Craved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 8)

However, as she stared out the window of her temporary residence on Clan Northcastle, she was close to climbing the walls. Killian had left over two hours ago with Brenna and she had nothing to do until Lorcan finished his meeting and visited her.

Her dragon spoke up. There is plenty to do. Read, watch a film, or even bake. You always go on about wanting to bake more.

It's hard to relax when your future is unclear.

You could always call Teagan and see what's going on.

I'd rather talk to her after Lorcan's visit. She has a meeting planned with Clan Seagale later today and needs all the time she can manage to prepare for it.

Seagale, the Irish clan inside Connemara National Park, was Teagan's first target for her Ireland-wide peace treaty. If Teagan didn't get all the clans in Ireland to agree and sign, the Department of Dragon Affairs might never lift the ban on foreign dragon-shifters visiting the Republic of Ireland.

Her dragon huffed. Humans have stupid rules. The DDA should know that a ban won't stop people from finding a way in.

I know, love, but not angering them works to our advantage.

If only we could go back to the days when dragons ruled the island.

Right, and have humans hunt us to near-extinction again? I think not. This is how it must be.

Her dragon harrumphed and fell silent.

With nothing else to do, Caitlin studied the area in front of the terraced housing where she was staying. The attached dwellings were used for single adults. Since Caitlin had yet to mate Lorcan, she qualified.

At the word "mate," she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Truth be told, she didn't think she'd ever have a mate again after Kieran had died. Getting to know someone had been fun in her late teens, but it was a different story in her mid-fifties.

She knew most of her friends still enjoyed their mates in all ways, including physical. The thought of a male naked and above her caused a wave of longing to crash

over her.

Her dragon growled. If you hadn't denied us for so many years, you wouldn't be yearning for him so much. He might use that against us.

Life has been busy. Ever since Teagan became clan leader, she's needed my support. I also couldn't risk a male courting me just to get close to her.

Some might argue Lorcan is doing precisely that.

I disagree.

Regardless, don't wait too long to kiss and claim him. Enjoy life in the moment. Killian's condition should've taught you that.

Opening her eyes, she watched a young couple walking past. The female laughed at something the male said, and he promptly frowned.

Maybe someday she would act the same way with Lorcan.

As if her thoughts summoned him, Northcastle's leader turned the corner and walked up the footpath to her living quarters. The dragonman walked with a straight spine and an ease that said he knew and accepted himself.

In other words, a male with the confidence that came with age.

His gaze found hers, sending a flush to her cheeks. There was something about his confidence that appealed to her.

As he approached the door, she went and opened it. Lorcan smiled. "Waiting for me, I see."

She frowned. "What else do I have to do? My instructions were to not leave this house."

Lorcan strode past her, and she closed the door. "Now, now, Caity, you know I had no choice. Until we sign the mating documents, you're here illegally. There are some who will always see you as a foe, no matter what I say or do. You staying out of sight is for your own safety."

"And yet, I'm to live here for the rest of my life. I hope that doesn't mean I'm going to be a prisoner forever."

"You won't be a prisoner." He took a step toward her, his nearness making her heart skip a beat. "I'm sure your daughter understands, as her mate is English. As long as the majority of the clan accepts a foreign mate, everything should be fine. No one is ever liked by all, that's just a fact of life."