Free Dragon's Moon by Lucy Monroe

body tense for confrontation. “There is no one near. I would know.”
    If only it were that simple. She would much rather fear another rather than herself. “I cannot do this.”
    â€œThis?”
    â€œYou know.”
    â€œIt was just a kiss.”
    â€œThat…” She swung her hand wildly as if pointing to what they had just done.
“That was not just anything.”
    â€œI’m glad you think so.” Sounding far too satisfied, he came toward her.
    But this time she showed her intelligence and backed up. When he did not stop, she put her hand up, warding him off. “No. Please.”
    â€œWhat is the matter, Ciara?”
    â€œI do not want a mate.”
    â€œI wasn’t offering to claim you.”
    That stopped her short. “Sex constitutes a claiming.”
    â€œWe weren’t having sex, we were kissing.” And his scent told her he wanted to continue doing so. “Besides, the Éan do not recognize that stricture.”
    â€œTalorc is laird of this clan.”
    â€œHe is not lord over my people though.”
    Ciara felt like she was drowning, her fear at what his words implied was so great. “Do you plan to murder Talorc as you did my brother?”
    She could not believe she had phrased her concern that way. It had not been her intention to make such anaccusation again. Not after her talk with Lais. Certainly, Eirik was not happy about it. All arousal in the air disappeared as fury so great it was more than a scent, she could actually taste it on the air, replaced it.
    Eirik’s scowl condemned her in a way no one had ever done, not even him when he accused her of not protecting the Éan children. But he did not answer her question.
    â€œPlease.” Ciara tugged at her pleats, the heart that was supposed to be stone feeling ripped open in her chest. “He is the right laird for this clan. You cannot take that from him. You cannot take him from us.”
    â€œTalorc is my friend.” Eirik’s voice dripped with disgust.
    â€œFriends have killed friends before.”
    â€œI only answer because of your very obvious fear, but know this, I will not tolerate you seeding doubts among the clan along these lines.” The ice in his tone chilled her.
    But not enough that she would not press for answers. “So, tell me you don’t want to be clan leader.”
    â€œI do not.”
    After several seconds of silence, she realized he wasn’t going to add anything to that simple statement. But truthfully, he did not need to. His sincerity was as apparent as his desire had been earlier.
    â€œThank you,” she whispered.
    â€œMake no mistake, woman, my loyalty is to Talorc, not the little femwolf he calls daughter but has not the decency to even call him by name. I do not need
your
thanks.”
    With that he left.
    She’d meant to push him away. She could admit that to herself. Her worry had been real, but the way she’d phrased it had been inflammatory and the dragon had caught fire and burned her.
    â€™Twas for the best. Truly.
    Only, why was there pain when she was working so hard to save herself from it?
    A minute later she was joined by another of the Éan and she knew that despite Eirik’s disgust of her, he had been unwilling to leave a woman alone and unprotected outside at night.
    Ciara sighed. “Hello, Lais.”
    â€œEirik sent me to stay with you until you returned to the keep.”
    Just as she’d thought, but why did the knowledge make her heart, that stupid organ that was supposed to be hardened to stone, twinge? “I’ve spent many an evening out here by myself.”
    â€œDoes your laird know that?”
    Probably not, so she forbore answering.
    A shadow in the sky had Ciara turning her head. The dragon flew away from the keep, his dark scales barely discernable in the darkness. Her hand lifted involuntarily in a silent entreaty she was powerless to prevent.
    â€œHe is