His dragon said, I can't wait for later. You'd better tell her my idea.
You're crazy.
No, I'm not. It's the most logical and rational solution. And before you say how we can't go into a frenzy anytime soon because of the upcoming operation with Stonefire, that's fine. I can somehow find a way to wait, as long as it's not indefinitely.
Rhydian sensed he would lose this battle, so he tried one last thing. What about Gwen? She was excited for Delaney to stay with her.
She still can, until the mating ceremony. Merely putting the word out that Delaney is our mate-to-be will be a good first step in securing her place here.
It was far too soon for any of his dragon's plans, and yet, his beast had a point. And as Wren had said earlier, Rhydian was the one in charge now. There would be no uncles or clan leader driving out his female and teaching Rhydian a lesson.
He knew it would bring some troubles, too, but they were issues he should've been working on anyway.
Maybe Delaney was the kick in the arse he'd needed to tackle some of the most difficult tasks he'd ever do as clan leader.
Cleaning out the bad members of his clan wouldn't be easy. Carys and the others had started the process with their background checks, but Rhydian's duty of telling the people they needed to move to one of the farms or to another clan would be much harder.
And yet, as he watched Delaney make a funny face and Rian laugh, he smiled. This could be his family. Yes, it would take a lot of hard choices and hard work, but to come home every day to laughter and maybe one day love could make it all worth it.
Maybe, just
maybe, after nearly twenty years he could finally be happy again.
And in that moment, he didn't need his beast urging or persuading him to suggest it to Delaney later. Rhydian had made his decision and he hoped with everything he had that Delaney would agree to it, too.
~~~
Delaney took one last glance at Rian's sleeping form and gently closed the door.
Her nephew was finally asleep, which meant it was time to pick up her conversation with Rhydian from earlier.
The fact the dragonman had been unusually silent during the rest of the meal—she assumed it'd been unusual, although maybe it was his normal way of being, she had no idea—made her worry a little. He'd turned down her boxing idea. But she suspected his inner dragon had come up with another.
It was time to find out what it was.
Taking a deep breath, she walked down the corridor to the living room.
Rhydian leaned against the mantle of the fireplace. The orange-red glow of the flames danced across his face, making his three scars more prominent.
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask more about them, but that would only delay the important conversation they needed to have.
So she blurted, "Rian's asleep."
He remained leaning but turned his head to meet her gaze. The pupils flashed, looking almost magical in the firelight. "Then we need to have a serious chat, one without any interruptions this time."
She nodded and debated if she should sit or stand. There was no real reason for her to be nervous, yet she hadn't spent much time alone with Rhydian to date.
It wasn't fear making her hesitate, either. Just remembering his heat at her back made her shiver and itch to rush over to him, lower his head, and kiss him.
Dragon-shifters must definitely have some sort of love-inducing powers. That had to be it.
The corner of Rhydian's mouth ticked up. "There's no reason to be nervous. I won't hurt you."
His statement cut through her hesitation and lust-haze. Straightening her shoulders, she replied, "Of course not. I'm trying to decide what the protocol is for talking with a clan leader about important topics. Do I sit? Stand? Twirl and finish with a bow?"
He smiled. "I'd pay good money to see the twirl and bow."
Resisting the urge to give him the double finger salute, she tilted her head and placed a hand on her hip. "Are you going to be helpful or do I have to ring Lily and ask for her advice instead?"