He finally answered, "Together, then."
Brenna nodded. "Good." She sighed and some of the fight ebbed out of her posture. "Then the first thing is for us all to go home and take care of Ethan. We can return to the real world tomorrow." She glanced at Bram. "I hope it's okay we stay with you too?"
He nodded. "Aye, of course." He moved his gaze to Caitlin. "You can come as well, as long as your mate promises not to kill me in my sleep."
Lorcan grunted, but Caitlin beat him to the reply. "I'll hold onto him all night. I'll even lock the door and hide the key, if it helps."
"Right, then let's give Gabriele a little bit more time alone and I'll help Evie get everything prepared." Bram said to Brenna, "Bring the others when they're ready."
Brenna bobbed her head and Bram squeezed Gabriele's shoulder one more time before exiting.
Threading her arm through Killian's, Caitlin turned him toward the door. "I'll take your mate for a short while, Brenna. Take your time and find us when you're ready. We'll be in the private waiting room."
Killian kissed Brenna and Caitlin led her son out the door, Lorcan fast on her heels.
Once in the waiting room, she sat and gestured for Killian and Lorcan to take a seat on either side of her.
Taking a hand of each, she squeezed them and sang a tune, one that spoke to the loss each of them had endured over the years.
However, from that loss, she wanted to forge a better future. Together, she was confident they could.
Chapter Twenty-One
Adrian Conroy sat on the bed of his temporary residence on Stonefire, staring at the letter Caitlin Todd had passed on to him from her son.
The letter from Elsie Day.
If his dragon wasn't still groggy from being drugged quiet, his beast would've demanded that he open the blasted letter and see what the human had to say.
Flicking his thumbnail against one corner of the envelope, he debated what to do. If the female wanted to see him, it would only encourage his dragon to pursue the human.
And for many reasons, Adrian couldn't do that. The least of which was the history between his family and hers. They might live in separate countries in the present—his family in Northern Ireland and hers in England—but the Days and Conroys had been neighbors before the Second World War.
His grandfather had even considered mating one of them before the betrayal.
No, Adrian needed to sever ties, which meant never reading the letter. Going to the kitchen, he lit the gas burner on the cooker and put the envelope to the fire. Once it caught, he tossed it into the sink and watched the flames consume the paper.
Whatever Elsie Day had wanted to tell him wouldn't change his mind.
Or, so he told himself.
Lorcan and Caitlin would be returning to Northcastle the next day. Adrian would join them, return to Northern Ireland, and never have to see the female again.
Because if he was alone with her pretty eyes and curves made to be held close, his fortitude might slip and he'd probably end up kissing her. That meant a mate-claim frenzy.
Which could never happen.
As soon as the flames died, he turned on the tap and washed away the ashes. As the last of them disappeared down the drain, he felt a sense of closure. Elsie Day wasn't to be his. Ever.
~~~
Brenna stood next to her father and brother, with Killian on her other side, and stared at the shroud-clad form of her mother on top of the pyre.
Some said that dragon-shifters had begun cremating their own since the eighteenth century to prevent humans from digging up the bodies for research. But no matter how it had started, the tradition was ingrained into the way of life. Cremating a loved one signaled the end of one chapter and the beginning of another.
Caitlin and Lorcan had asked to stay for the ceremony, and Caitlin had been given the task of singing the traditional dirge since Brenna's father couldn't do it, being the mourner. As Caitlin's soprano tones warbled the final notes, Brenna squeezed Killian's hand in hers. It was time.
As the eldest child, she had a duty to fulfill. Brenna released her mate's hand and marched over to Bram, who held an unlit torch. He held it up and said the traditional words, "Sharon Rossi may be departing the earth, but she will forever be a part of our clan, helping to nourish the trees watching over us all."
He flicked on a lighter and the torch soon blazed with life. As Brenna took it, she replied, "I shall also carry on her legacy, through blood and memory."
Since she had cried herself out over the last two days, Brenna took a deep breath and turned toward the pyre with a neutral expression.
She took a second to memorize the moment. The white shroud was embroidered with a large image of the Stonefire crest, which was a dragon clutching a shield and the two pieces of a broken sword. Surrounding the crest were roses, her mother's favorite flower. Every member of the clan had contributed at least one stitch to the design; appearance wasn't the most important. No, sending off a fallen clan member with haphazard designs meant little compared to the sense of clan and togetherness. It didn't matter that her mother had spent time away in Italy. She was Stonefire, always and forever.
Her dragon said softly, It's time.
Aware that the entire clan was watching her, Brenna kept her head high and shoulders back. Reaching the pyre, she sent one final silent I love you to her mother before lowering the torch to the wood stacked underneath the shrouded figure. Leaving the torch in the open space left for it, she stepped back to join her father. Caitlin began another song about how the fallen member wouldn't be forgotten as the flames licked and then consumed her mother's body.
Her father wrapped an arm around her shoulders and they stood for who knew how long, watching the dancing flames. They wouldn't stay the entire time since it would take hours for the pyre to fully burn and extinguish. But once the blaze roared, concealing her mother, Brenna looked up at her dad. "She has been honored."
Bram took the cue and raised his voice. "The commemoration continues in the great hall. We have mourned Sharon Rossi's passage and now will honor her memory with a celebration."
As members left, Caitlin sang one final song about fostering the next generation and taking care of one another when times turned tough.
Only when everyone but Brenna’s family and Bram had left did she take her little brother from her father and say, "We should go, too."
Her father stared at the flames. "I'll be along shortly. I want to sing one final song to Sharon alone."
Pushing past the emotion in her throat, Brenna nodded. "Find me when you're ready. I'll watch over Ethan until then."
Her father kissed her cheek, shook Bram's hand, and moved closer to the pyre.
At her father's silhouetted figure, tears threatened to fall again.
Her dragon spoke up. We must be strong for Ethan.
She glanced down at her brother and adjusted his blanket. I know, but sometimes sadness can't be contained that easily, no matter how much I wish I could do so.
Killian placed a hand on her back. "You did brilliantly, love."
Adjusting her brother in her arms, she leaned against Killian's side. "It's easier when you're older. I can only imagine how difficult it must've been for you and Teagan when you were children, at your father's mourning ceremony."
He grunted. "Yes and no. I promised myself that I wouldn't cry because I needed to be strong for my family."
"You weren't even ten at the time."
"That didn't matter to me. Without my dad or either of my grandfathers alive, it was up to me as the only male in the family to be strong and take care of my mother and sister."
She smiled. "Even at that age, I'm sure Teagan didn't take that well."
"No. I suspect that if it had been any other circumstance, she would've challenged me and won. However, she took dad's death even harder than me. It took years for her to smile again." He lightly caressed her cheek. "But this circumstance is different. You have me. And even if it means allowi
ng Blue to take charge to charm you, I want to make our lives from here on out happier. That doesn't mean forgetting your mother, but there are other ways to honor someone than with tears."
Her dragon spoke up again. He's right. Protecting Stonefire means protecting everyone we love. Mum would've approved of that, I think.
If what Dad said is correct, about her being proud, then I think so, too.
Glancing down at her brother's sleeping face, she wished she could just kiss Killian and enjoy the celebration being held in her mother's memory.
However, that would be the coward's way of handling things. There was one remaining thing she needed to tell Killian before making any sort of plans with him.
The hard part was that it might drive him away.
No. She'd put it off long enough.
So, she mustered the courage to say what she'd been trying to say for the last two days. "I know that previously I wanted to return to Glenlough, but I can't do that anymore." She looked up at Killian. "My brother and father need me here. I understand if that's too much to ask, giving up your family and everything you've known, and that you'd rather go back to Ireland."
He frowned. "Why would I go back to Glenlough without you? You're my future, Brenna. I thought we were supposed to decide it together?"
"You may regret staying here."
He stopped and gently took hold of her shoulders. "Why? Because I can be treated as I am now, with two dragon personalities and no past to tie me down? If anything, it's a sort of blessing. I'll miss my sister and I hope we can visit her often, but Glenlough is her home and future. Stonefire is mine."
She held her breath and tried to spot if he were putting on a show for her.
But there was only truth and love in his eyes.
Releasing her breath, she whispered, "Oh, Killian."
He cupped her cheek. "It's the truth. And if being with you wasn't enough of a reason, then know that Black and Blue have grown fond of Tristan and Dr. Sid, too. Even without a cure of sorts to ensure I don't have any more episodes, I think I have the best chance at being the male you deserve here, on Stonefire."
"You are the male I deserve, and maybe more than that."
He smiled. "I'm not going to argue about who is more deserving than whom. How about we just agree to talk about any decisions related to our lives, so that we can forge a stronger future together?"
"I like the sound of that."
"Right, then open communication, no matter the topic. And let me start by saying how much I love you, Brenna Rossi."
"At least you didn't start a contest about loving me more than vice versa."
"Brenna," he growled.
At his tone and grumpy expression, she did something she hadn't done in days—she laughed.
His frown vanished at the sound. "I've missed that laugh. I hope it's the first in a long string of them to come."
"Maybe. It depends if you're amusing or not."
"You don't want to issue a challenge with me, Brenna."
"Don't I? Dragon-shifter males like challenges. It's even better when I best them at said challenges."
He moved his face closer to hers. "Then you'll like this challenge—let's see how we can help make our future the happiest it can be from here on out."
"That's one I can get on board with."
"Well, after everything we've both gone through, I think a happy future is well deserved."
Her brother squirmed a little, telling her he would wake up in the next few minutes. "Then kiss me quickly to start it because Ethan is going to need to be fed soon."
Her mate complied, slowly taking her lips and lingering as long as possible. Only when Ethan gave his first cry did he pull away.
Brenna and Killian picked up their pace and reached the great hall as soon as they could. She had a bottle warmed for her brother in short order and sat at the side of the room, with Killian next to her.
As she leaned against her mate, watching her brother eat heartily and taking comfort from the sounds of her clan members all around them, Brenna was optimistic. She may not have thought Stonefire was where she belonged, but now she couldn't imagine being anywhere else. She'd always treasure her time in Ireland, especially as she'd learned so much from Teagan and had met Killian there, but Stonefire was her future. And she was going to do whatever it took to protect her clan, her mate, and her family to give everyone the happy ending they deserved.
Epilogue One
A Few Months Later
Killian sat in one of the exam rooms inside Stonefire's surgery and resisted the urge to get up and pace the room.
Black spoke up. It's only been five minutes. And to think you say I'm impatient.
Blue nodded. He's right. Good things come to those with patience. The wait only means that Dr. Sid is being thorough.
Black grunted. I thought we talked about your optimism and toning it down a bit?
Blue raised his head. This is who I am. And I know you've grown fond of me, which means your threats no longer frighten me.
Black muttered a few choice words, but Killian jumped in. I'm not sure why I bother, but will you two ever stop arguing?
Both dragons shook their heads.
Black said, Besides, why are you so worried? We passed the DDA's second interview and display of skills with flying colors.
Blue snorted. Flying colors. That's funny.
Not when you comment on it, it's not.
If you don't like compliments, then I won't give them.
As his beasts continued to squabble, he sighed. He may have grumbled about not being able to help Brenna with her Protector duties and her secret project, but he’d gladly wait for several more weeks to receive clearance if it meant his dragons would stop arguing for a day or two.
He quickly constructed a mental prison, making sure to reinforce the wall between the two dragon heads. He’d barely finished before Sid and Gregor entered the room.
Killian raised his brows and barked, "Well?"
Gregor scowled. "Be nice. Cassidy is growing another dragon-shifter inside her."
Rolling her eyes, Sid handed Killian a sheet of paper. "I vomited once in the last month. I'm fine." She gestured toward the paper with one hand and placed the other on her swollen belly. "As far as we can tell, the anomalies we pinpointed months ago are no longer there. We think it means that the serum worked."
The thumb drive Brenna had found on the human had indeed contained various formulas for the drugs that had harmed dragon-shifters in the UK and Ireland. Which was good since Alice's quest to find the old ship's logs had failed. It had taken months, but the doctors had tinkered with a counteragent. The results he held in his hand were the first to come back clean.
Gregor spoke up. "However, we need to test it more thoroughly to be sure before we clear you for duty again."
He looked up at the male doctor. "You mean you need my dragons to attack each other and see if I fall into a seizure."
"Aye. I know it's not the easiest thing to ask for, but if they do it and nothing happens, we can finally recommend you to active Protector duty once more."
Which meant Killian could finally join the Stonefire Protectors and help his mate. Nikki Gray was growing closer to term, which meant Brenna would soon temporarily take over as second-in-command of the Protectors until Nikki had her baby and was cleared for duty again.
Laying down the paper, Killian said, "No worries. Let me try it."
He quickly dismantled the mental prison. Both dragons gave him the stink eye, but he quickly spoke before they could. You can scold me later. For now, we need to test if we're truly cured or not. I need you two to fight with each other.
Black snorted. So now you want us to fight? You need to make up your mind, human.
Don't test me, Black. Unless you don't want to help Brenna protect our new home?
Black huffed. I was teasing. You need to work on your sense of humor.
Blue had rubbed off on Black, it seemed.
Howev
er, before Killian could reply, Black quickly moved his head to Blue's neck and bit him. With a roar, Blue did the same.
Despite the pain from sharp teeth flooding his body, Killian didn't sense anything else. After who knew how long, Sid's voice finally filled the room again. "That should be enough. Behave, dragons."
Black and Blue instantly removed their teeth and went back to their respective positions.
Except for Brenna, his bloody beasts listened to Dr. Sid above anyone else. Even him.
Thankfully Sid spoke up before his dragons could say why they did it. "I think we need to keep an eye on you for another twenty-four hours just to be certain, but I'm 98 percent sure that you're stable and will remain so. I'll talk with Bram after this, but as long as nothing happens, you should be officially working with the Protectors within the week."
Both his dragons roared inside his head, but Killian pushed past the noise to reply, "Thank you, Sid, Gregor. I know you've sacrificed a lot of your free time to help me and the others, and I'll forever be in your debt."
The corner of Gregor's mouth ticked up. "We'll call you on it once the bairn is born. We could always use a good babysitter."
Sid shook her head, but Killian spoke up. "Consider it done." He stood. "Unless there's anything else, I want to tell Brenna the news."
"No, go ahead and share it with your lass. I'm sure she'll reward the news," Gregor said, winking.
Killian murmured his thanks again before racing out to the waiting room. However, he scanned the area, but Brenna was nowhere in sight.
The male working reception, Leo, motioned him over. When Killian reached him, Leo said, "Brenna wanted you to meet her near Stonefire's back entrance."
He frowned. "Is something wrong? Another attack?"
Leo shook his head. "Just something about a surprise for you that she can't give you here and that you shouldn't worry."
Craved by the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 11) Page 24