His deep voice rolled over her. "Come in. Rian's in his room for now. I'll fetch him once we lay some ground rules."
At the mention of her nephew, the heat and fuzzy feeling vanished. This would be her first chance to make Rian a priority over anything else. "Then let's get started. I don't want to waste any more time before meeting him."
Rhydian stepped aside and she entered the quarters.
Considering they were inside a mountain, it was a lot homier and warm than she'd expected. The walls were covered in wooden panels, which were carved with dragons, flowers, and animals she didn't have time to sort out. All the furniture was in dark colors, and some old swords and shields hung above a fireplace. "This is definitely a single man's home."
"Actually, this is the clan leader's quarters."
She raised an eyebrow. "And have they all been men?"
Rhydian grunted. "Yes, although I don't think that will be the case forever."
His comment piqued her curiosity and she couldn’t help but blurt, "Ireland has one female dragon leader. Is Wales gearing up to be the next clan to have one, too?"
"While I think it'll happen one day, I hope not too soon. I have too much to accomplish before giving up my leadership position."
She should absolutely ignore his comment and ask about Rian. But Delaney had no idea if she'd ever get a one-on-one with the clan leader again, without Rian present, so she asked, "Such as what?"
He studied her with guarded eyes, as if he only looked hard enough, he could see inside her brain.
His pupils flashed to slits and back again before he finally replied, "Getting my clan to stop hating humans, for one. You're my best chance of doing that, Delaney. Keep that in mind."
As they stared at one another, she felt glued in place. There was something about this man—as if his quiet power held deeper secrets, ones that drew her to him.
Then Rhydian's eyes darted to her lips and her heart rate kicked up.
By the time his gaze returned to hers, she was tempted to close the short distance between them so she could feel the strong, powerful dragonman's heat again.
Never in her life had she felt such a pull toward another man. Maybe dragon-shifters had some type of magic they could use against humans.
Although a human love potion seemed a bit much.
A little boy raced across the room and stopped right in front of her. Delaney instantly looked down at a little boy that had her sister's eyes.
Which were also her eyes.
Rian had come out before she’d had time to prepare herself, and tears prickled her eyes as she imagined her sister laughing with the little boy in front of her.
Her nephew asked, "Who are you? You're too short to be my mam, and your hair color is different, but
you look just like her." Rian looked too Rhydian. "Who is she, Rhydian?"
Rhydian casually placed a hand on the lad's shoulder. The familiar gesture sent a small thread of jealousy through Delaney. She'd been right—Rian had grown attached to the clan leader.
Not waiting for Rhydian to answer, she did. "My name is Delaney Murphy. Your mother was my sister, which makes me your aunt."
Rian's brows furrowed. "Aunt? I thought I didn't have any family. Mam and Dad always said it was just us three."
Her heart squeezed. Rosaleen hadn't told her that, and even though she was dead and there was nothing she could do about the past, it still hurt.
Rhydian cleared his throat. "Sometimes adults tell small lies, ones that can help protect others."
Rian replied, "But I thought all lies were bad? You always scold me when I lie to you, Rhydian."
"Because your lies aren't protecting anyone but you. And usually it's hiding something bad, like stealing an extra biscuit or not doing your homework."
Rian tilted his head. "So what's the difference?"