“It’s simple enough to claim a mugging, but usually, under those kinds of circumstances, I’ll try to land in the vicinity of some outdoor clotheslines.”
“That’s smart.Do you have homes other than the castle?”
“Not currently.”I didn’t mention my mountainous lair because I never admitted to having one.Not much use in having a secret hidey-hole if everyone knew of it.
“Have you always lived in Scotland?”
“No, and is this really the time for one hundred questions?It’s getting late, and we really should head into Mallaig, seeing as how we have at least an hour of walking ahead of us.”
“An hour!”she yelped.“I’ve done enough walking the last two days.I’m going to call for a taxi.”
“Who won’t think it’s strange to pick up their passengers on a road with no house or business?”I pointed out as I snared the cap and goggles from her hand and stuffed them into my bag.The blankets were too bulky to fit.
She chewed her lip.“We could claim our car broke down.”
“Then why wouldn’t we have called from beside it?”
My reasoning led to her sighing.“You make a good point, but my legs are tired from trekking back and forth on your isle.”
“Is this a hint I should carry you?”
“Goodness, no.I am much too heavy.”
I begged to differ and was rather insulted she thought me too weak.Then again, given my unwanted attraction, probably best I didn’t tuck her close to my chest, my arms wrapped around her, inhaling her delectable?—
“We’ll walk,” I groused, taking long strides, which I had to shorten since she had to practically run to keep up.
Despite huffing, she didn’t remain quiet.“Do you fly to the mainland often?”
“Why would I bother?”
“What of supplies for the renovation?”
“I have all my goods delivered, even though it’s astronomically expensive.”
“Do your friends come to visit?Or do you visit them?”
“No.”No point in admitting I lacked any, unless Astaria counted.They all died eventually.Humans had such a short spark of time compared to dragons, another reason not to get involved.It discomfited to see them age and pass on.At least Astaria, with her selkie heritage, would have a few centuries before she left, but Davina?A couple decades, at best.
“You must be so lonely.”
“Solitude is part of being a dragon.We must hide what we are, thus making friendships difficult.”
“What about other dragons?Nessie might not be open to socializing, but surely there’s another somewhere in the world.”
“Until recently, there wasn’t.”Then, knowing she’d ask, I added, “It’s been brought to my attention that four eggs have hatched.”
“How exciting!Have you met the babies?”
“No.”
“Surely you’re planning to.”She paused before adding, “Are you their father?”
“What?No.”But only because I’d spotted the trap and escaped before it sprang.
“Hold on, I thought you and Nessie were the last two dragons?”
How to explain.“Dragon eggs can lie dormant for eons, as they require the right circumstances to hatch.”
