All cried out, Elise rested in his arms, her bottom in his lap, her cheek pressed to his chest. Each of her hitching breaths pinched at his heart. Poor lass. She’d sobbed herself into exhaustion. Cyprus didn’t blame her. After the night she’d had, she deserved some crying time. Some screaming time too if she needed it. Most females would after an impromptu skydive without a parachute. Learning dragons lived inside their tidy little world sucked for humans. Being attacked by one was even worse.

Not that she appreciated the basic truth of it.

Such a stubborn lass. So courageous, he couldn’t help but admire her. She’d tried so hard to tuck all that emotion away: to hide her hurt, deny her shock and banish her fear. A strong female. A gorgeous one who disliked weakness, wanting to stay strong, not break down, but…fuck. He was glad she had—beyond proud she trusted him enough to give him those tears. Her vulnerability touched a part of him he hadn’t known existed, filling him so full, contentment spilled over his rough edges.

Smoothed out. Well rested and relaxed for the first time in ages.

Every bit of it Elise’s doing.

Cyprus sighed and, sliding into a comfortable slouch on the couch, cuddled her closer. Tipping his head back, he stretched his legs out and closed his eyes. The personality of the century-old house enveloped him. The soft creak of solid walls. The patter of rain against antique window panes behind thick curtains. The quiet toll of the grandfather clock standing guard in the entry hall. He counted each chime, wondering about the time.

Mid-afternoon, most likely. Elise had slept a long time. So had he, the hypnotic draw of feeding her soothing him as he slumbered.

He could still feel it, the gentle syphoning as Elise took, and he gave. She needed more yet. Her leg required attention. Although, he’d plucked out the splinters, fitting bone chips together like puzzle pieces, her femur needed time to knit. Turning inward, he called on his magic, assessing the damage and what had already been repaired. Lit up on his mental screen, the fractures appeared like dark cracks on white bone. He frowned. Not quite healed, but that would change. With his life force connected to hers, his dragon half supervised the energy infusion, coaxing Elise to take more, ensuring she got what she needed. So, it wouldn’t be long. An hour, three at most, and his female’s leg would be good as new.

The clock tolled four bells.

Cyprus forced his eyes open. Four PM. Time to move. He wanted to get out of the living room, and Elise into the shower, before his warriors woke for the day. Not that he didn’t trust his brothers-in-arms. The males under his command were solid, as honorable as he was protective. None would ever hurt a female—or touch one that didn’t belong to them—but that didn’t mean the wankers wouldn’t look…and appreciate.

The thought left a bad taste in his mouth.

Elise belonged to him. Which meant he must get her moving. No way would he introduce her to his warriors while wrapped in naught more than a sheer excuse for a sheet.

Gathering the thin cotton in one hand, he wrapped it over her legs and nudged her with his chin. Tendrils of her hair brushed against his skin. The scent of vanilla and crushed almonds rose. Hmm, yum—she smelled delicious, like fresh baked cookies and the creamer he put in his coffee every day. Humming in pleasure, he did it again, rubbing the strands along his jaw, over his mouth and—

She grumbled at him. His mouth curved. So pretty. Beyond precious. A sleepy female not ready to get up for the day.

He would’ve liked to appease her. Cuddling her all evening seemed like an excellent idea. Shite, holding her was no hardship, but as Cyprus heard a thump above his head, he knew Levin’s feet had just hit the floor. Somewhere up on the third floor of the house, Kruger was no doubt doing the same. And Wallaig? He fine-tuned his sonar, picking up trace energy, tracking the unique signal his first in command dropped like napalm in his wake and…ah, right there. Camped out in the kitchen, no doubt laid out on the floor guarding the rear entrance.

“Elise?”

“Hmm?” She tipped her head back. Out of focus, bloodshot eyes met his. She blinked, wet lashes forming perfect triangles against her skin.

“Fair warning, lass. We’re moving.”

She frowned.

Cyprus didn’t wait for the objection he saw spark in her eyes to develop. Only an idiot waited to be scolded, so instead of asking, he gathered her up and pushed to his feet. Cradled in his arms, she squeaked in alarm. He almost smiled, but stopped at that last second. Laughing at her wouldn’t win him any points, and an angry female would be harder to deal with, never mind hold. And goddess, he wanted to continue holding her. She felt like heaven against him: soft and curvy, warm and pleasing, sheer perfection as he skirted the end of the couch and headed for the large archway. “Hold on tae me, talmina.”

“Put me down, Cyprus. I can walk.”

“Not yet. You can try in an hour or two. Until then, you keep your weight on your good leg.” Treating her to a no-nonsense look, he jostled her a wee bit. “Agreed?”

Chewing on her bottom lip, no doubt trying to decide whether to listen, she wiggled her toes and bent her knee. Her mouth tightened, broadcasting her pain. His gut clenched, then relaxed again when she slid her arm around his neck. “Guess I’m not all better yet, eh?”

“It takes time.”

“Not a whole lot. I mean, it’s amazing I feel as well as I do, considering…” The strain in her voice strung him tight. Inhaling deep, she exhaled slow and, smoothing the sheet, rubbed the top of her injured thigh. Once…twice…a third stroke before she abandoned the soothing motion and looked up at him. “How did you do it?”

“What—heal you?” Looking both ways, he stepped into the main hallway.

“Yeah.” A shadow entered her eyes, dimming the blue. “There was a lot of blood. I remember thinking my kidney was probably gone. I think…” She paused. He watched her throat work and felt his own tighten. “I’m pretty sure I should be dead.”

“I would never have allowed that tae happen,” he said, his chest hurting at the thought. “You were mine the moment I spoke tae you inside the church, Elise.”

“Another mystery.” She shook her head, no doubt trying to puzzle out mind-speak…and the connection she now shared with him. “I have so many questions.”

“Good. I will answer them all, but first…” Footfalls softened by a runner, he walked down a narrow corridor. Five doors. Cyprus nudged each one open with naught more than a thought, looking for the bathroom on the main level of the house. He knew it was here. Old houses followed predictable patterns, the floor plans easy to guess and…the last door on the right yielded results. Shoving the wood panel with his bare foot, he crossed the threshold. Big room with a large shower. Black and white tiles. Fully renovated. Perfect for his purposes. “Let’s get you cleaned up.”

“God, yes. I could use a shower.” The eagerness in her voice cleared the heaviness from his heart. She pointed to the bathmat in front of the glass door. “If you put me down over there and turn on the water, I’ll just—”

He chuckled. A nice try, but no chance she would be getting her way. Or he would be leaving her to bathe alone. “I’ll not be putting you down, lass.”

Her grip on his neck tightened. “What?”

No need to answer. Elise would learn what he planned soon enough.

Releasing her legs, he allowed her feet to touch the floor. She wobbled. He steadied her, making sure she balanced on her good leg before tugging on the sheet. The cotton slipped off her shoulders, exposing the graceful curve of her back.

She made a frantic grab for the covering. “Hey!”

He pulled again.

A death grip on the sheet, she shook her head.

“I’ve seen every inch of you already, Elise. I stroked you while you slept, enjoyed the softness of your skin, the fine curve of your hips and the taste of your energy. Jesus, lass. You’re gorgeous.”

Hot color stole into her cheeks. She opened her mouth, closed it again.

His lips curved. He knew he shouldn’t be enjoying her embarrassment, but well…hey. Might as well admit it. He liked her modesty along with the slow rise of her blush. “Let go, Elise. Let me look at you. Allow me the pleasure of bathing with you.”

Color still high, blue eyes as big as saucers, she stared at him. He tugged the sheet again. Her grip loosened. A second later, she allowed it to fall, and he hummed in approval. Bloody hell. He wanted to lick her all over, staring with the trim, blond curls between her thighs.

His dragon growled, liking the plan.

Cyprus shut it down. Elise needed gentle reassurance, not an intense brute plagued by lusty thoughts. At least, not right now. Today wasn’t the time for laying her down and loving her hard. Mayhap later, after he’d taken her a few times—after he owned all her trust—she might enjoy a bit of rough bed play, but not tonight.

Trailing his fingertips over her collar bone, he cupped her shoulder, turned her around and…goddess help him. Her arse was as gorgeous as the rest of her, round and pert, just the right size for his hands. Pushing the length of her hair over one shoulder, he stoked along her spine. His hand slid over her lower back, testing the skin, checking her kidney, looking for any problems. A wee bit red yet, but the spot she’d been sliced open looked good. One hundred percent healed.

Brushing over her hip, he flattened his palm against her belly. She sucked in a startled breath. He whispered in her ear. “Such a good lass, letting me touch as I like.”

“Cyprus—”

“You’re beautiful, Elise. Like a fairy princess come tae life, so sweet and curvy. Perfect beneath my hands.”

The rigidity of her spine softened. “I’m not perfect.”

He cupped her cheek. Caressing her softly, he brushed over her bottom lip. “You are tae me.”

Tears filled her eyes.

Dipping his head, he kissed her gently. Such a sensitive lass, not at all accustomed to compliments. He would change that—tell her every damn day she was beautiful if only to see the wonder he saw blooming on her face right now. Unable to resist, he nipped her lip. Elise gasped. He soothed the wee sting with his tongue, licking at her mouth as he unleashed magic and cranked the tap facets. The pipes jerked before the water came on, falling from the shower head in a steady stream. Cyprus tested it with his mind. Too cold. He adjusted the temperature, warming each droplet, ensuring Elise’s comfort before opening the door.

One arm curled around her, he nudged her forward. “In you go, lass.”

“I can wash myself,” she said, voice soft, without an ounce of conviction.

“Why bother when you’ve got me tae do it?”

Kissing her one more time, he lifted her over the threshold and stepped in behind her. Warm water hit her in a fine spray and splashed onto him. Reveling in the slippery slide of her, he tipped her head back and wet her hair. She relaxed, leaning against him, allowing him to help her balance on one foot.

He murmured his appreciation. The beginnings of trust. A good start, one that would carry him through the rest of evening and into hard truths in need of telling.

A conversation was in order. He must reveal all and tell her about his kind. About energy-fuse, and the fact he’d mated her without asking for permission first. About Grizgunn too. The bastard had more than just hurt her. He’d ingested her energy, absorbing the unique signal Elise wore like a second skin. Now, she couldn’t return home and hope to stay safe.

His enemies would track her the second she left his protection. As a high-energy female, his mate would be coveted by Dragonkind males the world over, and Grizgunn wasn’t stupid. He wouldn’t pass up a second attempt to take her. Which meant Elise’s safety now relied on her proximity to him.

Unfair? No question. But real life didn’t play by the rules.

He could only shield her so far. The life she knew was over. Goodbye human world, hello Dragonkind. The thought gave him pause. Worry poked at him. Cyprus pursed his lips and picked up the soap, wondering how best to tell Elise about her change in status, ’cause sure as shite, the second he revealed the truth, he knew his female would balk. And he’d be in for the fight of his life to keep her with him.