Pride spread through Gryffnn as he set Kaya on her feet. He continued to hold her arm, and she allowed this. It took long secs for her to take her first step, and the paleness of her blue face beneath the red-and-black burns inflicted by Aideen told of the toll this sheer stubbornness was taking. Admiration at her strength of mind and body filled him. His mate. He still couldn’t believe she’d taken his fire and lived. No mate in their recent history had held bloodlines other than dragon.
He’d lusted after her ever since he’d first seen her, and that initial attraction had grown to liking and respect. Now, his heart filled with love and joy and humbleness because a strong woman such as she had accepted him.
Kaya tripped—only his quick intervention saving her from a face-plant. Camryn cast him a concerned look, and he sent her a nod in return. They’d make this quick.
Storg saw them coming and raced to meet them. The head of security paled when he saw Kaya, and Gryffnn understood the dragon’s shock. Wiry tufts of blackened hair and burned scalp was all that remained of Kay’s pretty blue hair. Her right ear bore nasty burns, and her red suit appeared charred. Her flesh showed through holes in the fabric. She limped, her weight on his arm greater than it had been earlier.
“My mate and I wish to make an announcement,” Gryffnn said.
Storg—an older and experienced warrior—visibly swallowed his instinctive protest and nodded. He marched onto the middle of the field and bellowed. “Silence.”
Heads craned and turned, measuring their progress as Gryffnn guided Kaya to the spot where Storg stood. Chatter and comments flew from dragon to dragon but when he and Kaya reached Storg, silence fell.
“I wish to present my mate, Kaya Ignatius,” Gryffnn called. “This cycle she accepted a challenge from Aideen Gwilym. The challenge officials will have informed you Kaya defeated Aideen. To Aideen’s people, I offer you a deal. You may leave Narenda this cycle without persecution or prejudice. For those who have nowhere to go, I offer you sanctuary on Narenda, but first you must swear fealty to the Drake tribe and acknowledge my brother Ransom as your leader and myself and Kaya Ignatius as your temporary leaders. You have the rest of the cycle to decide your fate. Those who wish to stay, present yourself here at the training field this eve to make your pledge of loyalty. Those who wish to leave, assemble at the spaceport. I expect your departure by the end of this cycle. Do not return because my patience with the betrayal of your clan is at an end. An unauthorized return will not end well. For those of you with questions, present yourself at the compound in three marks. My staff will show you into the audience room to air your queries.”
Gryffnn glanced at Kaya, his concern growing. Only her force of nature kept her upright. “We shall leave now, my mate.”
Loud shouts, cheers and chatter broke out at the end of his announcement. Gryffnn didn’t eavesdrop or try to discern which way Aideen’s people would decide. He didn’t care. All he wanted was to get Kaya to his chamber where they could treat her and give her something to make her sleep and begin the healing process.
Many men would quail at her appearance and worry about scars and her lack of hair. Not him. He looked at Kaya and saw bravery and courage greater than a battalion of soldiers. He saw strength of character, and although she kept her heart buried beneath layers of sass and attitude, her love for the people she cared for shone through. Even better, he was one of her favored.
His mate.
Despite himself, he smiled. “Show a Drake clan welcome for my mate,” he shouted.
Cheers, whistles and stamping feet rang out. Lively applause.
Kaya wavered on her feet again, and Camryn shot him a concerned glance.
“Come, my mate. We shall leave my people to celebrate.”
Kaya tripped again, and he ached to sweep her into his arms, but one glance at her set expression told him to wait until they left the training field. Sable joined them and flanked him. Storg fell in behind, and their tiny procession made their way off the field at Kaya’s speed.
Gryffnn ached for her, wanted to rail at her stubbornness, yet he knew this show of strength would fuel the tales told around dinner and during celebrations for many rotations. In her wisdom, Kaya knew this too, which made her an excellent strategist. His clan would never see her as weak or decry her lack of dragon blood.
Finally, finally, they reached the outskirts of the field. Gryffnn snatched Kaya into his arms and strode toward the family quarters. Sable trotted after him while Camryn kept pace, opening gates and doors as they made their way to his chamber.
“I’ll fill the bath with cool water,” Camryn said. “You strip off her suit.”
“I’ll comm Mogens and consult with him regarding suitable treatment,” Sable said.
The two women set about their tasks, leaving Kaya with Gryffnn. He set her on her feet and held her for a fraction longer until he was certain she’d remain upright.
“Where is my sword?” she murmured. “It is the only thing I have left of my mother.”
“Nanu has your sword,” he said. “But that is not true. You have your mother’s heart and courage and you have your sister who, if she grows up to half the woman you are, will be a formidable force.”
“Lys and Hallam can come home now.”
“They can,” he agreed. “Ransom and Niran’s people as well.”
Gryffnn reached for the blade he carried whenever he entered the jungle. He slit the suit down the middle and peeled it from her skin.
“Not my underwear,” she snapped.
Gryffnn smiled since this tiny burst of temper told him she’d recover. While she might wear the scars of her encounter with Aideen, they represented her courage and bravery. “I promise to leave your underwear intact.”
The suit had helped deflect some of the damage from Aideen’s fire, but her face, hair and right side bore burns.
Kaya yawned as he removed her underwear. Once she was naked, he carried her to the bathroom. He placed her in the cool water, and Kaya sighed.
Someone knocked on his chamber door.
“I’ll take care of Kaya,” Camryn said.
Nodding, he answered the summons to find Ry, Nanu and Sable. He ushered them inside and closed the door.
“How is she?” Ry asked.
“She was snapping at me about her underwear while I cut off her suit,” Gryffnn said.
“A good sign,” Nanu said, his hair tendrils settling against his head on hearing this.
“Her face…” Gryffnn sighed. “And her hair. I don’t know.”
“I have spoken with Mogens, and he has advised me.” Sable carried a bag of potions and salves. “Nanu, activate the float table for me, so I can set out everything. I have a salve for her face. A potion that Mogens said will soothe the burns inside from the dragon fire and her hair…” She pulled a face. “Mogens has no remedy for her hair. He needs to see the damage before he can recommend a course of treatment.”
“Sable,” Camryn called from the bathing room. “Do you have shears?”
Shears? Gryffnn hurried after Sable as she sped to Camryn and Kaya.
“What are you doing with shears?” he demanded.
“I will cut Kaya’s hair to remove the damage.”
“But she won’t have any hair left,” he blurted.
“Will you reject me now that I’m ugly and bald?”
“Never,” he snapped. “You are not ugly to me. I don’t wish to hear you repeat that ever again. You are my courageous, beautiful, big-hearted mate, and I stand at your side no matter what.”
“You’d better. I refuse to suffer through recuperation only to see you canoodling with another woman.” Kaya looked fierce, her stubborn chin lifting in pure attitude.
“I gave you my fire. You’ve always had my heart.”
Sable squeaked and clapped her hands together. She broke out in a broad grin that sat well on her normally sober features. “You’re mind-speaking. True mates. Oh, I can’t wait to tell Jacinta and Ransom.”
“Is that true?” Camryn asked.
“Yes,” Kaya whispered, her voice hoarse.
“Shush, don’t speak, sweetheart,” Gryffnn said as he crouched beside the tub.
Camryn snipped Kaya’s hair, and by the time she finished, Kaya had none left. “Lucky for you, your face is a nice shape.”
“Your ears are cute.” Gryffnn pushed the words past the blockage in his throat.
“Drink this. It will soothe your throat and stomach.” Sable handed her a goblet full of a thick purple liquid.
Kaya reached for it and almost dropped it into the water.
“She needs a straw. A drinking tube,” Camryn added. “How do your infants drink liquids?”
“Ah!” Sable said. “I shall retrieve something suitable from the kitchen.”
Gryffnn took control of the goblet. “I’ll hold it for you. Try to drink a little.”
They let Kaya soak in the cool water then dried her carefully, treated her wounds and placed her on the gel-bed to rest.
Gryffnn lingered and placed a kiss on her cheek as her eyes closed. In his big bed she seemed tiny yet this cycle, this warrior woman of his had slew a dragon for him and his clan. He’d not forget her act of selfless bravery nor the claim she had on his heart.
Unwillingly, he left her to sleep. Sable had promised she’d return to watch Kaya until he’d dealt with whatever shit came from Aideen’s clan. At least with Aideen and Caley gone, he might have a chance with her people.
As he entered the communal dining room, silence fell. The dragon who had stood as Aideen’s official rose and pressed his hands together as he bowed at Gryffnn.
“The dragons of the Gwilym clan have discussed your offer. We wish to offer our fealty and pledge to serve you.”
“Will you betray me?” Gryffnn barked.
“No, sir,” the man replied.
“Who murdered Caley Gwilym?”
The dragon hesitated and glanced at one of his peers. Finally, he turned back to Gryffnn. “I cannot say for sure, but I believe Aideen murdered her sister.”
“Your clan stole from us,” Gryffnn said in a harsh voice.
“It’s true,” the dragon replied. “But I know the location of the stolen stones. I can retrieve them for you.”
“Fine,” Gryffnn said. “My investigations show your clan have deserted your homelands. Rumor also says your wealth of precious stones is depleted—the reason you stole ours. Explain why I should trust you.”
Once again, the dragon glanced at the members of his clan. An older dragon stepped away from the mass of dragons and joined them. Gryffnn recognized the dragon by sight but didn’t recall his name.
“You’re right,” the dragon said. “You have no reason to trust us, but the truth is we have nowhere else to go. Aideen invested all our currency in the ships. Although Aideen was our leader, it was the tradition for the leader to take advice from the elders of the clan. We tried to tell Aideen she should take a different path, but she refused and listened to not one of our arguments. I, for one, intend to swear my allegiance to your clan and will work to gain your trust. You’ll find our other clan members are of the same mind.”
“I hope so,” Gryffnn declared, not in the mood for sugarcoating his doubt. “I will see you in the smaller adjoining audience chamber. One at a time.” Gryffnn strode away without a backward glance.
For the next three marks, he saw the Gwilym dragons one at a time. Each pledged their allegiance without hesitation. Gryffnn considered their talents, and he and Storg assigned them tasks to complete for the coming cycles. He split the Gwilym dragons between his own men.
“Storg, I’m heading back to check on Kaya. Contact me in the event of problems. Ry and Nanu have offered their aid, should we require it. I expect it will take time for the new arrivals to assimilate with our people. There will be problems. I want to stomp on any niggles straightaway.”
“Will do,” Storg agreed.
Kaya was asleep when he reached his chamber. He stared at her, his heart twisting at her vulnerability and her sizzled hair.
“How is she?” he whispered.
“Mogens told me to give her a sleeping draft,” Sable replied.
“You rest. I’ve finished for this cycle. It’s been a long one.”
Sable gave him a quick hug before retreating. Gryffnn sighed when he scanned Kaya again. Then, he stripped and crawled into bed with her. Although he closed his eyes, his mind refused to let him rest. Kaya…he loved her so much, and this cycle, he’d almost lost her.
He tossed and turned and tossed once again.
“Gryffnn, I can’t sleep with you fidgeting as if you have insects crawling over you,” a hoarse voice croaked.
“Kaya?”
“Were you expecting someone else in your bed?”
“Never entered my mind,” he said, rolling over to face her. “It’s always been you.”
A faint smile curved her lips. “What happens if my hair doesn’t grow back?”
“We’ll get you a kick-arse wig.” Unable to help himself, he reached out and skimmed her mouth with his finger. “You can have any color you want.”
“I’ve always wondered about pink. Can I hold your hand?”
Gryffnn’s throat tightened and his gaze blurred as he wove their fingers together. He cleared his throat, but the lump of emotion, his fierce love for her unmanned him.
Her mouth worked and not a sound came out. She tried again. “Are you sure about this? Us being mates? I know you said you wanted me, but as a mate. We’re tied together now. I can sense the bond. We can’t undo this and I look…well, I haven’t seen my face yet. After seeing Camryn’s face when she cut my hair, I decided not to look.”
“Why would I want to change our mating? You have provided our storytellers with rotations of tales. I’m nothing like Caley, Kaya. Look into your heart. You know this.” It was understandable she had doubts. This…their mating had happened so fast and under pressure. He hadn’t had the time to court her as he’d wished. “Don’t ask me this again. No man enjoys his woman, his mate, doubting him.”
“But I live on Viros. And I work with my friends.”
“I’m hoping you’ll live here with me. You must recover before you return to work. I need to make sure things run smoothly here on Narenda, but it won’t be forever. Ransom will regain consciousness soon. Once Ransom takes over again, I’ll be free to travel with you. If you, Ry and the others want me.”
“You don’t expect me to stay on Narenda?”
“I won’t enjoy being apart from you, but you’re my mate, not my prisoner. Do you think Ry would mind swinging the Indy via Narenda to pick you up? Or, you have your own ship now. It’s not that far between Viros and Narenda.”
Kaya’s wide smile brightened his mood. “A fine plan. I admit, it worried me—the idea that now we were mates, you’d expect me to change.”
“I relish your determination and sassiness, your smart-arse attitude. You challenge me to be my best.”
“Nanu calls me a pain in his arse.”
Gryffnn chuckled. “You can be. But I can deal with that personality quirk. Now go to sleep. You need to heal, so I can make love to my mate.”
“I’m not a patient person. My temper will become nasty.”
“Are you trying to scare me away?”
“No. Yes. Maybe.”
“Give it your best shot, sweetheart. Nothing you do will make me change my mind about you.”