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Her dragon huffed. Just tell him already. No need to rationalize or think about it.
Cupping his cheek, she said, “I love you, Aaron Caruso, grumpy mornings and all.”
With a growl, he took her lips in a quick, rough kiss. Each movement of his tongue or lips showed her how much he treasured her, too.
He pulled away far too soon, and his breath was hot against her lips as he whispered, “I love you, too, Teagan. And if I have to return to Stonefire and wait for you until we find a way where you can both be clan leader and take a mate, I’ll do it. I’ve said it before, but you are worth the wait.” He nuzzled her cheek. “Just tell me what you want, love. And I’ll fight to make it a reality.”
Tears prickled Teagan’s eyes. “Oh, Aaron.”
He leaned back to meet her gaze. As he strummed her cheek, he murmured, “Next time, I want to hear you say my name with more pleasure than pain.”
She lightly hit his chest. “It’s not pain, you fool. I’m happy. And maybe a little bit tired. But I should also make clear that it’s not going to be easy becoming my mate. So I’m giving you one last chance to back out.”
“Even if you gave me a thousand chances to back out, I won’t. I only want you, Teagan O’Shea. Although I have a condition—you can’t step down as leader for my sake. You can step down only if you want to do so for yourself. It has to be for your own reason and no one else’s.”
Teagan hooked her arms around his neck. “We’ll find a way to make it work. I, for one, can’t abandon the clan right now. But the mating will have to be soon. The DDA will be back within weeks to check and make sure the visitors all returned home.”
He brushed her long hair over her shoulder. “I’m ready anytime you are. My final condition is that you get some sleep first.”
“You and your conditions,” she muttered. “You’re just going to keep adding them, aren’t you?”
He winked. “Well, I have learned from the best. If you can make the DDA agree to conditions, I have much to learn.”
If she were a normal female in love and about to be mated, she would smile, kiss her male, and merely hold him close to enjoy the moment.
However, Teagan didn’t have that luxury. “As much as I love you putting me at ease, we need to focus.” He frowned and she added, “But know that in my mind, I’m snuggling against your chest as I fall asleep.”
He raised his brows. “And in reality?”
She sighed. “I need to tell Brenna she can’t stay. As much as I think of her as part of Glenlough now, she’s technically from Stonefire. The DDA will force her to go. And considering how she stepped up and did so much for the clan, I need to tell her myself in person. Rumors will fly soon enough about the non-Irish leaving, and I don’t want her to find out secondhand.”
Aaron tightened his arms around her and pulled her against his chest. “We have a little time to think of a solution. Let’s take a quick nap and then reach out to Bram. He might have an idea.”
Teagan raised her head. “And if he doesn’t?”
“Then Brenna either has to get mated or go home.”
~~~
Brenna could count on her hand the number of times she’d cried in her adult life and she was on the verge of adding another finger to the tally.
Teagan had to send her back to Stonefire.
Her dragon spoke up. It’s not by choice, and you know it. She would probably make us temporary head Protector if she could.
But she can’t. And all because a few idiots attracted the attention of the Department of Dragon Affairs.
Her beast sent comforting thoughts. We still have a week or two to come up with a plan. I’m not giving up hope and neither should you.
I want to be optimistic, but I don’t think it’s going to help in this case. She approached the room Killian was in and added to her dragon, We’ll discuss this later. I need to escort Killian to the cells for the night.
He’s not going to be happy about it.
I can’t help it. The cottage won’t be secure until morning.
Brenna pushed her way inside the room to find Killian watching a TV program. He turned to look at her. “I hope you’re here to take me to my new temporary home.”
“I will tomorrow. I have escorts coming to take you to one of the holding cells.”
