Cured by the Dragon (Stonefire British Dragons Book 8) Read online

  Contents

  Title

  Stonefire Dragons Series

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Epilogue

  The Conquest

  Blaze of Secrets

  Books by Jessie Donovan

  Author's Note

  Copyright

  Cured by the Dragon

  (Stonefire Dragons #8)

  Jessie Donovan

  Want to stay up-to-date on releases? Please join my newsletter on my website by clicking here.

  Books in this series:

  Stonefire Dragons

  Sacrificed to the Dragon (SD #1)

  Seducing the Dragon (SD #2)

  Revealing the Dragons (SD #3)

  Healed by the Dragon (SD #4)

  Reawakening the Dragon (SD #5)

  Loved by the Dragon (SD #6)

  Surrendering to the Dragon (SD #7)

  Cured by the Dragon (SD #8)

  Aaron Caruso and Teagan O’Shea (SD #9 / May 2017)

  Cured by the Dragon Synopsis:

  Dr. Cassidy “Sid” Jackson’s inner dragon went silent over twenty years ago. Ever since, she’s battled episodes that have tested her sanity. Aware she doesn’t have much time left, she prepares for a new doctor to come to Stonefire and take her place. However, before the new doctor arrives, Sid is attacked.

  Dr. Gregor Innes lost his mate and son in childbirth over a decade ago and dedicates his life to ensuring his clan remains healthy. His dedication was renewed after meeting a certain dragonwoman doctor a few months ago. There is no way he will take another mate and risk her life. He’s determined to keep his distance.

  When Stonefire asks for assistance, Gregor has no choice but to see the female his dragon wants. Attraction builds, but Gregor and Sid both hold back. Will they find a way to overcome their obstacles to be together? Or will forces tear them apart?

  Chapter One

  Dr. Cassidy “Sid” Jackson gripped the sides of her head as she curled into a ball on her bed. The incessant pounding was bad enough, but it felt as if something were trying to punch through her brain.

  It was almost as if a dragon were trying to break free.

  However, no matter how much she reached out or tried to break down the wall to stop the pounding, nothing happened. After three hours of fighting, Sid was close to giving up.

  Gritting her teeth, she pushed aside that feeling. She’d been waging this internal battle for over twenty years and she wasn’t about to give up. The people of Stonefire relied on her. While a new junior doctor would be arriving in a few weeks, if Sid embraced the madness now, Stonefire would be left unprotected.

  As memories of births, deaths, and even setting bones flashed inside her mind, the pounding eased a fraction. Sid was the reason so many clan members had pulled through and survived. Giving in to the madness would be selfish.

  Letting out a growl, she pushed against the invisible wall in her mind. Stop it! The clan needs us.

  The banging paused a second before it began again, albeit more quietly. The change in volume usually signaled that Sid was close to getting a grip on herself.

  I need to check on Nikki and Samira’s babies. Also, I need to check Bram’s heart after his chest pains yesterday. Any and all of them could die if I can’t work.

  The ghost force ceased pounding.

  Counting to sixty, Sid released her head and rolled over as she took a deep breath. Unless the pattern had changed from all of her previous episodes, she had won the battle for the time being.

  Staring at the ceiling of her bedroom, Sid wondered if she would win next time. The increased frequency of her spells was one of the reasons she’d pushed to take on a newly minted doctor from Clan Snowridge. While Bram had doubts about the Welsh dragon clan’s loyalty, Stonefire’s head Protector, Kai, had thoroughly vetted Trahern Lewis and cleared him.

  Sid slid off her bed and went to her dresser. Dawn might be two hours away, but there was no way she’d be able to sleep. Only a run would help her focus and allow her to regain her wits. She might even gain some semblance of peace, too, even if it didn’t last long.

  Changing her clothes, she glanced at her reflection in the mirror. Her cheekbones were more pronounced than she liked, and the smudges under her eyes were darker than usual. The more frequent internal fights were taking their toll. If she were her own patient, she’d recommend a holiday.

  But she wasn’t just anyone—she was Sid Jackson. Work kept her grounded. It gave her the energy to fight. A week or two without it could be the end of her.

  She turned from the mirror and began a series of stretches. While she had no desire to give in to madness and live out her days tied to a bed, it would happen sooner rather than later. All she could do in the present was continue to fight until she trained the junior doctor to take her place.

  She only hoped she wouldn’t be a danger to anyone until that happened.

  After tying her running shoes, Sid exited her room and went down the stairs. As soon as she snuck out the back door, she looked up at the sky. The clouds kept the stars hidden from her, but she knew they would be shining through regardless. After so many years stargazing with her younger brother and father growing up, Sid knew them like the back of her hand.

  Rather than think of her long-dead family, Sid jogged toward the edge of the clan’s land. The wind against her cheeks, combined with the steady rhythm of her arms and feet, helped to ease her nerves. This was the closest thing to flying she could accomplish without riding in a blasted helicopter.

  No. She wouldn’t think of flying. Whenever she thought of anything she missed from being in dragon form, it often brought back the infernal pounding.

  Blanking her mind, she kept up a brisk pace and followed the edge of the clan’s lands, wishing she could reach out and touch the trees and undergrowth with her fingers. But over the last year and a half, Stonefire’s leader, Bram, had built up their defenses and nature was out of reach. Not that she could blame him given the amount of attacks on Stonefire.

  Maybe she could sneak out and run up the hill adjacent to her clan’s lands.

  No. She wouldn’t risk it.

  Sid headed back in the direction of her cottage when the top of her head stung, and pain raced through her body. As she fell to the ground, Sid made out the small shape of a flying drone before the world went black.

  ~~~

  Dr. Gregor Innes of Clan Lochguard listened a few more seconds to the heartbeat of wee Jamie MacDonald-MacKenzie before pulling back with a smile. “The lad is as healthy as a full-grown dragon.”

  Fergus MacKenzie, the bairn’s adopted father, frowned. “Are you positive? His temperature is a bit warm.”

  “Since I’ve had years of medical school and nearly two decades of practice, I’m fairly sure I know what I’m doing,” Gregor drawled.

  Gina MacDonald, Fergus’s American mate and Jamie’s mo
ther, patted Fergus’s chest. “Don’t mind him. He’s been really protective lately. I think it’s a result of him fighting the frenzy.”

  Fergus growled. “Wee Jamie is only four months old. You need a rest.”

  “You won’t hear any complaints from me. But it’s still making you moody.”

  As Gregor looped the stethoscope around his neck, he kept a smile plastered on his face. Just because he’d lost his own son and mate during childbirth all those years ago didn’t give him the right to be jealous of others.

  His dragon spoke up. We could have another mate, and you know who it is.

  The sharp gaze and no-nonsense manner of Cassidy Jackson flashed into his mind. No, we can’t. Even if she would look at anything but her work, she’s nearly forty and the risk of childbirth is too great.

  Isn’t that for her to decide?

  Ignoring his beast, Gregor focused back on the arguing couple. He cleared his throat. Once the pair looked at him again, he said, “Take Jamie home, cuddle him, and let him sleep. He’s just a growing lad. Small fluctuations in temperature are fairly normal at this age.” Gregor stood. “If his temperature goes up any higher, then you have my number.”

  Gina nodded. “Thanks, Dr. Innes.”

  Fergus merely grunted before he picked up his son. Cuddling the boy with one arm and looping Gina close with the other, Fergus guided his family out of the room. The instant the door clicked shut, Gregor sighed and closed his eyes. While he worked hard to ensure everyone in the clan was healthy, working with the bairns was the most difficult. But he’d be damned if he let anything take another mate and child from another couple on Lochguard.

  His dragon huffed. Sometimes, it’s out of your control.

  Gregor didn’t see it that way. There were always scientific advances and new methods to try.

  However, rather than argue, he turned to the computer to type out his notes. Just as he saved the information, someone knocked on the door. He raised his voice, “Come in.”

  The door opened to reveal Finlay Stewart, Lochguard’s clan leader. After walking inside, Finn closed the door and asked without preamble, “Do you have any cases Layla can’t handle on her own?”

  Layla MacFie was Lochguard’s junior doctor. “No. After all, she’s nearly completed her training. Why?”

  Finn lowered his voice. “I’m sending you to Stonefire.”

  Stonefire was the northern English dragon clan and Lochguard’s closest ally. “Care to tell me a few more details?”

  Finn shook his head. “Not here. We need to head to the Protectors’ central command where it’s more secure.”

  While Finn was young and had only been clan leader for a few years, he had more than earned Gregor’s trust. “Aye, well, what are we waiting for?”

  Finn slapped his bicep. “I knew I liked you. Maybe you could give my mate a few lessons in how not to ask a million questions.”

  The corner of Gregor’s mouth ticked up. “You enjoy it. You just don’t like how she calls you out on your crap.”

  “Maybe.” Finn’s face turned serious. “We can discuss Ara later. My matter is time sensitive.”

  The two men exited the room and walked briskly toward the fortified building near the front of the clan. While Gregor was content with the silence, his bloody dragon spoke up. She is on Stonefire.

  No, dragon. I’m not pursuing Cassidy.

  We shall see about that.

  Thankfully, his beast remained quiet for the rest of the walk. No doubt his dragon was scheming in secret, which took some doing considering they shared a brain.

  The science behind the two personalities inside one dragon-shifter had always fascinated Gregor. Once Layla was ready to become a full-fledged senior doctor, he might be able to pursue his interest in more depth. There were too many questions lingering about the science of his own kind.

  Yet as the fortified front of central command came into view, Gregor forgot all about his interests and focused on the issue at hand. Finn had never sent him to Stonefire before and he only hoped it wasn’t because the English dragon-shifters had been attacked. That was usually the only time doctors from one clan helped another. At least, until recently. Layla was working on building relations with a few others, and Gregor supported her efforts.

  After walking down one corridor and then another, Finn finally led him into a small conference room. Grant, Lochguard’s head Protector, was sitting at the small table. The second the door clicked closed behind Gregor, Finn started talking again. “Stonefire’s doctor was attacked.”

  Gregor frowned. “Cassidy is hurt?”

  “Aye,” Grant answered. “It was in the wee hours before dawn. Although, no one heard anything and Stonefire doesn’t know what happened. Dr. Sid was found by a clan member not long after the sun came up.”

  Gregor’s dragon roared. We need to take care of her and find whoever hurt her.

  Steady on, dragon. Let’s get the facts first.

  “If you’re sending me, then I guess she’s unconscious?” Gregor asked.

  Finn replied, “Aye. Bram has asked you to drive to Stonefire. Until he finds out what happened, all dragons are restricted to the ground. How soon can you be ready?”

  “Twenty minutes. I want to pack some of my medical kit, too.”

  “Good. Iris is going to ride with you, just in case. She is also going to help Stonefire investigate what happened.”

  Iris was one of Lochguard’s Protectors and their best tracker. “I’d trust Iris with my life.”

  Grant spoke up again. “Also, before you leave, I’m going to give you some information to pass on to Stonefire’s head Protector, Kai. Just in case this attack is related to the one we had on Lochguard four months ago.”

  The devastation of the attack lingered with Gregor. Not just because of the massive amount of injuries, but the attack had taken his sister and niece from him. “If it’s the bloody Lochguard traitors or the American dragons, so help me, I’m going to go after them myself.”

  Finn crossed his arms over his chest. “No, Gregor. Your skills are needed as a doctor. Until Dr. Sid recovers, you’re the only person who can keep Stonefire together and in fighting shape if there are more attacks.”

  His beast chimed in. He’s right. Besides, our place is with Cassidy. We need to look after her.

  “Fine. But if one crosses my path, I won’t hold back, Finn.”

  “Fair enough,” Finn stated. “But enough talking for now. Gather what you need and meet us back here in twenty minutes. The sooner you leave, the sooner you can look after Dr. Sid.”

  With a nod, Gregor exited the room. Making his way out of the building and toward his cottage, he tried not to picture Cassidy unconscious in a hospital bed with tubes running out of her body.

  He clenched his fingers and picked up his pace. Even though Gregor had no intention of claiming Cassidy, he didn’t like the thought of her being injured and helpless. While she wasn’t officially his mate, Gregor would be her protector during his time on Stonefire. The female had suffered enough with her silent dragon; she didn’t need long-lasting physical injuries as well.

  The hard part would be staying near Cassidy for an extended period of time and resisting her.

  His dragon laughed in the back of his mind. Just wait until she wakes up. You won’t stand a chance.

  Bloody dragon. Whose side are you on?

  Mine.

  Some people had cooperative or clever dragons. Gregor’s always seemed out to make his life difficult.

  His beast huffed. I am clever. You’re just stuffy and afraid to take a chance.

  Rather than admit there was some truth to his dragon’s words, Gregor stormed into his cottage and packed. Cassidy needed his help and he wouldn’t deny her.

  Chapter Two

  Sid was trapped in darkness. With no sounds, no wind, and no smells, she wondered if she was buried alive.

  She’d been stuck in this small, empty prison for who knew how many hours. If she stayed mu
ch longer, she might go crazy.

  Then the pounding started and increased with frequency to her left. Out of curiosity, she rapped on the wall. After a brief pause, the same beat she’d tapped out echoed from the other side.

  Something intelligent was there, but what?

  Feeling around the space for the tenth time, her fingers felt only smoothness. There was nothing to grip on to or even a small hole to try and pry a wall apart. The emptiness extended to the floor, with only her own feet to disturb the surface.

  She was trapped.

  If only she still had her dragon, then Sid could extend her talons and rip through the wall.

  The exact second she finished her thought, a desperate pounding started again from the mysterious source. A small part of her thought it could be her inner dragon imprisoned inside her mind, with no way out. However, wishing for it to be true was dangerous; the next time she had an episode, Sid might embrace the pounding and lose her sanity. She needed more information.

  Placing her hand on the wall, her palm warmed. Something large and radiating vast amounts of heat had to be on the other side of the wall.

  As she tried to think of a way to communicate further to determine what was there, an icy air swirled around her and she was yanked toward a bright light.

  Sid gasped as she opened her eyes, only to promptly close them against the brightness.

  A male Scottish brogue rolled over her. “Good morning, sunshine.”

  That voice brought up memories of a naked, muscled chest sprinkled with blond chest hair. “Innes?” she croaked.

  “Aye, although right now, I’m Dr. Innes, and I’m here to take care of you. Open your eyes if you’re able, lass.”

  As Sid slowly opened her eyelids, she tried to wiggle her fingers and toes. However, nothing happened. Wishing she could articulate herself and get to the point, all she could manage to ask was, “What?”