When he smiled at the sound, showing his white teeth, her mind went blank.
Lorcan chuckled. "You look like a deer caught in the headlights, Caitlin. I assure you that I'm not going to run you over." He waved at Adrian and they were instantly alone.
With the young man gone, Caitlin found her voice. "I wasn't prepared to see you in formal attire, is all."
"I wanted you to see what you were getting, Caity."
She tilted her head. "No one's ever called me that before."
He took a step toward her, but Caitlin didn't have the urge to move away. "It suits you, I think. Caitlin is a bit formal for such a shy lass."
"I hope you don't think shy means weak."
Amusement danced in his eyes. "Of course not. Any clan leader who thinks that clearly doesn't understand people. Especially since you've raised a clan leader yourself, and a former head Protector."
At the mention of her children, Caitlin remembered why she was in Northern Ireland. "Do you have the documents ready to sign?"
Lorcan didn't blink at the change in subject. "I'm hoping for this to be more than a mere transaction, Caity. I want you to have a chance to know me before committing your life to me."
"A more conniving person would use that to their advantage."
"I don't think you will."
The certainty in his eyes unsettled her. It seemed unfair that he could read her so much better than she could read him.
Her dragon whispered, Give it time.
Placing a hand on one of the plush chairs in the room, she asked, "Why me? I'm not sure I've ever understood your attentions in recent years, ever since that visit to Glenlough with your daughter."
He raised his brows. "You don't remember, do you?"
She frowned. "Remember what?"
Lorcan took a step closer, but Caitlin didn't move. For some reason, being alone with the male wasn't terrifying, as it probably would've been with another stranger.
His voice filled the room. "In the late 1970s, both the humans and dragon-shifters started to grow tired of the Troubles. There was a brief truce between Northcastle and the Irish dragon clans for a few years. Glenlough and Northcastle had a celebration of sorts, near The Giant's Causeway."
She vaguely remembered the party, as it was her first time meeting anyone from Northcastle. "In 1978."
"Yes, you were sixteen and I was nineteen. I found you lurking on the edge of the gathering, staring up at the rock formation known as the Chimney Stacks. I came up and told you the story of Finn McCool, the giant who lived on the causeway with his wife."
A memory niggled at the back of her mind. "The one who built a bridge to Scotland to challenge his rival, saw how big the rival was, fled back to Ireland, and his wife hid him by dressing up her husband as a baby."
"Right, and when the Scottish giant saw the size of the baby, he ran back home, afraid of how big the father was."
The hazy image of a tall, gangly boy with mismatched eyes and brown hair came into her mind. "You said your name was Lorry."
"Aye, well, at the time that's what everyone called me. But the bigger question is, do you remember what happened next?"
Caitlin had long suppressed the memories of that evening since Glenlough and Northcastle had become enemies again within a year.
Not that she hadn't thought about it for weeks afterward. "You told a few more legends and then kissed me."
It had been Caitlin's first kiss, and she hadn't known what to do. Young Lorcan had patiently guided her, until she'd allowed his tongue to stroke the inside of her mouth.
"Your cheeks are pink, Caity."
Clearing her throat, she replied, "Well, first kisses tend to hold a special place in someone's heart. But you can't say that one kiss has made you wish for me all these years."
"While the kiss was brilliant, there's more to it."
She tilted her head. "Then tell me."
"Well, you were young. Too young, and couldn't possibly have known. But my dragon said you were my true mate. However, he would wait until you grew up before he did anything."
She blinked. "B-but, they say your late mate was your true mate."
He shrugged. "A dragon-shifter can have more than one. I found Rebekah more than a decade after you, Caity."
"Why did you never say anything?"
"We were enemies again soon after that party, not to mention you mated Kieran by the time you were nineteen. I had no choice but to stay away."
She prodded her dragon. Did you know?
No. I didn't pay attention to such things at that young of an age.
Lorcan's voice garnered her attention again. "But if you think I only want you here because of a kiss from almost forty years ago, then you're wrong."
Her heart rate jumped. "Then why?"
Closing the distance between them, Lorcan's voice was low as he said, "There are few people I feel comfortable around, and you're one of them. And not just because of the party, but you were kind to me and my daughter when we visited several years ago. I soon put together you were the same female from that gathering near the causeway in 1978. With your mate also gone, I thought maybe we should have our own go around. That's why I started sending flowers and notes on your birthday—to see if what could've been would come true or not."
His gravelly voice did something to her insides, not to mention Caitlin easily lost herself in the depths of Lorcan's eyes. There was desire there, yes, but a longing she understood, one that could only be recognized by someone else who had lost their former love and secretly wanted someone to care for again.
Raising his hand, Lorcan gently brushed a section of hair behind her ear. "So, what do you say, Caity? The time for having children and raising them is over. I want a companion by my side." He cupped her cheeks and she stopped breathing. "And I can't think of a better one than the girl I kissed all those years ago. You're sweet with a hidden strength, and I desperately need that in my life." He lowered his head until he was a hairbreadth away from her lips. "Let me kiss you again and show you we suit."
Caitlin had never been a spontaneous person by nature. She liked to plan and organize. It made life simpler that way.
But as Lorcan's lips waited so close to hers, she was curious to see if her memory lived up to the man in the flesh. After all, she was too old for a mate-claim frenzy to take hold. One kiss wouldn't determine her future.
She closed the distance between their lips, and the second they touched, electricity raced through her body.
Lorcan kissed her gently before nibbling her bottom lip. He continued his ministrations for a few seconds before seaming her lips, asking for permission. Without hesitation, she opened. As his tongue entered her mouth, she groaned at his taste. It had been a long time since she'd been kissed, but only one other male had tasted as good.
Not wanting to think of her dead mate, Caitlin focused on matching him stroke for stroke. When Lorcan growled, the vibration sent a shiver down her body.
The response stirred the dragonman into action. Wrapping his arm around her waist, he tilted her head for better access. Each slide of his tongue against hers made the years fade away, back to 1978 when she'd been a girl reveling in her first kiss.
Their encounter back then may have been sloppier, but the rush of heat and desire she'd felt then was the same as now.
As soon as she gripped the back of Lorcan's neck, he broke the kiss and laid his forehead against hers. His breath tickled her chin as he murmured, "So, do we suit, Caity?"
Her breath was as labored as his. "There's more to life than kisses, Lorcan."
"I agree. But it's a good place to start."
As they each caught their breath, she couldn't help but admit how nice it felt to be in the arms of a strong male. Maybe even one she could lean on, or an ally to have against her mother or children on occasion.
Her dragon spoke up. Kiss him again. Just to make sure we suit.
You're just being greedy.
Then why are you holding b
ack?
Because it's been a long time and I'm not sure I'll do it right.
Her dragon snorted. You'll do fine.
Lorcan's voice prevented her from replying. "What's your dragon saying, Caity?"
"I'm not so sure I want to tell you."
Leaning his head back, she instantly missed the warmth of his forehead against hers. He said, "There are few things I'll demand of you, but I want there to be honesty between us. Even if I don't want to hear it, tell me."
She smiled. "Even if my dragon is saying you're the worst kisser of all time?"
"And that, my dear, is a lie. Clan leaders are fairly good at detecting them."
Her dragon huffed. Just tell him.
"Well, she thinks we should kiss one more time, just to make sure we do indeed suit."
Lorcan chuckled, the deep sound soothing Caitlin's nerves. "Does she, now?" He closed the distance between their lips and gave her a quick, rough kiss.
He pulled away far too soon. "That will have to do, Caity. Our children are waiting for us, and I imagine we all want to get their kiss over as soon as possible."
"Of course." Caitlin stepped back and smoothed her top and trousers.
The male stared at her for a few moments before he turned toward the door. "Come. Let's see if we can fix your son."
She didn't like the idea of "fixing" Killian, but didn't think it was worth arguing over.
Her beast sighed. You're going to have to learn how to voice your thoughts. He will want to hear them.
Maybe with time. Right now, I'm not going to risk Killian's chance.
As her dragon went quiet, Caitlin followed Lorcan out the door. It was time to see if her sacrifice would result in anything.
Not that being around Lorcan would be much of a sacrifice, if she were honest. She only hoped he wasn't charming her for a short while before he turned into a cruel male later on, once she was mated to him.
Chapter Eight
Brenna could've opted to stay back in the conference room and not watch the kiss. Instead, she stood just outside the prison cell containing Killian, Adrian Conroy, and a doctor with a syringe filled with a sedative, just in case the kiss with Georgiana started the frenzy.
Staying behind would've been cowardly. Not only that, she wouldn't know what happened until someone thought fit to tell her.
Her dragon spoke up. It wouldn't matter if you didn't care so much.
Wanting him healed shouldn't be a surprise.
No, I think you don’t want it to work.
Ignoring her beast, she glanced at Killian. But he had his back to her, shifting his feet as he waited for Georgiana's arrival.
For all she knew, this could be the last time she ever saw the dragon-less version of Killian O'Shea.
And a small, selfish part of her wanted to mourn that fact.
Footsteps echoed from the stone stairwell. Brenna glanced in their direction. Lorcan led the way, with a female not much older than Brenna behind him.
The female with blonde, curly hair nearly to her elbows approached, and only when she was close enough did Brenna note she had the same eyes as her father—one brown and one blue.
If anything, the different eye colors only enhanced her beauty. Brenna had always preferred to keep her hair short out of convenience, even if most males seemed to prefer long hair. Maybe Georgiana was more “old” Killian's type. And perhaps the pair of them might want to experience the frenzy after all.
No. She wouldn't dwell on that.
Caitlin brought up the rear. Lorcan and Caitlin each stood to one side of Georgiana, who had been staring at Killian without speaking. Brenna knew the female wasn't a Protector, but she hid the emotions from her face extremely well.
Lorcan was the first one to speak. "This is your last chance to back out, Georgiana."
Brenna strained to hear the female's soft reply, "No, it's nice to be useful for once."
She sensed a story behind those words, but Killian spoke before she could think too much on it. "Thank you in advance for your help."
Georgiana bobbed her head, her curls bouncing. "I hope it helps. I can't imagine my life without my dragon."
Lorcan grunted. "Enough stalling. Let's get this over with."
Georgiana glanced at her father. "Is it necessary to keep him behind bars?"
"Yes," Lorcan stated.
Caitlin chimed in. "It's all right, Georgiana. I'm sure Killian understands the precaution."
Killian moved to the bars of his cell and pressed the center of his face between the metal bits, his nose and mouth sticking out in the free space. "Whenever you're ready."
Brenna's heart rate sped up, each second seeming as if it were weeks. This is it. The old version of Killian might be on the cusp of returning.
Georgiana approached the bars. Since she was shorter than Killian, the Northcastle female stood on her tiptoes before pressing her lips to Killian's. After a chaste kiss, she stepped back and all eyes zeroed in on Killian.
For a few seconds, he frowned and said nothing. Then he arched his back and roared. Adrian quickly wrapped his arms around Killian to hold him. It was then that Brenna noticed blood trailing out of one of his ears. "Something's not right. His ear."
The doctor in the cell cursed and stuck the syringe into Killian's bicep. Even after it was all dispensed, Killian's roars continued, as did the slow trickle of blood.
Were they going to lose him forever?
With a final yell, Killian slumped in Adrian's arms and the Northcastle Protector gently guided him to the ground. As the doctor did his check, both Brenna and Caitlin moved closer to the bars, waiting for the doctor to say something.
The doctor spoke without taking his focus from Killian. "He's alive, but I need to get him to my surgery straight away."
Brenna barely noticed Adrian on his mobile phone, probably calling for help. She couldn't tear her gaze away from Killian's pale, still form.
Each progressive spell of unconsciousness seemed to become more painful. It could only be a matter of time before it killed him.
Her dragon spoke up. We don't know that. Maybe his dragon breaking free was too much. We shouldn't draw conclusions so quickly.
I'm not about to be optimistic on this issue.
Lorcan's voice garnered her attention, but she didn't turn toward him. "Georgiana says her dragon is unaffected and there's no mate-claim frenzy pull."
"Then what happened to him?" Brenna whispered.
Caitlin answered, "I wish I knew."
She had forgotten about Killian's mother. Turning toward her, she pulled her into a hug. "Hopefully we don't have to wait too long."
Some more tall, muscled blokes who were probably Protectors hustled into the room. Brenna released Caitlin so they could move out of the way. The males soon had Killian off the ground and they carried him up the stairs, the doctor right behind him.
She moved to follow, but Lorcan stepped into her path and said, "Dr. Cahir Silver will do everything he can to help him. It's best to stay out of the way and come with me instead."
If she were on an ally's land, Brenna would've pushed him aside and followed Killian. However, she wasn't about to risk starting a war. "Why?"
"Because my clan has fulfilled our side of the bargain and it's time to start working on Glenlough's," Lorcan answered matter-of-factly.
She motioned toward Caitlin. "Her son was just in pain and is now unconscious. Have a little compassion."
Lorcan raised his brows. "I'm well aware of what happened. However, a distraction will make time pass quicker, and that means Dr. Silver's prognosis will arrive before you know it."
She opened her mouth to argue, but Caitlin stepped forward. "It's okay, Brenna. He's right. Waiting with Lorcan and working is little different from sitting in the surgery waiting room, twitting my thumbs for any news."
"Are you sure you're in the frame of mind to work?" Brenna asked.
Lorcan jumped in. "It's only a preliminary draft. We'll revisit it wh
en everyone is in their right mind."
As much as she wanted to wait in the surgery, Brenna wasn't going to abandon Caitlin. Not just because she'd promised Teagan that she'd look after her mother, either. She knew what it was like to be a new face on a strange clan and having a familiar face close by at first, like she'd had with Aaron, could make the transition easier and less scary.
Dipping her head in agreement, she said, "Okay, but as soon as you know anything, you share it."
"Aye." Lorcan motioned toward the stairs.
As they all made their way toward a conference room on the top floor, Brenna couldn't help but replay the scene with Killian inside her mind. Blood trailing out of an ear was never a good sign; it could mean brain damage.
Her dragon spoke up. Or, it could just be his dragon bursting free.
I wish we understood more about how inner dragons work.
Once Killian is well, we'll go to Stonefire and Dr. Sid will figure it out.
She wanted to say if he got well, but kept the thought to herself. She only hoped the most recent episode wouldn't sentence Killian to a life of unconsciousness, being nothing more than a vegetable.
~~~
Killian stood at the edge of the mirror lake, the eerie stillness signaling he was back in his dream world.
Scanning the surrounding hills, he waited for the baby dragon to appear. Minutes ticked by, and no one came.
Suddenly, a loud pounding came from under the lake's surface and Killian's eyes darted toward it. At first, the mirror reflected back the hills and sky. But soon, a shadowy outline of a dragon flashed, before disappearing. The booming happened again, but the shadow dragon never returned.
After what he guessed to be five minutes had passed, a childlike voice echoed behind him. "The shadow dragon comes to the lake's surface quite often now."
Turning slowly, he found the baby blue dragon with large patches of white standing a few meters away. "Do you know anything about him?"
"He's always angry and I'm afraid to go back into the lake."
Killian remembered his last visit, when the baby dragon had dived into the mirror, the pieces reassembling themselves almost as soon as they broke. "What's on the other side?"
Craved by the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 11) Page 9