The Dragon Guardian

by Jessie Donovan

  Gina spoke before Fergus. “It’s fine with me. I’ve had to keep too many secrets as of late.” She looked up at Fergus. “I hope that’s okay.”

  Fergus kissed her nose. “Of course.” Her dragonman looked to Finn. “Just hurry up and take us somewhere we can talk.”

  Arabella walked a few paces and tugged Finn’s hand. “Let’s take them back here.”

  As the entire MacKenzie and Stewart brood followed Arabella’s lead, Gina blinked to stop crying. No matter Finn’s news, it wouldn’t ruin the love and happiness running through her body. Her child would grow up among honorable dragon-shifters. Little Mac-squared would never turn out like his biological father; she’d make sure of that.

  Arabella tugged open the door to a small building that sat about fifteen feet from the great hall. It was brick with two small windows. Judging by the moss and vines crawling up the side, it hadn’t been used in some time.

  One by one they filed inside. A giant hearth took up the far side. Several brick ovens were built into the fireplace. While empty of furniture, Gina had an idea of what the building was. “This used to be the kitchen for the great hall.”

  Finn nodded. “Aye, back before we installed a modern one in the hall.” He pulled Arabella to his side. “These days, it’s used for private moments.”

  Arabella smiled as she hit his side. “Now we’ll have to find somewhere else.”

  Finn winked. “Good thing we have a long list of locations.”

  Fergus cleared his throat. “Cousin, tell us the news or I may have to pummel you.”

  Lorna clicked her tongue. “Fergus is right. Save your amorous escapades for later. Why are we here, Finlay Bruce Stewart?”

  Finn’s gaze moved to Gina. “It has to do with the results of your blood tests, lass.”

  Gina frowned. “Why? What did they show?”

  Finn answered, “A mixture of human and dragon-shifter DNA.”

  She blinked. “I don’t understand. My parents are human. Even if my mum had a dalliance with a dragon-shifter, I’d have an inner dragon since dragon-shifter DNA is always dominant. And I don’t have one.”

  Arabella jumped in. “Finn is being overly dramatic. The mixture is normal for a human who has been injected with dragon’s blood at some point in their lives. Are you sure no one in your family was a sacrifice and used it to save your life?”

  Gina shook her head. “No. My whole family, except for my sister, hates dragon-shifters. All of my cousins are human, too.”

  Fergus spoke up. “Then the only logical explanation is your parents purchased dragon’s blood from the black market, probably before you were old enough to remember.”

  Gina frowned. “I don’t understand. Let’s say my parents did as you said. Why wouldn’t they tell me?”

  Fergus answered, “A lot of humans are prejudiced against anything to do with the sacrifice system, which includes being injected with a dragon’s healing blood. They wanted you to be free from scorn.”

  In that moment, her parents’ past actions made sense. “For years, they did everything in their power to vilify dragon-shifters. When I still became fascinated, my mom tried even harder to make me hate dragons.” She looked down at Jamie. “Despite everything, I still ended up tainted by association.”

  Lorna moved in front of her and lifted her chin. “Not tainted, lass. You’re blessed.”

  Gina asked, “But how?”

  Holly answered. “Because I have a feeling being injected at a young age with dragon’s blood is the reason you had such an easy birth with wee Jamie. We might be able to try injections with other humans and see how it works.”

  Lorna looked to Holly. “Aye, starting with you, Holly MacKenzie.”

  “How did you—” Holly started.

  Lorna cut her off. “I may be middle-aged, but my sense of smell is just as keen as when I was a young lass. You reek of Fraser.”

  Fraser growled. “Mum.”

  Lorna smiled. “Not in a bad way.” She looked back to Gina. “Thanks to you, my other daughter-in-law might have a greater chance of living a long life, surrounded by a horde of children.”

  Holly murmured, “I don’t know about a ‘horde.’”

  As Holly, Fraser, Lorna, and Ross started arguing about respect and talking back, Fergus leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Are you all right, Gina? It’s a lot to take in.”

  “It is. I wish I knew more about why or how my parents had done it.”

  “You could ask them,” Fergus stated.

  A small part of her was tempted. But that would mean dealing with the scorn and disappointment all over again. “Maybe some day. But right now, I want to cherish my new son and my new husband.”

  He tucked a section of hair behind her ear. “Maybe if we sneak out now, they won’t notice. I’d like to do a little cherishing of my own. Holding my son and mate beside me on the couch, with maybe your wee cat next to us, sounds like heaven to me.”

  “Oh, Fergus.”

  “Come, lass. Before they stop arguing.”

  Fergus tugged her hand and moved toward the door. He didn’t get more than two steps before Finn shouted, “Not yet, you two. We have a few more things to discuss.”

  ~~~

  Fergus growled as he turned his head toward his cousin. “Then hurry up and tell us, Finn. I want to see my family settled.”

  Finn raised his brows. “But I think your mate will like this bit.”

  Fergus’s dragon snarled. If he doesn’t get to the point soon, we should pin him to the ground and demand answers.

  You’re aware he’s leader, aye?

  Right now, he’s not clan leader—he’s our annoying older cousin.

  Lorna walked up to Finn and grabbed the top of his ear. Finn yelped. “What the bloody hell are you doing?”

  Twisting his ear, Lorna narrowed her eyes. “In private, you’re merely my nephew. Watch your tongue, Finlay.”

  Fergus bit his lip to keep from smiling. From experience, he knew his mum would grab his ear too, if given the chance.

  Arabella sighed. “How about I just tell them, Finn? Otherwise, we could be here for another hour and I’m hungry for a change.”

  Finn looked at his mate with concern. “Are the bairns giving you trouble, Ara? You promised to tell me if they did, no matter what I’m doing at the time.”

  Arabella shook her head. “They’re actually behaving, which means I’m starving.” Arabella looked to Fergus and Gina. “What my dear mate wanted to say is that in addition to BroadBay being under constant surveillance to ensure they don’t cause any more trouble or plan any more attacks, there was one other stipulation from the DDA.”

  Relief flooded Fergus’s body. Unless BroadBay found a way to bribe the DDA, Gina and Jamie would be safe.

  Fergus would whittle the details surrounding BroadBay out of Finn later. He needed to know what else to expect from the DDA. “A requirement beyond the changes to the sacrifice system?”

  Arabella nodded. “Yes. That was something Finn hashed out with Bram. This next bit was a request from the American DDA office.” Arabella smiled at Gina. “You’re going to see your sister Kaylee sooner than you anticipated.”

  Gina clutched his hand and stood perfectly still. “Please explain what you mean, Arabella.”

  Arabella shrugged. “The American DDA is investigating BroadBay and the actions of their clan members. While that Travis bastard wasn’t part of the attack on Lochguard, some other Broadbay members were. As such, the American DDA is afraid of retaliation against your family. Your parents and Kaylee were offered a relocation program, complete with new identities. The only catch is they could never contact you again.”

  Fergus adjusted his hold on his son and wrapped his arm around Gina’s shoulders. “Something must’ve happened.”

  Arabella answered, “Correct. Kaylee refused. She wanted to be relocated here.”

  Gina’s reply was breathy. “And?”

  Finn chimed in. “I agreed to the plan.
She arrived a short while ago and is waiting inside the Protectors’ central command building. If you need some time to adjust before seeing her, she will stay with me and Ara until you’re ready.”

  Gina took a step forward. “No!” She looked up at Fergus. “Can you take me there now?”

  His dragon spoke up. Do it.

  But what about Jamie? The temperature is dropping by the minute.

  Lorna released Finn and put out her arms. “Give me my grandson. I’ll wrap him up tight and follow you.”

  Fergus looked to Gina and nodded. “Please, Fergus. I just want to see my sister. Your mom will watch over Jamie and make sure he’s okay.”

  He handed over his son without hesitation. “Just make sure he’s warm enough, Mum.”

  Lorna adjusted Jamie’s swaddling. “I raised you three and Finn, didn’t I? Now, go. The sooner you do, the sooner we can welcome Kaylee MacDonald into our family.”

  Gina looked over at Lorna. “But you don’t know anything about her.”

  “Aye, but she chose you, child. That’s all I need to know.” Lorna motioned toward the door. “Go.”

  Tugging Fergus along, he and Gina rushed into the fresh air. Before his mate could start running, he scooped her into his arms. “This way is faster.”

  As he half-jogged, Gina laid her head on his chest without complaint. The pair of them had come a long way from the first day back along Loch Shin.

  His beast huffed. Of course. I’m quite charming.

  Fergus mentally snorted. Just because Gina thinks you’re beautiful in dragon form doesn’t mean that’s how we won her.

  I guess we’ll never know.

  Oh, I know the reasons. Live in your fantasy, if you like.

  His dragon turned his back on Fergus and walked toward the back of his mind. Just hurry and make our mate happy so we can finally take her home.

  Picking up his speed, Fergus drew on every bit of strength he had. Much like how he was incomplete without his family, he had a feeling Gina was the same way with her sister.

  It was time to fix that.

  ~~~

  Gina closed her eyes and enjoyed the beat of Fergus’s heart as he ran. A lesser man might take offense at a quiet evening alone being pushed aside in favor of welcoming a new sister-in-law. But not Fergus. Even though Gina had only mentioned her younger sister a few times, he instinctively understood her longing to see Kaylee.

  She still couldn’t believe her sister’s choice.

  True, Gina should be even more excited about BroadBay being under surveillance and investigation since it meant she and Jamie were safe. But in the present, she could only think of finally seeing her sister.

  A sister Gina had believed she might never see again.

  Fergus’s pace slowed and his deep voice rumbled in his chest. “We’re nearly there, lass. I’m going to put you down at the entrance.”

  Opening her eyes, Gina blinked to adjust to the fading light. Ten seconds later, Fergus slowed to a stop and gently placed her on the ground. He moved toward the door, but she placed a hand on his chest to stop him. “Thank you, Fergus.”

  He smiled and chucked her chin. “I intend to collect at a later date.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “So much for being noble.”

  He gave her a quick kiss. “I can be noble, but I’m also male. I have plans for when you’re healed and naked.” Gina blinked, but Fergus placed a hand on her lower back and pressed before she could reply. “We can discuss this later. Come. Your sister is waiting.”

  Each step only made Gina’s heart rate increase. Kaylee had given up her life to come to Lochguard. She might be okay with that for now, but who knew about the future. Despite what her parents had done to Gina, they had been loving parents before Gina’s accidental pregnancy. Kaylee may yet regret severing ties.

  From time to time, even Gina longed to see her parents’ faces again.

  Fergus murmured, “Talk to your sister first and then decide if you need to worry.”

  She glanced up. “How do you know I’m worrying about anything?”

  “You tap your fingers together when you’re worried or nervous.” He moved his from her back to her hand and threaded his fingers through hers. “We’ll face her together, lass. Don’t fret.”

  Drawing on the strength of Fergus’s grip, she nodded. If Gina weren’t sleep deprived, she probably wouldn’t be worrying in the first place. She’d take Fergus’s example of gathering the facts before making a conclusion. Kaylee might actually be happy to see her. Her sister also had a fascination with dragon-shifters, which could make the transition smoother.

  They rounded the last corner and entered the main command room. Grant McFarland stood with a group of Protectors, discussing something she couldn’t hear. At the sound of their entrance, Grant looked up. “I wondered how much longer you two would be.” He motioned toward a side room. “She’s in there with Meg Boyd.”

  Fergus snorted. “That’s quite the way to introduce her to the clan.”

  Grant answered, “Aye, well. Meg volunteered before I could even ask. I think she’s jealous of your mum and the human male and just wants something Lorna doesn’t have yet.”

  Gina squeezed his hand. “Can we discuss Lorna and Meg’s rivalry later?”

  Fergus nodded. “Sorry, lass. Come, let’s go before Meg Boyd talks her ear off.”

  Taking a deep inhalation, Gina straightened her shoulders for courage.

  They crossed the floor. Fergus looked at her with love and encouragement in his eyes before opening the door. An older woman’s voice met their ears, “And that’s how I married off my second son. As you see, there are some tricks to catching a fine dragonman—”

  Gina’s eyes fell on her sister and she whispered, “Kaylee.”

  Kaylee’s brown eyes filled with surprise and she jumped out of the chair. In the next second, she ran into Gina’s arms. “Gina.”

  Closing her eyes, Gina released Fergus’s hand and hugged her sister tightly. “I can’t believe you’re really here.”

  Kaylee squeezed gently and then moved back. Gina opened her eyes to meet her sister’s gaze as she answered, “Of course I’m here. I’ve been trying to find a way to Scotland for months, but I didn’t have enough money saved up. I wish you’d have let me come with you.”

  Gina blinked back tears. “I didn’t want you tainted by association, Kaylee. You deserve better.”

  Kaylee shook her head, the short strands of brown, curly hair bouncing around her cheeks. “You always were an overprotective sister.” Kaylee gripped her upper arms. “But in this, you were wrong. I missed you, Gina. Don’t ever push me away again.”

  Meg Boyd chimed in. “Aye, she’s right, Gina. Sisters should stick together.”

  Gina smiled. “You’re right, as usual, Meg.” Fergus sighed at Gina encouraging the older dragonwoman, but Gina ignored it and turned toward her mate. “Kaylee, I’d like for you to meet Fergus MacKenzie. He’s my mate-slash-husband.”

  Kaylee elbowed her in the side. “You did all right, sis.”

  She whispered, “Kaylee.”

  Fergus chuckled. “Nice to meet you, Kaylee MacDonald. But I need to correct one thing—I’m the lucky one to have found Gina. I still can’t believe she chose me.”

  The way Fergus stated the fact, as if it were the simplest thing in the world, made Gina smile. “Are you still working on earning brownie points?”

  Fergus grinned. “Aye, maybe I am.”

  They stared at one another a second before Kaylee asked, “Did something happen to the baby, Gina?”

  At her sister’s worried tone, Gina moved her gaze to her sister. “He was born a few days ago. Would you like to meet Jamie MacDonald-MacKenzie?”

  Kaylee nodded enthusiastically. “Where is he?”

  The anticipation in Kaylee’s voice warmed her heart. No matter the past, her sister would accept Gina’s son without question.

  Clearing the emotion from her throat, Gina answered, “My mother-in-
law should be here shortly, if not already. Let’s wait for her. I can introduce you to more people along the way.”

  Meg interjected, “But don’t set your sights on anyone yet, child, until you’ve met my Alistair.”

  Fergus answered dryly, “I’m not sure Alistair would like to know his mother is trying to set him up.”

  Meg waved a hand. “He’s had nearly thirty years to do it himself. If I don’t try, he’ll never find someone. He spends too much time reading. He should socialize more often.”

  Rather than answer, Fergus opened the door and smiled at Gina with love as she walked out with her sister. They would have a good laugh about Meg’s antics later. Knowing what Gina did of Alistair, he wouldn’t welcome his mother’s matchmaking efforts.

  Kaylee leaned over and whispered, “I keep pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming. Not only because I’ve found you, but also because we’re on freaking dragon-shifters’ land. I never thought I’d see the day.”

  Gina laughed. “I’ve been here over two weeks, and I still think it’s a dream.”

  Fergus appeared at her other side just as Lorna rushed into the room with Jamie. Her son had to be wrapped in eight blankets by now.

  Lorna stopped in front of them and looked between Gina and Kaylee. “Aye, I see the resemblance. The hair and eye colors are different, but the faces are the same.”

  Gina motioned toward Lorna. “This is Lorna MacKenzie, my mother-in-law. Lorna, this is Kaylee MacDonald, my younger sister.”

  Lorna smiled. “Welcome to Lochguard, child.”

  Fraser, Faye, Holly, and Ross rushed into the room. Ross was out of breath. “You move quick for your age, Lorna.”

  Lorna raised her brows. “Aye? I think you just need more exercise. Or maybe it’s those four years you keep lording over me.”

  Before Ross could do more than frown, Kaylee pointed at Fraser and then Fergus. “There are two of you?”

  Fraser wrapped an arm around Holly, but Faye was the one to answer. “I know. Sometimes I wonder why. One brother is more than enough to try my patience.”