The screen went blank before Rhydian could so much as open his mouth.
Still, despite the human’s backbone and behavior, Rhydian’s desire to change his clan’s policy on humans didn’t waver. If anything, he appreciated her tendency to speak her mind. It was a hell of a lot easier than dealing with Trahern’s long, detailed conversations.
A groan came from the direction of the sofa. Rhydian noticed the boy frowning in his sleep and turning his head this way and that.
It was then that Rhydian noticed the toy rabbit on the floor. Rushing to the boy’s prized Mr. Cottontail, he snatched it up and pressed it against Rian’s chest. He instantly hugged the toy and his movements calmed down.
He hesitated a second before brushing the hair off Rian’s forehead. The boy wouldn’t stay on Snowridge forever, but as long as he did, he would drive Rhydian to work harder.
Moving to his desk, he began sorting through his paperwork. The sooner he cleaned house, the sooner he could put his clan on the path to a better future.
Chapter Ten
A few days later, Jane leaned against Kai as they made their way down the hall to Delia’s room. “I wish they would’ve told us more than simply saying that Delia is awake.”
“Would you have preferred me arguing on the phone instead of just making our way to her room ourselves?” Kai asked.
“No. I just, well, no matter what anyone says, I still feel a little bit responsible.”
“I would argue, but I don’t think you’ll listen.”
She frowned. “What happened to being nice to me?”
The corner of Kai’s mouth ticked up. “You’re the one who wanted me to stop treating you as if you’d break. Besides, the doctor said you’re healing nicely. The shot of my blood really sped up your healing process.”
“I would say thank you, but for a while you kept trying to make me sign a sacrifice contract.”
Kai grinned. “I couldn’t resist, although my version of the contract was slightly different. I didn’t require pregnancy, just lots of sex once you’re healed.”
She rolled her eyes. “Lots of kinky sex, I should add.”
They approached the door. “Unless you want to talk about all the sex acts I put into writing in front of my mother and stepfather, you might want to drop it for now.”
Jane stuck out her tongue before whispering, “This conversation isn’t finished.”
Kai winked, and Jane couldn’t help but smile. She took each and every moment as a gift. Kai had kissed his once-true mate and hadn’t wanted her.
More than that, he hadn’t even joked about requiring a baby in exchange for his blood.
Jane was enough for him.
Between that and the positive responses she’d seen for her first video episode, Jane only hoped Delia was okay. If so, it would make her day almost perfect.
They entered the hospital room to find Delia sitting upright in her bed with Lily and Gareth on one side, and Rhydian and Dr. Perry on the other.
Delia’s green eyes met hers and Jane held her breath.
As soon as the teenager smiled, Jane relaxed a fraction. Delia said, “You two are here. Now I can give my big report.”
Closing the distance to Delia’s bed, Kai asked, “What report?”
Rhydian answered, “The one where she tells us what she found out.”
Jane put up a hand. “Wait, first tell us if Delia remembers everything.”
Delia opened her mouth, but Dr. Perry beat her to it. “For the most part. Her dragon is a bit groggy but responsive. We won’t be able to fully assess the damage until she shifts into a dragon.”
Rhydian grunted. “Yes, yes, now tell us what you know, Delia Owens. I’m done being patient.”
At the steel in his voice, Delia didn’t hesitate to answer. “Using my investigative skills, I located a splinter dragon hunter group on that farm. There’s no gang in this part of Wales, so they came from somewhere down south. However, that’s not the important bit.”
She paused and Lily spoke up. “Now is not the time for your dramatics, Delia. Just tell us everything, and quickly.”
Delia nodded. “Right, well, once I found the farm and poked around, I knew I wouldn’t be able to truly understand what was happening unless I got caught. So, I staged a dramatic scene, complete with screaming and acting scared.”
“Bloody fool,” Kai muttered under his breath.
Jane ignored him to focus on Delia’s story. The teenager continued, “It worked, brother. At any rate, they put me in a cage with all the other children. In addition to the farmers’ kids, there was the Irish boy.”
“Rian’s safe,” Rhydian stated.
Delia nodded. “As I suspected would be the case, the humans didn’t take care of what they said in front of me or the children. They talked about purchase orders streaming in for their silent dragon drug, as well as a successful test done in Ireland recently. They didn’t say who, but just that it was a male.”
Jane shared a glance with Kai. She had to be talking about Killian.
The young dragon-shifter continued, “Their plan was to test the same drug on me, the only one with an active dragon. I was an unplanned trial, I think. The children were the main focus and were to be long-term tests, to see if preventing their dragons from ever speaking to their human halves made their prisoners more malleable.”
Even Jane knew that inner dragons usually didn’t speak up until a child reached six or seven years old. After mating and living with Kai, she also knew how important an inner dragon was to their human half. To think the poor children might never know their constant inner companion and integral part of their personality caused Jane’s heart to drop.
Delia shuddered and Lily placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. The touch gave Delia the strength to carry on. “Watching them give the little ones shot after shot was hard to stand. I wanted to shift and free them, but the humans must’ve given me something to temporarily prevent me from shifting because I couldn’t do it. The restraints were also strong enough to keep me from kicking their arses.”
Kai and Lily both opened their mouths to most likely scold Delia, but Dr. Perry spoke first. “The children are all alive, Delia, and most likely thanks to you going after them. I think that’s all that matters.”
Lily muttered, “Don’t encourage her.”
Delia met the doctor’s eyes. “You have to say it’ll be okay since you’re my doctor. But the children might not have their dragons when they’re older. That’s an unfair punishment for any dragon-shifter, but more so for an innocent child.”
Kai growled. “We’ll stop these bastards, no matter what. Seizing their farm and their chemicals was a good first step, and all thanks to you. I still think you’re a fool for going on your own, but you helped the children we rescued, Delia. That kept them from a long-term imprisonment that would eventually lead to them being blood slaves. Remember that.”
Jane wanted to reassure the girl, but Rhydian grunted and placed his hand on Delia’s shoulder. “I concur about the stupidity of going out alone, but you did a good job, Delia. Next time, come to me first. Then we can try to rescue or help who needs it without giving your mother and father extra gray hairs from worry.”
Delia looked to her parents. Despite the girl’s actions, she was still just a teenager who wanted to hug her mum and dad.
Jane jumped in. “I think all of this is a bit overwhelming. Let’s give Lily and Gareth some time alone with their daughter.” She met Rhydian’s eyes and didn’t flinch at his stare. “She can give a more coherent report after some more rest, don’t you think?”
After holding Jane’s gaze another beat, Rhydian looked to Lily and Gareth. “Let me know when Delia’s rested enough to give her official report.” As soon as Lily bobbed her head, he moved his gaze to Kai and Jane. “You two and I need to talk. Let’s take Jane back to her room and do it there.”
She was tempted to argue, but while she was healing, Jane was still exhausted from her rec
ent ordeal and would love nothing more than to sit down again. “Then what are we waiting for?”
Kai glanced down at her. “That was easy.”
She gave an imperceptible shake of her head, signaling not now.
Kai must’ve caught her meaning because he leaned down to kiss his sister’s cheek. Once upright again, he said, “Let me know if you need anything, Mum.”
Lily made a shooing motion with her hands. “Yes, yes, now go before your mate falls over.”
Jane turned toward the door and Kai took the hint. As they exited the room and made their way down the hall again, Jane wondered what Rhydian wanted to discuss with them.
~~~
Kai made sure Jane was sitting on the arm chair in the corner of her hospital room before he faced Rhydian and waited.
The Welsh leader could play dominance games if he wanted. But instead, he merely started talking. “I need your help.”
He blinked. “What?”
“I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t absolutely necessary. However, Stonefire has far more people currently serving with the British Army than we do, which means you should have an influx of Protectors soon enough.”
“Perhaps. But isn’t this something you should discuss with my clan leader?”
“I already did, but Bram said I needed your permission for anything Protector-related.”
His dragon spoke up. As it should be.
Hush. Kai focused back on Rhydian. “What exactly are you asking for? I need numbers, specifics, and reasons why you need them before I can make any sort of important decision.”
“I’m almost done sorting through my clan and figuring out who’s a threat or not. If my initial instincts are correct, I’ll be down ten Protectors. Wren and Eira can manage in the short-term with your blokes, Zain and Sebastian, but only for so long. While we’re lucky to be more isolated than other dragon clans in the UK, I expect for there to be some retaliation for our dismantling the dragon drug operation near Dolgellau. I need skilled and trustworthy Protectors to help keep Snowridge safe, when and if that happens.”
Kai studied the Snowridge leader. Admitting faults and possible shortcomings was never easy, but less so for a clan leader.
His dragon chimed in. I also believe the sincerity in his voice. We should help him.
If you gave me a bloody second, you’d know I feel the same way.
But?
But there will be conditions.
Kai finally spoke aloud. “I’ll need to document all potential new Protectors finishing their army stints and assess their skills. But as long as you formalize your alliance with Stonefire and keep an open line of communication, I’m more than willing to assist you.”
“Just like that?” Rhydian asked skeptically.
“Bram will contact you with the final alliance details. I already know you’re supposed to trade foster candidates soon. I’m sure there’ll be more conditions, including one more of my own.”
Rhydian searched his gaze. “I hope you don’t plan on adding more and more conditions. As much as I need help, I’m not about to be jerked around on a lead for the rest of my life.”
Kai shook his head. “Nor do I plan to do that. But I think it’s more than time for my mate’s family to come visit my mother. I want you to work with the DDA to secure a visit for Jane’s parents. If her brother doesn’t piss me off, he’ll already have clearance since he’s a member of Stonefire. Jane’s parents, on the other hand, will need protection and formal permission.”
Jane took his hand in hers and squeezed. He returned the gesture but never took his gaze from Rhydian’s.
Rhydian finally spoke up. “I’ll only agree to that condition once I’m sure the clan is safe for them, and not before.”
“I wouldn’t expect anything else,” Kai stated.
Rhydian put out his hand. “Then we have a deal.”
Taking the leader’s hand, he shook it. “Unless there’s anything else that can’t wait, my mate needs to rest. We can talk more later.”
When Jane didn’t protest, Kai knew he’d judged her drooping eyelids correctly.
Releasing his grip, Rhydian nodded and moved to the door. “Keep your phone on, just in case. I’ll contact you later.”
The instant the door closed behind Snowridge’s leader, Kai leaned down and gently lifted Jane into his arms.
She sighed. “I should protest and say I can walk, but I’m more tired than I’d like to admit.”
He carried her to the bed and gently laid her down. Once he was laying next to her, she moved to rest her head on his chest, careful to not bang her still-healing shoulder.
Kai wrapped his arm around his mate and said, “Dragon’s blood speeds up the healing process, but isn’t an instant cure. Rest, Janey. I’ll stay awake and watch over you.”
She snuggled into his chest. “Keep this up and I might agree to some suggestions in your fake sacrifice contract.”
“Oh? Which ones?”
Smiling, she said, “It’ll be a surprise. I know how much you hate them, but in this instance, I think you’ll like it.”
He kissed the top of Jane’s head. “When it comes to you, Jane, I’ll love anything and everything you do.”
She yawned. “Careful, dragonman. That may come back to bite you in the arse.”
“As long as you’re doing the biting, I’m fine with it.”
Her chuckled turned into a groan. “Don’t make me laugh, Kai. It hurts in this position.”
“Sorry, Janey. I should probably let you rest alone in the bed. I can watch you from the chair.”
She tightened her arm around him. “Don’t even think of leaving this bed, Kai. I need my big hunk of dragonman meat by my side. I have trouble sleeping when you’re not next to me.”
His dragon spoke up. As it should be. She is our mate. We will always be together.
Kai agreed with his beast but focused on Jane. “Then your hunk of man meat will be here. Now, rest. The sooner you heal, the sooner you can surprise me.”
“Such a male,” she mumbled.
After a few beats of silence, he glanced down. Looking at Jane’s sleeping face, contentment settled over him.
His sister might still have a long road of recovery and there was much to do before being able to send Protectors to Snowridge, but as long as he had Jane at his side, he could do anything.
She was his mate, end of story. Their life together had barely begun, and he looked forward to every second to come.
Epilogue
Eight Weeks Later
Jane paced from one side of the room to the other. “Why are they taking so long to get here?”
Kai’s voice filled his mother’s living room. “You know Nikki’s too pregnant to shift and fly, so they’re driving. It takes longer.”
She turned on her mate. “I still say you should’ve gone to get them.”
He raised his brows. “A dragon landing in your parents’ small village would’ve caused a stir, not to mention a considerable amount of paperwork to garner permission for me to do so.” He patted the empty spot next to him on the sofa. “Come sit down, Janey. Otherwise you’ll wear yourself out before your parents arrive.”
“I told you that I’m fine. My shoulder is a bit stiff still, but your magical dragon’s blood did its job.”
Kai shrugged. “They’re your parents. But if you end up needing to take a nap or pass out from exhaustion, then you get to explain why.”
“So much for being a supportive mate.”
“I am, but you’re being irrational. The meeting will go fine.”
“Provided you and Rafe don’t kill each other,” Jane muttered.
“I promised to behave and I mean it. Now, come here, Janey.”
Jane could fight it and pass the time by arguing with Kai, but her shoulder ached a little from all of the arm swinging she’d done while pacing. With a sigh, she plopped down next to her mate and leaned against him.
Between her videocast series and its PR, f
ollowing the case and prison sentence against Maggie Jones, and working on her own recovery, Jane hadn’t had a lot of downtime with her mate. Kai had been busy as well with finalizing agreements with Snowridge and even helping out Glenlough in Ireland.
Add in the visits to Snowridge to visit Kai’s family and help Delia learn to control her dragon once more, and sometimes Jane wondered how she remembered to breathe.
It would be a few weeks yet before they finally could go back to their normal routine, so Jane merely soaked in her dragonman’s heat and the sense of comfort that always came with being near him.
Kai spoke up. “I know part of your restlessness is because you’re worried about my sister, but she’s nearly back to her old self.”
Delia’s dragon had barely spoken to her at first and had acted more like a young child than a teenager. But with intensive training from Kai, Rhydian, Snowridge’s tracker, Carys, and other alpha dragon-shifters, Delia’s dragon was learning and maturing. Everyone was hopeful for the future.
Well, at least for Delia’s.
“Your sister might be nearly back to normal, but we won’t know for years about the other children.”
Squeezing her good shoulder, Kai answered, “With all of Stonefire’s doctors working on a cure, they’ll find something. I know they will.”
“I hope so.”
A comfortable silence fell. Jane’s eyes grew heavy, but just as she struggled to keep them open, her mother’s familiar Australian accent boomed from the entrance. “Jane Elizabeth Hartley, come give your mother a hug.”
She looked up to see the tall, red-haired figure of her mother, Leonie Hartley. “Hi, Mum.”
When Jane didn’t get up, her mother closed the distance and scrutinized her face. “Should you even be socializing yet? You had a nasty injury not that long ago and look tired.” She glanced at Kai. “Are you going to back me up on this, Kai?”
Jane put up a hand. “Just stop, please, Mother. Today isn’t about my health.” She stood and hugged her mum. “Where are the others? And Dad?”
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