Children of the Moon 04 - Dragon's Moon

would have hurt you, too.”
    By the sacred stone. And they accused women of gossiping. Warriors were worse than grandmothers for sharing everyone’s business. “You’ve been speaking to Lais.”
    “He remembers you and your brother. He said Galen changed after your father died, though he thought your father might have shared Rowland and Wirp’s beliefs.”
    “He did.”
    Memories of her father were not comforting ones in light of her brother’s death and how it came to pass.
    And Galen had meant to give her to Luag. She’d known it as a frightened girl and she could not erase that knowledge now, no matter how much she might wish to. She reminded herself that her adopted family seemed content for her to remain unwed, never pressing her to take a mate. Still a film of sweat broke out between her breasts and down her back as old fears assailed her.
    Refusing to give in to them, Ciara moved toward the rosebushes, Abigail’s favorite part of the garden. Ciara inhaled deeply of their fragrance to calm herself, to remind herself the past was just that. Done and over.
    “I am sorry.”
    There was no deceit in Eirik’s scent. The only thingwas, she didn’t know what the dragon regretted…her brother’s change or his death.
    “Me, too,” Ciara said, meaning both.
    Eirik moved closer, his big body coming between her and the rosebushes. “You left the party early.”
    “So did you.” Ciara found herself not only unable to back away but fighting a near-uncontrollable urge to step closer.
    “I followed you.”
    “Why?” But she knew.
    His spicy Chrechte scent and arousal eclipsed even the strong aroma of the roses.
    His eyes burned with a desire unlike anything that had ever been directed at her. “You know why.”
    “No.”
    “Yes.” His big hands cupped her face. “There is something about you, Ciara of the Sinclairs. Something I cannot deny.”
    “I am nothing special.” Just a shell of a femwolf, her heart as good as dead inside her.
    “I do not agree.”
    “Even though I did not protect your cousin and his friend?”
    “You meant to.”
    “But you said…”
    “You were barely more than a child yourself. It was seven years ago, but sometimes I forget that.”
    “I do as well.”
    “Let me help you forget all of it, for a little while.”
    She had never believed anyone could help her, but this Chrechte dragon?
    He could make her forget how to shift into a wolf.
    “Yes.”

Chapter 4

Teach not thy lip such scorn, for it was made for kissing, lady, not for such contempt.
    —S HAKESPEARE
    E irik smiled, his white teeth glinting in the moonlight.
    That smile made Ciara’s thighs clench in a way she did not understand, her belly feel hollow. She lifted her hands to press against his as they held her face.
    Just that small touch went through her with the power of a lightning bolt. And finally she understood how the broken tree could continue to live after its brush with lightning. It craved that touch again, so it had to go on.
    His thumbs brushed her cheeks. “You are beautiful.”
    “Thank you,” she whispered, not knowing what else to say.
    “You are going to taste so good.”
    “I am?” He was going to taste her? Is that how kissing between men and women worked?
    Remembering some of the kisses she’d witnessed between the laird and Abigail, Ciara thought maybe it was.
    “Aye,” he said in a tone that made her inside swirl with molten lava as he lowered his head, and then his mouth covered hers.
    Lips gentle but masterful tasted of mead and something else that could only be her dragon. More potent than usquebagh , whiskey only the warriors were supposed to drink, the kiss inundated Ciara’s every sense.
    She could only taste Eirik. No other scent reached her sensitive nose. His drowned out even the pungent aromas of the garden. The air around her was filled with his warmth, despite the chill of night. Her skin craved more contact than the kiss and yet that was enough to make her more light-headed than her lack of sleep or eating could do. She could only hear his harsh breaths, his strong dragon’s heartbeat that had increased in tempo with every second of the kiss.
    Wanting more of the nectar of his lips, Ciara’s wolf whined for her to open her mouth. Her instincts driving her, she did and the dragon took immediate advantage. Sliding his tongue inside, he gave her what she craved while challenging her to do the same.
    She was helpless to deny him, tasting, being tasted,