Sid nodded at Evie as she passed and hoped the human would fill her in later on how the hell Alice and Emily had made it to Stonefire undetected.
The second they were outside Bram’s cottage, Emily spoke up. “I know you have no reason to trust me, but all I want to do is help. I’ve been fascinated with dragon-shifter biology since I was a teenager. Trahern indulged my fancy for a bit at university, but to come here and live amongst the dragons is like a dream.”
Sid glanced at the human. She seemed genuine, although Emily would have to earn her trust before she gave it. “It’s also bloody dangerous.”
“I know all about the attacks as well as what the DDA could do to me. I don’t care.”
“Why is that?”
Emily stopped and Sid did the same. “Because I’m tired of hiding my interests and who I am. If being myself and studying dragon-shifter biology lands me in jail, so be it. If I don’t take the first step, of being truthful about a human wanting to study dragon-shifters, then who will?”
“You’re definitely not what I expected, Dr. Davies.”
“Call me Emily. And that doesn’t surprise me. Trahern only reveals what’s pertinent at the time.”
“Okay, Emily. Answer one more question. How do you know Alice?”
Emily shrugged. “There is an underground club of sorts, which consists of humans who are truly interested in dragon-shifters. I met Alice via a message board several years ago and then in person about a year ago. I helped her hide in rural Wales and stay under the radar.”
“Wait, what?”
“Not by myself, of course. Several of us took turns finding hiding spots. But over the years, we’ve become rather protective of each other, even if we rarely meet in person. Alice needed help, so we stepped forward.”
The surgery came into view. “You’re going to tell me more about this club, later.”
Emily shook her head. “I’m not divulging secrets that could cost lives. We consider ourselves a clan of sorts and we stick together. After all, we’re the only ones who understand each other.”
Sid admired the female’s dedication. Still, she wasn’t about to completely dismiss finding out more information. From what little Sid knew, Alice Darby knew more about dragon-shifters than any other human. She and the others might have information that could help Sid better take care of her patients.
However, as they entered the surgery, she ignored her curiosity for the time being.
Sid looked to each of her staff as they passed, signaling to halt their questions about the human until later. Once they were out of earshot and nearly to the laboratory, she murmured to Emily, “Trahern is currently working on a special project for me. While I can’t guarantee it, if you can help him with it, I may be able to convince Bram to let you stay.”
Emily bobbed her head. “That was my plan anyway.”
Sid was already starting to like the confident female.
They reached the laboratory door and Sid opened it to find Trahern peering through the microscope. He raised his head with a frown, but his expression turned stunned as his eyes found Emily’s.
When he said nothing, Emily laughed. “Nice to see you too, Trahern.”
Clearing his throat, he stood up. “I wasn’t expecting you is all.”
“Aren’t you a little bit curious as to how I’m here?” Emily asked.
“Why? You being here is all that matters,” Trahern stated.
Emily took a step toward the Welsh dragonman. “True, but the details are the interesting bit.”
Sensing the pair would dance around for a while if left to their own devices, Sid spoke up. “As much as I hate to cut your reunion short, I need you two to get to work. Someone’s mother needs our help or she may never wake up.”
Trahern moved back to his microscope. “Of course, Dr. Sid. Emily, you can read my notes while I continue my work. When you’re ready, you can help.”
The human didn’t blink twice before sitting next to Trahern. Emily had obviously worked with him enough in the past to follow his order.
Sid spoke up again. “Right, then I’ll leave you two to it while I do the rounds.”
The pair barely noticed her presence as she exited the room and shut the door.
She’d do her rounds as promised, but then she needed to find Gregor and discover why the hell the meeting was taking so long.
~~~
Gregor growled at Finn’s image. “Why are you making this so bloody difficult? You took Arabella from Stonefire. It shouldn’t require a negotiation to stay here.”
Finn leaned back in his chair. “Since you aren’t staying to mate Cassidy Jackson, I have to make it difficult or the bloody DDA will breathe down my neck. Dragon clan transfers require a considerable amount of paperwork.”
“It’s not that I don’t want to mate her.”
“Then what?”
He sighed. “She is stubborn and out to protect everyone but herself. Until her dragon problem is sorted, she’ll find ways to protect me, which includes sparing my feelings as much as possible.”
“Then try harder, Gregor. Believe me, I understand wooing a reluctant lass. My question is how much effort have you put into winning her?”
“We’ve been pretty fucking busy, as you bloody well know,” Gregor bit out.
“Aye, I do. But if the threat is minimal and there’s nothing critical you can do, then enjoy an hour with your female. We can’t let whoever is attacking with the drones scare us into never enjoying our lives.”
“I’m not bloody afraid. There’s just so much to be done.”
“An hour with your mate will help more than you know. Everyone needs a break sometimes. If I can do it as clan leader, you can do it as a mere doctor.”
He growled. “A ‘mere’ doctor does a hell of a lot more work than you, Finn.”
“If you say so. You have no idea the amount of paperwork I have to do—”
Gregor cut him off. “Is there anything else? Otherwise, I need to go.”
“To spend time with your newly pregnant mate.”
“That’s my answer. Good-bye, Finn.”
Gregor severed the connection and ran his hands through his hair. His dragon decided to speak up. Finn is right. We’ve barely done anything but sleep next to our mate for days. You still haven’t let me out to play, either.
Not you, too. Doesn’t anyone understand there’s work to be done?
There’s always work to be done. Trahern can watch over our patients for a while. That’s why he’s here.
With a sigh, Gregor moved toward the door. Let me see how things are at the surgery. Maybe we can take Cassidy to lunch.
Not lunch. Kiss her. Hold her. Let her know we still desire her.
Gregor halted his hand from turning the door knob. Of course we desire her.
Does Cassidy know? You’ve kissed her once a day, when you first see her. Our mate needs more, much more.
At the thought of Cassidy thinking he didn’t care, Gregor exited the room and walked briskly down the hall. Maybe I can spare ten minutes to treasure our mate as she deserves.
An hour.
Thirty minutes.
His dragon huffed. Talk with her first and then we can negotiate further.
His beast fell silent and Gregor turned the corner. He nearly bumped into his doctor. “Cassidy?”
She took his hand and tugged him into an empty room inside the Protectors’ central command. After shutting the door, she hissed, “What did Finn want that took so long?”
He tried to touch her cheek, but Sid merely raised her brows. With a sigh, Gregor answered her. “He wants another foster candidate from Stonefire to help even out the numbers since Lochguard hasn’t had one since the trade for Arabella last year.”
Cassidy frowned. “What? Why? Bram didn’t demand anything when Finn mated Arabella.”
Gregor decided to tell Cassidy the full truth. “Aye, but Finn mated Arabella.”
“And we haven’t done so,” Cassidy
stated.
“I’m not about to rush you. I’ll keep fighting Finn to stay here, love. Don’t worry about that.”
“So, if we mate, he’ll stop with the demands?”
“I have no idea. Finlay Stewart often does the unexpected.” He traced her cheek. “How about we talk about Finn’s demands later? Were you looking for me because of something work related or did you just miss my kisses?”
“Talking with Finn has brought out your charm, I see,” she drawled.
He leaned closer. “Just answer the question.”
She sighed. “I wanted to see you, yes, but there’s something more important you should know. Trahern’s human has shown up, along with another female.”
“What?”
“Emily Davies is working with Trahern as we speak. I’m not sure what’s going on with Alice.”
Gregor frowned. “Okay, lass. How about you tell me everything from the beginning?” Once Cassidy filled him in, Gregor tilted his head. “It seems odd that Bram trusted the humans so easily, even taking into account one of them is Evie’s friend.”
Cassidy shrugged. “I have no idea what went on inside his office. But we should head back to the surgery so Trahern can focus solely on his work.”
Gregor’s dragon huffed. I want time with our mate.
Ignoring his beast, Gregor leaned to Cassidy’s ear and whispered, “Are the rounds done?” His doctor nodded. “Then I say we take a break. I have a feeling you haven’t eaten since the last time I reminded you.” When she didn’t say anything, he knew he was right. “Then give me a little time to know you better, lass. I admire you for your work ethic, but I bet there is more to Cassidy Jackson than her work.”
“Not much.”
He kissed her gently. “I don’t believe that. Just an hour, love. I bet even Bram takes breaks sometimes.”
His dragon snorted. You’re stealing lines from Finn now.
Cassidy sighed. “I would say that’s irrelevant since being a doctor and a clan leader are different, but I know you’ll use our child as an excuse next, so I should just give in now to save some time.”
“I wouldn’t stoop that low. At least, not until I’d exhausted every other avenue.”
He winked and Cassidy chuckled. “Fine, one hour, not a minute more.”
“Good, then let’s hurry up and get you fed so I can make the most of our break.”
“I hope you’re not saying what I think you are.”
Gregor searched her eyes. “Did you tire of me already, love?”
“No, it’s just that…”
He jumped in after a few beats of silence. “You feel guilty for doing anything that makes you feel good when others are suffering.”
“Mostly. But I’m also afraid of my dragon going rogue.”
Chapter Nineteen
Sid checked on her dragon, but her beast was still ignoring her. Maybe one day she wouldn’t have to continuously monitor her beast’s mood before acting or making a decision.
Even so, Gregor mentioning time together made her heart race in anticipation. If it were truly up to her and her dragon wasn’t a problem, she’d take the much-needed break with the father of her child.
But what with Trahern and Emily working on their research and Molly Caruso still unconscious, Sid understood her duty. Unless the clan was healthy and whole, she shouldn’t be enjoying herself.
Gregor’s voice garnered her attention again. “Let’s just take it one step at a time, love. I’m not going to shred your clothes and take you against a tree. Well, at least until you say we can.”
He waggled his eyebrows and Sid snorted. “You may hide your randy side well, but I need to remember it’s always just under the surface.”
“Only for you, Cassidy,” he whispered. “Only for you.”
For a split second, as she gazed into Gregor’s eyes, Sid wished she could spend a week simply getting to know her mate. Yes, she cared for him and he’d wormed his way into her life, but there was so much more to Gregor Innes that she wanted to unravel.
She finally replied, “How about you show me your dragon and then we eat? I haven’t seen him yet.”
“Why, so you can win him over even more?”
The corner of her mouth ticked up. “Maybe.”
His pupils flashed, but the sight didn’t make her uncomfortable or send a wave of longing through her body. She wanted all of Gregor, both dragon and human.
Her own dragon peeked over her shoulder at that thought. Maybe, just maybe, seeing Gregor’s dragon would help coax out her own.
Gregor took her hand and guided her out of the building. Looking around, he finally tugged them toward a copse of trees in the middle of the clan’s land. As they wove their way into the trees, Sid’s heart rate kicked up. After so many years of avoiding dragon-shifters in dragon form unless absolutely necessary, it was hard to embrace the change.
Then her Scot grinned over his shoulder at her and she couldn’t help but smile back. This wasn’t just any dragon she was about to meet, but the one male who already meant so much to her.
Gregor stopped when they reached the empty clearing inside the trees. Sid had avoided the place in the past as it was a common spot for lovers, but the grass and surrounding trees made the rest of Stonefire disappear.
In the isolated spot, it was just Sid and Gregor. No work, no threats, and no responsibilities.
Without thinking, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed her dragonman. Gregor wrapped his arms around her and let Sid guide the kiss.
She slowly stroked the inside of his mouth and reveled in the taste that was Gregor.
Then he nipped her bottom lip and she squeaked. In retaliation, she grabbed one of his arse cheeks and dug in her nails. Of course, her bloody mate merely groaned and placed a possessive hand on her arse.
As she took the kiss deeper, her dragon turned around a little more. Sid half expected her beast to push her aside and take control, but she held back.
Rather than think about why, Sid stroked against Gregor’s tongue a few more times before pulling away. The heat in his eyes made her shiver. Even without the frenzy, he truly wanted her.
His voice was husky as he said, “Kiss me like that again and I’ll see that as an invitation to take you against a tree.”
“Leave it to you to ruin the moment.”
“Ruin it? Your eyes tell me that you want me, Cassidy. I’m just trying to give my female what she wants.”
The heat of his hand on her arse seeped into her skin. She’d almost forgotten what it was like to have Gregor’s rough hands on her body. Memories of him caressing her hip, her thighs, and then between her legs from the frenzy flashed into her mind and a rush of heat coursed through her body.
She wanted to feel his touch again.
Then Sid remembered everything waiting for them back at the surgery. She only had time for one activity before heading back. Getting to know Gregor’s dragon was more important to both of them, and not just because it might help Sid. No, she wanted to know everything about her Scot. Sex would have to wait until later. No matter Finn’s reluctance, Sid would find a way to keep Gregor on Stonefire.
She stepped back and Gregor let her go. She answered the question in his eyes. “You can take me against a tree later. We don’t have much time and I want to meet your dragon.”
His pupils flashed before he answered, “I would try to convince you differently, but my bloody beast is all but throwing a tantrum inside my head.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Well, we have about fifty minutes left. If you want me to eat something, then you’d better hop to it.”
Gregor tugged off his shirt and tossed it at Sid. She caught it and instinctively wrapped her arms around the warm fabric that smelled of her dragonman. “Just don’t spoil him too much or I’ll never hear the end of it.”
Sid smiled as she watched Gregor finish undressing. “I’m not known for spoiling anyone, so you should be safe.”
Gregor’s gaze burned into h
ers. “As long as you let me spoil you once in a while, my dragon and I can live with that.”
Sid wasn’t used to people wanting to take care of her, so she brushed the comment aside. “Forty-eight minutes and counting.”
Sighing, Gregor closed his eyes. His body glowed a grayish color before his nose elongated into a black snout; wings sprouted from his back, and his tail extended out behind him. A few seconds later, a tall, black dragon stood in front of her.
Sid admired the sturdy and powerful form of Gregor’s dragon. He may be a doctor, but the muscles of his back and chest spoke of hours practicing in the air.
Letting out the breath she’d been holding, Sid approached the beast. While it was cloudy, the black hide glinted slightly in the faint light. Much like how her brother’s golden hide had during the day at the cliffs.
No. She wouldn’t let her past paralyze her. Taking a deep breath, she closed the distance between them and placed a hand on the black dragon’s chest. At the contact, the beast rumbled. Looking up into gray eyes the same color as Gregor’s, she let out a breath and said, “You’re a handsome beast.”
Gregor’s dragon gave a low roar before lowering his head to bump his snout against Sid’s cheek. At the contact, her dragon turned around inside her mind and tilted her head. Sid was tempted to ask her beast a question but held back. She didn’t want to break the spell.
Keeping her hand on the black dragon’s hide, Sid slowly made her way to one side and studied his wing. Memories of beating her own wings before diving to the ground filled her mind. The rush of the wind combined with the thrill of pulling up at the last moment was one she’d long suppressed. Would she ever experience it again?
Before she could brush it aside like most of her hopes, her dragon took another step forward.
Unsure of how her dragon would respond, Sid asked, Do you miss it too?
For a second, her beast stood still. Then she growled and turned her back again. I will fly again without you.
The anger in her dragon’s voice cut straight to Sid’s heart.
Cured by the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 8) Page 16
