Before she could open her mouth, Gregor tossed her jacket around her shoulders and pulled her close. “You did brilliantly, love.”
Sid raised her eyebrows. “Are you being genuine? Because I felt as if I were flapping around before I could get into the air. I don’t think it’d be all that pretty.”
“Perfection is boring, Cassidy. I much prefer watching you strengthen and improve with time. Because you showing me your progress means you trust me.”
“Of course I trust you. I wouldn’t be standing mostly naked in the middle of a landing area if I didn’t.”
“Speaking of which, we need to get you inside.” He gave her a quick kiss. “We have a few things to discuss.”
She tilted her head. “Oh? And what might that be?”
“Don’t play coy, lass. I want you as my mate and I’m going to do everything I can to convince you to accept me.”
“As I remember, you rejected me before.”
“Aye, well, I no longer do. I want you as my mate, Cassidy Jackson. Will you do me the honor?”
Her heart thumped in her chest as she stared into Gregor’s eyes. She wanted to shout yes and spend the rest of the day in bed celebrating. However, there was one last thing she needed to address first. “On one condition.”
“Aye?”
“Take me home, let me dress, and then tell me more about your sister.”
He frowned. “What does Nora have to do with our mating?”
Sid raised a hand to Gregor’s cheek. “Everything, Gregor. It’s the last barrier between us and I want it gone.”
“So if I tell you about Nora, you’ll be my mate?”
“Provided you answer everything to my satisfaction, then yes.”
“Right, then let’s get going. I want to shout to the world that you’re mine and ask Bram to set up the mating ceremony as soon as possible.”
Gregor scooped Sid up and raced toward the cottage. As she snuggled against his warm chest, she barely noticed the chill. The male she loved was more than she ever could’ve hoped for. She also couldn’t wait to tell everyone that Gregor Innes was hers.
~~~
As Gregor made tea, he waited for Cassidy to come back downstairs to talk. Admittedly, he’d rather not talk about his dead sister, but if it was the only way to ensure they would be asking Bram for a mating ceremony, he’d do it.
His dragon sighed. You’ve kept it inside long enough. I know you want to talk about Nora and relive memories. It’s not good to keep it all inside.
I never wanted to burden anyone before.
But with Cassidy, it’s different.
Aye, I want to know everything about her and it’s only fair I share, too.
Just remembering Cassidy’s lovely green dragon form made him smile. It hadn’t been easy getting his statues sent to Stonefire without his female’s knowledge, but Layla had come through for him.
Thinking of Lochguard’s new senior doctor made him a little homesick.
His dragon chimed in. If we have a mating ceremony, we can see many of our friends again.
He didn’t have a chance to reply as Cassidy appeared in the doorway. She might only be wearing yoga pants and a long-sleeved top, but she was still beautiful to him.
With a smile, Cassidy sat down at the table. “I could get used to you looking at me like that.”
He placed a cup of tea in front of Cassidy and then sat down next to her. Gripping the back of her neck with one hand, he said, “Even if you contract some rare disease that covers your face in boils, I’ll always look at you like that.”