Page 61 of The Dragon Laird’s Obsession

She made an exaggerated curtsy now, never breaking eye contact, and Gordon stared at her, confused for a second because he had been more attentive to the breathless laugh coming from her.

“Dragon?”

She straightened. “Aye.”

“What is this now?”

“Ye daenae ken?”

“Apparently nae.”

Ailis’ smile became wicked. “That is what they call ye.”

Gordon frowned. “Oh… I ken of that,” he muttered then rubbed his chin. “I just daenae ken why.”

“I think it is because of yer hair,” she teased.

Another breezy laugh escaped her, and Gordon could not contain himself this time around. A laugh escaped his lips too and echoed in the air.

“That is the first time I have heard ye genuinely laugh,” she said to him as the lightness died in the air and his heart fluttered a little.

They held each other’s gaze for the next moment, neither of them saying anything before she curtsied and turned to walk away.

Gordon did not want her to leave yet. There was a lightness that tickled the air around him now, and he wanted it to last.

As she moved to the door, he followed without thinking, his strides fast as he asked. “Why did ye flee from yer betrothal two years ago?”

Ailis stopped. Her hand rested upon the latch.

For a moment, he thought she might ignore him. Then she turned.

“Surely we have more entertaining topics.”

“I am serious.”

The playfulness left her face. Ailis lowered her eyes. “I was afraid. Of Rowan. Of his reputation. Of what he might do to me.” Her fingers tightened around her skirts. “I was barely more than a lass.”

Gordon said nothing.

“He was the Wolf of the North,” she continued. “Everyone had a tale about him. Every tale made him sound more terrifyin’ than the last.” She gave a small, embarrassed laugh. “I thought I was being brave when I fled.”

“Ye were.”

Her eyes lifted, and Gordon held them then he asked softly, “And me?”

A small smile appeared. “Ye?”

“Aye. Do ye nae wish to flee from me?”

She hesitated. “Ye are the Dragon.” Gordon’s mouth twitched when she said that again. “And I cannae flee.”

“Why?”

“Because I am locked in yer tower.”

One dark eyebrow rose. “Are ye now?” The words were barely spoken before he was moving.

He did not understand how he had crossed the chamber so quickly. One moment, there had been distance between them. The next, he stood directly before her.