Chapter 40
How long they sat there, Logan had no idea, but he would remain as long as his mate needed him. Linked to Kieran by their hands, he could feel what his mate was doing, amazed at his powers. When his phone vibrated in his pocket, Logan dug it out and answered. “Jackson?”
“Penn has a signed order granting Cody and Dylon temporary guardianship of Fionn MacDùghlas pending a full hearing. I’m sending a copy to you by email.”
“Fantastic! What happens if his father shows up?”
“The High Council has already notified him. You should know the High Council was so upset over what happened to Fionn, a restraining order requiring the father to stay out of Scotland while Fionn is there was also signed.”
“How do we know he’ll obey it?”
“If he doesn’t, he loses his entire hoard.”
Logan whistled. “Whoa, bro, what a way to get a dragon’s attention. Is Cody or Dylon with you because Ian will want to get their permission to treat Fionn.”
“Yeah, just a minute. I’m putting you on speaker phone and recording this conversation.”
Logan motioned to Ian while pressing the speaker button on his phone.
“Logan, Ian? This is Cody. I’m appointing Logan to act in my stead as guardian for Fionn including giving all approvals needed for any medical treatment deemed necessary.”
“Thanks, Cody, sorry to be a stickler, but rules are rules,” said Ian.
“No problem. I think this is for the best considering what his father did to Fionn. Any questions, call or text. Oh, and keep us informed of his progress, please.”
“Will do,” said Logan. “Talk to you later.” After hanging up, he looked at Ian and asked, “Ian, what’s Fionn’s condition?”
“He’s severely dehydrated so the intravenous fluids will help with that. Other than the lack of water, he hasn’t suffered any bodily trauma and his vitals are good but why he isn’t awake yet, I don’t know. I think Rom might have the answer.”
“Okay, Rom, as Fionn’s appointed guardian, I’m giving you permission to speak about him,” said Logan. “I’m guessing the most important answer we need right now is why did his father do this to him…and you?”
“Artur MacDùghlas claimed his son was uncontrollable and he wanted my help in finding the reason why a supposedly well-behaved young man suddenly was rude, angry and refusing to talk to his father. After speaking with Artur MacDùghlas, I met with Fionn a number of times before I discovered why he was so angry. It started when he told his father he was gay.”
“Ahhh, I take it his father did not handle it very well,” said Logan.
Rom snorted. “Well, that’s putting it nicely.
No, he didn’t. Artur MacDùghlas threatened to take Fionn’s horde away unless he swore he was straight and agreed to marry a female dragon his father had picked for him.
When I became involved, and after speaking with Fionn, I tried to mediate the problem.
I thought I was making progress with Artur when, one night at dinner, he indicated he understood that his son had not chosen to be gay and that he could not choose to be otherwise.
I went to sleep that night congratulating myself only to wake up the next day, chained and shackled with Fionn in the cave. ”
“What happened after you woke up in the cave?” asked Ian.
“Artur MacDùghlas was standing there and told us we’d stay there until Fionn swore he wasn’t gay and agreed to marry the female dragon. He hung the keys on the wall, telling me that freedom was that close and all I had to do was to do my job.”
“How did Fionn react to his father’s edict?” asked Logan.
“I won’t betray his confidences, but I will say that, in my professional opinion, Fionn has lost the will to live. I believe that’s the reason he won’t wake up.”
Kieran listened to Rom speak; he had already sensed that in the young dragon but now knowing the cause of it, he called upon his spirit to help him as he began to tell Fionn his story.
He wanted Fionn to know the journeys he and others had made.
After he finished talking about his ordeal, Kieran then told him about Theo and Norman and how they had all came through the darkness to find light on the other side.
Continuing on, he talked about finding his Fated Mate and the love and happiness Logan had given him, wanting Fionn to know there was a good life waiting for him.
Kieran did not give up. He told the young dragon everything including the gay club he was designing and the costume party he was planning.
When he started in on the rest of the Blackwood Pack brothers and his impressions of them, he heard a voice that sounded like it hadn’t spoken for a long time.
“Water, please,” croaked Fionn.
Jumping up, Kieran held the straw to the young dragon’s lips and said, “Only a little bit at a time, Fionn.”
Sipping a little bit, he paused before drinking some more. The cool water felt so good in his parched mouth. Opening his eyes, he glanced around the room before stopping at the person holding a glass of water. “Are you Kieran?” Fionn asked.
Grinning, Kieran nodded.
“How did you do that?” asked Fionn.
“Do what?” asked Ian.
Looking at Kieran, Fionn said, “You were in my head, driving me nuts with your chatter.”
Ian turned to Colton, “We better check to see if Fionn has a head injury I might have missed the first time I examined him when he was unconscious.”
“No, my head is fine,” said Fionn, pointing his finger at Kieran. “You said you wouldn’t shut up until I woke up. Jeez, I never met anyone who could talk as much as you do.”
Logan rose and put his arms around his mate, and said, “My mate certainly has a gift. Hi, I’m Lo…”
“Yeah, I know, you’re Logan. Where’s Theo and Norman?”
“In the hall. Do you want to meet my friends?” asked Kieran.
“Of course, I do. Do you think they…”
“Want to meet you? Yup! Let me get them,” said Kieran.
“I’ll get them,” Colton said.
“They don’t know about the costume party yet, I was saving that as a surprise, but wait until you meet them. They are the nicest friends I ever had.”
“I thought you said they were the only friends you ever had.”
“Duh! And that makes them the nicest! Are you sure you don’t have a head bump?
We are going to have such a great time, wait until you meet Miss L, and Jake and Jessica and see the gay club I’m designing.
Don’t you love the name ‘Cum and Bite Me’?
Have you ever been to a gay club? Oooh, I know, maybe we can go to a gay club in Edinburgh.
There must be one. I should Google it. Oh, here they are.
Fionn meet my best friends Theo and Norman.
Hey guys, this here is Fionn. He had a shitty time coming out of the closet too…
parent crap…but it’s all good now because he is coming with us when we go home.
Now don’t mind my friends, they’re still a little shy but once they get to know you, you’ll see, they’re very talkative. ”
“More than you?” asked Fionn.
“Hi, I’m Norman. Nobody talks more than Kieran.”
“And, I’m Theo. Hi.”
“Nice to meet you both. I have a few questions, but then I’m ready to go,” said Fionn.
“Perfecto!” exclaimed Kieran.
“Ready to go where?” asked Ian.
Puzzled, Fionn looked at Kieran. “You said I was going with you.”
“Absolument!”
“You speak French?” asked Fionn.
“Bien s?r!” said Kieran.
“Cool! Question time. Will I have to go back to my father?” Fionn asked, pointing to Logan.
“Not now. My brother Cody and his mate Dylon have been granted temporary guardianship of you until a formal hearing is held by the High Council.”
“Then what happens?” asked Fionn.
“That depends on you and what you want. There are several options.”
“Like what?”
“Well, your guardianship with my brother and Dylon could become permanent until you are of age, or you could decide to go back to your fath…”
“No fucking way! I’m not going back to that asshole. He tried to kill me! Do I look stupid to you? No, that option is off the table! What about me becoming independent? Is that an option?”
“I don’t know,” Logan said, continuing before Fionn could speak, “Only because I know nothing about the laws regarding a minor seeking independence. Our lawyer would be able to advise you on it.”
“So, it’s not off the table,” Fionn said.
“That’s correct, but I can’t confirm it’s on the table either,” answered Logan.
“I can live with that for the time being. Next question. What about my hoard? If I go back with you, my father will take it.”
“Again, I don’t know, but I’ll send a text to my brother to ask our attorney about it,” said Logan.
“Kieran said my father is forbidden to be in Scotland while I’m here. What happens if I go back with you? Will he be allowed in America while I’m there?” asked Fionn.
“No, he won’t. The restraining order states he cannot be in any country at the same time as you,” answered Logan.
“Final question. When can we blow this joint?”
Chuckling, Logan said, “As soon as Ian has given you the ‘all clear’.”
Ian snorted. “You’re clear to leave but I want to see you tomorrow, just to make sure there aren’t any lingering effects, but you have to promise me you’ll eat.”
“Hell, yes,” Fionn said, throwing off the thin blanket, and sitting up on the edge of the bed. “Oh shit, I need some clothes.”
“Here, use these scrubs,” Colton said, handing the green shirt and pants to Fionn.
“Rom, if you don’t mind,” Logan said, “I want to speak with my brother so can you take these boys and wait for us in the waiting room?” After the room was empty except for Ian, Colton, and Kieran, he turned to his brother. “Do you have any questions?”
“Yeah, what did Kieran do?” asked Colton.
“Before I answer that, why didn’t you use either your natural healer ability or your gift on Fionn?” asked Logan.
“Because there wasn’t anything physically wrong with him so there wasn’t anything I could do.”
“Kieran healed what you could not and it’s the only answer you are going to get because to say more would put my mate in danger. So, do I have both of your promises not to tell anyone what occurred here?” asked Logan.
“Of course,” Colton said in unison with Ian.
“So, what do you want me to tell Cody and Dylon?” asked Ian.
“I’ll handle them,” answered Logan. “Now, are we good to go?”
“Yes, just make sure Fionn eats soon,” said Ian.
Snorting, Logan said, “I don’t think that’ll be a problem.”
“Are you heading back to Edinburgh?” asked Colton.
“Yes, aren’t you?”
“Uh huh, but Ian and I have a stop to make first. Would you take Theo, Norm, Fionn and Rom with you and we’ll see you back at the hotel tonight,” said Colton. “Use our car…it’s bigger.”
“As my mate would say, ‘no problemo’,” said Logan, making Kieran giggle.
Colton smiled, then said, “Congratulations on your mating, bro and welcome to the family, Kieran. I don’t know what you did to my old stick-in-the-mud brother but wow, please keep doing it.”
“Be glad to as I really like the taste of…”
Logan cut him short with a toe-curling, shaky-legs, leave-him-breathless kiss.
After he’d achieved his goal of leaving his mate speechless, Logan said to Colton, “Thanks for everything. See you tonight.” And with that, he and Kieran headed out of the room to join the rest of the group.
“Let’s go everyone. Time to get back to the hotel. ”
Logan sent off a couple texts, then, glancing at Rom, said, “My brother has reserved a room for you at our hotel but if you have other plans, just let me know.”
“Thanks, I could use a shower, food and a comfortable bed right now and everything else can wait till tomorrow.”
Nodding, Logan spoke to Theo, Norman and Fionn. “Do you guys mind sharing a suite with Fionn?”
Norman glanced at Theo. “You mean like sharing our bedroom?”
“No, you’d move into a two-bedroom suite, so he’d have his own bedroom. Is that all right with you Fionn?” asked Logan.
Fionn looked at Theo and Norman. “Is it okay with you guys?”
Norman looked at Theo who nodded. Then he said, “We think it would be great! Now since Kieran is mated, we have more time to play, so we’d love to have you join us…you know, the more the merrier.”
Kieran beamed as Logan groaned. “Just don’t shift in the suite!” he said quietly, as laughter filled the car.
~/~/~/~/~
Colton felt their car slow down, then stop.
Ian’s head was on his chest and from his tiny snores, he knew his mate was sleeping.
Captain Crannach had asked them to return with any news so here they were but he felt there was a reason other than to discuss Fionn’s rescue.
Gently shaking Ian, he murmured, “Wake up, babe. We’re here. ”
Refusing to give up the world of sleep, Ian ignored his mate, squeezing his eyes tight.
He’d been so tired lately and never seemed to get enough sleep which had him worried.
So far, he’d been able to hide it from Colton and he hoped to speak about it to his mother before his mate picked up on it.
As Colton continued his efforts, Ian slowly gave up and opened his eyes.
“I’m awake, babe. Let’s get this over with so we can get on our way. ”
They were standing on the dock next to the sightseeing boat, when the Captain came up from below.
It had been a long day, and Colton wondered if they couldn’t have waited until tomorrow, but after searching the rugged face in front of him he got a feeling that whatever the Captain had to say would change their lives.
Once on board and down below out of the weather, Colton informed the Captain about Fionn’s status and the High Council’s temporary guardianship order. After receiving the Captain’s thanks, Ian got up to leave.
“Your Majesty, might I have a minute of your time?”
Sitting in his chair again, Ian said, “Sure.”
But Colton interjected before the Captain could speak, “I’ve been wondering how you knew who my mate was? I figure you were around when his father was alive, but Ian hasn’t been in Scotland since he was a child.”
“Aye, but he’s the spittin’ image of the King…I would have known him anywhere.”
“Wow! I didn’t know that! Thank you so much! I was wondering what my parents looked like,” exclaimed Ian.
“Aye, but I can see yer tired, Your Majesty, so I’ll make this brief. Do ye plan on meeting with your subjects while you are here?”