The Dragon Guardian

by Jessie Donovan

  Layla picked up a two-way radio and pushed the side button. “Dr. Jackson is here.”

  Sid shook her head. “Everyone calls me Dr. Sid.”

  “Dr. Sid then.” Two females and three males with disheveled hair approached them. Two of them had a fair amount of blood on their tops. When they were close enough, Layla motioned toward Sid. “This is Dr. Sid. Help her get settled. I’m trusting her care to you.”

  One male nodded and answered, “We’ll be fine, Layla. Go. I know you have a surgery to perform.”

  Layla brushed a stray dark hair behind her ear. “Right, then. I’ll check in with you when I’m done.”

  Sid pointed toward the door. “Go. I’ll be fine.”

  As the young female exited the tent, Sid turned to the five nurses. “Is triage completed?” The same male from before nodded. Sid continued, “Right, let me quickly check Dr. Innes and then we’ll work our way down the list. Unless anyone is hanging on by a thread?”

  The same male shook his head. “No. Layla already took care of those. We mostly have burns, scrapes, and broken bones needing casts left. And a few panic attacks.”

  “Good. What’s your name?” Sid asked.

  “Logan Lamont.”

  “Okay, Logan. You take me to Innes and the rest of you go back to work. Don’t hesitate to holler if something goes wrong.”

  Logan handed her a spare radio. “This is for you. They’re easier than mobile phones.”

  Sid took it and the four other nurses rushed back to their sections of the tent. As Sid and Logan walked toward the back, she looked at the younger male. “Who were the casualties?”

  Logan’s face turned grim. “A mother and her child. A bomb hit their house before they could escape. The only good bit of news is that the father and other daughter were out when it happened.”

  The mention of the family’s tragedy stirred a memory from Sid’s own past. But she pushed it aside. “It’s rare for a family to have two female children.”

  “Aye, but the Innes’ have a rare track record of birthing more females than males.”

  Sid faltered. “Innes?”

  Logan put out a hand. “No, Gregor never found another mate, let alone had a child. But his sister and her youngest child were the ones to perish.”

  Sid had dealt with her fair share of tragedies. From losing humans who died when birthing dragon-shifter babies to reckless teenagers who ended up tortured by dragon hunters; Sid had seen them all.

  But Gregor Innes’s past was well known among the dragon-shifter medical community because of his year’s leave over a decade ago. The man had already lost his wife in childbirth and it’d taken him a year to regain control of his dragon.

  Taking a deep breath, Sid fell back on her years of medical practice and training. She needed to be calm and collected for the sake of her patients. She’d handle Gregor Innes when he woke up.

  Speaking of the male, they entered a curtained-off section. Her eyes fell on the unconscious dragonman on the bed.

  Even pale with bruises on his face, he was handsome. His dark blond hair was a tad bit too long and a light scruff donned his cheeks. The laugh lines at the corners of his mouth told her he was a man who had eventually overcome his past to find some degree of happiness.

  Sid didn’t even realize she’d been staring until another male to her left spoke up. “Who’s this, Logan?”

  Forcing her gaze away from the male who had to be Gregor Innes, she met the eyes of the red-haired, brown-eyed male holding his sleeping four or five-year-old daughter. “I’m Dr. Sid, from Stonefire. And you are?”

  “I’m Gregor’s brother-in-law, Harris Chisolm.” The male hugged his sleeping daughter tightly. “And this is my daughter, Fiona.”

  “I’m sorry for your loss, Harris.”

  The male’s voice cracked. “Thank you.”

  “I hate to be indelicate, but I need to check Gregor and then attend to the other patients. My recommendation for you is to find something to eat and then take some rest with your daughter.” She looked to Logan. “Can you assist them while I quickly check Gregor?”

  Logan nodded. “Aye.” He looked to Harris. “Come with me, Harris.”

  When Harris merely followed, Sid had a feeling the male was feeling defeated. She was usually pretty good about keeping her feelings partitioned when it came to tragedy and death, but Harris’s case was too similar to another one.

  Not now, Jackson. Sid pumped out some antibacterial gel from its receptacle and rubbed it into her hands. Pulling down the sheet, she was greeted with Gregor’s bare chest. The light dusting of hair and muscles told her that even the doctor took time to remain fit and healthy.

  She placed her fingers on the side of his neck and was surprised at how warm his skin was. Not too hot, but warm in a way that made her want to lie on top of him and drink it in.

  Blinking at the randy suggestion, she looked at her watch and focused on each beat of his heart. The rhythm was steady and nothing to be concerned about. After checking the responsiveness of his pupils, she felt his neck and then ran her hands down his chest and sides. Sid had done the same procedure a thousand times before, but she found herself lingering at his waist. It was almost as if she didn’t want to let go.

  Maybe Evie was right and Sid needed to start enjoying life a little more. Sid couldn’t remember the last time she’d had sex. Even without a dragon-half to demand it, the release would ease some of the tension she stored up because of her occupation.

  Thinking of sex, her eyes trailed down Gregor’s chest to the light line of hair just below his navel. The sheet stopped her from finishing her perusal. She hesitated, but then assured herself that she needed to check all of him. It was her duty as a doctor.

  And it was most definitely not because she was curious about what was under the sheet.

  With a deep breath, she tossed back the sheet. Gregor Innes hadn’t been maimed in the lower half of his body. All the long inches of his penis were lying intact.

  What are you doing? Sid was a doctor. She’d never had the slightest interest in gaping at one of her patients before. Maybe it was just because she didn’t usually treat Lochguard’s clan members.

  Her eyes moved to his face and Gregor’s chiseled cheekbones and strong jaw. Whatever it was, it was highly unprofessional of her. Sid needed to get her shit together. There were injured and dying people who needed care.

  Tossing the sheet back over the lower half of his body, she examined his head. The large bump was probably the reason he was unconscious. Considering all of his other vitals were right on target, she would just need to wait for him to wake up.

  With one last glance at the rise and fall of Gregor’s chest, Sid took a deep breath and exited the partitioned room to dive into the fray. Thankfully, as she examined one patient after another, she never had another inappropriate thought. Only Gregor Innes has that effect on her and Sid refused to think of the reason behind it.

  She would do everything in her power to steer clear of the doctor once she left Lochguard. That should protect her from any dangerous feelings of hope.

  After all, solitude was the best chance for a dragon-shifter without a dragon to avoid losing their mind and going insane.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Gina relaxed after her latest contraction. All of the books and articles she’d read hadn’t prepared her for how much birthing a child hurt without drugs. To be more accurate, they should say, “A contraction is like someone gripping your uterus and twisting it until you think you’ll break in two.”

  Sweat trailed down the side of her face, but Fergus wiped it away with a cloth. She looked over at her dragonman. While his eyes were calm and collected, the tightness of his jaw told her how he was worrying for her on the inside. Squeezing his hand, she murmured, “I’m glad you’re here.”

  He kissed her forehead and lingered. When he finally pulled away, he answered, “Me, too, lass. Me, too.”

  Holly’s voice cut through their moment.
“You’re fully dilated, Gina. So far, you’ve been brilliant. On the next contraction, I need you to push as hard as you can, okay?”

  Gina nodded. “I’ll try.”

  Holly looked over to Lorna at her side. “Is everything set up to check the babe once he’s here?”

  “Aye, it is. And if he’s anything like my own kin, he’ll be in a rush to get out.”

  Even though there was no blood relation between Lorna and Gina’s son, Lorna acted as if they were. Tears prickled her eyes. “Thank you.”

  Lorna raised her brows. “For what? You’re giving me my first grandchild, hen. The sooner he’s here, the sooner I can spoil him rotten.”

  At Lorna’s comment, Gina burst into tears and Fergus hissed, “Mum.”

  Not hearing their ensuing argument, Gina tried to stop crying. But the MacKenzies were kinder than she could’ve ever dreamed of. More so than her own family.

  Her grandmother’s words echoed inside Gina’s mind: Not all dragon-shifters are bad, Gina. Don’t let one clan’s actions close off your heart from the rest. At the time, Gina had wondered why her grandmother would say such a thing. Now she knew—her grandma had probably foreseen Gina seeking out the Scottish clan’s help.

  Fergus kissed her tear-stained cheek. Then his strong-yet-kind voice filled her ear. “Let’s just get the wee man out and deal with my mum later.”

  Gina sniffled. “But I’m crying because I’m happy, Fergus.”

  The corner of his mouth ticked up. “If you’re happy now, about to push out a bairn, then wait until later. I’ll show you happiness you couldn’t dream of.”

  She smiled. “I can’t tell if you’re being cocky or sincere.”

  He grinned. “You’ll just have to wait to find out.”

  Damn, Fergus was too attractive for his own good when he grinned with mischief dancing in his eyes. Maybe she could coax that grin out more often.

  Gina opened her mouth to tease him when another contraction hit. Pain cut across her lower abdomen and she barely prevented herself from cursing out every person in the room.

  Holly commanded, “Push, Gina!”

  Gripping Fergus’s hand, she pushed as hard as she could, stretching parts of her she didn’t want to think about. The pain was finally too much and she screamed. Please let this be over soon.

  After what seemed like an hour, the contraction finally ceased. Gina relaxed onto the bed with a huge sigh. She wasn’t looking forward to doing that again.

  Holly ordered, “Don’t push again until the next one, no matter how much you may want to do so.”

  Fergus mopped her brow with a cloth and Gina managed to ask, “Is he nearly here? Please tell me he’s nearly here.”

  Holly smiled at her. “I see the crown of his head. I think he might be a ginger.”

  “I’d been hoping he would,” Gina replied.

  Fergus brushed her brow and met her eyes. “Who needs the Three Musketeers when we can be the Three Gingers?”

  She tried to laugh, but it hurt and Gina sucked in a breath. Holly’s voice filled her ear. “Don’t make her laugh, Fergus.” Fergus mumbled something Gina couldn’t interpret and Holly continued, “Gina, getting back to your son. You’re a strong lass. I think one more push should do it.”

  Fergus kissed her hand. “Nearly there, Gina.”

  Between Holly and Fergus’s calm, steady voices, Gina prevented herself from yelling, crying, or who the hell knew what at the thought of pushing a tiny person out of her vagina.

  At least she no longer felt the urge to simultaneously punch every man in the dick while also wanting to hold Fergus close and draw on his strength. She was merely determined to be done.

  She couldn’t wait to be not pregnant anymore. And not just because she yearned to hold her son in her arms—Gina wanted to regain her true self again without the influence of hormones.

  After a few deep breaths, Gina answered her mate. She needed a distraction until the contraction finally came. “Speaking of our son, I’ve been thinking about his name.”

  “Oh, aye?”

  “I want to call him Jamie, after your dad.”

  A soft sound escaped from near the bottom of the bed. Looking down, Lorna had her hand over her mouth. Clearing her throat, Lorna lowered her hand, “Wait until you meet your son, first, child. Jamie may not even suit him.”

  Everyone always spoke of Lorna’s strength, but in that moment, Gina saw a flicker of longing and loneliness. Lorna MacKenzie missed her husband still.

  Maybe she could help the woman find happiness again. After all, Gina was fairly certain she and Ross had a connection.

  Before she could think any more on it, another contraction twisted her insides.

  Hearing Holly’s, “Push,” Gina fought past the pain to push with all of her might. It’s time to join the world, son. Don’t keep us waiting.

  She barely heard Fergus murmuring reassurances and focused every iota of her being on getting the giant child out of her body. She didn’t care if he was the smallest baby ever birthed on Lochguard—he was fucking huge to her right now.

  She alternated between screaming and gritting her teeth. Come. Out. Baby. After who knew how much time had passed, the baby slipped from her body. The next few seconds of silence were the longest of her life until a small cry filled the room.

  Holly worked quickly and soon held up her boy. “Your big, braw son has arrived.”

  Blinking back tears, Gina held out her arms. “Can I hold him?”

  Holly moved toward the head of the bed. “Aye, for a minute. Then I need to check him over. He seems hearty, but he is a wee bit early.”

  Gina could barely nod as Holly placed the small bundle in her arms. Her son was pink faced and wrinkly with wet red hair plastered to his head. But to her, he was the most beautiful thing in the world.

  Kissing his forehead, she whispered, “Welcome to the world, Jamie MacDonald-MacKenzie.”

  ~~~

  Fergus was close to crying himself as Gina whispered the greeting to her son. His beast growled and Fergus corrected himself—their son.

  With a huff, his beast gloated at the sight of the wee bairn. He is strong and hearty. He will make a great Scot.

  Fergus mentally snorted. He’s actually American.

  I refuse to acknowledge that. Born in Scotland. That makes him a Scot.

  Ignoring his dragon, Fergus reached out a finger and lightly traced the lad’s cheek. “Hello, lad. I’m your dad.”

  Gina laid her cheek against his and Fergus simply enjoyed the moment. He’d yearned for a family of his own for so long. Even a month ago, he never would’ve imagined he’d have it. Yet there he was, with both a mate and a son. He would give his life to protect them.

  His mate spoke up. “You should hold him, too, Fergus. I want him to know you from the beginning.”

  As he gently picked up the wee bairn, he replied, “Why? Are you planning on hiding him from me for a while?”

  “Don’t even joke about that, Fergus MacKenzie. I’m just trying to create a memory.”

  He stared down at the wee one in his arms, kissed his cheek, and then met Gina’s eyes. “Believe me, lass. I will remember this moment for the rest of my life.”

  His mate looked about ready to cry again and he scrambled with what to say. He knew it was the hormones in her body making Gina emotional, but he still didn’t want to upset his lass.

  Thankfully, his mum came up to him. “Let me take wee Jamie, Fergus. Grandma needs a turn.”

  Glancing to Gina, she nodded and he handed over his son to his mum. Lorna smiled down at the baby and murmured, “That’s right, Grandma has you.”

  His mum walked away and Fergus nearly went after her. Without thinking, he growled out, “I wanted a longer turn.”

  Gina gave a weak laugh. “I’ll keep that in mind when Jamie starts crying at all hours of the night. I don’t want to deny his daddy time.”

  Fergus grunted. “Joke away, but I will always be there for him.” He cu
pped her cheek. “And for you.”

  He swore she whispered, “I love you,” but Holly’s booming voice made him unsure. His sister-in-law said, “While I prepare Gina for the afterbirth, why don’t you tell Fraser the good news?”

  He was about to shake his head, but Gina spoke up. “Go, Fergus. Fraser is more than your twin—he’s your best friend. I want him here, too.”

  “But I don’t want to leave you or Jamie.”

  Even tired and sweaty, stubbornness glinted in her eyes. “I can handle a few minutes alone, Fergus. Go. The sooner you leave, the sooner you can come back.”

  Glancing over to where Lorna was cleaning up his son, his mum turned her head and motioned toward the door. “Fetch Fraser. And also make sure Arabella is okay. I don’t know where she is.”

  Fergus hadn’t even noticed Arabella’s absence. His dragon spoke up. Finn asked us to protect Arabella.

  But Gina needs us.

  She is strong. Besides, if we run, it will only take a minute.

  Fergus asked Holly, “Are you sure Gina’s out of danger?”

  Holly stated, “I can’t ever guarantee 100 percent, but Gina has survived this as if she were a dragon-shifter. I think she’ll be fine, and that’s my professional opinion.”

  For a split second, he wondered about the wheels turning inside Holly’s head—he’d bet his life his sister-in-law was going to find out why Gina had had such an easy birth for a human. But he quickly pushed it aside and focused on his mate. “I’ll be back in less than a minute.”

  She smiled. “Okay. Ready, set, go!”

  Cursing her with love, he raced out of the room. Thankfully, Arabella was sitting in the main control room, albeit toward the back. Satisfied the dragonwoman was okay, he looked at Fraser and yelled, “My son is here! Come see Jamie MacDonald-MacKenzie.”

  Fraser snorted. “That’s a lot of ‘Macs.’ Maybe I should call him Mac-squared.”

  He gave his twin the double finger salute. “Mum wants to know what’s going on. You’ve been summoned.”