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More chatter rose up, and Kiyana did her best to remember what she knew about Seahaven.
At one point, a former Lochguard leader had banished anyone mated to a human. As a result, they'd formed their own, much smaller clan near the northern Scottish coast.
However, she didn't think the two clans had even been talking with one another. She whispered to Alistair, "Is this a good or bad thing?"
"I don't know, love. We could use their help when fighting our enemies—not to mention they have as many doctors as we do, and Layla would love a few extra sets of hands—but they're also unknown in many ways, too."
Finn spoke again, silencing the hall once more. "Aye, well, let's get this celebration started. And the more who can introduce themselves to the Seahaven folks, the better. We're known for being a welcoming clan and let's not change that now."
The Lochguard leader turned and faced Kiyana and Alistair. "Come, it's time to start your greetings."
Alistair took her hand, and they carefully descended the stairs to the main floor. She took one last glance at the Seahaven group before both her mother and Alistair's rushed them. In the whirlwind of hugs, congratulations, and chitchat, she temporarily forgot about the other dragon-shifters.
~~~
As soon as Kiyana and Alistair reached the main floor of the hall, Layla MacFie became torn. She should seek out Chase to ask her favor, and yet she wanted to talk with Dr. Daniel Keith from Seahaven. While there were many reasons the two clans should work together, Layla was most interested in Seahaven's medical staff. After all, she'd worked with Dr. Keith before and would love to discuss future collaborations.
However, before she could take more than a few steps toward the Seahaven group, a familiar male voice filled her ear. "I've come to claim your first dance, Layla."
She resisted a shiver, instantly aware of Chase's heat at her side. Her dragon rose her head from sleep and said, It's him. We should do more than talk inside a room tonight.
Ignoring her beast, she turned to face Chase, and her heart skipped a beat. He was wearing one of the traditional outfits, with material wrapped around his waist like plaids of old, complete with a length of dark-blue material thrown over his shoulder. Her eyes drifted to his toned, lean body, lingering on his chest and arms, before Chase chuckled. At the sound, she forced her gaze upward. "What?"
"Nothing. You kept glancing toward me earlier, so I thought I'd come see what it was about."
She'd tried her best to be inconspicuous, but she must've failed. Lying or covering up things wasn't her strong suit. "It's just a minor matter, but I need to talk with Seahaven first so you and the dance will have to wait."
He shrugged. "Why? According to my brother, they'll be here all evening. So there's no rush. Besides, it'll probably be best to wait until the eager ones finish talking their ears off before you try to get a word in edgewise."
Chase's older brother was Grant, one of the co-head Protectors of the clan. Which meant his information was credible.
And yet, she didn't want to miss her chance of talking with Seahaven's doctor.
Her dragon sighed. Chase is here, so ask your favor. Besides, it'll be easier to slip away now, when everyone is distracted with both Seahaven and Kiyana and Alistair.
She hated when her dragon's logic made sense. Fine. But you behave, aye?
Her dragon said nothing, and the silence worried her.
Still, she focused back on Chase. "I have a favor to ask you."
"Oh, aye? And what might that be?"
She leaned forward and instantly regretted it. Every time she inhaled Chase's spicy male sent, it sent a rush of heat through her body.
However, she wasn't going to back away and show signs of nervousness. A dragon doctor couldn't be nervous, after all. Inner dragons were reactive in stressful situations, such as when injured, and a good dragon-shifter doctor had to learn to control emotions in order to do their jobs.
She whispered, "Not here. I need to talk with you privately."
Curiosity flared in his brown eyes before he bowed his head. "Then lead the way, my lady, and I'll follow."
Rolling her eyes, she whispered back, "Try to tone it down, aye? My favor is delicate, and I don't want people noticing us."
"Sorry to break it to you, but I'm sure both Meg Boyd and Lorna MacKenzie will notice."
She waved a hand in dismissal. "I can deal with them if need be. But let's try to keep others from talking, aye? I don't want them to get the wrong idea."
He tilted his head. "You care far too much about your image. This is Lochguard, which is your home. It's okay to be yourself from time to time, lass."
