They listened carefully, their faces thoughtful.

“I can see why you’re both wary,” Yolanda said slowly. “And I applaud the fact that you’re both communicating so well.” Her face turned expectant. “But I assume that’s not everything?”

“The problem,” I said, holding my hands out almost in supplication. “The problem is I’m having to keep our link locked down tight because I can’t stop thinking about her. This morning she was wearing her little booty sleep shorts and tank top while drinking coffee—which should not be a sensual act—and I had to start naming presidents in my head. Last night it was a cat food commercial on repeat because she was sitting next to me. Not doing anything, just sitting.” I threw my hands up in the air. “I’m disturbed by the fact that I could only remember fifteen presidents and I cannot keep this up.”

Juliet smothered a laugh. Yolanda made a reproving noise and Juliet straightened.

I shot her a look. “Are you supposed to be laughing at my pain?”

“As your friend? Yes. Right now? No.” Juliet squeezed my hand. “I’m sorry, I really am. I’m not laughing at your situation, but the cat food commercial was funny—” She clicked her mouth shut. “Sorry, Yolanda. Apologies again, Declan.”

“How does Louise feel about all of this?” Yolanda asked.

“I’m getting flashes from Lou. Of me.” I scrubbed a hand over my face. “I woke up this morning grabbing her ass like I’d fall off the earth if I let go. Lou’s concerned that it’s runoff from the link.”

Yolanda hummed thoughtfully. “Do you think it is? Is there some way you could check?”

“I’ve been in that spot before—with Eva. I know what mental coercion feels like. This—this isn’t it.” I took a deep breath. “Lou’s afraid I might just be telling her what she wants to hear, or not lying exactly, but tricked by the bond, maybe?” Which, frankly, made my wolf growl. We were not being tricked. “She’s concerned about me, about losing her license over this—and damaging Dr. Larsen’s reputation.”

Tension had my muscles tight, my shoulders up around my ears. I dropped them, relaxing my stance. “Coercion can be caught, but only when the animal mage is actively doing it.” My tone went dry as a bone in the desert. “And frankly, if Lou and I are in a ‘poison cookie’ situation, I don’t exactly want another mage there, you know? Kind of a private moment.”

Yolanda and Juliet considered this as we started walking again, staying silent until we passed a couple making out on a wooden bench.

“You could feel it when your stepmom coerced you?” Juliet asked.

“Yeah—I didn’t understand what it was at first.” I shrugged. “I was a kid. Sometimes it takes a second if there’s a lot going on, like when Lou lent me some of her calm in the courtroom. But I can tell the difference.”

“So the problem is more about Lou’s concern and allaying it,” Yolanda said, her voice thoughtful. “What if you showed her the difference? Shared what it felt like?”