Brenna stood tall. It took everything Teagan had to not smile at the young dragonwoman’s posture.
Her beast spoke up. She’s still young, remember.
Perhaps, but she’s definitely coming into her own.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Teagan motioned toward the door with a hand. “Fetch the nurse and go back to aiding my family. Killian is going to need all the help he can get.”
Brenna’s pupils flickered, but the young female was gone before Teagan could say anything else.
Her dragon spoke up. If anyone can help Killian, it’s her.
Are you not telling me something, dragon?
No. They aren’t true mates; Killian’s came and went years ago. But never underestimate a female soldier out to prove herself.
Teagan slid back down onto her back, too tired to interrogate her dragon’s remark about Killian’s true mate coming and going. I don’t care who helps him as long as Killian gets his memories back.
And if he doesn’t, at least we’ll still have Aaron.
Teagan turned her head toward Aaron’s bed. His chances are better than Killian’s, but not guaranteed.
He’ll survive. Just wait and see.
The longer she stared, the heavier Teagan’s eyes grew. After memorizing Aaron’s sleeping face, she allowed them to flutter closed.
With Killian’s predicament, her male had bloody well wake up. She needed him more than ever.
Chapter Twenty-One
Electricity raced through Aaron’s body. His eyes popped open and he sat up with a gasp. “What the fuck?”
Everything was blurry for a second, but as his heart rate calmed down and the room came into focus, he met the brown, bespectacled eyes of Dr. Trahern Lewis, the Welsh dragon-shifter who had recently moved to Stonefire.
Trahern adjusted his glasses. “Who are you and where was your last location?”
Aaron slowly looked around the room. A curtain created a concealed space that included his bed, Trahern, Dr. Emily Davies, and Dr. Ronan O’Brien.
One very important person was missing. “Where’s Teagan?” he demanded.
Dr. O’Brien looked to the other doctors. “He at least remembers her.”
Aaron growled. “I’m right here. Where the fuck is Teagan?” He tried to move his feet, but they were restrained. “And why the bloody hell am I tied to a bed?”
Trahern’s calm voice answered, “Because we were afraid of you going rogue. You were shot with a compound similar to what your mother received.”
Aaron finally noted his silent dragon. His beast was curled up asleep in the back of his mind. No amount of mental poking would move him. “My dragon is still asleep.”
“Yes,” Emily answered. “Given what’s happened recently, we wanted to ensure you remembered who you are before allowing him to wake up.” The human female leaned forward. “Speaking of which, you still haven’t told us your name.”
He growled. “I’m Aaron Caruso, and the last thing I remember is trying to warn Teagan and then jumping to protect her.” He threaded every bit of dominance in his voice he could muster. “So I ask again: Where is she?”
Dr. O’Brien motioned toward the curtain. “She’s on the other side, asleep.”
Aaron tossed off his blanket and leaned toward the restraint. However, since his dragon was asleep, he couldn’t extend a talon. He also wasn’t flexible enough to bend over and reach the latches. He looked directly at Dr. O’Brien. “Take off these fucking things right now and let me see her.”
Emily raised her eyebrows. “Swearing and yelling aren’t going to make us move any faster, Aaron. You just received a healthy electrical shock. Your muscles need a minute to recover. I doubt you’d be able to walk just yet.”
He clenched the sheets in his fingers. “Okay, then bring me up to speed on everything else. I’ve proved that my ears are working. Maybe start with why the hell you had to shock me?”
Trahern replied, “Because the latest antidote needed a healthy jolt to speed up delivery and its effectiveness.”
Aaron frowned, but Emily spoke before he could respond. “What Trahern is trying to say is that waking you was made a priority. The shock gets the antidote into your system and spreading almost a day quicker than without.”
“And Teagan?” Aaron asked. “Was she also hit?”
Emily shook her head. “She wasn’t hit with the darts, but she had a neck injury that became infected. Her fever broke an hour ago, so she’s out of danger. Still, combined with her leg wound, she needs the rest so she can heal.”
Images of Teagan with a slit throat rushed into his mind. But then he remembered Emily saying Teagan was out of danger, so he took a deep breath and focused on the other problems he might be able to help with. He asked, “And what about Killian? I remember he was missing.”
All three doctors glanced at each other.
Something was wrong. “Just bloody tell me. I’m awake and remember everything. With Teagan out of commission, I might be able to help.”
Dr. O’Brien cleared his throat. “In this case, probably not.” He paused a beat and added, “Killian has lost his memories of ever being a dragon-shifter or a Glenlough clan member.”
Aaron wished his dragon was awake as he felt like roaring himself. “How about you start at the beginning?” O’Brien filled in the general details surrounding Teagan’s attack and Killian. Once the doctor was finished, Aaron asked, “Then get me Brenna or Orla. As soon as my muscles work again properly, I want to check on Teagan and dive in to helping the clan.”
Emily spoke up. “You’ll be physically weak for a few days and will be kept under observation, which means you won’t be able to ‘dive in,’ as you put it, with full force. But we’ll let them know you’re awake. It’ll be up to Orla and Brenna as to whether they come or not.”
He grunted. In most areas of his life, Aaron wasn’t a patient dragonman. “And how about getting me a bloody phone? I want to talk with Bram.”
Dr. O’Brien jumped in. “The Stonefire leader is aware of the situation, as is the Scottish one.”
At the mention of the Scottish dragon-shifter, Aaron remembered something else. “And what about Grant McFarland? He was hit. Is he awake?”
“He’s been given the antidote, but it’ll be at least eighteen hours before he wakes up. And I doubt Ms. MacKenzie will leave his side to come to you,” Dr. O’Brien replied.
Aaron ran a hand through his hair. “I hate sitting here, not being able to do anything. Just let Orla and Brenna know I’m awake.” He chanced wiggling his toes. The sheet above them moved, although each motion sent pins and needles racing up his legs. “And at least draw aside the bloody curtain. I want to see Teagan for myself.”
Without a word, Emily walked to the curtain and drew it aside to reveal Teagan lying on a bed.
While her face was a little paler than normal and he could make out circles under her eyes, her chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. Then his gaze moved to the bandage around her neck.
Aaron’s female had gone down fighting and won to live another day. Pride mixed with love surged through his body.
His dragon swished his tail as if in agreement, but didn’t move from the back of his mind or make any sounds.
Dr. O’Brien’s voice filled the room. “She’s stable and should make a full recovery.”
He itched to take her hand and bring it to his cheek. Seeing her and hearing she would be okay wasn’t quite the same as feeling her warm skin against his and listening to her heart beat.
After drinking in the sight of her face for another second, he looked back to the trio of doctors. “And what about the bastards who betrayed us? You didn’t tell me the specifics of Teagan’s brawl with the three males.”
“Orin and Padraig are dead. Hugh is in custody. The DDA should be arriving at any minute to collect him and question the clan about Teagan’s actions.”
He frowned. “Who is doing that?”
“It was supposed to be Teagan,
but Orla forbid it. She’ll handle it instead.”
Holy fuck. “No, let me up and take me to Orla. Even if it’s in a bloody wheelchair, someone needs to be there to do damage control. Orla may have been a great leader once, but she’s prone to voicing her opinions in her old age. That may not end well.”
O’Brien raised an eyebrow. “We’ll see if I mention your words to Orla or not.” Aaron opened his mouth, but the doctor beat him to it. “Regardless, Brenna is there. The pair of them can handle it. I sense Orla is grooming the Stonefire lass to be her protégé to one day become a clan leader, but of where, I have no idea.”
Aaron might remember who he was, but it was starting to feel as if he’d landed in the middle of a different clan. “Since when is Brenna in charge of anything on Glenlough? You should’ve mentioned that earlier.”
O’Brien replied, “Since everyone else with a higher rank was taken out of commission and none of her compatriots stepped up.”
Just as he tried to think of another way to convince them to let him out of bed, Teagan’s weak voice garnered his attention. “Do you always have to be so loud, Aaron? I’m trying to sleep.”
~~~
At first, Teagan had thought she’d been dreaming as she listened to Aaron’s voice. But when all the doctors joined in and talked about things she’d never think about on her own, she started to wonder if the voices were real.
It took longer than she wanted to force her eyes open since the fever had sapped most of her energy, but the instant she saw Aaron’s scowling face, all she wanted to do was jump out of bed and run into his arms.
Her dragon spoke up. He is alive and himself. That is all that matters. Be patient.
Did the fever addle your brains? You’re usually impatient when it comes to Aaron.
There is a lot going on. We must take care of the clan first.
She mentally sighed. I know. But I want to at least feel Aaron’s hand in mine before tackling the mountain of shite at our doorstep. No one would think less of us for wanting to touch our mate for a minute.
Not waiting for her dragon to respond, she spoke, her voice weaker than she’d like. “Do you always have to be so loud, Aaron? I’m trying to sleep.”
Aaron’s brown eyes instantly met her. Relief and then loved filled his gaze. “Teagan. You’re awake.”
She tried her best to smile. “They can knock me down, but I’ll just get right back up.”
He never looked away from her as he growled, “Let me out of this bed.”
Ronan O’Brien turned toward her. “We should wait another few minutes, Teagan, to ensure his muscles are relaxed and that there’re no ill effects from the sped-up antidote process.”
Teagan slowly sat up and tried not to grimace as pain shot up her leg. At least her throat barely hurt at all, meaning the sleep had done its job. “Then I’ll get out of bed and go to him.”
Ronan sighed. “People in love always do stupid things. I’m not sure why I bother.” He pointed a forefinger at her. “You stay there. I’ll help bring Aaron to you because if he keels over from a heart attack, the clan can survive. I can’t say the same about you.”
Aaron muttered a few choice words about what the Irish doctor could shove where.
Teagan looked back to Aaron and barely noticed the doctors undoing the straps around his legs. She said, “If you need help walking over here, take it. I’m not about to watch you fall over and break a bone or two.”
The corner of Aaron’s mouth ticked up. “If you were well, I might consider breaking a bone. Then you’d have to be nice to me and do the cooking.”
She fought a smile and lost. “Don’t even think about it. If you break your bones on purpose, I’ll leave you to fend for yourself.”
“And then you’ll starve soon after that. If for nothing else, think of losing your personal chef. You want him back.” He lowered his voice. “Also, don’t forget what else I’m good at.”
Ronan rolled his eyes, but Teagan barely noticed. She and Aaron grinned at each other, and for a split second, she forgot about everything but the male she loved. Aaron had a knack for making her problems temporarily melt away.
If she could help it, she was never letting him go.
Her dragon grunted. I told you he won’t run away from a challenge. He’ll never tire of fighting at our side.
Ignoring her beast, she watched as Aaron maneuvered off the bed with Ronan’s help. Aaron had to lean on the doctor to make his way across the floor. Each step seemed to take a year.
She outstretched her hand. As Aaron finally took it, his warm touch erased most of her sleepiness. “Kiss me quickly, Aaron, because there’s much to do, but I want to make sure you’re real first and that all of this isn’t a dream.”
Amusement danced in his eyes. “Someone is waxing poetically.”
With a growl, she yanked him toward her. He tumbled and landed half on her body, careful not to touch her leg.
She expected him to yell, but instead, he just maneuvered himself until his lips touched hers.
Opening, she allowed his tongue to slide between her lips and explore her mouth. At his taste, she moaned. It couldn’t have been that long since she’d last kissed him, but it felt like years.
Yes, she needed to keep him around. Then she could kiss him whenever she wanted.
Aaron finally broke the kiss. He whispered against her lips, “Also don’t forget that I’m the best medicine.”
“Good grief,” Ronan muttered at the same time Teagan shook her head.
She said, “Save your charm for the DDA. We’re going to talk to them.”
Aaron frowned. “You must’ve still been asleep when O’Brien told me about Orla and Brenna handling that duty.”
“As much as I appreciate their help, I should be the one to talk with the DDA. Any punishments they issue will be mine to suffer, not theirs. Not that I’m going to take the meeting lightly. I’m going to challenge them every step of the way. After all, their lack of involvement helped cultivate confidence in the other clans about taking me down.”
Aaron whistled. “I can’t wait to see this. Don’t even think of trying to keep me away.”
“Come sit at my side. A few of your glares will have them shaking in their boots.”
Ronan spoke up again. “I strongly advise against this, Teagan. You’re weak.” She opened her mouth, but Ronan beat her to it. “Anyone who suffered your injuries and ensuing fever would be weak. Despite your recent idiotic behavior regarding the Stonefire male, you’re a good leader. You’ve proved that over and over again. I’m on your side, but I don’t want a relapse. There’s always a chance your condition will weaken further and you could die.”
Teagan replied, “My neck already feels better. Besides, I’ll use a bloody wheelchair and you can push me there yourself, Ronan, to conserve energy. I won’t compromise on this, though. I’m a witness to Padraig, Orin, and Hugh’s betrayal. My word will carry weight, and you know it.”
Teagan and Ronan stared at each other. The doctor finally threw his hands up in the air. “Fine. But all you’re going to do is talk and then you’re coming back here where I’ll examine you. Then you’ll rest. Understood?”
Since Ronan was the head doctor, he was one of the few who could order Teagan around when it came to her health. “Yes. Now, hurry. If the clock in the room is correct, the DDA should be here by now.” She looked to Dr. Trahern Lewis. “You, call central command and tell them I’m coming. Ask for Orla and Brenna to sit this one out. Also, they need to delay the DDA as long as possible until I can get there.”
The male merely blinked at her. Thankfully the other doctor from Stonefire, Emily, spoke up. “I’ll do it. But then we need to get back to helping the others who were attacked.”
Teagan nodded, and the Stonefire pair exited the room. Ronan pushed the nurse call button and moved to Teagan’s bed. “Just a quick check before you go.”
Aaron asked, “And me?”
Ronan looked at the monitors h
ooked up to Teagan as he answered Aaron, “Just don’t die until you come back.”
Teagan bit her lip to keep from laughing at the frown on Aaron’s face. Eventually, she’d talk to Ronan about being a bit nicer to her male. But for the moment, she merely tapped her fingers against the bed, impatient to deal with the DDA. Only then could she move on to rebuilding her clan and carving out her own future.
Chapter Twenty-Two
As the nurse Arlanna wheeled her into place inside the conference room, Teagan looked to Lara and Trevina, the two human Irish DDA liaisons.
Since it was still illegal for a human female to mate a dragon-shifter male—Ireland lacked the freedoms or even the sacrifice program of the UK—the DDA almost always sent females to deal with the dragon clans. That way, no attachments would be formed or at least pursued, unless the DDA employees wanted to be imprisoned.
Her dragon huffed. I don’t know why it’s okay for human males to mate a dragon-shifter but not a female in Ireland.
Like with most things, men usually gain the right first unless there are special circumstances, such as with the British sacrifice program.
The British sacrifice program enlisted compatible human females to sign contracts and live with the dragon-shifters for six months. While there, the female attempted to conceive a child with an assigned dragon-shifter male; if successful, she stayed until the baby was born. In return for their participation, the female received a vial of dragon’s blood that could cure many diseases, or they could sell it for money. Since the program had started in the 1980s in the UK, Ireland had been too busy with other domestic problems to follow suit.
Teagan had never thought much about the rights of human females to mate male dragon-shifters, but maybe it was another thing she should add to her list of things to do.
Her beast chimed in. Let’s take care of this first and then you can plan how to change Ireland for the better.
Aiding the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 9) Page 23