The MacLomain Series: A New Beginning Boxed Set (Books 1-4)

by Purington, Sky

  “You should show them how you intend to help them in the storm,” she said to what she hoped was both of them. Though it wasn’t far-fetched that she could speak to Bryce’s dragon, she was somewhat shocked when Sven’s dragon responded.

  “I think it would be too much right now.”

  “I agree,” Bryce said.

  She frowned, not in agreement at all. To her, it made perfect sense and should happen.

  Moments later, it seemed they felt the same because both shot down, their eyes blazing. That same sensation that had rolled through her when Bryce first shifted rolled through her again. This time, however, it was far stronger. Powerful in a way she couldn’t explain.

  “Are ye all right, my wee lassie?” Angus asked.

  “Of course,” she murmured, watching the dragons closely. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “’Tis yer eyes,” Angus murmured.

  Her eyes were still glued to Sven and Bryce. “What about them?”

  “They arenae right,” he replied. “They glow a mixture of gold and blue. The exact shades of the dragons’ eyes if I’m not mistaken.”

  “What?” she whispered, still watching the dragons as they landed on the backs of two ships, flapped their wings and began steering them.

  “Och, they have great control of these vessels, aye?” Angus said, impressed. “Even in high winds, I imagine...” He frowned. “But we have several ships and only two dragons. What of the rest of my fleet?”

  When Jessie finally tore her eyes away from them, the powerful sensation that had been building within her vanished. Half a breath later, both dragons launched into the air. All she heard were Bryce’s frustrated muttered words garbled in her mind. Why was he upset? Better yet, what had just happened between her and them? Because something clearly took place.

  “Lass, are ye all right?” Angus frowned. “I see yer eyes have returned to normal, but ye dinnae look like yer feeling all that well.”

  “I’m fine,” she assured, swallowing hard as she gripped the railing. “I’m sorry, what did you ask me before?”

  Angus eyed her with concern for a moment before he continued. “I was asking about the dragon to ship ratio.”

  “Oh, right.” She nodded then shook her head. “It will only really be one dragon at first assisted by me, Christina, Graham and possibly Aðísla. Remember, Sven’s your back-up plan. But don’t worry, all your ships will be protected.”

  “Right,” Angus said. “Against what exactly?”

  “Very bad stuff,” she murmured.

  He eyed the sky ahead then her. “Worse than the weather?”

  She nodded. “I’m afraid so.”

  He chewed on that information for a moment before he spoke. “Well, I suppose I’d believe anything by now.” He sighed. “Witches and wizards and dragons.” He shook his head. “Then ye with yer strange dragon eyes.”

  She frowned. “Dragon eyes?” She shook her head. “I’m not a dragon.”

  But Erin was.

  He shrugged, muttering as he turned away and saw to his men. “Mayhap not but yer something along those lines, my wee lassie.”

  “Aye,” Bryce said after he shifted and landed. “Something I didnae imagine existed until Sven just shared it with me.”

  She met his curious but troubled eyes and shook her head. “I’m sure that was just your mother’s dragon magic coming through somehow.”

  “No,” Sven said into her mind. “It was not Bryce’s mother but your own inner dragon blood. A lineage that dates all the way back to the ancient dragon, Níðhöggr. Jessie, your bloodline makes you something very special.” He paused for a moment, perhaps letting the enormity of what he had said sink in before he dropped the next bombshell. “You are without a shadow of a doubt, a controller of dragons.”

  Chapter Ten

  THOUGH HE WAS FRUSTRATED that Jessie had taken control of his dragon against its will again, Bryce couldn’t remain upset with her. Not when he saw the vulnerable, confused look on her face as Sven informed her of her lineage.

  While he got the sense Sven had known about this prior, the Viking seemed just as disgruntled to have his dragon at her mercy. It went against their very natures to be controlled by another. Even their dragon mates didn’t enjoy that luxury unless they gave it to them.

  “I’m so sorry.” Jessie shook her head, trembling slightly. “I had no idea. None at all.” She kept shaking her head. “I never meant to...” She flinched as her eyes held his. “I just controlled you both against your will?”

  “Och, lass,” he murmured and pulled her into his arms. Surprisingly it wasn’t just him but his inner dragon that was quick to forgive her and eager to offer comfort. “Sven will explain everything once we’re past the danger ahead. Until then, ye must not overly worry about it, aye?”

  “Worry about it.” Her wide eyes met his. “I just controlled the most unbelievably beautiful, and independent creatures I’ve ever seen, and you tell me not to worry about it?” Her eyes widened even more as something occurred to her. “So does this mean I’m a dragon too?”

  “We dinnae think so,” he replied. “Though Sven cannae be one hundred percent sure now after having felt your essence so acutely.”

  “Oh, God,” she whispered and rested her cheek against his chest. “I knew I was a lot of things, but that one would take the cake.”

  “Aye,” he agreed.

  As it was, she had a remarkable scent about her. Now he was beginning to wonder if there was more to it. Even if there wasn’t, everything else about her drove him to distraction from the delicious taste of her kisses to her tempting wee body. He had never wanted to possess a lass as much as he did her. Pulling out of her welcoming arms that morning had been almost impossible. Seeing her smooth, soft flesh and dainty curves just about pushed him over the edge.

  Well aware of his thoughts, she offered him one of those blushes he enjoyed so much. Unable to help himself and intending to do it as often as possible, he tilted her chin and brushed his lips across hers.

  “So we’ll sail through the firth then, aye laddies?” Angus roared to his men, interrupting what was fast becoming a much deeper kiss.

  “Aye,” his men roared in response.

  Angus slid curious eyes Bryce and Jessie’s way. “Normally, I’d have my men reef the sail at this point, but circumstances are a bit different this time.” He arched a brow at them. “What would ye recommend?”

  “We need all the speed we can get,” she responded. Forty oarsmen strong, this ship might be larger than most, but it would need help. The sort of winds they would be facing would likely tear its sail to shreds. Unless... “Let me try something.”

  Angus nodded as she went to the mast, closed her eyes and murmured. As she had hoped, because both the mast and sail were of materials more directly connected to the Earth she could easily manipulate and strengthen them. Her eyes shot open when a strange warmth rolled through her. Someone else’s magic was at work too.

  Erin’s.

  Moments later not just her mast and sail glowed as it strengthened but the whole of the fleet’s. As the glow faded, she smiled at Angus and nodded. “No amount of wind will rip these sails now.”

  Impressed, he eyed the material then roared, “Batten down the hatches, laddies, but keep the sail unreefed.” A crazy sort of anticipation lit his eyes. “Men to oar because we’ll be hittin’ her with all the speed we’ve got!”

  Bryce and Jessie stepped aside as men set to task and raced in every direction.

  The skies ahead were black and crackling with lightning. White-peaked waves roiled beneath them.

  Angus met Jessie’s eyes. “By the sounds of it yer familiar with the Pentland Firth, aye?”

  “I am...somewhat.”

  His bushy brows lowered sharply. “Somewhat?”

  “Only what I researched here and there,” she replied. “All I know for sure is with what you’re about to face you won’t have the benefit of some tides being stronger than others depend
ing on the time of day.”

  “Nay?” He frowned. “But that’s impossible.”

  “Nothing’s impossible when it comes to dark magic,” she said softly, her eyes steady with his.

  Angus said nothing for a moment as he let that tidbit of information settle. “Och, then, I suppose that’s all it could’ve been with the likes of ye and yers along, aye?”

  “I’m afraid so.” She impressed Bryce with how confident she sounded when he knew her inner thoughts were anything but. “Angus, you and I should stand at the stern of the ship for better visibility. You navigate the quickest route, tides or not, and my friends and I will handle the rest.”

  “Aye, then my wee lassie,” Angus said, his mental wheels already spinning. “Either we can cut between the isles of Stroma and Swona, but that brings us over a sand wave field with the fastest tides and highest waves, dark magic or no.” His eyes met hers. “Or we sail along the coast south of Stroma and ride the shores along Dunnet Head and Tang Head straight past Duncansby Head.” He frowned. “Though that route brings us dangerously close to land on either side.”

  “Is one faster than the other?” she asked.

  “’Twould all depend on the direction of the winds and the roll of the sea,” Angus replied.

  Jessie thought about that for a moment. “I think further away from land is better.”

  He nodded and said, “Aye, then,” before he headed for the stern and started giving more orders.

  “Why further away from land?” Bryce asked, sensing there was more to this. “Outside of the obvious risk of shipwreck, that is.”

  “The closer we are to land, the more threatening the warlock’s influence,” she explained. “And my guess is, the worse the weather and seas will be as well.”

  “’Tis a mighty amount of magic he’s using to create this storm, aye?” he said as the winds picked up even more and the skies grew blacker still.

  “All he has,” she said softly as her eyes met his. “Angus is already ahead of schedule. If he gets through this as fast as we need him to, we’ll want to convince him to drop anchor for the night so we can go ashore and find the warlock. He’ll be at his weakest then after using so much magic. That will likely be our one and only chance to destroy him.”

  Bryce nodded as they joined Angus and presented the idea to him.

  He frowned, perplexed. “We’re to risk our lives in the firth because we cannae take an extra day or two to go north yet ye want me to drop anchor for a whole eve?”

  “If you hope us to finish off the bastard causing all this weather, yes,” Jessie said. “And we’ll be back bright and early in the morning.” There was a distinct warning to her tone as her eyes stayed with the MacDonald captain. “If I don’t end my enemy he will end your country once and for all.”

  Angus eyed her for another long moment before he finally agreed. “Aye then, lassie. ‘Twill be as ye wish.”

  She nodded as the oarsmen propelled them forward even faster.

  “Keep them rowing until the last possible moment,” she said. “Then, as I’m sure you already know, have them strap themselves down to whatever they can find.” She glanced behind them. “You’ll want your strongest man on the rudder. Maybe a few men.”

  Angus nodded and started barking more orders as he handed Bryce and Jessie leather straps. As the ship lolled, Bryce braced for balance on the slick deck and tied her off. When their eyes met, he didn’t miss a flicker of fear for him.

  “I’ll be all right, lass.” He shook his head. “But I willnae be tying off.”

  “So you can shift more easily, right?”

  He could shift either way but wanted to be able to move more freely in case her bindings came undone.

  When he nodded and offered no response, she narrowed her eyes and murmured, “It works both ways you know. I’d like to hear your thoughts aloud too.”

  “Aye, then, lass.” He cupped her cheek and repeated what she already knew, his voice firm. “I willnae risk not being able to go after you if your bindings come loose.”

  “If that happens I’ll likely already be overboard,” she pointed out.

  “Aye, and I’ll be right behind you.”

  She sighed and frowned. “I won’t be able to concentrate if I’m worrying about you.”

  “Aye, lass, you will because everyone’s lives depend on it.” He would not budge on this. “Dinnae worry. I’m verra strong.” Then he reminded her just how strong. “Besides, soon enough I’ll be shifting so you’ll not have to worry anymore.”

  The skies darkened even more as they sped not just into the storm but the firth itself. Jessie's eyes went to the horizon then back to him, her words a warning.

  “It’s happening fast now.” As their gaze held he felt her inner strength grow and her courage bolstered just from knowing he would be working alongside her. She also knew he would remain resolute in not tying off, and had no choice but to trust he would be all right. “Be careful, Bryce and remain vigilant at all times.” Her voice softened. “I don’t want to lose you.”

  He had just enough time to nod his assurance before she looked at Angus and gave the go-ahead. “It’s time to pull the oars in.”

  As the men followed the order and strapped down, Bryce contacted his kin.

  “Are ye two ready?” he said into Graham’s and Christina’s minds as day became night, and inky clouds swallowed the sky. The air became thick and oppressive and the sea murky and black. “’Tis bound to be verra rough.”

  “Aye, we’re ready,” Graham responded.

  “We sure are,” Christina replied, a touch of excitement in her inner voice. “Thanks to Graham’s magical influence, I’m not nervous at all now.”

  No sooner did she respond than rain came in a thick, pounding wall of water.

  Surrounded by so much water, not just in the ocean but in the clouds and rain, Graham was certainly the best wizard to have along right now. His power should be magnified a great deal. And though this wasn’t particularly the sort of battle Christina’s gift was designed for, he suspected her powers would amplify Graham’s just as much as his did hers.

  Bryce held on tight when the ship leaned back precariously, and they began climbing a wave that almost seemed to have doubled in height from the ones they had ridden moments ago. Blinding chain lightning electrified the air as it zig-zagged in every direction, webbing across not just the sky but the ocean.

  “Bloody hell,” Angus roared, his eyes wild as he offered an insane smile.

  Wind speeds increased and jerked the ship forward even faster, causing it to grunt and groan as it crested another monster wave and they raced down the other side. The firth itself was a frightening sight to behold. Dark and foreboding, it seemed like they were racing into the gaping hole of Hell. The sound of its very water was both roaring and haunting. As though the ocean itself was crying out in pain at how harshly it was being treated.

  Ear-piercing thunder cracked and boomed, vibrating the ships and even the seawater.

  Rain slashed down from every direction, as the ships listed violently. Waves crashed over one side then the other, in a heavy, almost painful deluge. Though it was a tremendous strain on his muscles, Bryce never let go and certainly never left Jessie’s side.

  “It’s time,” she said into his mind as her eyes met his and she repeated what she had said before. “Be careful.”

  “Aye, lass, you too.”

  Though loathe to leave her, he knew they had no choice. So he waited for the perfect opportunity between ship rolls, raced to the edge, leapt and shifted. His vision hazed with the red of his dragon as he struggled to gain altitude in the rough weather. He had never experienced such turbulence. Yet his dragon was strong. More than that, his need to keep Jessie safe and protect his country was even stronger.

  Well aware Graham was already bonding his magic with Bryce’s and manipulating the water around the fleet, Bryce looped around. Once he had a firm hold on Angus’ ship, he began to steer it. As he di
d, Graham’s magic ensured that all the other boats experienced the same. It would be as though Bryce were at the back of each and every one.

  As it turned out, he had never experienced anything so challenging as navigating that firth.

  The waves seemed like wild, shifting mountains. The rain was brutal and the icy winds ferocious. Even with Graham manipulating the water and trying to keep them heading straight into the waves, Bryce’s dragon barely managed it.

  If nothing else, this was an enormous show of power on the warlock’s part.

  “Whatever happens,” Jessie said into his mind, her inner voice remarkably strong and level. “Keep doing what you’re doing until every last ship and man is free from this storm.”

  “I dinnae like the sound of that,” he replied. “What are you up to?”

  “It doesn't matter,” she responded. “Just promise you’ll do as I ask...not just for me but for your country.”

  Though he didn’t like her vagueness one bit, he grunted, “Aye, then.”

  That’s when he spied the warlock in the far distance standing on the shore. His arms were raised in the air and his fury a twisting, rotten blackness around him. A fury Bryce sensed had more to do with betrayal than anything else.

  By the looks of it, they were already about halfway through the firth.

  Frustratingly enough, though he continued utilizing all his strength, his dragon was beginning to struggle. Everyone was as they tried to keep the fleet from being demolished. Graham and Christina’s ring had ignited and threw forth as much power as it was capable of. Jessie was manipulating the air and grappling with getting the winds under control. Even his mother and Aðísla’s magic were wrapped up in this, as lightning was kept from hitting the ships.

  Yet he sensed the storm overwhelming them anyway.

  The warlock was winning.

  “It’s time Sven,” Jessie said into their minds, alerting Bryce as well that things were about to happen above and beyond the maelstrom they were already in.

  Seconds later, Sven shot into the air and headed for shore.