Aiding the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 7)
Well, it seemed he had another female to add to his list of not completely hating. Her honesty was better than pity or hope.
He motioned with his hand for her to continue and she said, “As for your release, even you should realize it’s dangerous to let an amnesiac run around. My people will look after you until the doctor thinks you can survive on your own.”
“I’m not a fucking child,” he spat out.
“No, you’re not. But what you may not realize is that you’re a walking target, probably with a bounty on your head. I know you don’t know why at the moment, but you’ll find out in time. It’d be pointless and time-consuming to explain it now. If necessary, you’ll be briefed when I give the word.” Teagan looked to Brenna. “I’ll leave you in charge of securing an empty cottage and devising its security. Once the basics are in place, find me. We need to talk.”
Brenna frowned. “I don’t like the sound of that, Teagan. What’s going on?”
Teagan’s eyes darted to him and back to Brenna. “Not here.”
He clenched his fingers. More fucking secrets. How was he supposed to try to remember anything if no one told him anything important?
With a nod, Teagan wheeled herself out of the room. He looked to Brenna. “I guess that means I’m beholden to your whims.”
The corner of her mouth ticked up. “I suppose so. Behave, and I won’t move you to the old dungeons inside the great hall.”
He fought the urge to tease her. The female’s smile was infectious.
Instead, Killian grunted. “Just go. The sooner you have everything ready, the sooner I can leave this blasted room.”
After another beat, Brenna left with a wave.
Killian sat back down at the table and flipped through the pages inside the binder again until he found the picture of the woman named Teagan. She stood in the picture, dressed in a flowing dress tied over one shoulder. Something was familiar about her, but he couldn’t place it.
He closed the binder and tossed it against the far wall.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Teagan kept up her smiling face and tall posture until she stood from her wheelchair and walked into her hospital room. Aaron sat in a chair on the far side. The second the door clicked closed, she slumped against it and let out a strangled cry. “Killian has no idea who I am.”
Aaron was in front of her in a split second and wrapped his arms around her. “He may not now, but you’re not the type of person who gives up so easily. If there’s a way to bring back his memories, you’ll find it, love.”
Snuggling into his chest, she cl
osed her eyes and took comfort from Aaron’s steady heartbeat. “I’m not giving up, but it’s still not easy to admit. He’s been my supporter from the very beginning and has become my trusted second.” She pulled back to meet Aaron’s gaze. “Even putting aside his skills as head Protector, he’s my brother first. Imagine if your mother didn’t recognize you and may never do so again.”
He smoothed the hair back from her cheek. “I’m not brushing aside your pain, love. But you’re tired and recovering from not only a dragon fight that resulted in a kill-or-be-killed situation, but also a fever that took its toll on your body. Get some sleep and you’ll feel stronger. You may even wake up with a brilliant new idea.”
She shook her head. “I can’t take a nap. There’s too much to do.” Aaron opened his mouth, but she beat him to it. “And no, I can’t hand it all off to someone else. For one, I need to talk about us.”
He frowned. “That sounds like an ominous conversation.”
“It is. You heard the DDA—all the non-Glenlough members must return home. That includes you, unless…”
He stroked her cheek. “Unless what? You’ve never held back your punches before, Teagan. Don’t start now.”
Her dragon spoke up. It’s okay. He will say yes.
Teagan placed a hand on Aaron’s jaw and rubbed her fingers against his short beard. “Do you want to be my mate, Aaron?”
He growled and pulled her closer against his body. “Of course I do, bloody woman. The only reason I haven’t asked, apart from all hell breaking loose, is that you could lose your position if you take a mate. I didn’t want to force you to choose and possibly hate me for the rest of your life.”
She smiled. “I love you for many reasons, Aaron. Your consideration of feelings is one of them.”
He grunted. “Don’t let everyone know about it. I have a reputation to uphold.” His gaze softened. “Although since it’s only us, maybe you can tell me how you love me properly instead of only mentioning it in passing.”
Teagan hadn’t even noticed how the words had slipped out. But she didn’t regret them one bit. Aaron had quickly become an essential part of not only her life, but the clan’s as well. The clan may not know it yet, but Aaron would help her make their futures better.