re the frenzy. Ones that could maybe help her endure it.
Most humans enjoyed the experience, but if it took him longer than normal to impregnate her, then she might get too tired and frustrated.
He wanted her to remember there was more than just sex and attraction between them. And so he guided her the rest of the way to one of his favorite spots along the loch.
~~~
Kiyana was starting to believe she'd won the jackpot when it came to Alistair. He was smart, sexy, and even occasionally funny.
Not to mention he liked to talk about serious things as much as silly ones. He didn't dismiss her ideas, which meant maybe she could help Lochguard with more than helping them find mates, and possibly write a book.
As much as she was drawn to Alistair, it was hard to look away from the lake and its surroundings. The area was empty and peaceful. True, she knew the horrible history behind why the Highlands were empty—the Clearances had replaced the tenants with sheep, forcing the Scots to emigrate elsewhere—but while she wouldn't dismiss the past, she could enjoy the present.
Birds soared overhead, and occasionally the smooth surface of the water rippled from either a fish or bug of some sort, distorting the perfect reflection of the sky and hills.
So absorbed in her surroundings, she ran into Alistair's side when he stopped. After catching her balance, she looked up at him. "It's breathtaking here. Was that your surprise? To share this scenery with me?"
"The loch is always beautiful, but I want to go up there."
She followed his finger and made out the ruins of what had probably been a stone cottage. "Is that related to your family somehow?"
"Yes and no. Come on."
The slight incline didn't take more than a few minutes. Alistair gestured toward the remaining low stone walls of a small building. "This is where Lochguard's former leader and the British formally signed an agreement, giving Lochguard their land."
She glanced at him. "I thought Clan Lochguard has lived here for centuries?"
"Aye, they have. But it was mostly because the landowners were too afraid to tell the dragons to leave. The skirmishes here forced the government—well, and the monarch at the time, Queen Victoria—to come to a formal agreement."
"Wait, so that's after the Clearances, then? Queen Victoria reigned from 1837 to 1901."
He grinned. "You know history, too? Och, lass, you're getting more perfect by the minute."
She rolled her eyes. "I told you before, I like to know the history of an area before studying the present inhabitants. I know the basics of treaties, but there's little in human records about this supposed signing you're talking about."
Alistair shrugged. "I'm sure that's by design. From what I've read, the humans thought they were magnanimous in granting Lochguard their land. In reality, they had little choice. Lacking the weapons or biological weapons of the modern era, they had little hope in winning a war with a clan of dragon-shifters without great cost, if at all."
She gestured toward the ruins. "So then why is this one of your favorite places? Because of the historical significance?"
Alistair looked back at the piles of rocks in the middle of the walls. "Partially. However, it's been a constant reminder to me that two different factions can make an alliance work, of sorts. Aye, the DDA has put more and more restrictions on us over the years. And aye, your parliament tries to pass laws about us. However, Lochguard kept its land through determination, stubbornness, and a wee bit of dramatics. That sort of thing will be necessary for getting other dragon clans to work together, too, I think."
She studied Alistair's profile. The man constantly surprised her with how many layers and depths he possessed. "So this place became your favorite once you returned from your last visit to America, right?"
His eyes instantly found hers. "Aye."
She squeezed his hand in hers. "Because this place reminded you of what could be accomplished, even if it took some time." He nodded, but she continued before he could speak. "Then once we find a way to get the dragons to work together, we should put a small memorial nearby, to mark the achievement."
Silence fell, but it wasn't strained. Judging from his eyes, Alistair's mind whirred with who knew what thoughts.
Someday, she'd be at the point where she'd always ask what he was thinking. But considering he'd just shown her something dear to his heart, representing the past three years' inspiration for his work, she would let him speak first.
People weren't always ready to talk about certain issues with a near stranger. And no matter how much she and Alistair connected, there were still barely past the stranger phase.
Alistair eventually cleared his throat. "You're a brilliant female, Kiyana Barnes. And the more I learn about you, the more I wonder if I truly deserve you."
"Deserving isn't part of the equation. At least, not this early on. Just don't lie to me, Alistair, and we'll be on equal terms."
He gently pulled her close and nuzzled his cheek against hers. "Do you need more time to acclimate to me, lass? Or, would you be okay with me bringing my dragon back tomorrow? And not just because of the frenzy, either. He's part of who I am and the longer he's silent, the more I feel as if I'm cheating him out of the experience of getting to know you. Besides, you deserve to know what it's like to be with a male who is essentially two personalities in one body."