Chapter One
Brenna Rossi readjusted the red strap of material over her shoulder for the fifteenth time.
Her mating ceremony should've started by now.
Maybe her intended, Killian O'Shea—the Clan Glenlough Irish dragon-shifter male who'd lost his dragon and his memory—had had a change of heart. After all, it had been over a week since she'd last seen him and their agreement to mate had been one of convenience rather than of love. If Killian didn't mate her, then Brenna would have to return to her clan, Stonefire, in Northern England; all non-Irish dragon-shifters were being banished from the Republic of Ireland for the foreseeable future.
And Brenna wanted to stay in Ireland more than anything.
Her inner dragon spoke up. There are any number of reasons for the delay. Remember, Teagan is using this as an opportunity to unite the clan and release some of their stress over recent events.
All Killian gains from this mating is a guard he doesn't hate. The scales are tipped in my favor, and he could easily back out.
Given how he looked at us the last time we saw him, I think Killian has other reasons for agreeing.
The memory of Killian slowly perusing her body before meeting her gaze, his eyes full of heat, flashed into her mind. I haven't agreed to sex. It's not part of our deal.
Her beast huffed. There's nothing wrong with gaining a little experience and enjoying ourselves in the process. Not all males are like Cedric.
No, don't bring up Cedric. He doesn't deserve our time.
I agree. But his actions still affect you today.
Not wanting to tarnish the present with the dragon male from three years ago, Brenna inhaled deeply and straightened her shoulders. No matter. I'll kiss Killian once, as it's expected. Then we can each live our own lives.
And any time we're in public. The clan must believe this is a true mating, or the Irish Department of Dragon Affairs will send us away.
Only Clan Glenlough's leader, Teagan O'Shea, and a handful of others knew of the farce. Okay, then in public as well. But no more. I don't need to make our lives any more complicated.
Her beast chuckled. You say that as if you can resist him.
Of course I can. I'm a Protector, after all. Being able to maintain control is one of the most important requirements for the job.
Before her beast could argue further, a tap on the door sounded and it opened inward to reveal the gray-haired, slightly wrinkled and stooped form of Orla Kelly—Glenlough's former clan leader and grandmother to both Killian and Teagan O'Shea.
Entering the room, Orla tapped her cane a few times before saying, "Not sure I care for the red. It'll only remind everyone where you're from."
Each dragon clan wore a certain color for formal events. Stonefire wore red, whereas Glenlough wore green. "Seeing as my accent already gives me away, the red is negligible."
"Once this is over, you'll be wearing green, child." Orla paused before adding, "Are you sure this is what you want?"
During a recent leadership trial that had gone wrong, which had ended with a dragon fight, two dead Irish dragon clan leaders, and another in prison, Brenna had worked closely with Orla. The older dragonwoman was more like the grandmother Brenna had never had. "This is the only way I can stay here, Orla."
"He's a bit of a bastard without his memories and dragon, you know."
She raised her brows. "Su
ch love for your grandson you have there."
Orla waved a hand. "It's because I love him that I'm being honest. His dragon may never return. And if Teagan can't manage to secure alliances with all the dragon clans in Ireland, foreigners may not be allowed to stay here legally for who knows how many years to come. Are you willing to saddle yourself to him for that long?"
Rather than explain herself, she probed, "Did Teagan send you here to change my mind?"
Leaning on her cane, Orla replied, "She doesn't know I'm here. I came because you're a rare female, Brenna Rossi. You're talented and unafraid to use your intelligence, no matter what the other males think. However, I know you fancied Killian before he lost his memory, and I don't want you hurt." She tilted her head. "More than that, I don't want to see the fight go out of you. A broken heart can do that, child. I've seen it before."
She frowned. "Who? Not you, from everything I've heard about your late mate."
"No, not me, but my predecessor. Even males can have their hearts broken when a true mate denies them."
Brenna smoothed her skirts. "Well, that shouldn't be a problem. I don't think Killian is my true mate."
"Aye, well, you're old enough to make your own decisions. After all, in my time, a female would have had several children by your age." Standing tall, Orla thumped her cane. "Come to me if you ever need to, Brenna. There are things I can do that Teagan can't since she's clan leader."
"Such as?"
She shrugged a shoulder. "For starters, I can have my grandson tied up and tossed into the dungeon to cool off."
Smiling, she shook her head. "That shouldn't be necessary. I can look after myself."
"The offer stands, regardless."
Another knock sounded, and the green-eyed, dark-haired form of Teagan O'Shea entered the room. Glenlough's leader glanced at her grandmother and narrowed her eyes. "Do I want to know why you're here instead of in the audience as I asked?"
"It's better for all involved if I say no," Orla replied without hesitation.
Teagan sighed. "Fine." She looked at Brenna. "Are you ready? Sorry for the delay, but Aaron's been having a bit of a problem getting Killian to follow orders."
Aaron Caruso was also originally from Stonefire. He was also Brenna's distant cousin and Teagan's mate, although their mating still remained secret from most of the clan for the time being. "Do I want to know?"
"Something about Killian bringing his own cuff to give you, with something other than his name engraved on it in the old language."
At a mating ceremony, dragon-shifters exchanged engraved arm cuffs. The custom was to place each other's name on the other, the name being written in the old dragon language of Mersae. "What does Killian's cuff say? Because Aaron would only make a fuss if it was inappropriate."
"It simply says 'mine' in the Irish language."
She frowned. "I didn't think you spoke Irish regularly. At least, I've not heard it."
"We don't as a rule, but we learn it as children. But that's not important. The proclamation will cause a stir. It'll appear as if I endorse changing even more things about the status quo than what is already going on."
"I don't think he's out to do it purposefully," Brenna stated.