The corner of his mouth ticked up. “Fair enough. Are you okay to walk a little faster, lass? I don’t want to be late.”
Gina picked up her pace. “Tell me, does Fraser drop his act once you get to know him?”
He was glad for the change of subject. “Aye, he can. The idiot risked everything to save Holly a few months back. Despite not being a soldier, he took on some traitors and brought her home safely.”
Gina frowned. “What traitors?”
He debated answering Gina’s question. He never wanted to hold back with her, but he made his living sorting out secrets and delicate information.
His dragon grunted. Telling her about the traitors won’t hurt anyone. Most of it aired on the news last year anyway.
Some, but not all.
Then tell her what broadcasted and maybe a bit more. She may have trusted us with her body, but we need to win both her mind and heart.
And we will.
His beast growled. Stop wasting time and get on with it.
He answered Gina’s question, “Well, not everyone approved of Finn assuming leadership of the clan and a few of them caused trouble. However, they made the mistake of putting Arabella’s life in danger, so Finn exiled those who wouldn’t stand with him. The only problem is that the ones who left the clan banded together and are looking for a way to bring Lochguard down.”
Gina placed a hand on her stomach. “Are they an immediate threat?”
He rubbed up and down her arm. “No, lass. I haven’t heard anything about an attack, nor has our head Protector, and we both take our jobs and duties seriously.”
“You, take a job seriously? I never would’ve guess.”
He lightly tugged her arm. “Hey, now. The clan’s safety depends on it.”
“I know, Fergus. I think I need to tease you a lot more often until you don’t explain yourself each time.”
For the first time since he was a wee lad, Fergus had the urge to stick out his tongue. But somehow, he resisted. “As long as it means you’re staying with me, you can tease me as much as you like.”
Gina grinned. “Good, then I’m going to hold you to that statement.”
With her cheeks flushed pink from the cold and her green eyes sparkling, Fergus couldn’t help but lean down and murmur, “Do whatever you wish, my bonny lass.”
He gently kissed her and pulled back a fraction to meet her eyes again. His dragon preened at the desire in her eyes. She will stay. She is ours.
Gina stood on her tiptoes and kissed him again before whispering, “We’re going to do a lot more kissing later. But right now, we’re going to be late.”
Fergus raised an eyebrow. “Now who’s the responsible one?”
“Hey, I can be responsible and fun. But I don’t do well with waiting when it comes to surprises.” She took his hand and tugged. “Come on.”
Kissing her nose, he answered, “We’re nearly there.” Forcing himself to turn away and start walking, he nodded toward the old, long two-story brick building in the distance. “Your surprise is in there.”
“What’s inside?”
Looking to her face, he answered, “A school. I’m taking you to a dragon-shifter history class.”
Gina’s eyes lit up. “Really? As in a real class with stories humans never hear about?”
He grinned. “Aye. After hearing about how you were so interested in dragon-shifters during college, I figured you might like some lessons. The stories will better help you understand your wee bairn.”
She grabbed his hand on her arm. “Thank you.”
Both man and beast drank in the sight of their female’s happiness.