Page 197 of Elemental Becoming

“Like right now,” he adds. “She can’t hear every thought you’re having about me unless you intentionally connect with her through the bond, but she can absolutely sense what’s going on because of how strongly you feel.” His eyes sparkle with amusement. “Dragons and their riders experience each other’s feelings when they’re heightened, especially fear, anger, joy, and pain.”

He winks.

“And climax.”

My stomach drops.

Shit.

Shit.

“And,” Thane continues smoothly, sounding far too calm about my complete humiliation, “I’m fairly certain she already shielded herself from your mind, considering you still don’t know how to block.”

No.

No, no, no.

I reach for Calryx instinctively through the bond—

And slam directly into a wall.

Opalescent. Shimmering softly with the same iridescent glow as her scales. Power hums through it, ancient and unyielding.

Calryx shut me out.

I groan, burying my face in the pillow. “Oh, gods.”

Thane chuckles, smug as ever. “Plus,” he adds with a grin, “it’s rude.”

I lift my head just enough to glare at him. He laughs, the sound deep and carefree, rolling through me like a slow burn. I scrunch my nose at him before squeezing my eyes shut, forcing myself to focus.

A wall. A barrier.

Anything to stop my thoughts from spilling out.

But—fuck.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing.

Thane’s chest rumbles with quiet amusement. “You’re trying too hard.”

“I am not.”

“You are.”

“Then teach me.”

He rolls smoothly, shifting me beneath him in one effortless motion.

Gods!

I can barely hold onto a coherent thought right now, let alone learn how to block them.

“I heard that,” he says with a wicked smile.

My face turns the color of the dress I wore last night as I cover it with both hands.

Thane laughs again, the sound deep and entirely too satisfied. “Do you want a lesson now?”