Page 73 of Protecting my Human
She cupped my cheek with her hand.“What of your renovation of Kinloch Castle?”
“I could always hire someone.”
“Or you could continue to do it yourself while I figure out something else to write about.”
“I thought this book was your dream?”
“It still is, but I can’t exactly detail where and how I found the gold, not to mention, I am fairly sure I also saw the missing Rodin sculpture in Nessie’s hoard.I doubt anyone would believe me if I said the treasures were in a palace under Loch Ness, nor would I want to draw more attention to Nessie by telling the truth.”
“What will you write about instead?”
“I’m thinking I should perhaps shift to fiction.Perhaps a romantic tale about a woman who visits an abandoned castle and is attacked by a Red Cap, only to be saved by a dashing lord.”
“I’m no lord,” I scoffed.
“Shh.Don’t ruin the fantasy,” she chided with a smile.“If it helps, in the book, my dashing hero won’t be a scowling, grumbly loner.”
“Am I truly so miserable?”A dumb thing to ask because I had been a wretched sod when we met.
“Not with me, you aren’t.”She dragged me down for a kiss.“And I do believe that’s the reason why I’m falling in love with you.”
Words that cemented the fact I would never ever let her go.
ChapterTwenty-One
Weeks passed.Blissful days where I tapped madly on my laptop while Alistair chipped away at whatever part of the castle he’d chosen to tackle.
It had been a time of discovery, not just of his past and the lore he knew of firsthand, but of finally understanding what it meant to be in love.To be in tune with someone to the point that, even before Alistair entered the room, I was turning with a smile to greet him.
I should add, it was more than the lovemaking—which remained utterly glorious.With him, I found the perfect companion.Someone I could discuss my passions with, and even when he corrected certain points of history that the texts had wrong, I’d never had my mind more engaged.
Only one thing marred the happiness: the fact that every so often Alistair sank into a gloom that led to him taking off and flying for a few hours.I mentioned it to Astaria when she came to visit.
“I think he’s really bothered by the fact the hatchlings are his children,” I stated.It was the one subject he wouldn’t entertain.The first time I mentioned the whole daddy aspect, he’d quickly shut me down.Dragons don’t do the parenting thing.
“While I’m sure he’s given them some thought, his true worry centers around you.More specifically, your death.Humans don’t have the same lifespan as dragons, obviously.”
I bit my lip.“Oh dear.I guess that never occurred to me.I mean, when we’re together, he just seems so human.Poor Alistair.”
“He’ll be fine once he stops moping and puts his mind to solving the problem.”
“Solving it how?”I asked with a frown.
“You’ll soon see,” was her mysterious reply.
It turned out that Oliver actually knew the answer to the dilemma, and when he came for a surprise visit, he brought a wooden case with him.He handed it to Alistair.
“I found something I think you’ll find interesting.”
“A good thing I know where Tiamat’s stone heart is hidden, or I’d be worried.”
Oliver snorted.“As if I’d kill my golden dragon.This is actually a gift from Nessie.Since she couldn’t bring it, she asked if I would.”
“For a fee, I imagine?”
The wolfish grin almost had me laughing.“My services aren’t free.”
Alistair snorted before he flipped open the lid.His lips pursed at the sight of the scroll nestled within.“What is this?”
