by Ashlyn Chase
Rory nodded. Aiden didn’t know who he was referring to, but he caught the undercurrent of resentment. Since Drake’s time was limited and he had more important questions for him, Aiden decided to skip the details.
“It sounds like you found no one suitable,” Rory said.
“That’s the gist of it.”
“So Chloe is our only option to continue the species?” Aiden said hopefully.
“I’m not saying that at all…only that I couldn’t find anyone but the psycho Gaia had to banish to Siberia.”
Now there’s a story I’d like to hear at some point.
“You know, we have a missin’ branch of our family tree,” Rory reminded him.
“Uncle Faelan?” Aiden asked.
“The very same.”
“Wait,” Drake said. “My grandfather’s name was Faelan Harris. Now there’s a coincidence, eh?”
Rory and Aiden stared at him with rounded eyes. Could we be related?
“Did you have any sisters?” Rory asked.
“No,” Drake said and sighed. “And if you didn’t pick up on my slight accent, I came from Nova Scotia, but I was born in Scotland—I think.”
“What do you mean, you think?”
“Well, I wasn’t there. I mean…I was, but I sure don’t remember it. I was told my mother was in Scotland when I was born.”
“Tell us more,” Rory said. “About your grandda, I mean.”
“He was supposedly the last dragon. When St. George slayed him, my grandmother was pregnant. She fled to the Scottish highlands and hid in the deserted mountains there.”
“Did she happen to remarry?” Aiden asked.
“The timeline doesn’t fit,” Rory said. “Our uncle was the youngest and there’s already a generation between.”
“True. But it’s still possible that we’re related. My grandmother found another dragon also hiding out in the Scottish Highlands. He was younger and she married him—informally, of course.”
“Jaysus,” Rory breathed. “We may have found the missin’ branch.”
* * *
Ryan and Chloe returned to work, but purposely staggered their arrival times. The weather had been frigid and blustery, and the Charles River was beginning to freeze over. They had no sooner taken over for the previous shift when a call came in.
Ice rescue: Under the Mass Avenue Bridge. Engine 33 and Ambulance 1, respond.
Chloe and Ryan reached the pole almost at the same time, but Ryan held back to let her go first. She didn’t hesitate. Chloe ran to her gear and suited up quickly.
“What kind of fucking moron thought that going out onto the ice this early was a good idea?” Haggarty grumbled before he jumped into the ambulance with Nagle.
“I guess we’ll see,” Lieutenant Streeter responded in a clipped tone as he barreled into Engine 33’s front seat. “It’s been cold as hell for a couple of weeks, but yeah. Not smart.”
When they arrived, a young boy clung to the edge of the jagged hole he’d fallen through. His lips were blue, his eyes glazed, and his teeth were chattering.
“Shit,” Haggarty mumbled under his breath. “It’s a kid.”
The lieutenant stood between the shore and his firefighters. “That ice won’t hold us and I don’t know if the kid can grab the life preserver without going under.” He spoke quietly so the boy couldn’t hear him.
“I can reach him,” Chloe volunteered.
“Hell no,” Ryan practically shouted.
“Stuff your protectiveness, Fierro. I’m the logical choice.” Her small, light size would finally come in handy. This was her chance to prove her worth.
He glared at her as Haggarty retrieved the rope and tied it around her waist.
“You’ll want to lie down as flat as you can and crawl. It’ll distribute your weight across—”
“We were taught ice rescues in trainin’,” she snapped. “Just let me get out there.”
The kid’s eyes were beginning to close, signaling hypothermia setting in.
She grabbed the life preserver the lieutenant handed her and wasted no time lying on the ice and inching her way to the lad as quickly as she could. His grip was slipping and she reached his wrist just as he let go.
“I’ve got you. Stay with me, lad,” she said reassuringly. She slipped the doughnut-shaped life preserver over his head and under his free arm. Looking back over her shoulder, she yelled, “Pull!”
Ryan held the other end of the rope and pulled so hard the two of them flew across the ice to safety. It was a good thing she had a tight grip on the kid.
Nagle had a blanket ready and wrapped the boy up tight. Haggarty handed her another blanket and nodded. “Good work, Arish.”
There was no sarcasm in his tone, and if she wasn’t mistaken, the look he gave her conveyed respect.
“Thank you,” she said. Her teeth began chattering. She looked over at the boy. “Where are your parents, hon?”
He didn’t answer. He was probably too cold to think straight.
Nagle cradled him close to his body and took him to the open doors at the back of the ambulance.
Haggarty said, “The hospital will locate them, Arish. He needs medical attention right away. Get into the front seat where it’s relatively warm.”
“But I’m soaked.”
Haggarty smirked. “I didn’t say to sit in my seat.”
He glanced at the lieutenant. “Okay if I take her with us?”
“Absolutely. Get her checked out too. I think Fierro may have yanked her arm out of the socket.” He frowned at Ryan.
Haggarty chuckled and said, “Let’s go, Chloe.”
She smiled at Ryan and climbed into the passenger seat.
On the way to the hospital, Haggarty glance over at her a couple of times. “How are you doing?”
“I’m fine.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be? I wasn’t on the ice more than five minutes.”
After a short pause he said, “I’m sorry for giving you such a hard time.”
She wasn’t sure she’d heard him correctly. “Did you just apologize?”
He chuckled. “Yeah. I was an asshole, but I’m capable of admitting it.”
“Hmmm…” was the only response she could think of.
“Well?”
“Well what?”
“Do you accept my apology?”
“Oh. Of course!” She smiled. “Apology accepted.” After a few moments she couldn’t help but ask, “Does this mean you’ll treat me kindly in the future?”
He grinned but looked straight ahead. “No promises…but I’ll try.”
* * *
Aiden wanted to take Chloe for a walk and explain his feelings for her. He was sure she’d understand. Even if she didn’t react well at first, she’d come around. Rory had already told him he wanted to stay in Boston with Amber, even if it meant abdicating the throne.
That meant Chloe could return to Ireland as queen. She’d probably insist on the title of crown princess, but he’d change that too.
It was hard to wait until she was off duty. Four twenty-four-hour shifts on and a day off, then one shift on and four days off? “Who ever heard of such a daft schedule?” Oh well. She won’t work at all after we’re wed.
Yule came and went with little more than a cup of eggnog and a small exchange of gifts.
Amber gave Rory a plush crimson robe. She winked, saying he might need one as soon as they began admitting guests. Aiden didn’t need the visual of his cousin strutting around in the nude.
Rory gave Amber a diamond ring. Aiden didn’t know if it was supposed to signify an engagement or not, and he didn’t want to make either of them uncomfortable by asking. He hoped to be a brother-in-law, not just a cousin, at some point. Preferably very soon.
/> At last Chloe breezed through the door into the living room and said, “Merry belated—Christ!” Her eyes widened. “Aiden?”
“Ah, there she is. Merry Christmas and blessed Yule, luv…and soon a very happy New Year,” he said with a wide smile as he advanced toward his confused female cousin with his arms open wide.
Chloe approached him slowly. “Glad tidings, Cousin,” she said and allowed him to hug her, briefly. Too briefly. Oh well, that would change too. She’d soon realize how important it was for the two of them to procreate and rule the castle in Ballyhoo together.
“How was your work?” Rory asked.
Amber interrupted. “Before that, can I get you some eggnog? I spiked it with some Arish Irish Whiskey.” She winked.
“Perfect. Thank you kindly.” As Amber strode off to the bar, Chloe turned to her brother and answered his question. “Work was excitin’!” Her face became more and more animated as she recounted the story of an ice rescue.
Shite. This job of hers sounds dangerous. She’ll have to leave it at once in order to protect the royal bloodline.
She went on about how some bloke named Haggarty had been giving her a hard time until she proved herself.
“Why should you have to prove anythin’ to anyone?” Aiden asked. “Ye’re a princess, after all.”
Chloe laughed. “Yeah. That and five dollars will get me a cup of coffee at Starbucks. Even at home I wouldn’t tell anyone I was a princess. Or if I did, they’d assume I was descended from a long-forgotten king—which I am.”
“Ah, ’tis a sad thing, indeed. You should be livin’ a life of privilege and leisure.”
Chloe snorted, and a curl of smoke escaped her nostril. “You don’t know me well, Cousin, else you’d know I could never sit around and do nothin’ all day.”
Someday you’ll be too busy raisin’ our dragon babies to worry about that.
After she finished her eggnog, Aiden said, “I was hopin’ you’d take a walk with me, Chloe.”
“It’s feckin’ freezin’ out there.”
He shrugged. “We come with our own source of heat.” When she still looked reluctant, he said, “Did you know that Gaia gave our ancestors fire after she saw them freezing their arses off in the mountain caves?”
She leaned back and looked as if her attention had been piqued. “No. I didn’t. How did you learn that?”
“Drake mentioned it. I had to do something while I was waitin’ for you, so I spent as much time with him as his job would allow.”
“Ah. Why didn’t you just come and visit me? My firehouse is even a bit closer.”
“I—uh…I wanted a bit of privacy. I have somethin’ important to ask you.”
She glanced nervously at Rory. He didn’t give anything away. In fact, he just shrugged, as if he had no idea what Aiden was talking about. It’s true he hadn’t told Rory he was going to propose tonight. And the clan leader may have thought he’d talked him out of it. To be honest, his cousin’s reluctance almost made him more determined.
“I—I guess I can spend a few minutes with you. I was invited to Sunday dinner at my boyfriend’s home tomorrow, so I figured I’d spend tonight with my own family.”
“How fortunate that I’m part of your family.” And all she’ll be doing tomorrow is saying good-bye to the boyfriend and packing her bags.
Amber stood. “Shall I get your coat, Chloe?”
“I can get it. Is it in the hall closet?”
Amber grinned. “In a manner of speaking…let me get both of your coats. I’ll be back in a flash.”
While they waited, Chloe looked everywhere except at Aiden. When Amber returned with their winter jackets, she seemed relieved and shrugged into hers without waiting for him to help her. He could see he’d have to teach her a bit about manners too, but all of that could wait. The important thing was to get them married. She had an Ulster birth certificate just like he did. No need to worry about international logistics.
When they were both bundled up, he held the door open for her and she strode through. She opened the second door, the one to the outside, and held it for him. He jogged forward and took the door handle. “Let me get that for you, luv.”
She looked at him strangely as she passed, then walked into the howling wind. Apparently she wasn’t used to being around a gentleman.
“Where did you want to go walkin’, ousin?” she asked.
“I don’t know the area as well as you do. I like these picturesque residential streets, but are there some that are less noisy and more private?”
She tipped her head and then her face lit up. “Yes. There’s a cute little area near the theatre district called Bay Village. It’s tucked away and quiet there.”
“Perfect.”
She set off at a brisk pace and he kept up, trying to make small talk until they reached the area she spoke of. He filled her in on the health of his brothers and asked after her sister, Shannon. It sounded as if Shannon was happy living in the caretaker’s cottage on the castle grounds in Ballyhoo.
That would be fine. He’d like to move his bride to the family’s ancient castle at some point, but from what he’d seen several months ago, it needed work to make it livable first. They could stay at the local B and B until it was ready. She’d be impressed when he restored it to its former glory.
Finally, she slowed her pace when they came upon a place named Church Street. He noticed a church nearby, but it didn’t appear to be on the street named for it. However, there was a tiny park on one corner with a couple of benches. A decorated pine tree made the place look festive—almost romantic.
“How’s this?” she asked.
“Perfect,” he said.
She sat on one of the benches and he plopped down next to her.
“You have me mind spinnin’ with curiosity. What’s so private you had to talk here instead of in me brother’s comfortable home?”
He slipped an arm around her shoulder. She leaned away and frowned, as if he were out of his mind.
“Are you warm enough, luv?”
“I’m fine.” She cocked her head. “So, get to it. What is this about, Aiden?”
He thought he’d better make his case, quickly, but there were a few details that led up to his question and he had to start with those.
“You know how verra verra few dragons there are in this world?”
“I don’t, really. No.”
“Well, as far as any of us knows, other than the Asian dragons, there are the six Arishes, and Drake Cameron. He thinks he is the last of his clan. He mentioned one female, but said she was ‘batshit crazy’ and banished to Siberia. Can you think of any others?”
“I know of none, personally, but I think we had an uncle who left the Arish clan right before the battle of Ballyhoo began. Isn’t that right?”
“I believe so, yes. As it turns out, we may know what happened to him after all. Drake said his grandmother came upon a young male dragon in the Scottish highlands centuries ago.”
“Ah! That may have been him, then.”
“Mayhaps. She sort-of adopted him, so he was considered the brother of Drake’s mother. His uncle, in other words.”
“Ah. That’s wonderful, but what has this to do with us now?”
“Maybe nothing. Both his mother and uncle are dead now. I just wanted to point out how few options we have.”
“Options for what?”
He tried to take her hand, but she tucked it into her pocket. Have faith. She’ll come around.
“As you know, Gaia only made female dragons fertile once every five years. It was supposed to control the population, because of our long lifespans. If you don’t mind me askin’, where might you be in your cycle now?”
“I do mind you askin’, because it’s none of your bloody business!”
“All right. Don’t get your kni
ckers in a twist.”
“Leave me knickers out of this.”
He took a deep breath and tried to calm her with a smile. She just continued to frown at him. “Well, I’ll get back to what I was sayin’, then. Unfortunately, that cycle, along with bloody battles and knights provin’ their bravery, has almost wiped us out. Our existence hangs in the balance, Chloe.”
She remained quiet, and just blinked at him a couple of times.
“A female dragon can only produce offspring with a male dragon. Shannon is already married to a human. Rory abdicated the throne by leavin’ Ireland permanently. And Conlan doesn’t want to worry your brother by outrankin’ you, because he’s the next eldest. Eagan has a lass he’s serious about. So, they left it up to me.”
“Huh?” She stared at him blankly.
“It’s us or no one, Chloe. I’m askin’ you to marry me and have me dragon babies.”
Her mouth dropped open, and he thought she was going to agree with his logic, but instead she was gasping.
As soon as she could form words, she shouted, “Are you out of your feckin’ mind?” Then she leaned back and let out a belly laugh that went on too long to pretend he wasn’t insulted.
“Chloe. You can stop laughin’ anytime, if you please.”
She clutched her belly, laughing harder.
Just as he was about to get firm with her, a man wearing a black hoodie stepped around the corner and demanded, “Hand over your wallets and you won’t get hurt.”
That got Chloe to shut up. Aiden rose, holding her in place with a hand on her shoulder, then inserted himself between her and the stranger.
“Go along, little man. You don’t know what you’re up against here.”
The guy pulled a long knife out of his sweatshirt and said, “No. I don’t think you know what you’re—”
“Be quiet,” Aiden hissed. This guy had the nerve to butt into their private conversation just as he was proposing and try to rob them too? Oh, hell no.
Aiden’s eyes began to glow, signaling an impending shift.
“No!” Chloe yelled. “You can’t do that here…”
The guy’s jaw dropped, but he didn’t back away.
Aiden’s skin turned to shimmering scales, and his clothes magically disappeared as he shifted into his dragon form. Then he rose off the ground, towering over the guy.