But she and Alistair were basically strangers.
It wasn't the way she'd pictured having a baby.
Layla reached over and touched her hand. Kiyana met the doctor's gaze again, Layla's smile helping to wash away a little bit of her trepidation. Layla said softly, "It'll be all right, so don't try to worry. As long as you receive your scheduled dragon's blood injections from the Boyd brothers, you should survive. No matter what happens, I will always be fighting for you, Kiyana."
Tears prickled her eyes. "It's not that. I, well, what if my memory of Alistair is just that—a memory? Maybe he'll regret this."
The dragonwoman answered firmly, "No, he won't. He's brightened with every scrap of news about you. He wants to be your mate, Kiyana. He's a good male. Once he wakes up, I'll do my final check to ensure you can see him. And then I'll make sure you have some privacy, even if I have to tie Meg Boyd to a chair myself."
Her lips twitched at the image. "I think everyone would pay to see that."
Layla snorted. "There's the Kiyana I know. I suspect all the hormones have played havoc with your emotions, not to mention your body. Talk with Alistair before going down the rabbit hole of what ifs, aye?"
Taking a deep breath, Kiyana nodded. "But don't tell anyone else until after I've told Alistair, okay? He deserves to know first."
After squeezing her hand, Layla withdrew it and sat up straight. "Aye, of course." Something beeped in Layla's pocket. The doctor took out her phone, checked it, and slid it back. "Alistair's awake, so you may have that meeting sooner than you think. Stay here, aye? I'll have Logan check on you and let you know one way or the other if you can see Alistair."
She hoped with everything in her being, she could. Her life had been incomplete for the past three months. Sure, she'd made friends and had even watched one of the human women mate one of the Lochguard dragonmen. Not to mention she’d tried her best to help the other women, who hadn’t found a dragon of their own yet. However, it was hard trying to make a future when the one person who was supposed to be in it was locked away from you.
Not that it was done to harm her. But still.
Kiyana nodded. "I'll wait here. Although some tea and chocolate would be nice, to help settle my nerves."
Layla stood. "Logan will bring some right away, then. He's the only other one who knows about your pregnancy, which will work in your favor. Well, for now. Dragon-shifter males become even more overprotective when a female is pregnant. Ask for the moon, and any of them will fetch it."
She smiled. "That is some power right there."
Layla winked. "That it is. Until you get tired of it and have to yell at them to leave you alone. Which, don't be afraid to do." The doctor moved to the door. "I'll let you know about Alistair as soon as I can."
And then Kiyana was alone again. Not truly, as she placed a hand on her lower belly, remembering the baby growing there.
My child. Even if things didn't turn out perfectly in the end for her, she'd still have her baby. And since he or she was half dragon-shifter, it only made her more determined to bridge the knowledge gap between humans and dragons. After all, she didn't want people to fear her baby. And ideally, she wanted him or her to have both human and dragon-shifter friends and family.
Of course the child wasn't solely hers. And she needed to tell the father soon.
She started thinking of ways to break the news to Alistair when Logan rushed in with a cuppa and three different kinds of chocolate. As the male rambled on about getting anything else she needed, Kiyana sipped her tea and smiled at how Logan was bending over backward to make her happy.
She might tire of the extra attention eventually, but for the moment, it was exactly what she needed to forget about all the negative possibilities for her future and focus on the positive ones.
~~~
Alistair had learned to both love and hate the white ceiling above his bed.
For three long months, he'd had to stare at it. Aye, they'd brought in a telly, and cards made by his students as well as his nephews plastered the walls. However, the ceiling was blank.
And sometimes he liked the sereneness of it. Other times, it only reminded him of what was missing—namely, changing into a dragon and jumping into the sky.
He hadn't gone mad yet, which was a good thing. But being alone inside his mind for weeks on end was lonely. So much lonelier than he ever could've imagined.
Lonelier still since he hadn't spoken with Kiyana for the same time period.
At least he'd woken up from the transfusion feeling stronger. The massive doses of various drugs had taken its toll—not to mention the surgery he'd had to repair his broken bones as best as Layla could do—and his health had nearly failed a few days before. While he'd love to be happy about finally being on the road to recovery, the procedure likely meant he was sterile now.
If the last attempt with Kiyana failed, that was it. Alistair would never have children of his own. And given how hard it was for dragon-shifters to have large numbers of children in the first place, he may never be able to adopt, either.
He almost filled the silence with what he thought his dragon would say, but the door opened, and Layla walked over to his bedside. "Leave out the bits about being bored or restless and tell me how you're feeling."
As anxious as she to cut to the chase, he replied, "Not as tired as before. However, my dragon hasn't returned."
"I wouldn't worry about that yet. He may have been put into a sort of coma from the long-term use of the dragon-sleeping drug. The effects should wear off in a matter of days, and we'll know for sure how he's doing."
No comforting words from Layla. It was one of the things he both hated and loved about her, as did all the clan members. "And Kiyana? Can I finally see her?"
"I need to check a few things first, aye? Then I can tell you."
As Layla conducted her examination and he answered her questions honestly, he resisted the urge to ask if she was fine. It'd been over three fucking months since he'd seen, let alone talked with, the female who was his true mate. Even though he hadn't known her long before all the difficulties crashed into his life, he missed her. Missed her humor, her intelligence, hell, how she just felt like the lover and friend he'd always been meant to have.
He'd never forget Rachel and would always love her, but Kiyana was his future now.
Or, so he hoped. If the pregnancy didn't take, then she could leave at any time.
And if his dragon didn't return, then maybe she would, unable to deal with the changes that would no doubt come because of the absence.
His thoughts drifted to what he could do to ensure Kiyana stayed when Layla finished and placed her hands into the pockets of her lab coat. "All of your vital signs are stronger, and your mind seems to be fine, too."
Hope bubbled in his chest and blurted, "So does that mean I can finally see her?"
"On one condition—I want to be here when you first see and talk with her, just to ensure your dragon doesn't act out."
His happiness deflated. Her words had to mean one thing. "Then the pregnancy didn't take?"
Layla raised her brows. "And if it didn't?"
Alistair growled. "Don't toy with me, Layla."
"Answer the question."
He wanted to curse stubborn doctors. If she wasn't such a bloody good one, he might have.
Instead, he answered, "I still want to see her, hear her voice, and feel her hand in mine. With or without a bairn, she's my true mate, Layla. Even without my dragon, the world feels brighter when she's near. I want, no…need her."
Layla bobbed her head. "Good answer." He opened his mouth, but she beat him to it. "Let me help you sit up and then I'll fetch her."
Even though maybe a minute passed, Layla helping him to sit up and place pillows behind his back seemed like hours.
Then she left, and Alistair's heart rate ticked up. After so long, he was finally going to see Kiyana again. He hoped it wouldn't be awkward.
But even if it was,
he'd start over and work toward getting back to where they'd been.
The door opened, revealing Kiyana's dark eyes and curly hair. The second her eyes met his, he forgot about his worry and all the bloody awful things that had transpired over the past three months.
His true mate was here, and the world felt brighter.
Aye, it was poetic but true. He murmured, "Kiyana."
She smiled, and Alistair felt stronger than he had for days. Each step she took toward him happened in slow motion, but she finally reached his side. He took her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it. Inhaling her scent—the one that had visited him so many times in his dreams—he froze. It wasn't just her scent. No, it was his, too.
Which meant only one thing.
Meeting her gaze, he asked, "Is it true? Are you pregnant?"
As soon as the words were out, he felt a stirring in the back of his mind. It seemed he might learn about both his child and the state of his dragon before too much longer.
~~~
Kiyana didn't remember the walk to Alistair's room. But as she laid her eyes on his pale face and a body much leaner than it'd been before, her heart squeezed. Her strong, healthy dragonman looked weak.
But then his gaze found hers and the happiness in his mismatched eyes washed away her concerns. Alistair had a difficult recovery ahead of him, but he was still here. And all she wanted to do was rush to him and jump into his arms.
However, Layla had warned about taking the initial meeting slowly. Only once the doctor was certain Alistair's dragon wouldn't act up would she leave them alone.
Making her feet work, she crossed the room, never taking her gaze from Alistair's. When she finally reached him, and he took her hand, a jolt of electricity raced up her arm at his touch. And then he kissed her hand, and she sighed in happiness. His touch made most of her anxiety and fears melt away.
However, Alistair looked up at her with curiosity, his pupils flashing for a split second. "Is it true? Are you pregnant?"
Before she could answer, Layla was there and demanded, "Is your dragon awake? Is he acting up?"
Alistair never looked away as he answered, "He's there, but he hasn't said anything. Now, if you don't mind, I want to know if my mate is pregnant."
Kiyana jumped in. "Future mate, remember?"
Worry crossed his face, and Kiyana felt three inches tall. She didn't want to toy with Alistair, only tease him.
It seemed teasing would only become natural again with time.
She quickly continued, "Don't worry, I'm not retreating. I'm still here, aren't I?"
He never released her hand. "And is there a bairn?"
Unsure of how to say it, she nodded.
Alistair kissed her hand again and closed his eyes. "Thank you, Kiyana. I know it must've been hell, but thank you. I'll be the best father in the world, aye? I vow it."
She should be happy, but anger shot through her. "Me going through hell? We almost lost you, Alistair, and more than once. You nearly died for the chance to maybe have a child. Just be glad you didn't die because I would've brought you back to kill you myself."
He met her gaze again. "I'm still here, aye?"
She couldn't help but smile at him echoing her own words. "I think going forward, we need to work on communication. Since there are no longer restrictions on me seeing you, we should do fine."
Layla chimed in. "I'm still determining that, to be fair."
Frowning, Kiyana finally looked away from Alistair to the female doctor. "What do you mean?"
Layla motioned toward Alistair with her hand. "His dragon is still stirring, aye? His pupils aren't changing completely, but they flicker every once in a while. I'm not sure I want to leave you alone with him until I'm certain his inner beast isn't a threat."
Alistair growled, and she looked back at his face as her dragonman said, "I would never put Kiyana in danger."
Layla replied, "Not intentionally. However, it's still a possibility. I'm just doing my job, as you bloody well know."
Afraid to release his hand lest she be forced to leave, Kiyana gripped Alistair's hand tighter. "Others can come in, but I want to stay. I've followed every order and done as you said for three long months, Layla. But I'm not going to abandon Alistair again unless he's a concrete threat. I think I've earned that much."
Alistair murmured, "Kiyana…"
She moved a little closer to Alistair's bed. "I know this will sound crazy, but I've missed you. Who else will discuss centuries-old events with me and not get bored?"
"There's Max," Layla pointed out.
Kiyana resisted a sigh at the overly enthusiastic archaeologist. "It's not so much a discussion with Max as me listening to his latest lecture. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate his excitement. However, not many seem to get a word in edgewise with him."
Layla snorted. "True."
Alistair spoke again. "Fetch whoever is waiting to see me, but return slowly. I want a minute or two alone with Kiyana. And before you protest, you can station a nurse outside the door, and Kiyana can put her hand near the call button. But give us a few minutes, aye?"
Layla looked between them before shrugging. "Fine, a few minutes, but no more. I'm not setting restrictions simply to be spiteful, you know. But I'm not about to risk a pregnant female simply because you think you're okay when it's still a bit uncertain, aye?"
Alistair grunted, and Kiyana decided she could better hurry the doctor along than Alistair's growly reply. "We appreciate all your help, Layla." She moved her hand near the call button. "See? I'll keep it here. Can we have a few minutes now?"
"Aye, but I'll be back in less than five minutes."
Layla left, and Kiyana stared into Alistair's eyes. There was so much she wanted to tell him, and yet, she didn't know where to start. So much had happened in the last three months.
And after all the fighting, and crying, and frustration, she should be relieved things had calmed down. However, everything going forward would be real, would shape her life, and she didn't want to mess up the second chance.
Before she could say anything, Alistair whispered, "Kiss me, Kiyana. It's been far too long, and I'm tired of my memory."
Seizing the chance to express herself without words, Kiyana didn't hesitate to lower her head and press her lips to Alistair's. The instant his warm skin touched hers, she sighed, and Alistair gently swiped his tongue between her lips.
The past three months of worry, frustration, and anger melted away as he licked and nibbled, each caress stoking a fire in her lower belly.
He may be thinner and weaker, but she still wanted him with every fiber of her being.
Lifting a hand to his head, she lightly scratched her nails against his scalp. His growl deepened, and his movements became more desperate, more demanding, simply more everything.
She wanted to lay next to him, wrap her leg around his waist, and feel his tall body pressed to hers.
However, Alistair broke the kiss but kept a light grip on her neck to keep her face close to his. His breath danced across her wet lips as he said, "If you keep kissing me like that, I'm not going to be able to follow the doctor's orders about not taking you right here on this hospital bed."
The corner of her lips ticked upward. "I haven't been a rule breaker for years, but you're tempting me to become one again, Alistair Boyd." His warm chuckle reverberated through her body, making her heart lighter. She couldn't help but blurt out, "It's good to hear you laugh."
He gently squeezed her neck. "I can't wait to hear yours again, too, lass."
They stared at one another, saying nothing and yet everything.
It was a strange situation, both awkward and familiar. But she was determined to kick awkwardness to the curb as soon as she could. "It should be easy to do since I'm going to be living with you as soon as you can leave the surgery."
He searched her gaze. "Are you sure, Kiyana? Some might wax on about no time passing, and we're like one soul or some such shite. But it'll take a wee bit
of time to get back to where we were, and I don't want to pressure you."
She traced his jaw. "I made the decision myself. And it's not entirely selfless, I promise you. My mum had strange cravings when she carried me, and we'll see if it's genetic. And if so, once you're in full health, I will be making all sorts of weird requests at odd hours."
"So I'm to be your delivery lad? As long as you tip me well, I won't mind." His voice turned husky. "And I prefer my tips to be given in the bedroom."
She snorted. "That's such a man thing to say. It almost makes me think of a really bad porno. A man shows up with a pizza, and the woman doesn't have any money. So they negotiate another way for her to pay him…"
Alistair grinned—complete with his dimple—and she sucked in a breath. Even recovering from three months of hell, he was still sexy. "I'll bring better food than pizza. So I hope the payment will match the quality."
She lightly smacked his shoulder. "Someone is getting ahead of himself."
His face turned a little more somber. "The future can be taken away at any moment, lass. I'm not about to forget that again."
"Alistair," she murmured.
Kiyana had barely pressed her lips against his again when Finn's voice filled the room. "Och, that didn't take long, did it? The pair of you may need chaperones until Alistair's health is fully cleared."
Alistair sighed, and she bit her lip to keep from laughing. After a second, she turned around to see Finn, Arabella, Meg, Kiyana's mother, and Alistair's two brothers.
From somewhere behind them came Layla's voice. "I'll be back in ten minutes, and then you lot will leave. Those were the conditions, so don't forget them. And yes, I'm talking to you, Meg Boyd."
Meg waved a hand. "Aye, aye, we'll follow your rules." The older dragonwoman smiled at her and Alistair. "It's good to see the pair of you together again."
Meg had been kind to Kiyana over the last few months. While Meg still hadn't shared the details of her assignment with the Department of Dragon Affairs, Kiyana was fine with that. After all, it wasn't as if Meg were an undercover assassin.
The Dragon's Discovery (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 6) Page 15
