Healed by the Dragon: Part One Read online

  Contents

  Title

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Dear Reader

  Reclaiming the Wolf

  Sacrificed to the Dragon

  Other Works

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Healed by the Dragon: Part One

  Jessie Donovan

  Chapter One

  Finlay Stewart eyed his stack of paperwork and resisted the urge to toss it all into the bin. He loved being clan leader of Lochguard far more than he hated it, but there were times when he missed doing things on his own schedule.

  His dragon laughed inside his head. You had better hurry. She will be here in a few hours.

  She’s not the reason I want to be done with the bloody paperwork. Our clan needs a new sacrifice.

  Believe that if you wish. You can never lie to me.

  With a growl, Finn took the next stack of papers and signed line one of about fifty. He wasn’t about to be lectured by his bloody dragon.

  Aye, Arabella MacLeod was due to arrive in the next few hours to start her trial foster period with his clan. But any clan leader would be anxious at the arrival of someone from a different dragon-shifter clan. Just because Finn enjoyed teasing the lass and riling her up didn’t mean everyone else in Lochguard would feel the same, especially given the divide which still ran deep.

  His dragon huffed. You are clan leader. The others will come around.

  It’s been nearly a fucking year. I’m impatient and tired of their bullshit.

  They will learn.

  With a sigh, Finn flipped to the next page of the sacrifice application for the Department of Dragon Affairs. Since the DDA hadn’t been accepting applications for the last two months after the attacks in Manchester and London, Finn wanted to be first in line tomorrow when the requests reopened.

  Yet as he signed his name for the umpteenth time, his mind wandered to the BBC interview with Arabella MacLeod. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t forget one sentence she’d said: A group of men held me down, poured petrol on half of my body, and set me on fire.

  Clenching his pen so hard it snapped, he cursed as ink spilled over his hand. Not wanting to ruin the DDA paperwork, he rushed to the toilet sink. As he washed his hands, he struggled to contain his anger.

  The dragon hunters had fucking set Arabella on fire and he wanted to make the bastards pay.

  No matter how much he’d argued the point with Bram Moore-Llewellyn, the leader of Clan Stonefire, Bram refused to plan any more attacks on the hunters for the time being. Visitation passes were just starting to be handed out to humans to visit dragon-shifter lands and Bram didn’t want to fuck that up.

  His dragon spoke up. He’s right. Humans are just starting to reach out to us, and like us. We can’t risk ruining our positive image.

  He knew his inner beast was correct, but he didn’t like it. I’m used to how humans in the Highlands treat us. They would never turn us over to the hunters. We’ve saved their lives too many times in the past.

  His beast didn’t disagree, and for good reason; memories were long in the Scottish Highlands.

  Still, as he moved back to his desk and attacked his paperwork again, Finn vowed to make Arabella feel safe while she lived with Lochguard. If the dragon hunters thought her easy pickings and came looking, they would have to deal with the wrath of one particular golden dragon.

  Finlay Stewart had yet to have any casualties on his own land while in charge. He wasn’t about to let that change, not even if a whole fucking army of dragon hunters or the ridiculous Dragon Knights came knocking.

  After all, Finn had a few tricks up his sleeve.

  His dragon added, Let them come. I’m bored of always sitting.

  We’ll see, dragon. We’ll see.

  ~~~

  Arabella MacLeod watched as the Scottish countryside rolled by outside the car window. Deep down, she wished to see all of the crags and peaks from the sky, but despite her best efforts and her brother’s help with training, she didn’t trust her inner beast enough to shift into her dragon form.

  Every time she tried, her nightmares returned.

  The inability to shift had nearly cost her the foster position. Only because of her sister-in-law’s support was she still going. What Melanie had said to Bram to allow Arabella to go, she had no idea.

  Looking to the back seat of the car, her sister-in-law, Melanie, met her eye and smiled. Mel asked, “You nervous yet?”

  Arabella’s brother, Tristan, grunted from the driver’s seat. “Why would you bloody mention that, woman? Now she’ll get nervous for sure.”

  Arabella rolled her eyes at her brother. “Do I look paranoid to you?”

  Tristan glanced at her and then back at the road. “You’re a MacLeod, which means it’s impossible to tell.”

  She smiled. “MacLeod’s are also strong on the inside. If I say I’m fine, I am. I don’t need you doubting me now.”

  Tristan grunted and fell silent. Arabella went back to staring out the car window when Mel said, “If anything happens, anything at all, don’t hesitate to call us. I don’t care if it’s date night or I’m in the middle of a wild dragon-sex marathon, we’ll answer for you.”

  Arabella shuddered. “I don’t need images of my brother naked and having sex with anyone.”

  Mel laughed. “Too bad as he’s quite good, you know.”

  Ara changed the subject. “If I’m in trouble, I’ll call. Is that good enough?”

  Her brother look unconvinced, but Melanie answered, “I believe in you, Ara. In six months’ time, no one at Lochguard will want to let you go.”

  Mel’s unwavering faith was simultaneously comforting and disconcerting. “We’ll see. If my fan group follows me to Scotland, Finn might be begging you to take me back before long.”

  Melanie laughed. “I think it’s cute you have a group who are out to get justice for what was done to you, and will bother any politician who will listen. It won’t be long before they have a law named after you to tighten restrictions when it comes to the hunters.”

  Arabella grunted, not wanting to discuss it further.

  Grateful for the silence, Ara memorized the landscape until Tristan turned down the final road leading to Lochguard. Before long, the lake, or loch as they called it in Scotland, came into view. Loch Naver had not only given Lochguard its name, it was also beautiful. The late September sunshine danced on the surface. With the hills and peaks surrounding the long lake, it looked like a picture from a postcard.

  As the clan’s gates appeared in the distance, Arabella rubbed her hand against her trousers as a last-minute panic squeezed her throat.

  The first few minutes on Lochguard’s land would be critical. She wasn’t sure she could handle looks of revulsion or pity. If they all looked at her that way, she may just beg her brother to take her back.

  At least, the interview she’d done with the BBC two months ago had allowed everyone to see her face and scars already. It wasn’t as if her appearance would be a shock. Or, so she hoped.

  Her dragon’s voice was low when she spoke. We will have fun in Scotland. Stop worrying.

  Conversing with her dragon was still difficult for Arabella, but she pushed past her fear. Thank you.

  Any time. I am always here, Arabella.

  I know.

  Her dragon backed off and left her alone again.

  Arabella let out a sigh. Every adult dragon-shifter spoke of their inner beast as a lifelong friend. She wanted that, too, but after a decade of silence and
pushing away her dragon, she wasn’t sure if it would ever happen. She might spend the rest of her life with a cautious stranger hovering at the edges of her mind.

  Tristan pulled to a stop in front of a set of stone and metal gates. The words, “LOCHGUARD” were spelled out in twining metal above the entrance. Below, in Mersae, the old dragon language, was the phrase, “Love, Loyalty, and Bravery”.

  Her brother opened his door to exit the car and Melanie followed suit. They waited patiently a few paces off.

  Her brother and his mate had been extremely patient and understanding over the last year. The thought of not seeing them for six months brought tears to her eyes.

  Stop it, Arabella. It’s only six bloody months. You should focus on making new memories. With a deep inhalation, she blinked back the tears and schooled her face into a neutral expression. If she broke down and cried, there was no way her brother would let her out of his sight.

  Having a protective older brother was both a blessing and a curse.

  Her emotions under control, she opened the door and went over to Melanie and Tristan. She could just make out Melanie saying, “It’s rude, Tristan.”

  Arabella interjected, “What’s rude?”

  Mel frowned. “You would think someone would greet us at the gate. But no one’s here.”

  Glancing over to the gate, she saw nothing but the stone, metal, and wilderness. She looked back over to Melanie. “We’re early.”

  Melanie opened her mouth just as a familiar Scottish male’s voice shouted, “I’m here, I’m here.”

  The gate opened and Finlay Stewart slowed his pace to a quick walk.

  Much like when she’d last seen him in person at Bram’s mating ceremony, he was as handsome as ever. Tall, lean, with wind-ruffled blond hair and an ever-present scruff on his face, he was the sort of male who could have any female he wanted.

  He was the kind of male who would never want someone like her.

  Remembering him flirting with every unmated female back on Stonefire’s lands, she managed to get past his attractiveness. Yes, he was fit, but the male was nothing but trouble. She was going to stick to her plan to avoid him. She didn’t want his cockiness ruining her first taste of freedom in more than a decade.

  Finn approached and Ara schooled her face into borderline boredom. She would be civil, but she wasn’t going to let him slip past her barriers like he’d done six months before. Arabella was stronger. Resisting the dragonman should be easier this time around.

  ~~~

  As soon as Finn was notified of Arabella’s arrival, he jumped up from behind his desk and rushed toward the front gate. The bloody woman was forty-five minutes early.

  Knowing as much as he did of Arabella, she’d frown upon his not meeting them at the gate. Not only that, he didn’t need her brother to hate him any more than he already did, especially given Finn’s plans for the lass.

  He half-ran to the front entrance and only slowed his pace when Arabella turned and met his eyes. There was a flash of relief, but it was quickly replaced with an unreadable expression.

  His dragon growled. She should never block us out.

  Give it time, dragon. It’s been six months. The lass needs time to acclimate again.

  With a huff, his inner beast retreated just as Finn approached Arabella, her brother, and her brother’s mate. He looked to Arabella and winked. “Couldn’t resist coming early to see me, eh, lass?”

  Before she could reply, her brother growled. “I don’t like you flirting with my sister. If I catch any word of you hurting her, I will fly up here and teach you a lesson.”

  Arabella’s cheeks heated as she whispered, “Tristan.”

  His dragon piped in. He embarrasses her. Send him away.

  That will not help our case.

  Hmph.

  Finn resisted rolling his eyes at his beast’s tantrum.

  Arabella’s brother pushed on. “No, the Scot needs to hear it because it’s my only warning.”

  Finn cocked an eyebrow as Arabella turned toward her brother. Unafraid, Finn put every ounce of dominance and authority into his voice. “This is my land. If you’re here to insult me, you can leave.”

  Tristan took a step toward him, but both Arabella and the human female stepped between them. It was the human, Melanie if he remembered correctly, who said, “Forgive my mate. To say he’s protective is an understatement. I, for one, am grateful for you giving Arabella this opportunity.”

  The human then turned toward her mate and Tristan finally mumbled, “Just treat her well, Stewart.”

  “Of course. Arabella deserves the best I can give her.”

  The other dragonman’s eyes narrowed at that, but Finn didn’t care. He hadn’t hidden his intentions from Bram and he sure as hell wasn’t going to hide them from her brother.

  Not that any of that mattered. Finn looked back to Arabella’s eyes, which were filled with curiosity. Good. She wasn’t bolting, which had been his fear all these months. “Now, if we’re quite done with the protective male bullshit, you can fetch Arabella’s things and follow me.”

  Tristan opened his mouth, but his mate whispering, “Leave him alone,” shut him up.

  As Tristan and his mate returned to their car, Finn moved to Arabella’s side and placed a hand on her back. She didn’t tense. She merely looked up at him, a mixture of uncertainty and hunger in her eyes.

  If he were to hazard a guess, she craved touch more than she let on.

  He smiled down at her. “Come, I want to show you to your cottage. I helped decorate it myself.”

  Skepticism filled her eyes. “If it’s filled with pink, fluffy bunnies and animal pillows, we’re going to trade houses.”

  He grinned. “What about pink, fluffy unicorns? Are they more your style? And rainbow kittens. You seem like a rainbow kitten kind of lass.”

  She fought a smile and lost. “I’m the kind of ‘lass’ who will take every rainbow kitten I can find and pile them at your front door. That will improve your image as a dominant, scary clan leader for sure.”

  He leaned down a fraction and murmured, “Oh, I’m all for games of retaliation, Arabella. Start one with me and you won’t stand a chance.”

  Her breath hitched. If it was because of fear, he would ease off. But there was no fear in Arabella MacLeod’s eyes. No, there was a mixture of longing and fledgling desire.

  Any doubts he’d harbored about the lass no longer wanting him, vanished.

  Not caring how cocky his grin must be, he whispered, “That is all to come. For now, Arabella, let me show you to your new fluffy, pink paradise.”

  She broke his gaze and snorted. “If that’s supposed to be charming, you’re out of practice. It sounds quite creepy.”

  Her brother growled from behind, “Are we leaving anytime soon? I have my sister’s belongings, but if you’re going to stand there flirting with Ara right in front of me, not even my mate will stop me from beating your arse.”

  Rather than fight her brother any more, he gave Arabella a gentle push and they started walking. The sooner he settled Arabella, the sooner her brother would leave. Then he could really pull out all the stops.

  Glancing at Arabella’s profile, he barely noticed the scar across her nose or the healed burns on her neck. All he saw was the faint flush on her cheeks and her smiling face.

  His dragon hummed. We will make her smile every day. She deserves it.

  If Finn had any say in the matter, they would do exactly that.

  Chapter Two

  Arabella had almost forgotten her nervousness because of Finn. As much as she hated to admit it, even to herself, the dragonman knew how to charm her.

  Just thinking of rainbow kittens and retaliation made her smile wider.

  Her dragon’s voice was soft. I told you, we will have fun in Scotland.

  Maybe. It’s still early.

  Before her inner beast could reply, Finn’s Scottish accent filled her ear. “I see your flashing dragon eyes, Arabella. If you
r dragon ever wants to come out to play, I’ll be first in line.”

  A year ago, a comment about her dragon coming out would have sent her into a panic, trapping her in the memories of the dragon hunters torturing her when she was a teenager.

  After a year of hard work and coaching with her brother and clan leader, however, all Finn’s words did was make her roll her eyes. “It’s been what, five minutes since I came here? You’re going to run out of lines real quick.”

  “Never for you, Arabella. I have a list a mile long.”

  At the huskiness in his voice, she glanced over at him. The heat in his eyes made her miss a step.

  Then Finn turned his head and lifted his free hand. “Faye, I’m glad you received my message.”

  Ara followed Finn’s line of sight. A tall, young dragonwoman in her mid-twenties with curly, brown hair smiled at them.

  Arabella’s heart rate kicked up. She knew she would be meeting other clan members, but it seemed too soon. She hadn’t even had time to unpack yet.

  The female stopped in front of them. After barely a glance in Arabella’s direction, Faye turned her eyes to Finn. “Well? Are you going to introduce us properly, oh great clan leader?”

  Finn laughed at the female’s words and a small part of Arabella was jealous. Not that she had any claim on him, nor did she want to. Still, she hated being the outsider.

  Rather than stand there, Arabella thrust out a hand. “My name is Arabella MacLeod. And you are?”

  The woman’s amber brown eyes met her gaze and simply stared. Ara wondered if she’d made the wrong step when the corner of the woman’s mouth ticked up. She took Arabella’s hand. “I’m Faye MacKenzie, your assigned Protector.”

  Arabella’s tone was dry. “You mean babysitter.”

  From behind, Tristan’s spoke up, “I rather like the idea of a babysitter.” Her brother pushed between Finn and Arabella, met Faye’s gaze and ordered, “Keep my sister safe from your clan leader.”

  Amusement danced in Faye’s eyes. “Oh, aye? I’m taking orders from a stranger now, am I?”