“Aye, that’s a start.” She opened her mouth, but he nipped her bottom lip to keep her quiet. “I would kiss you, but don’t want to risk my dragon. However, I’m going to spend as much time next to your bed as possible so I can be here if you need me.”
She frowned. “The walls aren’t soundproofed.”
“Then tell your dragon to keep quiet.”
As they stared into each other’s eyes, Gregor smiled at his doctor. Each second in her company made it easier to envision spending his life with her.
And even if the frenzy didn’t calm her beast, Gregor would find a way to help Cassidy. There was no bloody way he was going to lose her without a fight.
~~~
Happiness coursed throughout Sid’s body. It was hard to believe that after so many years of struggle and grief, she might just have a chance at having a mate and family of her own.
Still, she kept most of the happiness bottled deep inside. There was always the possibility everything could go wrong, so she needed to focus on the present.
Reaching out, she lightly touched Gregor’s cheek. “Speaking of my dragon, we need to talk about Trahern again.”
“You sorely need to learn how to enjoy a moment, Cassidy,” Gregor growled out.
“I don’t know how much longer my dragon will remain silent. I need to make sure everything is in place in case we complete the frenzy.”
“Such as?”
“I want Trahern to analyze the mysterious substance. You don’t have to tell him how we procured it, but if he can break down the chemical makeup, then he can try to find a way to neutralize it.”
“Do you trust him that much?” Sid opened her mouth to protest, but Gregor beat her to it. “I’m not asking out of jealousy or irrational protectiveness. I’ve never heard of the male until today, for one. Who is he?”
Sid took one of Gregor’s hands and threaded her fingers through his. “He’s Kai Sutherland’s stepcousin. In other words, he’s the nephew of his stepdad. Trahern supported the mating between Kai’s mom and stepdad when not everyone was keen to do so. From all accounts, he’s clever and hardworking if a little shy.”
“I would hazard a guess that Trahern and Kai were never best friends.”
“No, but Kai trusts his mother implicitly. Even Bram trusts Lily Owens, as Bram knew her as a boy. If Trahern is trying to deceive us, then he would have to have almost spy-like training to do so,” Sid stated.
Gregor fell silent and Sid waited to see if he’d trust her judgment. Because if he couldn’t, she wasn’t sure she could take Gregor up on his offer to participate in the mate-claim frenzy. Sexual attraction was well and good, but she needed a partner in all t
hings more than anything else.
Her Scot finally grunted. “Okay, I’ll ask him to look into the mysterious compound. But until the frenzy is complete, I’m afraid my dragon isn’t going to like him much, or any unattached dragonman for that matter.”
She smiled. “Since I’m more than familiar with dragonmen and their mates, I can live with that. Go talk with him now. I need to rest anyway.”
Gregor kissed her cheek before whispering into her ear, “I’m also going to have a surprise for you when you wake up. Prepare yourself.”
“As long as it’s not your penis tied with a bow, I look forward to it.”
Gregor chuckled. The vibration next to her ear was soothing. “So you’d welcome a naked carving of yourself? I’ll keep that in mind.”
“I didn’t—”
“I’m teasing, love. You need to get used to it.” His pupils flashed. “Oh, and my dragon is impatient to play with you. He says you need to hurry up and get well.”
For years, Sid had always pasted a fake smile on her face when confronted with another dragon-shifter talking about their inner dragons. However, with Gregor, she smiled for real. “I look forward to meeting him, too. At least then I won’t have to worry about sarcasm or teasing since dragons can’t talk.”
Gregor moved a hand to her hip and squeezed. “Such cheek.”
She looked innocent. “What? I thought we could both tease.”
He snorted. “I definitely think all of this is because you’re wearing your hair down. Maybe we should make it mandatory whenever you’re alone with me.”