His brows lowered to a scowl and he glanced between me and Sorcha.
“Am I to understand ye’re Mated to Kragorn, then? The Bloodfire chief? Are ye carrying his heir?”
My free hand rested on my stomach, and I felt a calmness settle over me.
“I…I could be. There was a ceremony…”
“Fook me,” Drakolt muttered, wiping his hand down his face before turning his scowl to his Mate. “Sorcha? I suppose ye’re no’ going to let me do battle against yer sister’s clan?”
“Not even a little!” declared my sister delightedly, giving a little jump. “Our sons will be cousins,notenemies!”
Roxanna gripped my other elbow and turned me, her expression shocked.
“You are hisMate, Lillian? Truly? He has claimed you?”
I felt my cheeks heating and out of habit, ducked my head.
“Aye, truly.”
“Did you have to do the whole…publicbreeding thing?” She sounded horrified. “It is so degrading!”
“Actually…” My lips curled as I shot her a wry, knowing look. “I found it to be empowering. A little…exciting.”
“Oh Lord!” Roxanna sputtered as Sorcha and Effie burst into laughter.
“Empowering!” Sorcha exclaimed. “I was terrified!”
From atop his horse, her Mate rumbled, “I thought ye loved it,dkaar.”
“I lovedyou, Drakolt,” she shot right back with a lewd wink. “And I was willing to?—”
“Enough.”
The quiet command cut through their banter, and we all turned to Father, whose face was slowly turning crimson with what appeared to be barely controlled fury.
“You. Lillian.” His finger shook as he pointed at me, and I noted ‘twas the first time today he hadn’t called megirl. “You think yourselfmarriedto that monster? Just because he fucked you in front of a few strangers? You dumb girl, he was doing that as revenge againstme.”
And for a moment, I was that scared mouse again. The one who had those same thoughts, who had assumed Kragorn hadn’t chosenme, but saw me only as Tarbert’s daughter.
But…
Ye are the most desirable female I’ve ever seen.
Ye are kind and generous and brave and beautiful.
Mate.
Love.
Kragorn had said those things to me, and more. I felt it in my soul that he was my Mate, and if he was mine, then I was his, and he would not lie to his Mate.
I lifted my chin and met my father’s cruel gaze.
“You will not speak about my Mate like that. He is a good, honorable male, and… I love him.”
“Of course you do!” Father exploded, throwing up his hands. “You females are all led by your wicked desires!”
“Careful,” warned Drakolt, as one of his brothers growled and shifted in their saddle. “You insult my Mate as well.”
