Kiyana shouldn't care how the dragonwoman described Julie as bonnie but not her. When it came to traditional ideals of Scottish beauty, Julie had it all—red hair, blue eyes, and even a smattering of freckles.
She, on the other hand, was none of that. Kiyana was confident in her looks and with her body, but the older woman's words still stung.
Pushing down the unintended offense since attracting a dragon-shifter male wasn't part of her assignment, she forced herself to keep smiling. After all, she wasn't going to risk her standing in the DDA again by sleeping with a dragonman.
Julie spoke up, now standing right at Kiyana's side instead of behind her. "I'm Julie. Nice to meet you, Meg."
Meg released her son, gave him a look that probably conveyed something Alistair would understand but Kiyana wouldn't, and then Meg put an arm around Julie's shoulders. "Och, no, it's me who's pleased to meet you. Come, tell me a wee bit about yourself." She glanced at Alistair. "Come join us in a few minutes, aye?"
Alistair muttered, "Yes, Mum," before Meg and Julie moved toward the drinks table.
Kiyana probably could've made polite conversation if Alistair hadn't raised his eyebrow at that moment and said, "Go ahead, say what's on your mind, lass. Otherwise, you'll burst."
Grinning, she answered, "I think your mother wants to have you mated by the end of the night."
"Well done on saying mated and not married. I hope the others are as well informed."
She frowned. "Does that matter? It's not as if we've been welcomed onto dragon lands whenever we please."
The man shrugged his broad shoulders. "It probably doesn't matter to most, but my full name is Alistair Boyd. I'm to be your cultural liaison and educator."
She'd known the other women would have to attend classes primarily with Alistair Boyd. However, the man in front of her wasn't a stodgy type with glasses and tweed suit jackets. "I hope you don't teach whilst bare-chested, too. Otherwise, the women aren't going to be able to focus for at least a few days."
He smiled slightly. "Only a few days, aye? A little flexing would probably make it last at least a week." She rolled her eyes and he continued, "Well, I suppose I'll have to wear a shirt, then. I can't be distracting the humans longer than necessary." He motioned toward his dark blue outfit, which was a long length of material wrapped around his waist and thrown over his shoulder. It was similar to the Scottish plaids of old. "However, I would think if you're here to study us, you should already know what this is."
Needing to prove she wasn't an idiot, Kiyana put on her best professor voice. "Every dragon clan has a traditional outfit. In the UK and Ireland, the outfits are similar to plaids of old. They were originally a means of being cost-effective. After all, a long length of cloth could be cut into needed lengths. However, the practice never changed, even with modern-day technology that could allow any design or color one wished. In some regions, such as Scotland, some dragon clans and human villages would order the same color and share one long length." She paused and raised her brows. "Is that enough or should I go into how there were a few skirmishes over who gets what color?"
The corners of his mouth twitched. "No, that should be enough. It's a good thing you're here on another job or mine might be at risk. I usually teach history to the children here."
It was hard for Kiyana to imagine the large, muscled man teaching youngsters, but he had no reason to lie. After all, in her experience men liked to pretend they were something quite a bit more macho when they did lie.
Lochguard's clan leader, Finn, walked up to them and lightly slapped Alistair on the shoulder. "I didn't pin you as part of the welcome committee." He winked at Kiyana. "I hope he's not giving us a bad name."
Alistair grunted, and Kiyana smiled. "No. We were discussing the history of your traditional outfits, as a matter of fact."
Finn blinked. "Oh, aye?" He glanced sideways at Alistair. "I hope you're not boring the lass."
Kiyana spoke for herself. "No. It's rather interesting to talk with someone who knows as much as me."
Alistair muttered, "I know more."
Finn barked out a laugh. "I'm not sure that's a contest you want to get into, Dr. Barnes. Alistair here is something of a bookworm, and knows more about dragon-shifter history than anyone else I've met."
Kiyana jumped in. "Call me Kiyana or Kiki. Dr. Barnes is too formal."
Alistair stated, "Kiyana suits you better."
She blinked. "Um, okay?"
Finn studied Alistair a second before nodding. "Kiyana it is. Now that I've confirmed you're not bored to death, I have a few others to check up on. The female with Meg Boyd looks like she wants to flee. I'd better go take care of it."
Once they were alone again, Kiyana asked, "Why does Kiyana suit me better?"
She probably shouldn't have questioned him as she wasn't on Lochguard to form close social relationships with the dragon-shifters. However, something told her Alistair liked honesty. And for some reason, she wanted to be honest and open with him right then.
Before warning bells could go off in her head, Alistair replied, "It's a beautiful sounding name, full of depth. And even though I've just met you, I think you're a female of depth, aye?"
Depth of personality wasn't usually the first thing people noticed about her. Alistair Boyd was interesting indeed. "I am. But my mother always called me Kiki. I think it was the compromise. My father wanted the name Kiyana, to name me after his dead sister, and mother wanted something easier to say. Hence, two names for one woman."
"I'm sorry about your aunt."
She shook her head. "I never met her. She died in Jamaica before my dad came to Britain. I always wanted to be called Kiki as a girl, to fit in better. But ever since university, I've preferred Kiyana. Not only because I want to honor my aunt's memory, but also because I'm not afraid of being different any longer. If I were, I wouldn't be living on Lochguard for six months, now, would I?"
"Then why introduce yourself as Kiki?"
She shrugged. "I guess I wanted to try to fit in a little more, and it makes me less stuffy-sounding."
Alistair didn't reply right away, and it gave her a moment to realize how much she'd revealed about herself. Usually it took five dates to share that much information. And yet, Alistair Boyd's mismatched eyes weren't uncomfortable, bored, or even patronizing. No, she swore they were asking her for more information.
Then his pupils turned to slits and back. She'd seen a dragon-shifter talk with his inner beast before, but not for years.
Not for the first time, she wanted to know what it was like to have another personality inside your head. It was something she'd never experience, and no amount of questioning or observing would give her a true understanding of the special relationship between the human and dragon halves of a dragon-shifter.
Alistair's pupils turned round again. "It's a brave thing to come here for six months, aye, I'll give you that. However, I don't know where else you've studied my kind before, but Lochguard isn't reserved or wary. They'll be in your business at every opportunity, wanting to befriend you or try to match you up with their children. And before long, you won't be able to maintain the distance necessary to objectively observe us. In other words, I'm giving you fair warning that your term here will probably be cut short. Maybe even because you end up fancying a dragon-shifter here."
His words were like a slap in the face. There was no way he could know about her past and her mistake in dating a dragonman before. As far as she knew, no one outside the DDA had access to that information.
Before she could probe him to see how he knew it, his mother returned with Julie at her side. "Alistair, you've kept the lovely Julie waiting. Come. She's agreed to the first dance."
"I don't dance anymore, Mum. You know that."
Meg raised her brows. "Have you turned into a male who goes back on his promises?"
Kiyana looked between the two. She was beginning to see what Alistair meant, about Lochguard being nosey.
Of course,
her mother was far away, in Bedford. Meaning Kiyana didn't have to worry about her mother asking if she would marry any time soon, for the umpteenth time.
At that moment, Alistair looked directly into her eyes. His mother glanced between them, and her expression turned curious.
Not wanting his mother to attempt matchmaking—Alistair was an attractive, intelligent man, but she wasn't going to ruin her career, no matter how much someone tried to pair her off—Kiyana took a step back and scanned the crowd. Finding one of the other humans, she said, "Excuse me, but I need to check on the others. I trust you'll keep an eye on Julie for me?"
"Aye, we will," Meg stated.
And with that, Kiyana turned and walked a little faster than normal to one of the other human women. She needed to put as much distance between her and Meg Boyd as she could.
Starting tomorrow, Kiyana would be more careful and focus on her job inside the clan. While learning more about the dragon-shifters was tied for her top priority, she needed to avoid being alone with single dragonmen if she could manage it.
Alistair Boyd would be at the top of her list of who to steer clear of. She couldn't avoid him completely since he was the liaison, but she would keep those meetings short and to the point. No more sharing bits and pieces of herself, for one.
And she most definitely wouldn't stare into his eyes and wonder what he was thinking.
Chapter Two
The next morning, Alistair paced at the front of the empty classroom and tried not to look at the clock again.
His dragon spoke up. Why are you nervous? You teach every weekday, and then some. This isn't any different.
But it is different, aye? Knowing Mum, she'll pop in and invite the humans to dinner.
She didn't even get that far last night with the ginger-haired female. She might be playing it safer with us, afraid she'll never get another daughter-in-law and by extension, another chance of finally getting a granddaughter.
His brothers had all had boys, which wasn't unusual since the dragon-shifter population skewed male. She's set on matchmaking again. I can tell from how happy she was last night.
Again, we don't have to mate any of them. Even if it's just sex, it's better than nothing.
So accommodating you are.
I try.
The door at the back of the room opened. Seeing Faye MacKenzie's curly brown hair, he relaxed. She was one of Lochguard's co-head Protectors. Not only that, she was happily mated and pregnant. In other words, he was safe. His mother wouldn't rock that boat, and not just because Faye was the daughter of her frenemy, either.
"Can I help you, Faye?"
She entered and walked to the front of the room. "Er, there's been an incident."
Both man and dragon became alert. "What happened?"
"Oh, it's nothing too serious. No one died, or anything. But it seems one of the human females hooked up with a male dragon-shifter last night and left this morning."
"Aye, well, you said they didn't have to mate anyone."
Fay shook her head. "No, but judging from those who talked with her last night at the gathering, I don't think she came to Lochguard for a mere one-night stand. However, this morning she went to Finn, asked to go home, and he could do nothing but let her go."
While he didn't think any of the males on Lochguard would hurt the humans, he asked, "She wasn't abused, was she?"
"Och, no, not that we can tell—she denied it, as did the dragonman she slept with. However, the human female was anxious to leave. I don't know if it's because the male's inner dragon came out to play and scared her—Finn's still trying to get the details—or if it was something else. Still, in case of the former, Finn has a favor to ask of you."
Crossing his arms over his chest, Alistair raised an eyebrow. "A favor, aye? And yet, he couldn't bother to ask me himself."
Faye stood tall and placed her hands on her hips. "Finn can't do everything, and you know that. Besides, Grant and I have just as much say in running the clan under certain circumstances as Finn does."
Grant was Faye's mate and the other co-head Protector. "I know that, aye? But Finn is supposed to be in charge of the humans, which is why I mentioned it."
She harrumphed. "If that's your way of apologizing, then I accept. It'll make things easier."
He resisted a sigh. Faye was an intelligent, strong female who could hold her own. But every once in a while, her temper flared, and Alistair didn't want to deal with it. That was her mate's problem, not his. "So what is it you want, lass? Try as I might, I can't read minds."
Her lips twitched. "Believe me, you don't want to hear my pregnant dragon's thoughts."
Clearing his throat, he made a motion with his hands for her to continue. "So what is it you need?"
The amusement faded from her eyes. "Instead of lessons inside the classroom, Finn wants you to hold some outside with the children and teenage dragon-shifters. He thinks that maybe having the humans interact with younger dragons will make us less intimidating, and give them time to acclimate to flashing dragon eyes."
He nodded. "Aye, that could work. Although usually David teaches anything to do with inner dragons, shifting, or flying."
"And he'll keep doing it. However, there needs to be another teacher there explaining things to the humans. Since you're the cultural liaison, Finn wants you to do it."
At the mention of one of his many titles, he asked slowly, "So will their liaison be there, too?"
"Kiyana? Yes, of course. Why?"
"No reason," he bit out quickly. "I just like to be prepared and know how many will be there. That way I can make enough copies and handouts."
Faye snorted. "Ever the teacher, aren't you? Although I'm not sure those will work in the wind and rain outside at the moment." She grinned. "Finn thought it a good idea for the humans to experience a usual day in the Highlands, too. That way, they can't say he didn't give them all the information if they find mates and decide to stay."
He waved a hand in dismissal. Alistair could teach without handouts if need be. "Fine, fine. When and where do I need to go?"
"The training area, in an hour. I'll check in with you after."
Faye left before he could ask anything else, and Alistair sighed again. He hoped he didn't have to deal with the females when it came to complaints, fears, or the like.
His beast spoke up. Kiyana will do it.
The female from the night before, who hadn't even tried to hide her knowledge from him, flashed into his mind. Alistair thought she wouldn't be afraid of flashing dragon eyes, especially since she'd seemed so interested in his the night before.
His dragon spoke again. I say we should give her a private session, and I can make our pupils flash as much as she wants.
Not going to happen, dragon. Because you'd then suggest showing her what you could do, if you took control.
I think she's interested, but you won't even give her a chance.
No. Now, drop it.
His beast huffed. For now. But if she gives any sign of encouragement, I may have to take control or risk never having a female again.
Since ignoring his beast was the best way to shut him up, Alistair did exactly that.
He may have to talk with Kiyana, but he wasn't going to be as friendly or open as the night before. If his beast was right, Alistair wouldn't encourage her. He had more important things to do with his time, such as continue researching his secret project.
Just remembering his project strengthened his resolve. If he'd been able to solve the mystery a few years ago, he might've saved Rachel. Even though she was no longer with them, he would fight on in her memory. That was far more important than sating his dragon's lust with a bonnie female.
~~~
Kiyana pulled the hood of her raincoat tighter around her face and tried not to let the drizzle ruin her day.
Not just because her hair went from curly to a frizzy poofball whenever it rained heavily, but more because she'd already failed one of the women in her group.<
br />
Maybe it was true Cheryl had wanted to merely hookup with a dragonman one time and leave. But from what little she could get out of the woman before she'd been escorted and driven off Lochguard's land, it had seemed, at least to her, that the woman's fleeing was a result of flashing dragon eyes and a growly change in voice more than anything else.
Since she'd had sex for a little while with a dragonman years ago, Kiyana had experienced the fascinating phenomenon once before. The man from her past had tried his best to hide his beast from her, no matter how much she encouraged him to let the dragon take control of his mind.
While part of her had been curious to learn more, part of her had wanted the growly beast to take control and give her the kind of sex she had only dreamed about in the past.
However, as she and the remaining women reached the area which was partially shielded from the wind by walls of rock, Kiyana put her sex memories to the side. Scanning the surroundings, she noticed a tall dragonman probably in his forties standing at the back, as well as five or six children trying their best not to look over their shoulders.
At the sight, excitement bubbled up inside her. Kiyana had never witnessed a child shift into a dragon before, and she hoped she'd get the chance soon. True, it was as the liaison for the women and not as someone who could watch uninterrupted from the sidelines, but it was still better than nothing.
They had just stepped inside the walled area when a familiar male voice filled her ears. "We're to stay along the back wall."
Turning around, she came face-to-face with Alistair Boyd. If she expected him to be dressed more than the night before, she was wrong. His chest was bare, the rain causing rivulets to run down his chiseled muscles.
Damn, he was fit.
Her gaze trailed lower, to his tight-fitting jeans. Before she could help herself, she blurted, "Those are going to be bloody difficult to get off later."
Alistair grunted, and she met his gaze again. Like the night before, his pupils changed to slits and back to round. She wondered if his dragon was talking about her or not.
The Dragon's Discovery (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 6) Page 2