Page 36 of Zane
The cabin's interior matched its exterior. Comfortable furniture arranged around a stone fireplace. A kitchen that looked actually used rather than for show. Books scattered on tables like someone had been reading them recently. Everything spoke of a man who came here to be himself rather than impress anyone.
"You really live here?" She touched the spine of a worn technical manual, surprised to find it was about starship engines rather than seduction. Though Zane seemed to be a natural at that.
"When I can." He moved around the space with familiarity, lighting the fire with a gesture that sent dragon flame dancing across the logs. "Most of my family thinks I'm slumming it when I come out here. I do have a place closer to civilization, but that’s …" He just shook his head instead of finishing the thought.
Mercy walked to the wide windows that looked out over the valley. The view stole her breath again. Nothing but forest and mountains and sky, with no sign of people anywhere. No traffic, no cities, no reminders of the outside universe.
"It's perfect."
"Is it?" Something in his voice made her turn. He stood by the fireplace, firelight playing across his features, and his expression held uncertainty she'd never seen before. "I know it's not what you're used to. Not much to do here except exist."
The doubt in his voice broke something open in her chest. This powerful dragon lord, this man who commanded fire and flew across battlefields to save her, was worried she might not like his sanctuary.
"Zane." She crossed to him, drawn by an instinct she was still learning to trust. "I've spent my entire adult life in metal boxes floating through a vacuum. This is …" She gestured toward the windows, the fireplace, the simple comfort of it all. "This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen."
Relief flickered across his features. Had he really thought she'd find his retreat lacking? Did he not understand that she'd lived her whole life in spaces barely large enough for one person?
"I need to apologize." His words came out formally, weighted with something heavier than simple regret. "For lying to you. About what I was, about why I was on your ship. You deserved honesty from the beginning."
Mercy settled into the chair across from his, close enough to touch but giving them both space to think. "You weren't exactly in a position to trust me with your secrets on first meeting."
"It went beyond that." He stared into the fire, dragon flames reflecting in his eyes. "I've spent so long playing roles, being what people expected, that I forgot how to just be honest. Even when it mattered. Even with you."
The confession hit deep. She thought of all the times she'd sensed he was holding back, hiding parts of himself behind charm and careful words. Had wondered what secrets he carried and why he seemed reluctant to let her see past his surface.
"I owe you an apology too." The admission felt like swallowing glass. "For not trusting you when it counted."
Zane's gaze snapped to her face. "You had every reason to doubt. My reputation isn't exactly pristine."
"Your reputation isn't you." She reached for his hand, needing the contact to ground herself. "I should have known better. Should have trusted what I felt instead of what someone else told me to feel."
His fingers tightened around hers, warm and solid and real. "What did you feel?"
The question hung between them, simple words that demanded honesty she'd spent decades avoiding. But sitting here in his sanctuary, surrounded by the evidence of who he really was beneath all the masks, she found the truth easier than expected.
"Safe." The word came out quietly. "For the first time in twenty years, I felt safe. Not just protected, but … accepted. Yours.”
Zane shifted forward, bringing them close enough that she could feel the heat radiating from his skin. His free hand cupped her face, thumb brushing across her cheekbone with devastating gentleness.
"You are." Each word carried absolute conviction. "You're my mate."
The term made her stomach flutter with something between excitement and terror. "What does that mean exactly?” She was here. She’d chosen him.
But perhaps there were a few things she should have clarified before jumping on the rented shuttle and coming to his secret hideaway.
"It means permanent." His eyes flickered with dragon fire, but his touch remained gentle. "You’re not getting rid of me.”
She was close to shaking. "I've never had a family." The confession slipped out before she could stop it. "Never had anyone who chose to stay. I don't know how to do this."
"Neither do I." His smile was soft, self-deprecating. "I've spent thirty years avoiding commitment. The irony isn't lost on me that the universe decided to make the choice for us."
"So what happens now?"
Instead of answering with words, he kissed her. Soft and sweet and full of promise.
When they broke apart, his eyes held flames that danced with something warmer than desire. "I think we start there."
He held out his hand, and she took it and let him lead her to the bedroom.
