Aiding the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 7)

Bram shrugged. “He’s been our liaison and knows more about your clan than anyone else here, apart from the one you’ve been holding hostage—Brenna.”

“She’s only here until you come to meet with me in person. Although, fair warning, I don’t know if she wants to return to Stonefire.”

The corner of Bram’s mouth ticked up. “Is that your long-term plan? To entice my clan members one by one until you have enough to ensure my protection?”

Teagan blinked. None of the Irish leaders had a sense of humor. She wondered if it were more common in the UK.

Pushing aside the thought, she answered, “Not unless it becomes necessary. Aaron isn’t one I want to convince to stay.”

Bram snorted. “He may grow on you. Besides, he’s worked with a few Northcastle clan members on a previous assignment, which may give you a foot in the door with their leader, Lorcan Todd. It would benefit us all for the dragons from Ireland and Northern Ireland to get along again.”

The relations between the Irish and Northern Irish clans vacillated between friends and bitter enemies. Teagan believed the former was a necessity for survival in the future.

She answered, “I’ll admit that Aaron having experience with some of their clan members will be useful, but it’ll mean nothing if he doesn’t shore up his behavior. I can punish and reprimand all day long, but if he’s hell-bent on returning home, he’ll try his best to irritate me so that I’ll send him packing.”

Bram replied, “I’ll give you some advice: Put him to work and he’ll focus. Keep him idle and he’ll cause trouble.” She paused to think of another way to persuade Bram to send someone else when Bram spoke up again. “I sense there’s more than Aaron’s behavior on your mind. You’re keeping something from me. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s going on, lass.”

Teagan paused. Given the possible threat looming over her head, trust was hard for her.

Her dragon spoke up. Bram is honest. He has taken on the British Department of Dragon Affairs and won, and on more than one occasion. He also risked being discovered by the Irish DDA office by sending his clan members here to help us without first garnering a visitation pass. He wouldn’t have done any of that if he didn’t care about dragon-shifter kind in general.

True, she’d heard a lot about Bram Moore-Llewellyn’s reputation and deeds. The male had made human visitations to dragon-shifter land possible in the UK, provided they garnered permission from the DDA. He had even secured a special license so that his female clan member could mate a human male, which had previously been illegal in his country.

Still, it wasn’t that easy for her to trust a male leader. Remember the last time our clan trusted another leader so quickly? They attacked and we lost Da.

That was many years ago. And that male never proved anywhere near Bram’s level when it came to creating a better future for all dragon-shifters. His precedents may even help those of us in Ireland.

You sound like a politician.

So? Clan leaders are a type of politician. My influence will do you good.

Her dragon was correct. Platitudes and fake smiles had always been the hardest aspect of her job. If Teagan were male, she could be stoic and grunt a lot like her brother. But as a female, the standards were higher. She not only needed to lead, but she also needed to remind everyone that females could have strength, too. However, it had to be in just the right amount or she’d be labeled a bitch, or worse.

Thankfully the love of her clan and the desire to see them succeed kept her focused and sane so far.

After staring at Bram for a few more seconds, she sighed. “Is this line secure on your end?”

“Aye. Very few people can break into it. I would say no one, but there’s always someone out there smarter who can find a way.”

He’s honest, her beast said. I like him.

She took a deep breath and decided to take a risk, or she might never succeed. Leaders who always played it safe rarely achieved great things. “Greenpeak, the clan in Killarney, has found out that I’m Glenlough’s leader and has told everyone who would listen.”

“And now males are going to knock at your door to challenge you.”

She blinked. “Yes. How did you know?”

Bram waved a hand. “I understand males. Many of them are threatened by a female leader. Rather than watch their power and hold over females possibly diminish, they’ll do whatever it takes to preserve the status quo in their clans.” He raised an eyebrow. “Am I right?”

“Yes. Although I’m curious why you don’t feel threatened.”

The corner of Bram’s mouth ticked up. “Let’s just say my clan has been invaded by strong females and it’s been for the better. I don’t see them as a threat but rather an asset.”

Her dragon stood tall. See? I told you I liked him.

Teagan ignored her beast. “Not everyone sees it as you do, though. And I can’t risk reaching out to Northcastle until this is sorted, or they’ll dismiss Glenlough as a liability instead of an asset. Having Aaron defy my every order is going to hinder any effort to show I’m strong enough to lead the clan when the other clan leaders start knocking at my gates.”

&n