Gideon secured Miss Underhill for the next dance, and I would offer him some sign of my gratitude later, because Mairwen's hand was in mine and she was leading me from the floor, through the throng of watchers at the edges of the room, out a pair of double doors and into the cool night on a large open stone terrace.

"Mairwen?"

"I love you," she gasped, dragging me out of sight of the windows full of shadowed figures and candlelight, her hand pulling free of mine, grasping my sides instead, tearing open the buttons of my coat so she could press herself closer to the softer cotton of my shirt. "I love you, I love you."

I groaned and sank against her, nuzzling my face to hers as she dressed my jaw and throat and cheeks in kisses.

"It was only a dance," I murmured, wishing I could go back in time, wondering if I would've had the sense to pick Mairwen out from the shadows too, to ask her to dance.

"She will never forget it. I will never forget it," Mairwen whispered, arms wrapping under my coat. "I'm dizzy again, Ronson."

I frowned and lifted my head, reaching to cup her face, but her gaze was clear and bright when I found it.

"Take me to the nest, mate."

I bent and Mairwen was ready, slipping her arms up to loop around my shoulders as I scooped her up beneath her knees.

"We'll go to every ball from now on," I said, my wings stretching and starting to beat, stirring the air around us.

Mairwen laughed. "Only if you promise to ask a young omega looking out of place to dance at each one."

"To make you happy? I'd ask a thousand," I said.

"Mmm, not a thousand. I'll want to dance with you myself, my love."

I growled and leapt to the air, flying us home.

I pulled the curtain of the nest back, and Mairwen winced and rolled away from the sunlight, burrowing under blankets and pillows. My stomach twisted nervously.

"I should call a doctor."

"It's only a little heartburn, Ronson," Mairwen said, voice muffled from beneath the pillows.

"And dizzy spells. And that nausea last night."

The blankets rose and fell. "I think perhaps Cook is right, and I do like foods that are too rich."

I frowned, debating undressing and crawling back into the bed with Mairwen. Not that I could do anything other than stare at her and fuss. But she'd had little symptoms like this ever since the ball a week prior, and while she didn't seem to be getting any worse, she wasn't getting better either.

And part of me kept wondering… What if?

What if Mairwen was sick? I would tear the island, the entire world apart until I found a doctor who could cure her.

But what if she was pregnant? What if the tea didn't work for mated dragons?

"Ronson," Mairwen grumbled. "I can feel you staring."

"I'm worried."

"I'm fine."

"Mairwen—"

"Ronson—"

"Mate."

A pause. A huff. A twitch of my lips as the blankets were flung back and the pillows tossed in the air as Mairwen sat up, beautifully rumpled and obviously irate.

"I love you," I said. Whether it was a reflexive response to seeing her, or an attempt at deflecting her irritation, I wasn't sure.

She smiled while glaring, and I decided that Mairwen, annoyed and affectionate at the same time, was almost as arousing as when she was soft and amazed and desirous.

She rose to her knees and sighed. "I feel better already," she said, scooting closer to the edge of the bed, pressing her hands to my chest before I could wrap her up in my embrace and take us both back down to the mattress. "And I love you too. I'm resting today, I promise. And telling Cook to make lighter fare for a little bit. She'll get to tell me she was right. She'll like that. You don't need to worry."

"Don't take this as an excuse to spend the day researching in the library," I said, bending for a kiss and nipping at the scowl on her lips. "Read for fun."

Mairwen's eyes brightened, and then I brushed my mouth over hers and she hummed, lashes falling and draping over full cheeks. "If you insist," she sighed as I pulled away.

"If there are any changes⁠—"

Mairwen's hands stroked up my head, and she skimmed another kiss over my lips. "I'll call a doctor and I'll send someone to bring you back. But honestly, Ronson, I'm all right."

She did look fine. More than fine. Her cheeks had color but not too much, her eyes were clear, and her smile was earnest. Her skin felt warmer than usual, almost feverish, but she didn't seem to notice the change the way I did. I sighed and nodded, stepping back at last, turning for the door, not quite able to tear my stare off of her.

"Don't let the betas get away with whatever it is they're scheming about now," Mairwen called, falling back into the bed with a lazy wave.

I grinned and relaxed at last, marching away. "Never."

I braced myself against the wind, keeping my eye on the familiar outcroppings of rock, the old and abandoned outposts of now retired mines. The Dunne mines were located at the southern end of the isle, away from the villages and estates and farmland, almost at the cliff's edge. They had closed after the death of Edgar Dunne, his widow unwilling to sell the mines away but also unable to manage them on her own, and had been kept in reserve for the twin brothers until they were old enough to manage.

I had my doubts about whether the mines were safe or had any ore left to offer, but since they'd still been producing at a trickling amount when they closed, I owed the Dunne twins a meeting and, most likely, my approval to reopen.

Niall and I touched down on the ground a few meters away from the modest stone building. Some windows had cracked glass panes, but it was still the warm season, and the rest of the building looked to be in decent shape.

"This won't take long, at least," Niall said, glancing at me as I grunted. "What's wrong? You haven't been this surly and silent since before you claimed Mairwen."

I rolled my shoulders and shook my head. I hadn't realized I was tensing up, but the farther we'd flown from the castle—from Mairwen—the more uncomfortable I'd grown. Was this because of the mating bond, or because I was worried for her? I opened my mouth, not quite sure what my answer would be, when we turned the corner and saw the small crowd of beta gentlemen waiting for us.

The Dunne twins, Lord Cambeth, Gryffyd Evans, and of course, Hugh Gamesby. Niall's stride halted just after mine, and he stiffened, twisting in my direction.

"A challenge?" he whispered.

"No doubt," I answered, frowning.

"I should⁠—"

"Go to Torion. DeRoche if you see him on the water too," I said.

Niall glanced back to the betas, who stood still and solemn, waiting for my approach. "This should be done publicly."

I nodded. "It would require a vote. This way, he can make me accept in private. Go. I'll manage."

Niall moved, wings spreading, and then paused once more. "Should I tell Mairwen?"

I licked my lips, only a little embarrassed to realize I wanted her here with me, supporting me. I flexed my wings, glaring at Gamesby. "No. I'll tell her myself when this is over."

Niall nodded, legs bending and wings drumming, taking roughly into the air. Gamesby's eyes widened at his departure, grim features snaking into a smile, and a flicker of doubt rushed through me. Whatever his plan was, it suited him for me to be alone.