She’d been right. He was falling for her fast. And he didn’t mean to. It wasn’t like he was one of those dragons looking for a mate. It had always been the last thing he wanted.

But Branwen . . .

“What are you doing up?” she asked from the bed. Still on her stomach . . . still naked. Her wound still healing.

“Can’t sleep.”

“Come here.”

He did. Afraid if he didn’t, she’d get up again and hamper the healing.

Aidan eased onto the bed and stretched out on his back. He put one arm behind his head and gazed up at the ceiling, waiting for Brannie to go back to sleep.

Her hand reached out and gripped his chain mail shirt. She began tugging, but when that didn’t work, she yanked.

“What are you doing?” he finally asked.

“Closer,” she commanded, her eyes closed, half her head buried deep into the pillow.

Aidan moved over until he was able to reach out to Brannie and gently move her so her head was resting on his shoulder and her arm was over his chest.

“I thought you didn’t want any cuddling?” he asked even as he stroked his fingers against her waist with the hand currently trapped under her body.

“No cuddling while dragon,” she said into his shoulder. “We’re not dragon. So we’re fine. We can cuddle away.”

Aidan chuckled and tucked in even more.

“Are you sure we’re okay with time?” Brannie asked, although she seemed half-asleep.

“By Keita’s original time line, we’re still supposed to be on that boat. Not even close to Eastland shores. So we have time for you to heal properly.”

“Okay. Where is everyone else?”

“No idea.”

Brannie lifted her head a bit and stared at him. “You haven’t checked on everyone?”

“I’m sure they’re fine.”

“Even Uther and Caswyn? Seriously?”

“I’m not leaving you.”

“I’m not dying.” She thought a moment. “I wasn’t even dying before. I was just wounded and in a lot of pain. But the witches helped with that. Now you need to go and keep the peace.”

“Keita can take care of it. She knows the Eastlanders better than I do.”

“But—”

“I’m not leaving, so shut up.”

“Fine. But if those witches strip Caswyn and Uther of their scales, that’s going to be on you.”

* * *

Keita eased the door closed and began tiptoeing away when a hand was slapped over her mouth, an arm went around her waist, and she was carried down the hall and into another bedroom.

When she was finally released, she spun around and began slapping. Caswyn immediately put his arms up to block the blows.

“What is wrong with you, lizard?” Keita demanded.

“I didn’t want those witches to know we were talking,” he whispered, stepping back to the door and pressing his ear against it.

“What are you doing?”

“Listening for spies.”