Chapter 5
Seeing trouble brewing, Kieran moved next to Norman and laid his hand on Theo’s back, sending lots of love to his friend.
Looking at Fionn, he said, “Fi, I understand how you feel, but the love between Norman and Theo is real and has been tested under the worse conditions imaginable.
These are two of the strongest men I know because they had to walk through hell to be free to love each other.
“Don’t compare what they have to what happened to your mother.
A good relationship is all about compromise.
My shaman once said it’s like not minding clearing the table all the time because your partner doesn’t like to.
Theo and Norm are like that; both want the other to be happy and are willing to do anything to make it happen. ”
“Ki’s right about how it is between Theo and me,” Norman said. “I found it easy to agree with Theo about having cubs because his wishes are important to me.”
“If you say so,” replied Fionn, sullenly.
“Fuck you!” Norman exclaimed.
“Why do you doubt Norm?” Kieran asked Fionn.
Rolling his eyes, Fionn said, “I was there…all he did was agree with Theo about everything. How can you claim that’s love when it’s all one sided?”
Glaring at Fionn, Theo snapped back. “That’s not true. You’re just jealous because no one loves you!”
“I’d rather have that than be a doormat,” retorted Fionn.
“Stop it!” Kieran demanded. “Everyone stop the hate! Haven’t you all had enough of that in your lives?
” Staring at each of his friends until they all mumbled ‘sorry’, he continued.
“Fi, you don’t have the right to judge how they choose to live their lives.
If Norm wants to be a doormat…and I not saying he does…
then that’s between him and his mate, just as it’ll be between you and yours… to sort everything out.”
“Ha, I’m never going to have a mate,” Fionn murmured.
Kieran studied his friend, feeling the loneliness in his soul and the sadness in his heart.
Reaching out, he waited till Fionn took his hand and then sent waves of love to him.
“Fi, you will find someone who loves you, I just know it. In the meantime, we…me, Theo and Norm…love you and will always be here for you. Always even after you find your mate.”
On the verge of tears, as he listened to Ki, Fionn looked down at their joined hands and saw how firmly his friend was holding on to him, refusing to let go.
Through that hand, Fionn felt the love Theo, Norm and Kieran had for him…
the love he’d always desperately wanted from his father but never got.
Theo was right, he was jealous of them. Listening to them happily plan their future made him realize how bleak his own life was and fearful things would go badly in court, he doubted it would change for the better.
So what did I do? Took it out on my friends…
the first friends I ever had…the friends who made me part of their family. How stupid is that!
Hanging onto the lifeline his friends threw him, Fionn squeezed his eyes shut but could not stem the tears that began to fall. He needed the connection to them so badly. Unable to forgive himself for hurting them, the darkness returned, taking from Fionn any hope for the future.
Kieran felt the pain wracking the young dragon.
Knowing what he had to do, he pulled Fionn up and, wrapping his arms around his waist, laid the flat of his hands on his back.
Standing together, Kieran’s hands grew warm, filling his friend with love, exorcizing all the darkness from Fionn’s mind, heart, and soul.
Kieran smiled, thanking the gods for his gift to help people.
Then, as quickly as his hands had heated, they grew cool when Fionn’s darkness had dissipated and his friend was set free.
A small gasp escaped Fionn when Kieran took a step back after hugging him.
Staring at his friend, he stood still, searching in vain for the darkness that had enveloped him.
Unable to find it, he closed his eyes and tilted his head back, feeling the warmth of love swirling through every fiber of his body.
Slowly, the corners of his mouth lifted as he found the hatred gone, along with his guilt about his father’s death.
The darkness had turned to light, shining with his mother’s love.
The freedom was intoxicating and his dragon, sensing it, pushed against the restraints of Fionn’s body, crying out to be airborne, wings pounding and fire bursting forth as he flew high among the stars.
Promising his dragon they’d fly soon, Fionn lowered his head and opened his eyes so he could see Kieran, said, “I don’t know how it happened, but I know you did it.
Thank you for giving me back my mother’s love.
” Then, Fionn pulled his friend to him, encompassing him with a hug, murmuring, “I’m so sorry for hurting Theo and Norm.
I knew what I was doing but I couldn’t stop.
I was hurting so much, I guess I wanted someone else to hurt, too. ”
Patting Fionn on the back, Kieran whispered, “I know. I’m glad you’re better but please apologize to Theo. He’s really hurting.”
Nodding, Fionn turned to Theo and Norman.
“Theo,” he began, “I’m very sorry I said those awful things about you.
I don’t deserve it but I hope you can forgive me.
And Norman, I’m so sorry I hurt Theo. I have no excuse for doing it and if you could both find it in your hearts to accept my apology, I’d be forever grateful. ”
Theo frowned. Then, he said, “You’re family so I will forgive you this time, but next time…”
“There won’t be a next time,” promised Fionn.
“Good, because nobody gets to insult my pooh bear and that includes family,” Theo said.
“The same goes about insulting Theo,” said Norman. “I’ll accept your apology but please don’t do it again. Theo is my world and whether you approve or not, I would do anything for him.”
“I know,” said Fionn, “and I really do hope I’ll find someone who’ll feel that way about me.”
Smiling, now, since all was right in his world, Kieran clapped his hands, “Perfecto! Now, tell me about your decision to have cubs. When do you plan to have them? Are you going to adopt? I’m sure there are lots of cubs out there that are in need of a loving home and you two are the most lovingest couple I ever met.
How many cubs do you want? Won’t it be great for my pup and your cubs to grow up together?
Oh. My. Gods. We have to do some cub shopping while we’re here.
I saw some really cute outfits with baby bears on them.
Oh, what do you want, a boy or a girl? My pup is a boy so maybe you should have a boy but then Jessica would be the only girl and she might be lonely so maybe it would be fun to have a girl cub.
There are lots of cute pink dresses I saw in the stores… ”
“Ki, slow down,” Norman said, chuckling at the onslaught of his friend’s ideas. “We haven’t gotten that far…yet. First, there’s the wedding to plan…”
“I know,” said Kieran, babbling on, “and I’ve been coming up with all kinds of ideas I want to bounce off you, but I can’t do it now because Logan will be here in a minute and Fionn has to talk to him.”
“That’s okay,” Theo said, “we’re going to the spa for a couples massage. Pooh bear booked it as a ‘getting engaged’ gift for me and reviews on the web say it’s simply sublime.”
“Oooooh,” Kieran cooed, “that sounds like fun. You have to let me know if you like it, because then I’ll book one for Logan and me although since it has such rave reviews, I should probably book it.”
“Book what, babe?” Logan asked, entering the room and hugging his mate.
“A couples’ massage!” giggled Kieran.
“That sounds delicious,” Logan growled, nipping at his mate’s earlobe a few times. Looking at Fionn, he added, “Kieran said you needed to talk to me. Is this a good time or are you going to the spa for a massage, too?”
“Hey, Pooh bear, that’s a great idea,” grinned Theo. “Is it okay if Fi comes with us?”
“Sure, I…”
“Thanks, Theo, but I can’t,” Fionn said. “Penn wants me to speak to Logan today, but another time, if that’s okay.”
“Sure,” said Norm. “We better get going honeybunch. See you later, guys.”
Flopping onto the sofa, Logan pulled Kieran up to his lap, before saying, “Have a seat, Fionn. Is this about your father’s estate?”
Nodding, Fionn nervously sat on the edge of his chair and told Logan about the midwife certificate proving his legal age, his uncle’s petition for custody and the upcoming hearing.
After listening to the entire story, Logan said, “First, I don’t want you leaving the hotel alone until it’s time to go to the hearing. I’ll arrange with Mystia to take you there.”
“Macushla, Fionn is worried the judge won’t believe the midwife,” said Kieran.
“Penn told me the judge would favor my uncle’s petition over Cody and Dylon’s because he’s family…not that he ever visited me, well not until he broke into my house,” Fionn said.
“Wait! When did that happen?” asked Logan.
Fionn recounted the incident of his uncle’s showing up in his deceased father’s house while he was searching for the documents Penn asked for. When he finished, he said, “I forgot to mention it, but I’ve sensed several dragons in Scotland.”
“More than one?” asked Logan.
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure the other dragons are my mother’s siblings,” Fionn said.
“Maybe they can vouch for the year of your birth. That, along with the certificate should be proof enough for the judge to rule in your favor,” suggested Logan.
“No! They’d never do that. They hated my mother. All they want is custody of me to get access to my hoard,” Fionn said.
“Shit! Okay, so no relatives,” mused Logan. “There has to be a way and we’ll figure something out because I know Jackson will fight this. In the meantime, Fionn, remember not to leave the hotel, alone.”
“Ahhh, Logan? My dragon needs to fly. I haven’t let him loose in a long time and he’s demanding it. I’m afraid if I don’t do it soon, he might force a shift on me,” Fionn said.
Using their mind link, Kieran asked, Macushla, why can’t Fionn come with us tonight?
It might be dangerous because we don’t know what kind of shifter Brian’s mate is.
I know, macushla, but it might help to have two dragons…you know, because dragons are the fiercest shifters ever.
Babe, we don’t know what we’ll be facing tonight.
I know that, too, macushla, but Brian’s mate is in danger, so it might help to have a couple of dragons protecting him.
Smiling at his mate’s clever logic, Logan said, “Fionn, meet me back here at five o’clock. We’re headed to Loch Ness where you can shift.” Then, looking sternly at the young dragon, he said, “But only if you do exactly what I say. Agreed?”
Nodding vigorously, Fionn replied, “Promise! Thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh, this is fucking fantastic!” Jumping up, he grinned, already feeling the air rushing beneath his wings. “Oh, my gods!”
“Hey, Fionn?” Logan called, “One other thing…if you sense any other dragons nearby, tell me, okay?”
“I will.”
“Okay,” Logan said. “I’m going to call Jackson and bring him up to date. What are you going to do, babe?”
Giggling, Kieran said, “I’m researching bachelor party ideas for Theo and Norm. Hey macushla, you should see some of the stuff I’ve found already.”
“Do you need any help?” asked Fionn.
“Absolument!” Kieran said, jumping off Logan’s lap and walking over to the desk.
“What did you find?” asked Fionn.
“Come see, I haven’t ordered any yet because Theo and Norm haven’t set a date for the wedding but I wanted to be prepared just in case they want to do it next week, although that wouldn’t be good because it will take me at least a month to plan their wedding and I have to make my robes and talk to Dakota about what to serve and pick the flowers to go with their tuxedos… ”
“They’re wearing tuxedos? Do I have to wear one?” asked Fionn.
“Of course, you’re one of the groomsmen,” Kieran said, opening up Logan’s laptop. “Here sit, I’ll show you what I picked.”
“Oh, my god, you didn’t choose pink, did you?”
“Babe,” inserted Logan, as he got up from the sofa, “I’ll be in the bedroom, talking to Jackson.”
“Uh huh…Fi, look at this…”
As he left, Logan smirked, knowing Theo and Norm were going to have a blow-out bachelor party. After closing the door, he sat in a chair near the window, checking the time before he called his brother.
~/~/~/~/~
Reif was jerked awake by the ringing of his phone. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he picked it up and squinted at the screen. Groaning, he answered, “Father, what’s up?”
“Any luck?”
“No, not yet. Why? What’s happened?” asked Reif.
“Nothing, just wondering.”
“Bullshit, Father. You always wait for my call, so what happened?” he asked. At first, he thought his father wasn’t going to answer, so he decided to remain silent, hoping it would force his father to speak. Hearing a faint sigh, Reif’s fingers loosened, knowing he’d won.
“He came to check on your progress.”
“What the fuck for? The time isn’t up, yet,” Reif said.
“I know that, but when has that ever stopped him before?”
“Was anyone hurt?” asked Reif. When silence prevailed, he growled, “Tell me Father! Who did he hurt this time?”
“Don’t throw a hissy fit, it was only a superficial wound and I shifted so it’s healed now.”
His head falling back on the pillow, Reif ran his hand over his face, trying to control the two emotions warring inside him.
That son-of-a-bitch! He’s going to pay for hurting my father.
Finally gaining control of his anger, Reif allowed his other emotion—worry—to rule.
“Are you sure Father? Did you have the healer look at it?”
“I’m telling you, I’m fine. He’s gone now and I doubt we’ll see him for a while but I have a feeling he’s headed your way. Reif, please be careful. You know we can find a different way.”
“Yeah? How? You know as well as I do, this is our only chance to be free of him…forever.”