The Dragon Warrior (Lochguard Highland Dragons 4)

His beast paused a second before replying, Okay. But only because of what awaits us when we return.

As his dragon fell silent, Grant hoped his beast wasn’t coming up with a plan of his own to win over Faye. His beast could be persistent and liked to take control. Grant wasn’t sure how Faye would respond to that approach.

~~~

Faye had known Grant was a leader, but since her accident, she’d had little chance to witness him in action. He was far more commanding than she remembered from their time in the army.

She was a big enough person to admit he was a good choice for head Protector.

Her beast chimed in. I never doubted his ability to lead, only his ability to notice other people’s feelings.

We’ve known Grant our whole lives. He’s never really been someone who displayed his own feelings, let alone was able to gauge others’ easily. His family wasn’t as open as ours.

He’s lived on Lochguard most of his life. There’s no excuse for his behavior.

Then let me ask you this: Would you want him to act like our family? I don’t know about you, but living with someone like one of our brothers or cousin, Finn, would be…tiring.

Her dragon paused a beat before answering, Maybe.

Good, then we’re on the same page.

I still think he needs to grovel.

She tried not to laugh at her dragon’s petulant tone. I didn’t say I was going to sleep with him or have his babies. But it was nice to have his attention for a while. Just imagine what all of his intensity could do if focused on us.

Speaking of the devil, Grant looked over his shoulder at her. Faye quickly pushed aside thoughts of Grant’s attentions and tilted her head. “So, great leader, care to tell me when you went to Craig Phadrig and how you know so much about it?”

Grant grunted. “Now’s not the time.”

“We’re on the way to the castle to shift. There’s not much else we can do before that. You have a minute or two. I know silence is your default setting, but how about humoring me?”

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He checked his mobile before answering, “Dad liked to watch that human archaeology show, Time Team, when it used to air on the telly. It was the only time the entire family sat down together to watch anything. Most of the time he was busy fixing or building houses, but on the rare occasion, he would take me and my brother to archaeological sites to look for old dragon-shifter artifacts. Craig Phadrig was one of them.”

She couldn’t remember ever seeing the McFarlands out together as a family. Truth be told, she didn’t know much about them. She hoped to rectify that shortly.

Her dragon spoke up. And why is that? I knew it. You do want to have his babies. Just know that I won’t let you give in to him too easily.

Ignoring her beast, she caught up to Grant so that they walked side by side. “You’ve never talked much about your family, even before some of them left the clan. Not even to me. Why?”

He glanced at her. “No one wants to hear about difficult times.”

She touched his bicep. “I want you to be able to tell me anything, Grant. I mean it. Everyone should have someone they can confide in.”

For a few beats, he remained silent, and she wondered if she’d pushed too far.

His voice filled the evening’s air again. “Only if you do the same, lass. You might be outgoing and laughing on the outside, but I’m not the only one with demons in my past.”

She frowned. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“You never met your dad, Faye. He died the night you were born. I’m sure it haunts you from time to time.”

When Faye’s mother had been in labor, her dad, Jamie MacKenzie, had raced home during a storm to be with his pregnant mate. Since he had been killed by lightning en route, he’d never seen his only daughter.

Faye tried not to think about her father much. Doing so almost seemed like a betrayal to her mum, who had worked doubly hard to be enough for her children. Still, she wished he’d survived the storm. While all of the stories said her dad had been a little more serious, like Fergus, he had treasured his children and mate.

Her mum had recently found a second chance at love, but for too many years Lorna MacKenzie had been lonely. Faye had always wondered if her mum thought Faye was partly to blame.