Aiding the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 7)

“This could end badly on so many levels.”

Brenna forced herself to walk away from Killian. The loss of his warm hand made her dragon whimper, but she ignored her and closed the distance to Teagan. “Everything will be fine. It’s just a temporary arrangement that benefits everyone. But we can’t do it without your permission. We’ll need you to vouch for us if the DDA questions the mating.”

Teagan searched her gaze. “I owe you for your part in keeping the clan safe the other day. This would fulfill that favor. Do you really want to waste it on this?”

Brenna nodded. “Yes. I’ve never felt as much at home as I have on Glenlough. Not to mention I have much to learn from you and your grandmother. I can’t do any of that if I go home to Stonefire. Besides, I’m young and not interested in finding a real mate for many years to come. So living with him”—she motioned toward Killian—“won’t be a problem. Well, beyond dealing with his behavior.”

To his credit, Killian didn’t make a remark. For whatever reason, he wanted Teagan to agree.

For what seemed like the longest minute of Brenna’s life, she merely stared at Teagan and waited.

When Glenlough’s leader finally let out a sigh, hope bloomed in Brenna’s chest. Teagan spoke up again. “Fine. But do it quickly. We’ll use the mating ceremony and ensuing celebration to lift the clan’s spirits. However—” She paused and stared daggers at Killian. “—you must convince the clan this is a true mating. At the first sign of doubt, I’ll dissolve the mating myself and send Brenna back to Stonefire. That will include you trying to run away without her. Understood, Killian?”

Brenna watched Killian’s face. For all that he’d lost his memories and his dragon, he was still bloody good at keeping all emotions from showing. He folded his hands over his stomach before answering, “I’m staying around for now. That’s all I’ll say for the moment.”

Brenna frowned. “Killian.”

He rolled his eyes. “Fine, I promise not to escape in the near future.” He met her gaze. “Is that better, darling?”

“Yes, love.”

The way they used endearments was the equivalent of calling each other bastards.

Her beast hummed. Good. The tension will only make the sex hotter.

I didn’t agree to it yet.

You will.

Teagan clapped her hands. “Then it’s time to put everything into motion. I want this done as soon as possible, just in case the DDA orders all healthy foreign visitors to leave straight away. Here’s what needs to be done.”

As Teagan rattled off a list of orders of what to do, Brenna tried to pay attention. She really did.

But Killian never took his gaze from her face. When he finally gave her body a slow once-over, her dragon spoke up. Yummy. He will be fun to fuck and play with.

He finally met her gaze again, and Brenna stopped breathing at the heat in his eyes.

Bloody hell. A female could get used to that look.

For the millionth time, Brenna hoped she hadn’t gotten in over her head. The mating would be a fake, and she needed to remember that.

~~~

Later that evening, Aaron hugged Teagan’s naked body tighter against his chest. It was strange to think he had gained a new home and mate in the same day after thinking he might never find a female to spend his life with.

His dragon spoke up. We will never be alone again. The bad brought us to the good.

Bloody hell, you and your philosophical statements.

His beast yawned. They come to me after sex. So, get used to it, unless you’re going to keep a separate bedroom from Teagan?

Never.

That’s what I thought.

His dragon dozed and Aaron contented himself with listening to Teagan breathing and treasuring her heat against his chest.

However, no matter how much he stroked her back, she didn’t relax against him. He murmured, “Please tell me you still aren’t thinking about Brenna and Killian. That would be weird seeing as we’re both naked and smell of sex.”