Chapter 11
“PUT ME DOWN!” Kieran screamed, flailing about, trying to break free of his captor. “LOGAN! HELP ME!”
“Babe, stop it,” Logan growled, setting Kieran on his feet. “Look at me, you’re safe.”
No longer restrained, Kieran brushed his hair out of his eyes, looking up at his mate. “You grabbed me? You did it again! Scared me witless!”
“Sorry, babe. I heard you coming so I went to meet you and saw you trip. I knew you wouldn’t want to mar your gorgeous face, so I caught you.”
Kieran stood, his hands on his hips, staring at his mate. “Humpf! Nice save, macushla.”
Grinning, Logan replied, “I thought so. Now, you want to tell me why you were running in the dark?”
“Oh, crap! Where’s Fionn?” asked Kieran. “Hey, why aren’t you protecting him?”
“He’s waiting for us. C’mon, you need to tell him what the problem is,” Logan said, taking his mate’s hand and leading him to the clearing.
Pacing back and forth after Logan left, Fionn didn’t understand why he had to shift back because it wasn’t “safe” for him.
Safe from what? Or maybe it’s a ‘who’? Snorting in frustration, he was getting pretty pissed being told what he could or couldn’t do.
Suddenly Kieran’s screams pierced the night, stopping him in his tracks.
Looking off in the direction Logan had disappeared and unsure what to do, Fionn took a step, then two, then stopped.
Deciding to throw Logan’s cautions to the winds, he ran down the path leading to the marina, fearing something terrible had happened.
Calling on his dragon, Fionn opened his mouth, shooting a long flame in front of him to light the path, hoping it would frighten away anyone who was trying to hurt his friends.
When Logan heard the hiss, he knew what was coming and threw Kieran to the ground, covering his mate’s body with his, just before the flame flew over them. After the fire passed them, Logan jumped up, yelling, “Stop it! You nearly roasted us alive!”
Skidding to a stop in front of Logan, Fionn yelled, “What the fuck are you doing in my way?”
“Why the fuck are you here? I told you…no… I ordered you to stay in the clearing,” shouted Logan.
Raising his face after Logan rolled off him, Kieran found his mouth full of dirt from getting pushed to the ground.
Spitting out several mouthfuls, his anger grew, listening to his friend and mate going at each other.
Wiping his mouth on his sleeve, Kieran stood, hands on his hips, tapping his foot as he waited for them to notice him.
When it appeared that wasn’t going to happen, he hollered, “Both of you shut up, NOW!”
Startled into silence, two pairs of guilty eyes stared back at him.
“That’s better. I don’t know what’s happening, but I swear, the next person to scare me, or push me into the dirt or roast me is going to face my wrath…
and trust me, you don’t want to do that.
” Glaring at both of them before pushing between them and marching up the path, Kieran looked straight ahead, ignoring the apologies his mate was sending him through their mind link.
~/~/~/~/~
Reif locked his car, well hidden by a copse of trees and, selecting the path leading to the top of the small mountain, headed out, breathing in the clear, cold air of the Highlands night.
After kissing Brian, he was a muddled mess of conflicting emotions that drove all other thoughts from his mind—including why he came to the loch in the first place.
Trying to make sense of them was impeded by his beast’s demand they return to his mate and the pain he felt from their bond.
But what was most disconcerting was what happened when they kissed…
no, when I kissed him. He knew the sea serpent was his mate, at least he thought so, because how his body reacted every time he scented him.
However, none of that explained the bond that had been forged with his mate—just with a kiss.
The last time one of his people found a mate, like his father had, was too long ago for him to know anything about it. His only hope was that one of the elders could explain the bonding and why it was still hurting, even though he had kissed his mate hours ago.
Finally reaching the mountaintop, Reif gazed out over the dark, quiet valley below, inhaling deeply and, once he was certain he was alone, called forth his beast. The cracking and snapping of his bones echoed off the surrounding mountains, fading only when his shift was complete.
Then, he launched himself in the air, catching an updraft, soaring skyward into the night.
~/~/~/~/~
When they reached the clearing, Kieran swirled around, facing his mate and friend.
“I forgive both of you because you were trying to save me although I didn’t need saving and all I got from it was a mouthful of dirt, stains on my favorite pink jacket and a hole in my jeans…
not that it doesn’t look fashionable but it wasn’t supposed to be there.
My boots are scuffed, and I can feel my face has smudges on it, there are twigs in my hair and my gorgeous hat that matches my jacket perfectly has snags in it.
Do you two know it will be impossible to find another hat because I bought it on sale when it was being discontinued although why anyone would want to discontinue such a beautiful hat is beyond me, but they did, so now I don’t have one. ”
“Babe, I promise I’ll find you another one,” Logan said.
“Maybe someone could fix it,” suggested Fionn.
“I bet Zane can find a new one on the web,” Logan said.
“I hope so, macushla, because it is my favoritest of all time,” replied Kieran.
“So, can I shift now?” Fionn asked Kieran.
“Not right now, Fi. Brian’s gone to bed since his mate isn’t coming tonight so I thought since it isn’t safe for your dragon to fly here, maybe macushla can shift and give us a ride up to the mountains where we don’t have to worry about anyone seeing you and, by the way why didn’t you tell me you’re a white dragon? ”
“You never asked,” Fionn said. “Is that why I can’t shift here? Someone will see me?”
“If Brian’s mate’s not coming, then everyone can go home,” said Logan.
“Yes, and then we can take Fi some place no one will see him,” Kieran said smiling at his friend.
“I suppose we can do that,” agreed Logan, “but if he’s as rare as you claim, I’m not too eager even to do that.”
“STOP IT!” shouted Fionn, “I’m right here so talk to me. Ki, what’s the problem with my dragon?”
“Fi, I didn’t say there was a problem, only that it wasn’t safe,” Kieran said. “I think your uncle knows and that is why he wants custody.”
“I don’t get it, why?”
Logan asked, “Did your father know you were a white dragon?”
Frowning, Fionn glared at them. “I don’t know…he might have, but if he did, it had to happen when I was very young because as long as I can remember, my mother always told me not to let my father see me shift.”
“So that’s why it’s been so long since his dragon was free,” Logan murmured to himself. Then, he said, “As soon as I have the drivers pick up the guys, we can go to the mountains so your dragon can fly, okay?”
“Yeah, but what’s the problem with me being a white dragon?” insisted Fionn.
“Fi, do you mind if we talk about that later because time is tick-tocking and it’s going to take macushla some time to get us there,” Kieran replied.
“Okay, as long as you promise to tell me. My father never answered my questions and it pissed me off all the time,” said Fionn.
“Promise,” Kieran said, then looking at his mate added, “Chop, chop, macushla, time’s-a-wasting.”
Chuckling, Logan pulled out his phone and began calling the others to let them know about the change in plans.
~/~/~/~/~
As the cold air rushed past him, Kieran grinned at the fun he was having on his mate’s back, feeling the awesome power under him and knowing he would never get tired of riding his dragon. Looking down, he spied the place Logan had chosen for Fionn where it would be safe.
Logan’s dragon circled around the wide, flat area on top of a mountain he’d found the last time he’d been there helping Angus and Zane.
Landing gently, he lowered himself so his passengers could slide off and then shifted.
“We have about two hours before I have to head back. I want you to always stay within my sight, Fionn, in case there’s any problem. ”
“No problemo,” Fionn said, willing to agree to anything just so his dragon could fly. Two fucking hours! He would have been willing to settle for a half hour, but two hours was like the best present ever. “Can I shift now?”
“Sure, and then I will, but wait until Kieran is back on me before you take off,” Logan said.
Nodding, Fionn walked far enough away from them so he could have the space he needed.
Once he was clear, he shifted and closed his eyes, relishing the power within his dragon.
When he sensed Logan’s dragon nearby, the white dragon opened his eyes and, after seeing his friend climb on, Fionn spread his wings, and with a roar of fire, lifted off, soaring with total abandon.
Following Fionn, Logan’s dragon stayed right behind him scanning the sky and ground for threats but couldn’t miss how much joy Fionn was having. Babe, I’m glad we did this, Logan said through their mind link.
Me too, macushla. Kieran replied using their mind link. My friend has been so depressed.
That’s what happens when a shifter goes too long between shifts, but he’s making up for lost time.
He is. Macushla, we have to tell the Alpha. If I remember correctly, there can only be one white dragon alive at a time, so that means…
Means we need to keep this secret from everyone until Jackson figures out how to protect Fionn. I wonder if anyone in Fionn’s family knows.
Oh, my gods, I forgot. That’s why I was running on the path, I think his uncle knows and that’s why he wants custody.
I thought he was after Fionn’s horde.
That’s what Fionn thinks but if he doesn’t know about white dragons then…
He doesn’t understand how valuable he is.
Macushla, he’s worth a king’s ransom. Huh! Why do people say that? Why a king’s ransom and not something else…like an elephant’s ransom. They are heavier than any king I ever read about.
I don’t know babe, but if you’re right…about the uncle knowing…then Fionn will be in danger when he shows up for the hearing.
That’s what I thought. We have to do something.
I’ll talk to Jackson as soon as I can and have Groose put extra guards on. Good thing Dylon will be at the hearing.
Righto. If it comes to a scuffle, I don’t think the uncle can defeat someone with the power of Hercules.
I agree.
Macushla, the other thing is what are we going to do so the judge believes Fionn doesn’t need a guardian anymore?
I’ve been thinking about that. I don’t have an answer yet, but I promise I will.
~/~/~/~/~
Carrying Daniel, Steel walked into Jackson’s study and, placing his son in the playpen, gave his mate a kiss before sitting down next to him at his desk. “Hey, you wanted to talk?”
“I did. Did you have a good nap?”
“Yup. So did our son. He was fussy but as soon as I put him on my chest, he quieted right down.”
“That’s because he loves you,” Jackson said.
“The feeling is mutual. So what’s up?” asked Steel, smiling.
“Maximus spoke with Mystia about Daniel’s new power but she couldn’t shed any light on it.”
Frowning, Steel glanced over to his son, then asked, “Did my father have any other ideas?”
“Yes, one…”
“What is it?” asked Steel.
“I’m not sure you’ll like it but Mystia can put a spell on him that will prevent him from using his power,” Jackson answered. “It’s not a long term solution because it’ll only last a short while, but by then, they hope to have an answer for us.”
Shaking his head, Steel said, “I don’t like it, but…I don’t think we have a choice. What do you think?”
“It’ll buy us some time,” replied Jackson. “Mystia is waiting for us in Cody’s room.”
Picking up Daniel, Jackson cuddled his son as he left his office with his mate trailing behind him.
~/~/~/~/~
Reif couldn’t remember the last time he was so exhilarated—gliding as far as he could on an updraft and then another and another, the wind whistling past him.
The freedom to be himself, without worrying that someone would see his beast, made him laugh with sheer joy.
Hour after hour he flew, always striving to go higher, yet punctuating his flight from time to time by diving steeply before pulling up just in time to skim the tree tops.
Surveying the ground, he saw a pack of wolves running through the forest, heading north, away from where his car was parked. Then, seeing nothing else moving below, he scanned the sky to verify it belonged to him, and him, alone, before resuming his fun.
After another half hour, Reif knew it was time to return home and get back to the business of searching. Unable to resist one more flight, he flew the highest he could before gliding downward. Suddenly, his beast roared. Surprised, Reif quickly looked around to see what triggered it.
Unable to find anything, he banked, searching for an air current to help him fly high again.
Then he felt it…a white dragon! Holy fuck!
Where the hell did he come from and who the fuck is he?
Calling on his ability, Reif’s beast shimmered before it became one with the surrounding sky and then, circling, he located the source, and flew toward it.
Never before had he seen one—and certainly didn’t expect to find it in the Highlands; nonetheless, there was no mistaking it.
Reif’s beast snorted with anticipation as he homed in on it, sensing a miracle. Maybe my luck is changing after all!