Chapter 17
The clear, star-studded night sky hinting at cold weather soon to arrive in Northern Scotland was perfect for flying.
It was just the way Reif liked it—so different from the place he grew up in Greece, where seasons blended into each other and the weather was warm year-round.
Scotland was his home now and, as far as he was concerned, there wasn’t a better place on earth.
Flying alongside Logan’s black dragon had been his desire since Reif first saw him, and it had finally happened.
And with their babies safe with Brian on Logan’s back, he was free to soar and spiral all down around the black dragon while grinning with the joy of being alive.
There were moments he still found it hard to believe that just a short time ago his people were suffering under the vampires’ control, but that was over; all their tormentors were dead and he now had a mate and five baby nessies who filled his life with happiness he never thought possible.
Swooping down through the chilly air until he was next to the black dragon, Reif glanced at his mate, who had hesitated to go until the Shaman convinced him everything would be all right.
He hadn’t known Brian was afraid of flying and it put a kink in his dreams of flying through the Scottish Highlands with his mate on his back and their nessies alongside them, but he hoped that a few more trips like tonight would help to assuage his mate’s fears.
When Reif saw Kieran pointing to the cluster of fires in the distance, he realized it was where Angus and the rest of the Scottish Wolves were.
Flapping his wings faster, he gained altitude, which gave him a better view of the area and how isolated and peaceful the settlement was.
Kieran is right—it’s a perfect place for the nessies to hide if they’re ever threatened with harm.
He only hoped Angus would agree to take them if that situation arose.
Descending slowly, Reif noticed a large group of people standing around the biggest bonfire he’d ever seen.
Sparks danced in the air and rose into the night sky before they faded into the darkness.
Looking around, he saw old cottages scattered among the green grass and boulders, smoke rising from their chimneys.
Other than soft murmurs drifting up to him, nothing else disturbed the quiet of the night.
After Logan landed, Kieran—the bag with the nessies on his back—slid off his mate’s back, then turned and helped Brian off.
Smiling at him, Kieran said, “Wasn’t it incredible?
Flying on macushla is my second favorite way to travel, well, it used to be my first, but when Remy used his magic, that became my favoritest. Have you ever traveled by magic?
It’s like being inside a whirlwind…and it happens so fast. Did you enjoy flying this time?
Macushla flew slower so squirt and the nessies wouldn’t be afraid.
Was it better for you this time? You didn’t feel sick or anything, did you? ”
“Naw,” Brian muttered, taking the bag from Kieran and unlatching the clasp.
Shifting, Logan hugged Kieran and whispered, “How’s squirt? Did he enjoy the flight?”
Grinning sassily, Kieran stood on his tiptoes and murmured into his mate’s ear, “Yup, and wants to know when he can do it again.”
“Soon,” Logan replied, chuckling. Then, turning to Angus and smiling, he said, “Good to see you again. Quite a welcoming committee.”
“Och, it’s fur the wee baby nessies,” Angus said, beaming.
Gliding on the currents, Reif waited until Logan gave him the signal to land.
When his claws touched the ground behind an enormous boulder, he quickly shifted and dressed before walking over to Brian, wrapping his arms around his mate and tugging him tight to his side. “Are you okay?” he growled softly.
The worry and concern in Reif’s voice filled Brian with warmth, as it always did, and he sent up a silent thanks to the Fates and gods for giving him the perfect mate after waiting so many years.
“Ay, love. C’mon, ah want ye tae meet Angus,” Brian murmured, grasping his mate’s hand.
Turning to a large, bare-chested man in a kilt peering into the bag of nessies, he introduced Reif to Angus.
Grinning, Reif extended his hand, saying, “It’s a pleasure to meet you…and thanks for helping rescue me from those blood-sucking vampires and keeping me and the eggs safe. I owe you a lot, as do my people, so anything you need from us, let me know.”
“Ahh…the sea dragon. Nice to meet ye, finally,” Angus said loudly, grabbing Reif’s outstretched hand and pulling him in for a hug along with a hearty slap on the back. “Hope ye are up for some Scottish Wolf whiskey…if ye dinna have hair on yer chest, ye will after tonight.”
Before Reif could respond, a pretty lass handed him a large tankard.
Looking around, he noticed everyone had received one, including his mate.
Turning his attention back to his mug, he sniffed an almost ethereal aroma coming from the liquid.
Unable to resist it, he lifted it up to his lips, but before he could taste it, Brian shook his head.
Reif rolled his eyes and lowered the drink.
Angus smirked at Reif before checking to make sure everyone had a full mug. Once he was satisfied, he raised his own and proposed a toast:
“Here’s tae the king o’ the Highland howl,
Wi’ eyes like fire and heart nae foul
May his claws stay sharp, his kin run free,
And the moon aye shines on his majesty.
Wi’ winds that sing o’ his ancient name,
Let every glen ken his fearsome fame.
Raise yer horn, let the whisky pour—
To the wolf-king’s reign, and evermore!”
Then he roared, “Tae King Ian, lang may he reign!” Then he took a long drink of the potent liquid as everyone’s voices echoed the sentiment.
Joining in on the toast, Reif raised his to his lips and followed suit, gasping as the liquid fire flowed down his throat.
That it had become considerably colder since they’d landed didn’t matter—he was sweating profusely from the fire the drink had ignited in his body.
He’d heard about Scottish whiskey, but since his people drank nothing but Ouzo, it was a new experience for him.
“Holy hell!” he muttered to himself. Now he understood Angus’ comment about putting hair on his chest. In fact, he was sure that by the time he finished the rest of it, he’d be one hairy beast.
Brian smirked at his mate. “Guid, ay?”
“Now I know why no one is ever sick here,” Reif mumbled. “There isn’t a germ in the world that can survive in a body filled with this stuff.”
Chuckling, Brian said, “Ay, nae doubt aboot it. Best medicine in the world.”
“I don’t know about that, but I’m gonna enjoy seeing my fathers’ reaction to it when they visit here next month,” Reif sputtered, his mouth still burning.
Before he could say anything else, Angus walked over and stood before him. “Ye make a fine mate for me friend.” Then shifting his gaze to Brian, he winked and added, “If he misbehaves, ye let me know.” Then he stepped back, turned around and raised his tankard to everyone, shouting:
“Here’s tae the beasts beneath the brine,
Wi’ ancient hearts and tails divine!
To Nessie, king o’ the loch so deep,
Who guards his secrets while we sleep.
And tae the sea dragon, bold and grand,
Wi’ storm in breath and fire at hand.
May tides obey and sailors sing,
O’ the watery wonders that legends bring.”
Grinning, Angus bellowed, “Tae Nessie an’ the sea dragon—lang may they live!”
“Tae Nessie an’ the sea dragon—lang may they live!” shouted all the Scottish Wolf pack members before everyone took another long swig.
Brian glanced at Reif and grinned. “Drink up!”
A groan left his mouth at the thought of drinking more of the liquid fire, but Reif wasn’t about to insult their host. After quickly swallowing another third of it, he lowered his mug, brushing the back of his hand across his mouth.
He wasn’t sure whether he had gotten used to the strong taste or whether the whiskey had burnt away his taste buds, but it had gone down much easier than the first one had.
Glancing at Brian, he said, “Hey, this ain’t half bad.
Do you think Angus will give us some to take back for those long cold nights you claim are coming soon? ”
Laughing, Angus gave a punch to Reif’s arm. “We’ll hae ye a true Scotsman yet, so we will!” Then, taking a sheath off his belt, he pulled a dirk out of it, handing it to Reif. “An’ this here’ll help. Every warriur’s got tae hae one.”
Speechless, Reif held it in his hand, staring at the long, single-edged knife before tracing the intricate carving of a Scottish wolf that adorned the hilt. Then, raising his gaze, he stared at Angus for a moment before breaking out in a broad smile. “It’s amazing! Thank you.”
Brian leaned over and whispered, “It means ye’re a warriur with honour…one the ancestors would be proud tae name.”
Nodding slowly, Reif wrapped his fingers around the hilt, feeling the weight and testing the balance of the knife, noticing how it fit his hand perfectly.
He couldn’t wait until he showed it to his fathers.
Inserting the dirk in its sheath, Reif put it on his belt and positioned it over his right hip.
Then, grinning at Brian, he said, “All I need now is a kilt.”
“Ay, ye do!” Angus said with a knowing grin.
“Absolument!” Keiran exclaimed, bouncing on his toes. “I know exactly where you can buy one since the last time we were in Edinburgh, Theo found this store that had them…or maybe Q can make you one…”
“Babe, I think it’s getting close to bedtime for the nessies, and Angus hasn’t met them yet,” Logan said, smiling at Kieran.
“But first, we need a wee toast tae them,” Angus said, raising his mug up high, and after everyone had followed him, his deep voice boomed out:
“To the wee ones of the loch, so bonnie and shy,
With glimmers of green and a glint in each eye—
May yer splashes be joyful, yer paddles be strong,
And may the waves carry ye gently along.
From misty morns to twilight's gleam,
May ye swim in peace and dream a dream.
To magic and mystery, to scales and to song—
Here's tae the baby Nessies, may ye live long!”
Tipping his mug up, Angus swallowed the last of its contents before roaring, “Whaur are the wee yins?”
“Right here,” Julius squeaked out while trying to squeeze through the top of the bag. After he managed to extract his body, Kieran helped him out of his coat and sweater. Then, without any warning, he launched himself at Angus, circling his head before landing on top of it.
“Ah…ye must be Julius,” Angus said softly. “Yer a pretty wee lad.”
Kieran bent down, opening the bag wider, then reached in and, one by one, removed winter coats and sweaters before lifting the other baby nessies out of their warm nest. Within moments of gaining his freedom, Tobias soared up, shooting out small bursts of fire as he flew over the crowd watching him.
Then, letting out a tiny roar, he landed on Angus’s shoulder.
Chuckling, Angus reached up and petted Tobias’ head, saying, “Ay, yer a strong lad, aren’t ye? A warriur, tae be sure.”
Chirping, Lukas shot upwards, flying over to Angus and landing on his other shoulder. Then, he ran with his long, forked tongue up Angus’s cheek before settling down contentedly, his bright green eyes sparkling in merriment.
“Yer the spittin’ image of yer da!” Angus said softly, running his finger down Lukas’ green scales. “Yer gonna be a grand nessie.”
Balancing on the edge of the travel bag, Georgias studied the area, looking for water, but finding none, he took off, gracefully flying around and through everyone standing around his fathers, before slowly descending onto Angus’ outstretched left arm.
Then, looking at the Scottish Wolf, he piped up, “I’m Georgias. ”
“Ay, guardian o’ the briney deep.”
“Ay, that’s me,” Georgias said, his sapphire scales shimmering in the firelight.
Christos waited until each of his brothers had found a spot on the Scottish Wolf before he flapped his wings and slowly lifted off the now empty bag.
Taking his time, he flew high into the night sky until he had a bird’s-eye view of the gathering below him before gliding downward in ever smaller circles until he landed on Angus’s chest, his claws grabbing hold of the bare skin there.
Grunting, Angus wrapped his right arm around the rainbow-colored nessie, holding him tight. “Och, ye must be Christos! Me heard a fair bit aboot ye!”
Nodding, Christos curled up and closed his eyes, enjoying the heat radiating from Angus’ body.
“Well, that settles the question of whether our nessies like Angus,” Reif murmured.
“Did ye really hae any doots?” Angus asked, grinning.
“I didn’t,” Kieran said, giggling. “I knew they would love their Uncle Angus as soon as they saw you.”
“Me tae,” Brian said, and then seeing the drooping eyelids of his sons, added, “Shaman, it’s time fur the nessies tae get tae their beds.”
“Ay,” Angus said, standing still as Kieran carefully took a sleeping Christos from his arms, before handing the other nessies one by one to Brian and Reif. Once they were back in the warmth of the traveling bag, he lifted it up and said, “Come wi’ me…there’s wee cottages waitin’ fur everyone.”
~/~/~/~/~
After Angus had left them alone in a cozy cottage, Reif helped dress the baby nessies in the warm sweaters and coats and covered each of their heads with the knitted hats.
Then, wrapping them up in their blankets, he tenderly placed each on a giant down pillow in front of the fire.
“Do you think they’ll be warm enough?” he whispered to his mate, who was sitting on a small loveseat.
“Ay,” Brian murmured, “but I canna be wi’out ye.”
Grinning, Reif picked up the heavy quilt from the bed and handed it to his mate.
Then, removing the dirk from its sheath, he sat down next to Brian, placing the knife on a small table next to his seat.
Tucking the comforter around both of them, he leaned over, running his tongue over the sensitive spot behind Brian’s ear before kissing it.
“Love you, Nessie…with my whole heart,” he crooned softly, before closing his eyes.
Brian choked up, and it took him a moment before he replied, his voice rough with emotion. “Ah, I love ye as well, ma sea dragon.” Turning his head slightly, Brian lightly kissed Reif’s cheek before adding, “Off tae sleep, ma brave warriur…the morn’ll come early.”