"I didn't—"
Bram raised a hand. "I know. It's called teasing. You'd better get used to it."
Killian's dragon spoke up. Maybe he's not so scary.
In my experience, the nicest ones at the beginning can turn out to be the most protective later on.
And how do you know that?
I'm not sure. I just do.
He barely had a second to wonder if some of his memories were coming back before Bram's voice filled the room again. "Look, I'll be honest—if it were solely up to me, I'd send you back home and keep you far away from Brenna. But Teagan says Brenna fancies you, so I'm going to give you a chance. However, with the Northcastle bloke fighting his own mate-claim frenzy pull with the human female, I have a lot going on and am going to place you into Tristan MacLeod's hands. You'll be staying with his family."
He frowned. "The teacher?"
"Aye, and he's going to help you. I can't risk your newfound dragon throwing a tantrum or going rogue. Tristan will ensure that you can get a grip on your inner beast. And before you think to overpower or trick Tristan and his mate, just know various Protectors are going to be watching you in shifts."
&nbs
p; "But what about Brenna? When can I see her?" Killian asked.
Bram grunted. "I don't know. Possibly never, if she wills it."
Leaning forward, Killian ignored his instincts and growled, "I'm her mate. You can't keep me from her."
Raising his brows, Bram leaned back in his chair. "Can't I?"
His dragon whispered, Don't make him angry. Be nice and he may let us see her again.
Taking a deep breath, Killian let it out and tried again. "I want to see her for myself and make sure she's okay. Even if it's with a guard, it's better than nothing."
After a few beats, Bram nodded. "I might arrange that, provided your lessons with Tristan go well."
"And how am I supposed to concentrate while Brenna is suffering?"
Bram studied him a second. "Your sister may be right about you fancying Brenna."
Killian slapped a hand on the desk. "Of course I care for her. She's done more for me than anyone else. Why can't you believe that?"
"You have no idea who you really are and don't trust yourself. So, how am I supposed to trust you?"
Stonefire's leader was perceptive.
Killian wanted to deny it, but Bram's observation was correct. "Because regardless of the mess I am, Brenna is the one good thing in my life right now. Hurting her is the last thing I want to do."
Bram's pupils flashed. "I think I believe you. Still, you're going to Tristan's house and will stay there until you hear from me or one of my Protectors."
From the dominance in Bram's voice, Killian could tell the leader wouldn't budge. So he asked, "Then just tell me if Brenna is okay or is she suffering?"
Bram's gaze softened. "Sid will take care of her. Trust me on that."
That wasn't much of an answer, but Killian had a feeling that was all he was going to get.
He'd started to think he didn't care if his memories ever returned, but it seemed people would only trust him if they did.
His dragon spoke up. We are fine the way we are. And as long as the shadow dragon stays away, we are safe.
Wait, what are you talking about?