Craved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 8)

Maybe. But after seeing the less restrained version of him...I'm not sure I can ever look at old Killian the same way again. He's so much more alive now than before.

Alive in a way you wish you were. You try to convince yourself that work is the answer, but sometimes, it's not.

A knock on the front door of her cottage echoed through the house. She said to her beast, We'll finish this discussion later.

With a sigh, Brenna stood and went to the door. If Killian were on the other side, she wasn't sure how she'd act.

Taking a deep breath, she opened it and blinked at the female standing there. "Caitlin?"

The older woman smiled. "May I come in?"

Stepping aside, Brenna motioned toward the living room. "Of course. But I can't say that I'm at my most social right now."

"I don't think any of us are," Caitlin murmured. Brenna was about to press for more details when Caitlin continued, "Lorcan's daughter has agreed to kiss Killian."

She searched the female's gaze. "I'm not sure why you're telling me this. I told Teagan I didn't want to be his guard any longer."

Caitlin tilted her head, her long, black- and gray-streaked hair falling over one shoulder. "I think you understand why I'm telling you this news."

Brenna shifted her feet. She was used to people demanding answers or giving orders. She wasn't sure how to respond to Caitlin's kind, inquisitive gaze.

Thankfully the older female spoke up again. "Teagan will give you all the details, but you will be accompanying me and Killian the day after tomorrow. Before you say you don't want to, just know that you're the only reason Killian can travel to Northern Ireland without special permission in the current climate."

Rather than think of spending time alone with Killian, let alone watching him kiss another female, she focused on Caitlin's role. "You being here and telling me this must mean that you're going to mate the leader of Northcastle."

She smiled. "Yes. I don't have the skills to fight an actual battle, nor do I possess any sort of political acumen. But I can at least do this."

Brenna touched the older female's arm. "A clan needs all sorts of members, Caitlin. If it only consisted of fighters and politicians, I'm sure we'd be extinct by now."

Caitlin laughed. "You're probably right." She sobered. "I have no right to ask anything of you, but I hope you don't give up on my son. I think you care for him, and he desperately needs that right now."

It took everything she had not to look away. "He has all of you."

"It's not the same. We keep seeing who he used to be. You accept him as he is now. For a male lost in the world, that is a tremendous thing." Brenna opened her mouth to reply, but Caitlin continued, "But don't worry, you won't have to see him until the day after tomorrow."

Brenna should thank Caitlin and ask her to leave. Killian's condition shouldn't matter.

Liar, her dragon growled.

Ignoring her beast, Brenna blurted, "You'll let me know if Killian falls unconscious again?"

Or worse was left unsaid.

"Of course. Dr. O'Brien will keep the Stonefire doctors apprised of the situation as well. The more information they have, the more likely they can help him."

"So you don't think the true mate kiss will work?"

"I don't know, honestly. But I'd rather be prepared." Caitlin took her hand and squeezed. "You're a fine female, Brenna. I hope you can stay on Glenlough and help look after my family."

At the sadness in Caitlin's eyes, Brenna engulfed the female in a hug. "I will, but you'll visit and probably call more often than any of them will want."

"Maybe," Caitlin whispered.

She pulled back. "Look, agreeing to stay here initially was difficult for me. I gave up everything I knew and had no idea when I might return to Stonefire. But now Glenlough feels like home and I can't imagine staying away forever. You might one day feel the same way about Northcastle. I would hazard to guess that you never would've agreed to mate Lorcan unless you believed him to be a somewhat good male."

The older female bobbed her head. "I think he is. I've never heard anything bad or had any warning signs from my dragon when I interacted with him in the past. But at the end of the day, all we can do is wait and see what happens."

Brenna released Caitlin. "Should I put the kettle on for some tea?"