Cassidy awoke from her nap to find Rianna curled into her, utterly limp. Cassidy stroked her back, heart full.

It had been so long since her daughter had felt safe enough to sleep that deeply.

She said a silent prayer of thanks—that they’d made it safely to Nic’s den, that she and Rianna weren’t alone anymore. Whatever was to come, they’d gained some powerful protectors—and not only Nic, but the three other men as well.

She turned her head. Nic stood at the edge of the saltwater pool, hands in his shorts pockets, staring into the indigo-blue water.

His bleak expression stabbed at her. She’d seen that look before. That summer in Ireland, Nic had always seemed alone, even eating dinner along with the other men in the crowded Shannon great hall.

She’d pushed that image down deep. Tried to forget how her heart had hurt for him. Now it welled up, along with other memories from that summer.

Nic with his soft dark hair and soulful eyes. His sinewy warrior’s body and blunt-fingered calloused hands. The impression he gave of taking everything in, even if he didn’t talk much.

Nic with his granddad Chas Gallagan, the Shannon alpha. People said the Gallagan could charm the birds out of the trees, but even he hadn’t been able to draw many smiles from his quiet, watchful grandson.

The women muttered that Nic was standoffish, and then made a play for him anyway. He was the alpha’s grandson, after all—and besides, he had an arse that made your mouth water.

Only with Cassidy had he opened up.

Oh, it had taken a few weeks, but she’d persisted. In the end, she’d made him smile—and been struck dumb at how it transformed his lean, saturnine face.

After that, he’d sought her out. They’d talked about everything—their families, his clan in America, how much they both missed their parents. They’d taken long swims in the Atlantic—but only as their dolphins. She’d never seen his sea dragon.

She hadn’t even known the dragon was his true animal until that last night, when he’d come to say he was leaving. His dragon had been spotted in the Atlantic, and the clan was in an uproar. The warriors armed themselves with long iron spears. Meanwhile, the old folk muttered about the last dragon, the one who had brought the humans out with torches and pitchforks, demanding the fada’s blood.

Everyone agreed they had to hunt and kill the intruder. Sea dragons were so strong that you didn’t ask questions when you spotted one this close to your base. You attacked first, before it could attack you.

Nic had dragged Cassidy into the small room he’d been allotted in the visitors’ quarters to tell her he was leaving, and why.

Her jaw had unhinged. “You’re the dragon? But how?”

He shrugged.

“Sorry, stupid question. But—”

He slid a hand down her red braid. “I shouldn’t have stayed this long.”

Her mind had raced. Things were moving too fast. Just that morning, she’d walked with Nic in the green hills north of Shannon, and now he was leaving.

She gripped his shoulders. “Tell the alpha that it’s you. He’d never attack his own grandson.”

“Maybe not. But next the fae will come, and if they suspect I’m hiding at Shannon, your whole clan will be in danger.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Then take me with you.”

He cupped her face and wiped the tears away with his thumbs. “Ah, minha linda. My pretty one. Trust me, you don’t want to mate with a solitary. It’s a lonely life.”

She swallowed hard. She loved Nic, but he was right. She’d grown up surrounded by a large and loving clan. When her parents had died during an influenza-like epidemic which swept the base, her aunt and uncle and cousins had been there for her, as well as the rest of the clan.

“But why would we have to live alone?”

“Because this follows me wherever I go.” He waved a hand, encompassing the near hysteria that had swept over the clan at the news a sea dragon had entered their territory. And it wasn’t just the fada. The mayor of Shannon had confronted the alpha on a village street, demanding he do something about it.

“Can’t you keep the dragon hidden?”

Sorrow filled his eyes. Sorrow, and disappointment. She bit her lip, but let the question stand.

“Could you live your life without ever letting your dolphin out?”

Shame washed over her. “No,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.” She rose on her toes to kiss him.

The kiss turned into something hard and deep and heartbreaking—and then they were on the bed, tearing at each other’s clothes. They’d made love, sweet and wild.

Cassidy had murmured over and over how much she loved him. He’d thrust into her like a man who’d found home.

She’d believed he understood that she’d go with him anywhere.

Neither of them had thought of protection. Fada didn’t get sexual diseases, and pregnancy was rare, even for mated couples. And pups were welcomed with open arms, with plenty of hands willing to pitch in, so that a single mom had all the help she needed. By morning, Cassidy was carrying Rianna—and Nic was gone, along with a large piece of her heart.

Now he turned and strode to the bed. “What’s the matter?” His gray-green eyes searched hers. “Is it the fae?”

“No. Just thinking.”

“About what?”

She moved her shoulders in a tiny shrug. “About you and me, and why you left. You broke my heart.” She’d meant to state it calmly, but her voice cracked on the last word.

“Cassidy.” He crouched next to the bed. “I thought it was the only way. I—”

She held up a hand. “Hear me out. I just want you to know that I understand a bit better now. My aunt and uncle—they love Rianna like she was their own granddaughter. But when they found out she was a sea dragon, even they thought it might be best if we left.” She grimaced. “Uncle Fergus said no one would want her as a mate. That she had to learn to hide her dragon.”

“I’m sorry.” His big fist clenched on his thigh. “So sorry.”

“And the worst thing is, a part of me agreed.” She gave him a fierce look, but he just gazed back sorrowfully. “But I don’t anymore. She shouldn’t have to hide, damn it.”

“She wouldn’t have to if she lived here. Ben, Marlin, Joe—they don’t give a damn I’m a dragon. I thought I was doing them a favor letting them live in my caverns, but I’ve come to see I’m the lucky one.”

She nodded. “You are at that. They’re good men.”

Rianna stirred. “Mam?” She gave a big stretch. “Where’s Daddy?”

Nic stood up and reached for her. “How’s my menina?”

“Hungry.” She cuddled into him as if she’d known him all her life.

He chuckled. “Let’s find you something to eat.”

“And then I want to do some more ’splorin’!”

“Okay.” He met Cassidy’s eyes over Rianna’s dark curls. “After that, we’ll do some more exploring.”