And to her surprise, the dragon still slept.
For a second, she wondered if Gregor had used the dragon-slumber drug, but then quickly pushed the thought aside. She was more concerned with waking up and finding out if she had a future or if Bram would have to turn Sid over to the DDA for everyone’s safety.
Not afraid to find out what her future held, Sid forced her eyes open. She half expected for it not to work. But five seconds later, her physical eyelids parted and light hit her eyes. Blinking a few times, she barely noticed the straps around her wrists and ankles and looked around until she saw Gregor asleep in the chair next to her bed.
His hair lay across his forehead and the stubble on his cheeks was a bit longer. Had he sat next to her the whole time?
There was only one way to find out. “Gregor.”
He instantly shot up and rubbed his eyes before meeting her gaze. Cupping her cheek, he searched her eyes. “Cassidy? Is it truly you?”
“Yes, it’s me. Tell me what’s going on.”
“What about your dragon?”
She checked her prison. “She’s asleep inside a cage I constructed. I only hope it holds.” She paused and then added, “What happens now?”
The corner of Gregor’s mouth ticked up. “Between us or in general?”
She frowned. “In general. Now is not the
time to tease.”
“Ah, but you’re wrong, lass. I think more than ever you need some lightness and maybe even a wee hug.”
She yearned to lean against Gregor’s chest and simply listen to his heartbeat. But she couldn’t afford that kind of normalcy. “You’re aware I have a half-crazed dragon loose in my head and that the second she wakes up, we could all be in trouble. You, most of all, should be careful. For your safety, you should go back to Lochguard.”
Irritation flashed in his eyes. “I’m not bloody leaving you. Although I don’t think telling you how my heart thudded until you were safe and sound back here would do any good, stubborn woman.”
“Gregor—”
“But I have information you need. While Tristan MacLeod is going to help you learn to control your dragon, I’m going to keep looking and digging for information about inner dragons that show up later in life.”
“As far as I know, I’m the only one.”
“Aye, well, I think there have been others and I’m determined to find them.” His voice softened. “You just discovered your beast and I don’t want to banish her again.”
Sid remembered Gregor’s words about wanting a future that might include her. “You don’t have to be noble, Gregor. We can both pretend you never said anything about maybe wanting me as your mate.” He opened his mouth, but she cut him off. “You’ve suffered more than enough heartbreak, and I don’t want to only cause more grief in your life. I’ll accept your help as far as my dragon, but then you need to go back to Scotland.”
Gregor remained silent as his pupils flashed to dragon slits. Even when he was unhappy and clenching his jaw, she wanted him more than any male in her life.
But Sid wouldn’t be selfish. Even if she could control her dragon a little, her beast could revert to her old ways at any time. She wasn’t about to allow anyone else to care for her.
~~~
Gregor resisted the urge to take Cassidy’s shoulders, tell her he wasn’t going to bloody leave her, and then kiss her to show her how much he meant it.
However, the lass was clearly spooked. While his dragon may argue and fight him, Gregor had no idea what it would be like to have a crazy, uncontrollable presence in his head. Only after he ensured Cassidy’s sanity and the woman could be persuaded to think of more than the present, then would he pursue her with full force.
His beast spoke up. Then hurry up and help her. I don’t like waiting to claim what’s ours.
She hasn’t said that she is ours yet, dragon.
She will be.
Have some patience. If you had been a prisoner for twenty years, unable to talk with me, you’d be crazy, too.
His beast huffed. I wish I could talk to her dragon. I would have it all sorted in a matter of minutes.