Jade’s heart stopped beating.

Dragon’s declaration hit all her emotional chords. Not once in her life had she ever thought to hear such words. She had never hoped that anyone would care enough for her to propose what he just had.

“Stay with me,” he said.

She slightly shook her head. “I can’t.”

“Once the Academy has agreed on compensation, you’ll be free.”

“I won’t stay.” It tore her inside to say it, but the hurt would be unbearable if she said yes to him. “You don’t need to pay the Academy any money to rescue me.” Struggling against her stupid heart, she forced herself to stand and leave his warm embrace before her body would betray her. “Don’t throw away a fortune on me.”

“I’ll pay anyway.” He extended his arm, beckoning her back to his side.

“Please, don’t.”

“It’s my money. I can dispose of it any way I see fit.” His fingers curled in a come-hither gesture. “Let’s not waste a moment longer on the topic.”

A long shiver ran across her back, and Jade hugged herself. “I won’t stay,” she repeated.

“What can I do to make you reconsider?”

You could renounce your title.

You could not marry your brides.

“There’s nothing you can do.” She stepped back, needing to put space between them. “We are who we are, you and I. Born under a different star.”

I’ll die soon, and you’ll go on having a marriage blessed with children.

“I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you.” He stood then, his magnificent body in a wanton display, tempting her, clouding her judgment. “Doesn’t that count for something?”

“It doesn’t change reality.”

“We still might change some of it.” He stepped forward, forcing her to step back and enter the pool. “Stay with me.” His voice was hypnotic, and every time he repeated his plea, Jade’s resolve vacillated.

It would be so simple just to say yes now, but the image of him laying with his brides cleaved her in two.

“I can’t.”

“Why?” He grabbed her wrist, pulling her to him.

She wanted nothing more than to melt into his arms. “I can’t—”

He advanced. Too close and still not touching her. “Tell me why.” It was an order whispered to her lips.

“Because I won’t share you.”

He leaned away from her, the green and blue in his eyes darkening.

“Because I’ll be free, but you won’t,” she said. “You’ll always have a family to answer to.”

I’ll never be able to give you children, and I can’t be the other.

His arms wrapped around her, drawing her closer. “Jade—”

“Don’t say it.” She pushed him away and dove, swimming toward the center of the pool.

Dragon didn’t follow her, but stood at the edge like a statue.

Once her thoughts were clear enough, she waded back to him. “Take me back to where I left the wings.”

“One of my men has already taken care of them by now. They are at Sol Palace.”

“Even better.” At least, she didn’t have to launch from that narrow ledge. “Let’s leave.” Walking past him, she reached for his shirt that lay discarded on a rock. Her nudity made her feel exposed, not just at a physical level, and she needed all the help she could get in asserting her will. A resolve that felt more and more like she was trying to tear her heart out of her chest with her bare hands.

Dragon followed her. “Jade, don’t do this.” His hand closed around her wrist, not tight, but his hold radiated from her arm to the rest of her body like a net. “I’ll pay for your freedom no matter what you decide, but please, don’t discount what’s between us as if it doesn’t matter.”

It hurts now, but it will be so much worse later when he leaves to spend the nights with his brides and you’ll be left behind, starved for his touch, because they’ll always come first.

She folded her arms under her breasts. “I want to leave Solaria as soon as possible.”