Max’s tone was so engaging that Lorna almost wanted to hear more.
Then she remembered he could be a threat for all she knew.
Thankfully, she didn’t have to distract him any longer since Iris swooped down and gripped his middle in her talons. Max shouted as Iris hovered with him in place.
As Max’s hat hit the ground, he glared up at Iris. “That’s my favorite hat.”
Confusion flashed in Iris’s eyes but quickly dissipated. She met Lorna’s gaze and tilted her head. She was asking if Lorna could fly away or not.
Testing out her wing, Lorna nodded to Iris. She could manage a short distance.
Jumping into the air, Lorna flapped her wings until she could glide on the wind currents. She had no idea what Iris would do with Max, but she could find that out later. Right now, Ross would be worried, and Lorna yearned to see his smiling face again.
~~~
Ross stood next to Shay, one of Lochguard’s youngest Protectors, and tried not to let worry thread his voice as he asked, “Are you sure Iris can find her? Maybe we should contact Lochguard.”
Shay shook his head. “We’ll wait to call anyone until Iris comes back. Otherwise, Finn will never allow his aunt off Lochguard’s land again.”
“I bet the bloody stubborn woman pushed herself too far too quickly. She hasn’t flown much in years,” Ross muttered.
Shay remained quiet for a few seconds before he replied, “She probably did it to impress you.”
Looking to Shay, Ross raised his brows. “What?”
“I’ve known Lorna my whole life, as has much of the clan. She was never unhappy, but in the last week, she’s glowed. I wasn’t sure of you at first, human, but after your help in the post-attack clean-up, you showed that you’re dedicated and care about Lochguard. You might just be worthy enough of Lorna MacKenzie yet.” Shay grunted. “But tell anyone I said that, and I will call you a liar.”
Ross tried not to smile. “One day you’ll learn that having a tough image means you can care, too, lad.”
Shay remained silent, and Ross went back to scanning the skies. While he was doing a good job of hiding it from the young dragonman at his side, Ross worried that Lorna’s delay was his fault. What if she’d broken her wing? Or, worse, crashed and a dragon hunter had found her?
The blasted woman didn’t need to try to impress him. He already wanted her more than any woman since his late wife. He’d just have to make sure to convince Lorna of that once she returned. Because, damn it, she would return. He hadn’t just been given his life back to have it taken from him again. He couldn’t imagine living without Lorna.
He wanted her to be his mate.
The fingers tapping against his thigh stilled. The realization had come on quite suddenly, but it was the truth. He wanted Lorna by his side for the rest of his days.
She just needed to arrive safe and sound before he could do anything.
Tapping his fingers against his thigh again, Ross squinted. There was a tiny speck in the sky. After what seemed like an eternity, he could tell the dragon was green. Since Iris was purple, it had to be Lorna.
He didn’t like the way the rhythm of her wings would falter every few beats. She definitely was pushing herself too hard.
Lorna finally glided down and landed. Ross motioned to Shay. “Go inside for now. I’ll shout if we need you.”
To his credit, the young dragonman disappeared without a word. None too soon, either, as Lorna glowed a faint green before shrinking back into her naked human form.
Ross shrugged out of his coat as he rushed forward. “About time you showed up, love.”
He placed the coat around Lorna’s shoulders as she answered, “It’s your fault I’m late, so don’t blame me. Pushing me to race like that. My old wings couldn’t take the stress.”
Brushing Lorna’s cheek, Ross murmured, “I’m sorry. I wasn’t really thinking. I sometimes forget I’m not a lad of twenty again, out to challenge anyone who dared.” He raised his voice to normal levels. “But to make it up to you, I’m going to take care of you. I saw you struggling in the sky. What hurts? Should we call a doctor?”
Lorna smiled as she patted Ross’s chest. “I don’t need a doctor. Although some tea and warm clothes would do.”
He turned until he could loop his arm around Lorna’s shoulders. “Tell me what happened. And don’t gloss over the details.”
His dragonwoman snorted. “And now you’re ordering me about like a mate.”