Brenna nodded. "I think that sounds reasonable. Maybe we should have a trial run. What is something that you need help with, Blue?"
Killian sat slack-jawed as his dragons easily listened to Brenna. She must be a dragon-whisperer.
Black smirked at him. She can give me what you can't, after all.
He mentally rolled his eyes. We're going to have to work on that. Otherwise, she'll wrap you around her little finger in no time.
And that's a bad thing? Black queried.
Maybe, maybe not.
Blue chimed in. Besides, she asks and tries to compromise. I like that better than being ordered about.
Brenna's voice stymied his reply. "Blue? Are you still there?"
Blue turned his attention back to Brenna and said, "I am. It's hard to concentrate in here s
ometimes, because it's crowded."
Gently brushing his cheek, Brenna smiled. "I know, but it also means you have lots of company. I suspect one day you'll all be best mates." She removed her hand. "Now, what do you need help with, Blue?"
The young dragon thought a moment before answering, "I don't know much about shifting. That's a good place to start."
Tapping her hand against her thigh, Brenna said, "Provided I can get permission, how about this: we'll all work together to help Blue with shifting basics, but I want a few hours with Killian first, free of any fighting or seizures. If you two dragons can keep up that bargain, then it'll go a long way in showing you can be trusted outside this cell. So, what do you say? Can you do that?"
As Black and Blue studied each other, Killian couldn't take his eyes off Brenna. He had no idea why she'd only initiated the true mate pull with Blue, but in his mind, she was bloody perfect for him. How he'd ever thought he could always put duty above his own wants and resist her, Killian had no idea.
When his beasts finally spoke aloud, Killian swore they did it in unison. "We can do that."
"Good. Then let me have Killian to myself for an hour or two. Keep your promise, and I'll do everything within my power to get us out of here for at least a short while."
His dragons stepped back and Killian took their place. Hoping Blue could handle it, Killian closed the distance between him and Brenna. And then he kissed her.
~~~
Killian's lips on hers took Brenna by surprise, but she soon leaned against him and opened to allow him entry.
His taste was addictive, as was his hard, warm body against hers. However, when he broke the kiss and murmured, "That's about Blue's limit," Brenna fell a little bit in love with him.
She murmured, "Under this muscled, frowning exterior is a male with a heart of gold."
He grunted. "It's not entirely noble. After all, it's hard to kiss someone when part of your consciousness is trying its best to look away."
She smiled. "Yes, I imagine so."
Her dragon spoke up. I don't mind being patient to help Blue, but I won't lie—I'm glad to be the only dragon here. I like the extra attention.
As her dragon stood tall and spread her wings, turning this way and that, Brenna did her best not to laugh. I'm not sure I'm strong enough to handle two of you anyway.
Killian brushed her short hair off her forehead, garnering her attention. "Thank you. I know you're probably going to say it's nothing and brush it off as part of your mate duties, but the way you worked with my dragons was bloody brilliant."
Grunting, she lightly ran her hand up and down his back. "I helped train new recruits during my time in the army. That experience came in handy."
"You've never told me about your time with the army."
Brenna hesitated. She wanted to be honest, but she wasn't sure about wasting what precious time she had with Killian by reminiscing about one of the worst periods of her life.
He placed a rough finger under her chin and lifted until she met his gaze. "As you mentioned earlier, we've spent a lot of our mated life either apart or with me unconscious. I want to know you, Brenna. You can tell me anything."