Kiyana's mother walked past the dragon-shifters who were all at least six or more inches taller than her without so much as a blink and stood next to Kiyana. "It's about time to introduce us, don't you think?"
Finn snorted from the side, but Kiyana focused on her mother. "You've been here less than a minute, Mum. Give me some time, okay?"
Her mother merely raised a barely-there blonde eyebrow and waited. With a sigh, she gestured toward Alistair. "Mum, this is Alistair Boyd. Alistair, this is my mother, Carol Barnes."
Despite it all, Alistair smiled at her mother. "I see where Kiyana gets her strong will from."
Her mother smiled. "Good thing, too. Both her father and I were rather stubborn, and a complacent child may not have survived childhood so well."
"Mum," she muttered.
Alistair never looked away from Kiyana's mother. "You'll have to tell me more later. I'm curious about Kiyana as a wee child."
Her mother bobbed her head. "Once you're better, I will. And in case you're wondering, I'm staying with your mother at the moment so I won't have to bother you two once Alistair is free to leave this place."
Her mum and Meg shared a look. Kiyana resisted a sigh. The pair had bonded rather well, too well in Kiyana's opinion, and who knew what shenanigans would follow once Alistair wasn't bedridden.
And for a second, she wished her father was still alive. He'd have given the Boyds a run for their money, and not just because he was as tall as any of them. Her father had been a manager most of his life and knew how to handle people well. No doubt, he would've had Meg doing things without her even realizing it.
But he was gone several years now, and nothing would bring him back.
Alistair took her hand, and she met his gaze again. He raised his brows in question, but she gave a small shake of her head. Now wasn't the time to tell him more about her father. Especially since while her mother was strong in public, she would sometimes still cry at home, missing the love of her life.
Arabella spoke, breaking into Kiyana's thoughts. And even though the dragonwoman's voice wasn't the loudest, it somehow carried over everyone else's. "Layla will be back any minute now, so if you want to hug your son, Meg, do so now."
Meg didn't waste time moving to the opposite side of the bed and kissing Alistair's cheek. "Don't ever scare me like that again, aye? My hair is already gray, but you could always make it fall out."
"Yes, Mum," Alistair murmured.
Kiyana did her best not to smile as Meg fussed over her nearly thirty-year-old son. She was watching them so intensely that Kiyana nearly jumped when her mum whispered into her ear, "So everything seems fine?"
She bobbed her head and met her mother's hazel eyes. "I think so."
Her mum smiled. "I'm glad, Kiki. Your worries were for nothing."
She yearned to tell her mother her secret, about the baby, but hadn't discussed with Alistair about when they should say something.
Then she noticed Hamish Boyd's face near her shoulder, sniffing her. She blinked. "Hamish, what are you doing?"
He took one more deep inhale and then smiled. His gaze found his brother's. "Well done, Alistair."
Alistair sighed. "You couldn't wait and let us tell everyone?"
Her mother jumped in. "Tell us what?"
Hamish didn't miss a beat. "Kiyana's pregnant."
Everyone talked at once, but it was Finn's whistle that finally silenced everyone. "I'm all for celebrating as much as the next person, but Alistair went through a difficult procedure just yesterday. Dragon-shifters heal fast, but maybe not quite that fast. Let's try to keep the commotion down, aye?"
Hamish shook his head. "And here I thought you were the fun one, Finn. Our brother will soon have a mate and a bairn. If that's not something to celebrate, I don't know what is."
Layla's voice came from the doorway. "You lot can celebrate later. It's time for everyone but Kiyana to leave for the day." Meg opened her mouth, but Layla beat her to it. "And no protests, either. You promised, and unless you're going to break it and show dragon-shifters in a poor light to Kiyana's mother, it's time to go."
While Kiyana's mum usually didn't fret about trying to convince someone of something, even she had learned that when Layla put dominance into her voice, a person obeyed.
Finn motioned toward the exit. "Aye, let's leave. We can start planning the big celebration for Alistair and Kiyana, once he's well."
After Kiyana hugged her mother, everyone left except Layla. She performed a few more tests before turning to Kiyana again. "You can stay here as long as you like, provided you let me know of any changes and don't overexcite Alistair until I give the all clear."
Kiyana was glad her cheeks didn't show blushes very well. "Of course."
"Right, then Logan will bring you a cot in a wee while and some dinner for you both. We'll check back every so often, but you two will mostly have some time to simply talk again. You both deserve that, and so much more."
Layla was gone before Kiyana could do more than murmur her thanks.
Once the door clicked closed, she sat on the edge of Alistair's bed. Just as she touched his cheek again, his pupils turned to slits and stayed that way. She was torn between calling Layla and waiting to see what happened. Alistair needed to talk with his dragon, or he'd never be able to test the waters.
So Kiyana watched him closely and waited to see what happened.
Chapter Sixteen
When he and Kiyana were alone once more, she'd barely touched Alistair's cheek before the stirring presence emerged into a full-blown one, complete with speaking. His dragon grunted. Where are we? What happened? Why does Kiyana smell of us?
Considering the last time his beast had been conscious, his questions were a vast improvement. What do you remember?
I-I don't remember much. Kissing Kiyana, and then the rest is blank. Tell me what happened. I don't like this.
With his dragon back in his head, there was so much he wanted to tell him, ask him, discuss with him. However, Alistair needed to be cautious. No one knew what affects the human blood mixing with his own would cause, not to mention they still didn't know if he'd been completely cured.
He answered carefully, Do you remember the lab and working on the wee device?
Yes. No. His beast hissed. I don't know. What the fuck is going on?
Before I tell you anything, are you in control? I won't risk Kiyana.
I'd never hurt her. How dare you think I would.
Keeping his thoughts tightly shielded, he mulled over his dragon's reactions. How could his beast not remember anything? Especially when at one point, his dragon had wanted to strap their human down and brand her.
Alistair wanted to test his dragon and push his boundaries a bit, but he needed to ensure Kiyana remained safe. So he said aloud, "Kiyana stand near the door."
She frowned. "Is your dragon okay? Should I get the doctor?"
"Not yet. But stand over there as a precaution."
She moved as she replied, "I will for now, but only because I want to be close to the door to call for help if you need it. Not because I want to flee at the first sight of your dragon."
His mate was a fierce one, and he loved her for it.
Alistair nearly blinked. He couldn't love her yet. They'd barely known each other long.
However, as his dragon growled and paced inside his mind, he had to push aside the feelings and focus on his inner beast. He could never truly have Kiyana as his mate as long as his dragon was unpredictable.
Turning his thoughts to his beast, he said, What about this? Do you remember this?
Alistair raised his arm and showed the jagged scar. While his arms worked nearly perfectly again thanks to Layla's surgery, nothing would erase the scars.
His legs, on the other hand, were a different story. But not one he wanted to dwell on just yet.
After a few beats, his dragon asked, When did that happen? Stop these games and tell me the truth. You aren't supposed to hide anything from me
.
Alistair decided to be honest and test his beast further. You turned mad after we were exposed to some chemicals. So dangerous that we had to run and I chained us up. He gestured toward the scar on his arm. This is a result of you breaking the chains and our legs, as well as them healing improperly.
No, no, no. I would never do that. You lie. Why would you lie to me? I don't understand.
His dragon thrashed about, roaring and hissing, not comprehending what happened.
Apparently, his dragon truly didn't remember the events of the past few months.
Engrossed with his thoughts, he hadn't noticed Kiyana return to his bedside. He was about to tell her to go back, but she placed a hand on his cheek, and his dragon instantly calmed down to say, Kiyana. I don't know why, but I've missed her.
Kiyana's voice prevented Alistair from replying. "Tell me what's going on inside your head, Alistair. And why your pupils only turned round again after I touched you."
His mate was observant, even under pressure. Yet another reason to want her at his side, always.
Alistair shook his head. "I'm not sure I understand myself. But my dragon has amnesia for the last three months and wasn't handling it well. At least, until you touched me and then he calmed."
Of course I did. She is our mate. She carries our bairn. I will always calm for her and try to protect her.
He wanted to believe his dragon, he truly did. But for the first time in his life, Alistair doubted his beast's words. For a time, you wanted to hurt her.
Liar! I would never hurt her. Try to claim her, yes. But hurt her? No. His dragon paused before asking, Why don't you trust me? I don't understand. Something happened, but you aren't telling me. You aren't supposed to keep secrets from me.
He sensed his dragon's hurt and confusion. Maybe we should send Kiyana away and discuss this in private.
No, I want Kiyana to stay. I don't remember claiming her, but her touch soothes me, as does her scent. She should always be by our side.
"Alistair?"
He blinked and met Kiyana's eyes once more. "Sorry. It's hard trying to break the news whilst not worrying about you."
She shook her head, her dark curls bouncing. "Don't worry about me. The call button is right there, and at the first sign of trouble, I'll run." She paused and bit her lip before adding, "Does he need to claim me to remain stable? I know the doctor said not to overstrain you, but if I'm on top, I can do the work."
His human was fighting for him yet again. He was a lucky dragonman, and he would never forget it. "No, the first time I claim you, it should be good for you. Not a quick attempt to please a dragon."
She quirked an eyebrow. "It can be good for me in many different ways, Alistair Boyd." Her voice turned husky, and each syllable sent a rush of desire through his body straight to his cock. "So tell me, what does your dragon want?" She ran a finger down his chest. "Because I'm not a woman to sit back and let the man do all the work, no matter what it's about. We're partners in all ways, including this."
His dragon hummed. Yes, yes, I want her. Let her ride us. I want to remember claiming her. It will help.
Alistair had no bloody idea if it would help his beast or not. He should say no. That would be the honorable thing to do. Kiyana should be screaming as he made her come many times over before he finally slid between her thighs and filled her sweet pussy with his cock.
But his dragon was unpredictable. He couldn't risk his female's life yet again. Maybe allowing her to claim him would stabilize his beast long-term.
However, before he could say anything, Kiyana kissed him as her hand found his cock under the sheet. As she tangled her tongue with his, her soft, warm fingers tickled, lightly scraped, and gripped him.
His dragon hummed the entire time, sending thoughts of them taking her from behind, with Kiyana on her back, and even with her sitting on their face.
Alistair was noble, but as Kiyana pumped his dick, it faded bit by bit until he gently pulled her on top of him.
He nearly roared as her hand left his cock and she broke the kiss. But as she raised herself up, tossed back his blanket, and reached under her skirt, he couldn't look away as he heard fabric tear.
Holy fuck, his mate was tearing off her own pants.
His mate was a bloody dream come true. What he would give to rip off her skirt and finally see her plump pussy, tease it, and rub her clit until she came.
Her voice filled his ears again, and he forced himself to look up. "The one good thing from all of this is that I'm already pregnant, so no worries there."
She removed her hand from between her legs, her fingers glistening in the light. He lightly grabbed her wrist and ordered, "Let me taste you first."
His dragon hummed. Yes, yes, I want to savor her, too. Maybe it'll help my memory. She can fuck us as many times as she likes until it returns.
He didn't want to ruin the moment with the truth, so instead, he ignored his beast and took the hand Kiyana offered. He drew her two fingers in deep, licking and laving every last drop of her sweet nectar from her skin.
When she removed her hand, he wanted to order her back. However, her fingers moved to lightly caress his rock-hard dick, and he hissed.
Kiyana scooted back a little, looked down, and smiled. "Now that's almost worth all the bloody trouble we've been through."
His cock pulsed at her gaze and let out a drop of precum.
For a split second, he remembered how he could be sterile and unable to father any more children.
But he pushed it back. All of his attention should be on Kiyana. She was his future, nothing else.
He ran a hand up her waist, to her breast, and lightly tweaked her already hard nipple through her top. She sucked in a breath, and he grunted in approval. "You should be naked."
"No." He played with her nipple, and Kiyana's head fell back. It took a second for her to say more. "We can't, in case someone walks in."
His dragon growled. She's right. No one should see her but us. She is our mate, ours. No one else's.
Alistair waited for his dragon to turn dark, like before, but only images of fucking Kiyana so hard her tits bounced as she screamed and clutched their cock filled his mind.
What he wouldn't give to be able to do that right at that moment.
Kiyana moved forward again, her hips raised, and her fingers wrapped around his cock as she guided him to her hot, wet entrance.
"Kiyana," he uttered somewhere between a curse and praise.
Her heat was so close, he wanted to buck his hips and take her to the hilt.
And yet, he was already rushing his first time claiming her. Alistair would let Kiyana take him how she wished. He'd have many decades to fulfill every fantasy he had featuring his beautiful mate.
"Ready?" Kiyana asked.
"I've been ready since the first time I saw you, love. And I always will be."
"Alistair," she murmured.
"It's true. I fought it, but now I can see how useless that was. I want you, Kiyana. And I will thank the universe every fucking day that you were strong enough to stay and fight for me."
Without another word, Kiyana sank down on him and leaned over to take his lips.
He pulled her head closer as he nibbled, sucked, and tasted her mouth. Simultaneously being inside her mouth and her cunt was paradise, and one he hoped was never taken away from him.
Kiyana was his female, and he'd do everything to keep her.
Then she moved her hips, and he couldn't help but moan. She was so bloody tight, and each movement of her hips drove him a little closer to the edge.
His dragon roared. She is perfect, will always be perfect, and she is ours. Brand her, quickly, so no one will snatch her away from us.
The words tickled a memory, but as Kiyana moved her hips faster, he forgot about everything except her sweet, hot pussy gripping and stroking him.
His balls tightened, and he knew it wouldn't be long. However, his female hadn't come yet. She should come first. She
always should.
He snaked a hand down and rubbed her hard little clit in circles, loving how her hips bucked when he found the combination of pressure and movement she liked best.
But then Kiyana gripped him even tighter, and it took every bit of strength he possessed not to let go and brand her with his seed.
Sweat trailed down his neck from the strain, and he wondered how much longer he could hold out.
However, Kiyana's pussy gripped and released his cock as she cried out into his mouth. Alistair finally let go, exploding into his female with such force he couldn't do more than lay there and let it happen.
When she'd milked every last drop from him, Alistair pulled her down and held her against his chest. His dragon hummed in the background, for once too tired to say anything.
He and Kiyana lay there, breathing heavily until her delicious voice filled the room. "I should probably clean up before Logan stops by with the cot."
Alistair pulled Kiyana tighter against his chest. "No. I don't want you to leave."
She snorted. "If I stay like this for days, that can't be sanitary."
Moving a hand down, he lightly slapped her arse. "I didn't say days."
"Are you sure? Dragon-shifters tend to want to keep their mates close, from what I've seen."
"Aye, but we all have lives to lead. And the sooner I can leave this hospital room and start my life with you, the better."
Kiyana raised her head to meet his gaze. "Does the true-mate thing make you so sure?"
He brushed some hair off her cheek. "Recognizing a fated mate is just the first step. It's up to me and my dragon to make it work."
"And what about me? I can't imagine doing whatever I please and not driving you away screaming."
He slowly stroked her lower back. "I somehow doubt even your worst would be all that bad. You spent the last three months trying to help me. And not just me, but I heard a little from the nurses about your idea with the DDA Director."
She shrugged. "There wasn't much for me to do to help you, so I merely focused on carrying out your dream."
As he stared into Kiyana’s dark eyes, he wondered how she'd come to mean so much to him so quickly.
The Dragon's Discovery (Lochguard Highland Dragons Book 6) Page 16