Rafe shrugged a shoulder. “There’s nothing wrong with wanting to protect Nikki and our baby.”
“What, so you’re going to make me a villain for telling you to grow the fuck up?”
“If you were pregnant, you’d understand what I’m feeling, Janey.”
“So now I need to be growing a child to understand wanting to protect someone?” She moved closer to Rafe and whispered, “Every time I go to Snowridge, I wonder if that woman will show up and cause Kai pain. Believe me, I know the feeling. But keeping him here just in case, to never risk the chance, would eventually tear me and him apart.” She moved back to meet her brother’s eyes. “Nikki is patient, and she loves you, but keep it up, and you might do something irreversible.”
She expected Rafe to give her the double finger salute and tell her to mind her own fucking business. However, he merely sighed. “I know. But you of all people know how taking a step back is hard for me.”
Jane resisted blinking at her brother’s honesty. Maybe Nikki was having more of an influence on Rafe than Jane had given her credit for. “Then use this as an opportunity, Rafe. Help her, but don’t smother her. Nikki may end up being the next second-in-command of the Protectors, which is a big deal. I don’t think Stonefire’s ever had a female in that position before.”
“I don’t think so either.” He paused before adding, “I’ll try and sorry for shouting. Your mate has a way of winding me up.”
Jane snorted. “As I keep telling you, you and Kai act like brothers. Just embrace it and you’ll have fewer headaches.”
He raised his brows. “Have you told Kai the same?”
She shrugged. “That’s for me to know and for you to wonder about.”
“Janey,” Rafe growled.
She ignored his warning tone. “On a more serious note, keep your mobile close. I may need help from your army contacts in locating Delia.”
Rafe sobered. “I will. Regardless of what I think of Kai at times, I hope you find his sister.”
“Me, too, Rafe. Me, too.” She opened her arms. “Now, give your sister a hug.”
He eyed her open arms. “British soldiers don’t give hugs.”
“Half-Australian brothers do.” She engulfed him before he could move away.
After a few seconds, she released him. “Now, was that so bad?”
“It was fucking awful.”
Patting his arm, she half-turned toward the hall to the kitchen. “Good. Now, let’s see if they’re nearly done with their meeting. I’m anxious to go.”
Chapter Three
Several hours later, Kai flapped his wings as he maneuvered through the mountains on the outskirts of Snowridge’s lands in Wales.
He glanced down at Jane, huddled in her blankets, and determined she was well enough. While his mate would occasionally stand up in the basket he gripped with his rear talons, she still wasn’t fond of flying and spent most of the trip with her eyes closed.
&nbs
p; His beast spoke up. Look how far she’s come in less than a year. Give it time. Maybe one day we can even rig a harness on our back and she can truly feel the wind and experience the freedom of the skies.
So now we’re to be ridden like a horse?
His dragon huffed. Why do you like to ruin my beautiful dreams? Allowing anyone to ride on a dragon’s back is an honor and the highest sign of trust. Unless you’re saying you don’t trust Jane?
Don’t be stupid, of course I trust her. But she’s not fond of unstable heights. Have some compassion. Riding on our back will give her a fucking heart attack.
When his beast didn’t reply, Kai knew he’d won the point.
Slowing his wings, Kai mostly glided the remaining distance to Snowridge’s main landing area. Unlike Stonefire, which was spread out on mostly flat land, the majority of Clan Snowridge lived inside the mountains near Snowdonia National Park in Northern Wales. The main landing area was one of the few flat, outdoor spaces that had been carved out many years ago.
Since he’d brought Jane to Snowridge many times in the past, he easily guided both him and the basket to the landing area without hitting any of the jutting, sharp edges. Once he gently placed the basket on the ground, he moved a few feet away and landed.