Just thinking of the amount of information that could be exchanged made her giddy. "When will the paperwork arrive? I'll have more time before the baby comes, so I want to get started right away."
Meg clicked her tongue. "I'll have it after your mating ceremony. Rosalind wants to ensure you're legally connected to Alistair before pushing any more boundaries."
Her and Alistair's mating ceremony was a week away. Disappointment flickered, but she forced it aside. Seven days wasn't very long. Not to mention she still had to finish her final report on the group of humans who had come to Lochguard as potential mates.
She bobbed her head. "I'll be ready a few days after, as I promised Alistair we'd spend a few days alone together."
Many people went to Lochguard's piece of land on the Isle of Skye after a mating ceremony, but Alistair had refused. His dragon hadn't acted up, but he wanted to be careful. So they were staying on the clan's lands and hoping they could keep unwanted visitors away.
Meg finished her tea. "Aye, aye, I know. I'm not to visit for at least two days after the ceremony. It'll be hard, as I only want to get to know my new daughter-in-law, but I'll somehow find the strength."
Kiyana did her best not to smile at Meg's guilt-tripping. "I'm sure you will."
Meg stood and placed her mug in the sink. "Well, I'd best be off and let Rosalind know of your decision." She took a step and then paused. "It'll be a thankless job, so let me be the first to say I'll appreciate your efforts. If we're lucky, the gathering will happen in my lifetime."
"You'll outlive us all, Meg, so I'm sure you will."
"Such a flatterer."
It wasn't flattery so much as the truth. Kiyana only hoped she could be as spritely as Meg Boyd when she reached her age.
The dragonwoman's eyes widened. "Oh, and I almost forgot. As part of the deal, an offer will always be open for your mother to live here permanently. I know she's still deciding, but it should put you at ease to know she can live here if she wants."
She wondered if Meg had been instrumental in that condition, given that she was friends with Kiyana's mother. "Thank you."
Meg waved a hand in dismissal. "Don't thank me. You can thank Rosalind by working your hardest and keeping that Max lad in line."
She sighed. "It will be quite the task, but I know someone who can help with it. And no, I won't tell anyone who doesn't have the clearance to know, but keeping an eye on a visitor is still standard protocol after all."
"Do what you must, just keep him occupied. I'm not sure I can take his lectures every day for as long as it takes to make the important gathering a reality."
"I’ll try."
"Good." Meg faced the door again. "Then I'll be off. I'll send you all the details once I have them."
The older dragonwoman was nearly out of the kitchen when Kiyana blurted, "Why don't you want to tell everyone what you're doing? Watching over the humans isn't that scandalous."
"No, but Rosalind is afraid enemies still reside within the clan. So keeping my identity secret means I can watch and be myself without anyone acting differently."
She blinked. "Enemies?"
"Ask Finn, as he has his own suspicions as well."
With that, Meg left, leaving Kiyana to wonder what other dangers existed, ones she'd have to protect her baby from.
She wouldn't worry to the point of being afraid to live life, but she'd be cautious going forward. One of the best things was to focus on her upcoming project. After all, who knew what information other clans possessed about enemies or potential threats.
Yes, the more information they could obtain, the better. However, she needed to finish her current work first. And so Kiyana went back to work.
~~~
Layla MacFie frowned as she double-checked her supplies for the third time. However, no amount of recounting was going to change the fact some of her dearest drugs—one specifically used for helping inner dragons—were missing.
It wasn't the first time it had happened, either. Over the last six months, various things had gone missing, from drugs to medical instruments to even some of the older vital-signs monitors.
Her dragon huffed. Will you listen to me now and install a security camera?
We already did that, but whoever is stealing knows where they are.