by Sarra Cannon
“What about other children?” Aislinn persisted. “Surely...” Her voice ran down.
“I’ve been careful about that.”
“Good. Maybe it means I’m not pregnant.”
A corner of his mouth turned down. “You’re not. Conception is a simple enough thing to control.”
She ate in silence, questions rioting—no, make that stampeding—through her head. “What were you doing here all those lifetimes before the dark ones broke through? Uh, no, how about starting with when you came over from Europe.”
“It’s the United Kingdom, not Europe. And that would have been in the late seventeen hundreds. Although I did travel back and forth, once I determined I hadn’t lost my magic by migrating to the New World.”
“Did you just sort of fade from life to life? Didn’t people notice when you, ah, didn’t die?”
He shot her a look. It said he’d indulge her this once, but there’d be a finite number of stupid questions he’d answer. “Let’s just say I planned well. And I have been many things. It gave me a certain latitude to blend in.”
“Have you ever told anyone else who you are?”
He shook his head. “Not since I arrived here. In the Old Country, everyone knew who I was—at least up until the sixteen hundreds or so. After that, people stopped believing in magic.”
“Why’d you tell me?” She wasn’t certain she wanted to hear the answer.
“Because you’re…different.”
She waited, but he didn’t elaborate. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m not sure. There’s something…ethereal about you.” He drew in a breath and then blew it out sharply. “I believe you are only at the barest beginnings of discovering who you are. It’s something I’d like to help you with.”
She bristled. “That’s easy. I’m Jacob and Tara Lenear’s only child.”
“And are ye now, lass?”
“Either talk one way or the other,” she snapped peevishly. “Stop going back and forth.”
“You’re frightened,” he said in American English.
“No, I’m not.”
“Aye, ye are.” He looked at her, and she saw the truth of his words reflected in the depths of his eyes. He laid a hand over hers. “It’s a lot to take in all at once. Why don’t we switch to a more neutral topic?”
“Such as?”
“Orione. Aren’t you curious about the dragon?”
Something clicked deep in her mind. “You’re old. So’s it. Does that mean you know what it is?”
He smiled. This time, it reached his eyes and was way more than simply teeth. “Yes, I know what it is. At least, I think I do from your description.”
“Are you going to tell me?”
The smile morphed into a grin. “I was just waiting for you to ask.” His expression took on a somber hue. “Some knowledge must be requested. I believe Orione is actually Dewi—”
“The Celtic dragon god,” she gasped.
“You know about her?”
Aislinn nodded. “Yes. Mother used to tell me she’d protect me.”
“Turns out your mother was prophetic.” His eyes narrowed. “Did she ever say why the dragon would protect you?”
Aislinn drained the rest of her mead and held the cup out for more. He pulled a flask from a shirt pocket and poured. She tried to remember what her mother had told her, but nothing came. Finally, she shook her head. “No. I mean, yes, she told me some things, but I’m damned if I can remember a one of them.”
“Want to spend some time outside?”
She looked at him. “It’s night, isn’t it?”
“Aye, lass, and there’s a killer moon out there.”
“Maybe we can hunt with the animals.” She got to her feet and rifled through her pack, pulling on warmer clothes. In her hurry, the things she’d pilfered from the fishing lodge spilled onto the floor.
He came up behind her, scooped up a flimsy pair of blue thong panties, and looked at them. “Never would’ve figured you for the type. You’re more practical than this.”
She quirked a brow. “If you’re very, very nice to me, I may just model them for you.”
He made a grab for her ass. “Something to look forward to.” His dark blue gaze drew her like a magnet. Somehow, she found her way into his arms. He settled his mouth over hers, and desire flamed bright as she kissed him back.
Before things got out of hand, she put her hands against his chest and pushed. “Outside,” she panted. “Let’s hunt. We can fuck later.”
“Tired of me already?”
She laughed. “No. That’s the problem. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of you.” She clapped a hand over her mouth, thinking she’d said too much.
He grinned. “I would hope not. We’re just getting to know one another. There are lots of things I haven’t done to you—or you to me. For example—”
Because she was afraid he’d start listing them and she’d be lost, she yanked on his arm. “If you don’t set the magic to get us out of here, I will.”
“You’re a hard woman.”
She snorted. “No, the problem is, you’re hard all the time. Come on, let’s get out of here.”
Fionn had been right. The moon was nearly full. It shone so brightly, she didn’t need her mage light. What a beautiful night. Cold and crisp, with a million stars lighting the sky. She wondered what it would be like to be hundreds of years old like him. To have seen the stars hundreds of thousands of times.
Rune found her within minutes of her arrival. He licked her hands, nuzzling them. “The hunting is good tonight. Little animals all love the full moon.”
“Have you fed well?” She ruffled the soft fur behind his ears, and he leaned into her.
Bella landed on her shoulder. The bird’s wings made a fluttery sound as she folded them against her body.
“You must really like her.” Fionn smirked. “My shoulders are broader.” He patted one.
“Hers are softer.” Bella smirked right back, staying put.
“Does Bella know?” Aislinn reached for Fionn’s hand.
“Does Bella know what?” the bird asked, her claws tightening on Aislinn’s shoulder.
“Of course.” Fionn ignored the raven. “Bond animals are mind-linked.”
“What?” the bird cawed. Her claws dug in so deep Aislinn was sure there’d be bruises, if not actual cuts.
“Hey,” she protested. “That hurts.” The raven’s talons relaxed a little. “I was curious what you knew about your bondmate.”
Bella loosed another raucous cry and preened her feathers. “That’s easy, human. I know everything.”
Intuition that had nothing to do with magic burned in Aislinn’s midsection. “She’s been with you for a lot of your life?”
Though she’d asked Fionn, the bird answered. “Of course, missy. He and I have been together forever.”
Rune nipped her. “What’s this all about?”
“We’ll talk later.” She turned to Fionn. “Let’s hunt. I need to stretch my legs. I’ll take this area.” She pointed off to her right. “You choose another. That way, we won’t nick one another by mistake with our magic.”
“See you in a bit, lass. Good hunting.” He melted into the forest.
She tried hard not to think. When she did, her brain drove in crazy circles, coming back to the same impossibilities every time, but without any answers. If she wasn’t careful, she found herself reexamining the things she’d found in Fionn’s mind. When she realized she wanted to spend more hours in what was a walking, breathing history lesson, she reined herself in.
The Old Ones have been around forever, so why not him? And Dewi…
Dewi was a fairy story.
Apparently not.
She wondered why the Old Ones had another name for the dragon thing, thought maybe Fionn might know, and turned toward home. Despite her musings, she’d managed to snag a marmot and a ridiculously fat raccoon. They had a strong gamey taste, but made excellent
soups and stews.
The dragon has two names. Fionn has a name right out of legend. I don’t even know Rune’s other name. Shit, am I the only one around here with a simple, normal name?
“Come on.” She clucked for the wolf. “Let’s go home.”
“I knew if I waited long enough, you would show yourself,” something chuckled from the shadows.
She twirled and dropped her game so she’d have her hands free to fight. “D’Chel?”
“Who else?” The god stepped from a grove of lodge pole pine, wearing his human form. “Nice you were expecting me.”
Chapter 14
Rune growled. Hackles rose the length of his back. His body vibrated with outrage where he touched her leg.
“Easy,” she cautioned him. “No heroics.”
D’Chel threw his head back and laughed. “By all means, keep your bond animal under control, so I don’t have to kill him.”
She ground her teeth together. “Leave us alone.”
“Here I thought you wanted me.” Luminous eyes, copper this time, glittered against the moonlit night. Shiny, dark hair fluttered around him, moved by a gentle breeze.
“What did I ever do to make you think that?” Though she tried to infuse venom into the question, her voice came out high and squeaky.
“Last time, you sent your mate and animals away so we could be alone.” He smiled, perfect teeth nested in a strong jaw. A jab of sexual heat seared her.
“I sent them away so they’d be safe.”
“Oh, I see.” The lascivious grin widened. “You’re into sacrifice. I know some wonderful little games we could play. Besides, I like my women subservient.”
She drew her lips into a snarl, baring her teeth. “Never. I’ll die first.”
“Is that your choice?” He raised a hand lazily. “It’s all the same to me, human. There are many more where you came from. I simply thought your spirit might make things more…interesting for a change.”
“You can’t touch me if I don’t want you to. I proved that last time.”
“True. But I can kill you from where I stand.” Another jolt of lust stabbed her. Fluid gushed down her thighs, reminding her how sore her labia were. “We really could enjoy one another. Look how hot I make you from ten paces. Think what I could do if I were actually touching you.”
Memories of bone-chilling cold oozing from his hands rioted through her mind. Maybe he could kill her, but she was damned if she’d let him touch her again.
“Look.” He pulled his richly embroidered black robe open and stroked himself. She tried to look away, but couldn’t. His cock was mesmerizing. Perfectly formed, perfectly hard, perfectly beautiful…
Stop that! Just stop it. The fucking thing is cold and dead, just like the rest of him. It doesn’t matter what it looks like.
“Mmmm,” he purred, stroking faster. “If that’s the problem, I can make it warm just for you. Come touch me. See for yourself.” His hand worked harder.
Something in the air shifted. It felt as if he were stroking her as well. Aislinn fought against it with everything she had, but she came anyway, shaking all over. Fuck! Another “look, Ma, no hands” orgasm. Breath jangled in her throat.
He took a step closer, still working himself. A drop of semen glistened on the end of his cock. She yanked her gaze upward until she met his eyes: copper slits, glinting dangerously. Compulsion poured off him. If she didn’t do something right then to break his hold on her, she’d close the distance between them and give herself to him.
Aislinn commanded her body to move right that second, goddammit, but she was rooted to the spot, staring into those mystical, alien eyes. Rune growled. Pain rocked her ankle. She glanced down and saw the wolf’s jaws circling her lower leg.
“Thank you. Do it again.”
Pain tore through her as the wolf tightened his hold—and broke D’Chel’s. Aislinn pulled fire as fast as she could and heated her body so D’Chel couldn’t actually touch her. Footsteps pounded through the thick undergrowth. She stiffened. Was it another dark god?
“Aislinn!” Fionn shouted. He and Bella crashed into the clearing.
“I was just leaving,” she panted, still so hot that all she could think about was getting a cock—anyone’s would do—inside her.
“No.” His voice was stern. “Let’s try to get rid of this bastard.” Raising his hands, he released power. It flew straight toward D’Chel. At least the god of illusion had let go of his dick. It bounced outside his robes in an obscene parody of desire as he ducked and wove to avoid Fionn’s volley.
She grasped the power filling her and loosed it in jolts, sending it toward D’Chel, but the space where he’d been was suddenly empty. The dark god apparently hadn’t liked the odds.
Why am I not surprised?
Aislinn tensed, waiting to see what he’d morph into. After ten breaths, she began to hope he was gone. After twenty, she was sure he was, at least for the moment. Her hands dropped to her sides.
“I think we can go home.” She bent and picked up the marmot and the raccoon.
“Why didn’t you call me when you knew you were in trouble?” The same unsettling edge that had been there when she’d returned from Taltos ran beneath his voice.
“I thought I could handle it.” She drew herself up tall and looked at him. “And I was handling things.”
Fionn made a rude sound somewhere between a grunt and a snort. “Och aye, and ye were handling things just fine. I smell sex in the air. He had his cock to hand, and ye were standing like a vestal virgin sacrifice, staring at him with cow eyes.”
Heat flooded her face, fury mixed with shame. “I didn’t go to him,” she hissed. “I’ll admit I wanted to, but I didn’t. When you showed up, I was drawing magic to get myself away from him. Away, not toward.” Spinning on her heel, she stalked back through the forest.
His footsteps pounded behind her. Hands settled on her shoulders. She stopped dead because he held her in place. She thought he’d come round in front of her, but instead, he dropped his mouth close to her ear. “You’re a proud one, lassie. Your pride will be your undoing.”
“Where I come from, we call that spirit,” she snapped. “It’s what’s kept me alive.”
“What was your mother’s last name?”
“Huh?” Confusion rocked her. Where had that question come from?
“It’s a simple enough question. What clan did your mother came from?”
“McLaughlin. Her last name before she married Daddy was McLaughlin.”
The hands on her shoulders tightened. “And her family came from Inishowen?”
“That’s right. Hey!” She wriggled her shoulders. “You’re hurting me.”
“Sorry.” His fingers, which had felt a lot like Bella’s claws, loosened. Something electric radiated from them.
“Did you know,” his voice was very quiet, “that you are descended from kings?”
It was so preposterous she threw her head back and laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. There’s nothing special about the name McLaughlin. It’s as common as rain. If you look in any phone book, there are dozens of them.”
“The original spelling was MacLochlainn.” He spelled it out for her. “They were the first kings of Ireland.” When she heard him again, it was deep in her mind. “I know, lass. I was there.”
— —
She stood over a pot of water warmed by magic. The raccoon, its meat cut into strips, simmered along with greens and wild mushrooms. Fionn had tried to talk with her after they returned to his home, but she’d asked to be left alone—at least for a while. Still rattled from her confrontation with D’Chel, she didn’t want to let slip that Rune was the only thing that stood between her and disaster. The slick place between her thighs reminded her how weak she’d been.
I never should’ve talked to him. That was my mistake. The minute I saw him, I should have pulled magic and gotten myself away.
“What about calling for me?” Fionn’s voice was quiet. “You
never did tell me why you didn’t.”
She twirled so quickly, hot liquid from the pot splattered from her spoon and dripped across the floor. “You’re in my head again.”
He sat in a rickety chair, watching her, arms crossed over an old fisherman’s sweater he’d shrugged into when they returned. A corner of his mouth quirked upward. “Well, you won’t talk to me...”
“That doesn’t give you the right—” she began and then bit off the rest of her words. She blew out a breath, hoping the simple action would cool the fury raging through her. Giving the stew another stir, she stalked over and sat across from him in the room’s only other chair. “I don’t understand why I get so angry at you.” He opened his mouth, but she shook her head. “No, let me do this my own way. Before I talk about the hard stuff, what would you like me to call you if other people are around? Do you have a more Americanized name?”
His blue eyes twinkled merrily. “I’ve tried that. Didn’t work, because none of them ever got my attention. Call me Fionn.” He lapsed into his Gaelic accent. “Just doona be including the rest of my name.”
She rolled her eyes. “Stop that. What if I slip up?”
“You’ll figure something out. Look, lass, I can’t stuff the cat back into the bag.”
She pinched the bridge of her nose. “Okay. Next question. Why do the Old Ones have another name for Dewi?”
“They had a dragon god before Mu sank. They must believe Dewi is that god.”
“They called it Orione, not Dewi,” Aislinn pointed out. Fionn just looked at her, so she went on. “Why are you so sure who I met is your dragon god and not theirs?”
“That’s a good question. I suppose at the root of things, I’m not. I’d have to lay eyes on the thing myself to be certain, but Dewi would never have harmed a MacLochlainn. Your mother was right when she told you Dewi protects your clan.”
Aislinn turned the information over in her head. The Old Ones had seemed truly shocked Orione hadn’t hurt her. “What about the blood part? Is that something Dewi would have done?”
“I could tell you a carefully crafted lie to make you feel better, but I truly don’t know. Any magical creature might use blood to determine what sort of being it faced. As it stands, we know two things.” He counted on his fingers. “One, it tasted your blood. Two, it let you go. I believe it discovered who you were through your blood.”