Craved by the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 8)

Most of the time. But sometimes it's healthy to vent. Or, punch someone.

Brenna prevented him from replying. "There might be a way for you to use up some of your excess energy, Killian. I'm sure Kai Sutherland, the head Protector of Stonefire and my former boss, will think of something. It's not every day one of Stonefire's clan members can fight an Irish dragon-shifter without starting a war."

"Are you trying to be funny?"

She grinned. "Maybe."

Between her beautiful face and teasing, he wanted nothing more than to bring her close and kiss her again.

Since he couldn't do that in the present, he wanted to keep her talking so he could watch her face and listen to her soothing voice. "Then tell me more about some of my potential opponents. A man needs to be prepared."

As Brenna continued to tell him stories of her clan members, he wished he had a moment alone with her. For some reason, he wanted to assure her that the kiss with Georgiana had meant nothing.

And if he could kiss Brenna again before they arrived at her home clan, all the better. He wasn't about to give her a chance to pull away again if he could help it. He wanted her for his mate.

Good, his young beast whispered. I like her.

In the meantime, he listened to both Brenna and his mother. He didn't want to leave his mother on Northcastle, but she'd made her choice.

Now it was up to Killian to make the most of the opportunities she'd given him.

Chapter Nine

After the long visit with Killian after he'd regained consciousness, Brenna had found excuses to stay away from him for the three days they'd remained on Northcastle. Talking and joking with Killian about her clan members had made her forget, albeit briefly, about everything that loomed over their heads. Namely, Killian could still return to his former self and she'd lose the male she was growing attached to.

The only good thing about those three days was that she'd learned about Cedric Templeton and his fate. After a string of offenses, he'd been court-martialed and sent to a DDA prison since the army didn't handle dragon-shifter internments.

His imprisonment should make her happy, but she'd rather have had the chance to confront the male who had used her in the past. Maybe she'd get the chance to do it someday.

Not that she didn't have enough on her plate already.

Stepping out onto the deck of the ferry on its way to Liverpool, England, she closed her eyes and allowed the wind to caress her face. The ferry was large enough to keep her distance from Killian. The trick would be doing so for the entire eight-hour journey from Belfast.

Yes, she was being a coward. But she suspected the shadow dragon Killian had described was his former self. She had a feeling if it escaped its current prison, it would merge with Killian, changing him.

Her dragon grunted. There's no harm in talking with him. Especially since Adrian and Cal are his constant companions.

He seems to get along with Calvin the nurse. I'd rather Killian enjoy himself than me sit there and create tension.

So all of this is for his benefit?

Not exactly. Besides, we'll see Mum and Dad soon and I need to prepare myself for that.

Bram had said her parents would greet her as soon as she arrived on Stonefire. Only because of the various restrictions placed on dragon-shifters in or near big cities in England kept them from greeting her near the ferry terminal.

However, Jane and Rafe Hartley—a sibling pair of humans who'd each mated a Stonefire dragon-shifter—would be waiting for them in Liverpool. Brenna hadn't interacted much with either one, but if Bram trusted them, she did, too.

A male with a Northern Irish accent appeared at her side. "It's a fine summer day to be outside."

Glancing over, the male in his twenties had dark hair and glasses. He was young, but handsome enough.

Another male's face with dark hair flashed into her mind. One of an older male who wasn't afraid to show his emotions and whose kisses made her forget about anything else.

Pushing Killian out of her mind, she smiled at the human male. "I'm surprised more people aren't out here to enjoy it, if I'm honest."

He shrugged. "People tend to love their mobile phones and tablets on journeys."

"But not you?"