Kiyana laughed at something someone said, and he studied her. He couldn't help but smile as his family continued to entertain her. After everything that had transpired over the last few months, his female deserved the levity. They had their whole lives to look forward to, and he could afford to spare a few more hours with his family.
Chapter Eighteen
Kiyana had a slight sugar high from the juice she'd had to drink in place of wine—Meg only had extremely large glasses, and she'd ended up drinking every last drop—and resisted tagging Alistair's side and running ahead. "I think we should take moonlight walks as often as possible. It's quite a bit calmer than I ever imagined Lochguard could be."
The corner of Alistair's mouth ticked up. "It's not always the case, although if things ever become safe and free of worry from our enemies, then I'll take you on a walk along the loch at night. It's even more beautiful. Nearly as beautiful as you."
She stopped and turned to face Alistair. "The wine has made you a bit more poetic than normal, hasn't it?"
"Maybe a wee bit, but it's all you, Kiyana." He searched her gaze and then added softly, "I love you, lass. And that changes a male."
Her heart skipped a beat. "You love me?"
He raised a hand to her cheek and lightly caressed it with his thumb. "Aye, I do. I've been bursting to tell you for days, and always held back. But after dinner with my family, I can't keep it in anymore. I love you, Kiyana. And I hope I can be the male you deserve."
Tears prickled her eyes. "You already are, Alistair. You've done so much to try and protect me, even when it meant running away from your home and everything you knew. Not to mention you fought to the end to keep me safe, even when you could've killed yourself in that village." She stepped closer, placing a hand on his chest. "You already are a man others should look up to." She paused, debating if she should say the words back.
But at the thought of not saying them, her mind screamed, "Say it!"
Kiyana had come a long way from arriving on Lochguard with a goal of keeping her distance so she could observe everyone as objectively as possible.
She was all but mated to a dragon-shifter she admired and loved, not to mention she cared deeply for his family. On top of that, she'd become good friends with Arabella, Holly, and Gina.
Her life and future were on Lochguard, and all because of the dragonman in front of her.
Leaning closer, she tilted her head up. "I love you, too, Alistair Boyd."
With a growl, he closed the distance between them and took her lips in an urgent kiss. She opened immediately, stroking her tongue against his, wanting to be as close to him as possible.
This was her mate, her friend, and the father of her child. And currently, the clothes on her skin felt like concrete blocks, keeping her from the closeness she craved.
Breaking the kiss, she said, "Our cottage. Let's get there as soon as possible."
His hand traveled to her arse and lightly squeezed. "Someone's as impatient as me, I see."
"Alistair," she half-heartedly scolded.
He chuckled. "Aye, lass, I agree with you. I want to show the female I love just how much she means to me. And your naked body should most definitely be for my eyes only."
She glanced down. "Can you attempt to run with that cane?"
"I'm going to bloody try, even if I look like an idiot doing so."
As he took her hand and started moving as fast as he could manage, Kiyana couldn't stop smiling. Alistair loved her, and she couldn't wait to see how he told her with his body.
And maybe, just maybe, he'd let his dragon come out to play, too.
/> ~~~
Alistair would feel the aftereffects of his attempt at running in the morning, but he didn't care. Kiyana loved him, and every fiber of his being urged him to strip her down, torture her slowly with his mouth, and then claim her.
His dragon paced inside his head. Yes, I want to claim her, too. You haven't let me. She's mine, yours, ours.
He hesitated, keeping his worry tightly concealed from his dragon. Maybe. You're still recovering from the drugs. Kiyana carries our bairn. We can't take risks.
His beast growled. I would never hurt her, ever. I want her. I don't remember the mate-claim frenzy. I need to make her ours, too.
Their cottage came into view. Maybe. Let me tease her slowly first, and then we'll see.