15
The room was vacated. I caught a smiling glance from Stephanie. The girl was getting bolder by the hour. When the door closed behind the last person I turned to Xander.
He stared at me with equal curiosity. “Did I imagine your falling into the Portal?” he wondered.
I shook my head. “Nope. I went back to my own world, but this-” I tapped my shoulder where my shirt hid my mark, “-told me something was wrong, so I came back.”
He clasped one of my hands in his and pursed his lips. “Then it appears you have somehow overcome a Maiden’s greatest enticement to remain with her dragon lord. You have managed to survive the Portal after the Marking.” His hand fell away from mine and turned his head away from me. “Under the circumstances, I cannot in good faith keep you with me. You m
