Page 59 of Claimed By the Dragon

And as Grace listened to Trahern explain about hidden mental tunnels and solid mirror lakes, her jaw dropped. There was still so much she needed to learn about dragon-shifters.

Although judging by Scarlett’s questions, some facts had been surprising to her, too.

The longer the doctor interrogated Trahern, the more he faded, until Grace interrupted, “Trahern should rest. I think he’s given enough information for now.”

Scarlett didn’t frown but smiled. “You’re right, of course. It’s just that our inner dragons rarely discuss the time before we first talk together, and now one of my friends has experienced it and can help us better understand young dragons? It’s bloody brilliant.” She cleared her throat. “But yes, he should rest. I’ll have a nurse come in to check your pain medication, and I’ll be back in a few hours. However, if Trahern crashes or acts out of character, alert me immediately.”

Grace nodded. “I will, Doctor. I promise.”

“Right, well, I’ll go share what you’ve told me with the others. I’ll be back later.”

Once Scarlett left, Grace squeezed Trahern’s hand in hers again. “You should rest.”

“Not yet.”

She arched an eyebrow. “Why not?”

“I want to hold you, Grace. Please.”

“But I don’t want to hurt you.”

“You won’t. If anything, it’ll help me heal faster.”

She somehow doubted that, but as he slowly moved to one side—wincing a few times, the stubborn man—she caved. Gingerly, she laid down and rested her head on Trahern’s uninjured shoulder before helping him move his arm to wrap around her. He gently squeezed and sighed, as if in relief.

As she traced shapes on his chest, she suddenly didn’t know what to say. She’d been pleading for him to come back, and he had. She’d told him she loved him, and he thought he might love her, too.

And yet, she wondered if he’d said it in the heat of the moment? Telling her what she wanted to hear to calm her down?

After about a minute, Trahern spoke again. “Your voice guided me out of the tunnels.”

“Hmm? Yes, you mentioned that.”

“I don’t think you realize how vital it was.”

She tilted her head to look up. During the doctor’s examination, she’d given Trahern his glasses back. Once she met his gaze, he continued, “Without you and the twins, I wouldn’t have had a reason to come back. I might’ve stayed exploring the tunnels forever.”

Even though her throat threatened to close up, she forced herself to ask, “Do you regret leaving them? I know how important your research is, and how much you could’ve learned by staying in those tunnels.”

He frowned. “At one time, you would’ve been right. However, whilst I have a few new ideas for research, none of it is more important than you, Grace. No research ever will be.”

Her eyes heated with tears. Maybe hehadmeant what he’d said earlier.

She wanted to kiss him senseless, but knew she couldn’t. Not yet. So instead, she blurted, “I love you, Trahern. I’m so glad you offered and claimed me as your mate.”

He almost smiled. “I haven’t claimed you fully yet. But I want to, as soon as I’m healthy again.” He squeezed her waist. “You mean so much to me, Grace. You and the boys. I think it’s love, but I’ll have to ask some friends to be sure.”

“I can help, if you want to tell me why you think so?”

It was a risk, considering she would be honest with him and it might not be love after all.

And yet, she wanted Trahern to tell her. To see if it were true and that somehow, some way, she might’ve found the dragonman she trusted enough to spend her life with.

To be a father to her children, both to the twins and any they might have in the future.

To be her best friend and partner in all things.

So she waited, her heart racing, trying not to get her hopes up. She could be patient, although she’d be lying if she didn’t want him to feel the same about her as she felt about him.