This kiss felt like coming home. Like finding a piece of herself she hadn’t known was missing. Like finally, finally breathing after being underwater for years.

Their magic wove together, tiger and dragon, past and present merging into something new and wonderful and inevitable. When they finally parted, neither could hide their reaction to the connection sparking between them.

“Sabine,” he breathed against her lips, and her name had never sounded more like a prayer.

“I’m here,” she whispered back, sliding her fingers into his hair. “I’m not going anywhere.”

The flames leaped higher in the hearth, but neither noticed. They were too busy creating their own magic.

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