Mila had the sense to wait until they were alone to chew him out. Moot, her ass. Jaron silenced his clerk with a slashing look as they strode into the office, Mila hard at his heels to the point of subtly pushing him along.

He aimed a glare over his shoulder once or twice, slowing a step so she crashed into his back— and pushed him some more. Stacia sighed and Mila heard her begin to placate patients.

“I don’t have time for this, Mila,” he said once the door was closed. “I have patients.”

She crossed her arms. She felt a little guilty, but not really. “No one out there has anything more serious than a paper cut or Stacia wouldn’t have let you get away with shushing her.”

He leaned against the desk, crossing his arms. “So what is it?”

“You didn’t tell me what you were doing!”

“Does it matter? You needed a cure, I gave you one.”

Her teeth clenched. “You didn’t mention the cure came with lifetime consequences. Or at least you didn’t mention it when I was actually paying attention.”

He stared at her, dispassionate. “When does any miracle ever come without strings?”

“Aren’t doctors supposed to give full disclosure? Or is this the usual male physician’s arrogance, making decisions for a woman because he thinks he knows best?”

“You’re a trainee at YETI. You would have to choose a mate anyway. Why not me?”

And she was supposed to endure a lifetime of his cool, seemingly irrefutable logic? Logic that dictated he not consult her on important things?

“I understand,” Jaron said. “You think I don’t, but I do. But my higher imperative— besides respecting your free will— is to preserve life. That is my first vow, Mila. Even if the preservation of your life is against your will.”

Her shoulders slumped. She heard the hard line in his voice, even as the true ring of his words told her he was utterly convinced he was correct.

“Fine, Jaron. But don’t expect me to ever really trust you.”

His eyes narrowed. “You have centuries to learn to trust me. Right now all I want is your vow.”

“Vow? Wait— centuries? What the hell?”

“I want to fully mate. I want a life with you, Mila.”

“Can we go back to the centuries thing?”

He straightened from the desk, arms resting at his sides. “I’ve courted you slowly over the last few months. Given you time. I’m old enough to know when a connection has the potential to be something enduring.” He waited a beat as she absorbed his words. “Are you?”