Page 19 of Jon’s Desert Prince Dream

Knowing he had zero understanding of how an anchor actually worked, I said, “An anchor acts as a psychic’s shield against the energies of the world. Anchoring will help a great deal.”

“Huh. So it’s not just a physical partnership?” Jon blinked up at me and I could tell this was information he wasn’t sure what to do about. “I thought it was more like a marriage?”

“Well, it’s that too, of course. But an anchor’s main responsibility is to protect the psychic, which is possible on multiple levels. Shielding you from energies that overwhelm you is part and parcel of it.”

He looked at me as if this news was the finest nectar I could offer. As if he’d dreamed of nothing else and was stunned to realize dreams could be reality. I really, truly had to sit down and explain anchoring better. If he knew what an anchor could do for him, surely he wouldn’t hesitate to anchor with me?

Well, that last part felt…pushy. He desired me, liked my company, but sometimes I suspected he only accepted my help because he could trust me. And Jon desperately needed people he could lean on and trust in this foreign land.

“We,” he managed after a long moment, “need to talk about that. Later.”

“Later, likely tomorrow, as the banquet’s going to drag on tonight.” I sighed and truly considered feigning a headache to get us both out of here. Dammit, I couldn’t, we had the ambassador to deal with.

Why must I be a responsible adult? It’s unfair, I tell you.

Mom picked up on the undercurrent, I believed, as she glanced between us before asking Jon, “Once you get more settled, do you think you’ll anchor, Jon?”

“That’s entirely up to your son.”

I BEG YOUR FUCKING PARDON?!

My head swiveled so fast, I felt my neck pop. Why was this my decision?! Shouldn’t it be his? I was the one who would be honored if he trusted me enough to make me an anchor, it was not the other way around!

Wait.

Wait a damn minute. Was that what he’d been alluding to earlier today? That whole thing of moving in with me here at the palace permanently? I thought we’d been negotiating living space, not, uh… Shit. I suddenly had a lot more to talk to him about, and emotions climbed up my throat, clamoring to burst free, but this was not the time or place for that heady conversation.

I truly hated being a responsible adult.

I was also going to find a way to leave this banquet early if it was the last thing I did.

Jon abruptly chuckled, eyes twinkling madly. “The frustration that just rose in you was like a kettle that hit boil. We’ve got time, I promise you.”

“We are talking tonight,” I insisted in a low voice. “I don’t care how tired you are. Or how tired I am. TONIGHT.”

He lifted up to graze his lips across mine in a swift, reassuring kiss. “We will, I promise.”

That promise settled me some. Not to mention the kiss that came along with it. Still, knowing the conversation was a good three hours off left me an unhappy man.

My parents, at least, were delighted. Dad said to Jon, “You’ll be very welcome. We were over the moon when our Mack joined the family. Every psychic is valuable, of course, but I’m especially proud of Mack. He uses his talent to bring rest to the dead, which is a very honorable calling, and he’s very good at it. When you join the family too—”

I was glad my father said when and not if, because this was definitely a when situation.

“—we’ll be even more thrilled. Oh, will you join Donovan’s work, then?”

“Likely, as that’s a good use of my talents. That said”—Jon turned his head to look at my mother—“I can help you as well. I do know something of medicine, and my eyes can see all ills.”

Mom verged on retirement in the next five years or so, but right now she was the lead director of a hospital, and a doctor who specialized in women’s health. I could see the moment Jon’s words hit as her own eyes flared wide with delight.

“Really? What all can you see?”

“Yes,” Jon answered dryly.

“We also need to have a conversation.” Mom glanced at me, lips pursed. “After you two do, of course. Make that soon; I could see some insight into a few patients.”

“That, I can promise. Tomorrow, perhaps?”

“That’s fine by me. We—”