Finn hugged Arabella tighter and she leaned more into her mate’s side. There was a small possibility Fergus would never forgive Fraser for keeping such a big secret from him. Finn might technically be the twins’ cousin, but they had grown up together and were more like brothers. The rift would tear his heart in two.
Yet if Finn was hurting inside, the strength and dominance in his voice masked it well as he said to Faye, “Holly is your responsibility for now. She’s going to stay in your room with you and you’ll be her guard until I say so. Can you handle that?”
Faye hesitated a second and Arabella held her breath. Faye MacKenzie had avoided any sort of Protector-related duties since her accident. But maybe, just maybe, helping her family would restore some of her confidence.
After a long pause, Faye nodded. “I’ll ensure Holly’s safety. I assume you’re taking Fraser away from the house?”
“Aye,” Finn answered. “I’ll have Dr. Innes inject him with drugs to force his inner dragon into silence.”
Arabella frowned. “Is that really necessary?”
“He’ll survive a day or two without his beast.” Finn ran a hand through his hair. “I need to sort everything with the DDA first. This was a hell of a way to treat our first sacrifice on Lochguard in more than a decade.”
Arabella tilted her head. “You’ll make it work. You know I only mated you because of your powers of negotiation.”
Finn’s smile returned. “Aye, it did take a wee while to woo you, lass.”
Finn lowered his head and gave Arabella a gentle kiss, which made her dragon roar. I want more.
We’ll see. It might help Finn relax.
So you change your mind to make him feel better but not me. I’m going to remember that.
Can we argue this later?
Fine.
Finn’s voice interrupted Arabella’s conversation. “Ara, are you listening?”
She raised an eyebrow. “When am I not?”
He sighed. “How many more months until the baby’s here?”
She punched his side. “About seven. And if I’m suffering, you can suffer along with me.”
“We can think of how I can suffer along with you later. For now, make sure Holly’s okay until I get back. She’s locked inside Aunt Lorna’s room.”
“Of course.”
Finn gave her one last gentle kiss and then released her. “Faye, go with Arabella. I’m going to take Aunt Lorna with me. She’ll keep Innes in line.”
Arabella smiled. “What, you haven’t been able to charm Dr. Gregor Innes yet? He’s nice to me.” Finn growled and Arabella put up her hands. “Okay, I’ll stop. Just hurry. The last thing we need is for Fraser to wake up and go after Holly before she’s ready.”
Finn’s face turned grim. “Aye, I know.”
With that, there was a knock on the door and Finn went to answer it. As Gregor’s voice drifted down the hall, Arabella looked to Faye. “Come, let’s go before the doctor sees me and starts asking a million questions.”
???Aye, good idea,” Faye answered. “That man is fiercely protective of pregnant females. I understand that his mate died in childbirth, but it’s been over a decade. He needs to let it go.”
Arabella’s heart squeezed, but she pushed aside her sympathy. “Then come on.”
Faye nodded and moved toward the stairs. Arabella followed.
Two steps up, Arabella’s stomach churned and she willed its contents to stay put. There was much to do and she didn’t know how much longer she could go without being sick.
Her dragon chimed in. I will try to help.
Arabella blinked. What can you do?