Healed by the Dragon: Boxed Set (Parts #1-4) Page 9

  “Aye, which is why I know what I’m talking about.”

  As Finn took out some eggs, milk, and bread, Ara moved the conversation back to where she wanted it. “Right, you’re making me breakfast, so tell me about this Duncan bloke.”

  She watched as he broke some eggs into a rectangular container, added milk, cinnamon, and vanilla, and then whisked everything. “Duncan was the protégé of the old leader, Dougal. Everyone had expected Duncan to win the clan leader trials and carry on as before.”

  “So how do you figure into all of it?”

  He took out a non-stick frying pan and turned on the front cooker ring. “Well, I’d been watching the clan slowly lose the goodwill and trust of the local humans. Lochguard has fared much better than most dragon clans because of our isolation. Loch Naver isn’t exactly a top destination for tourism in modern times, and was bloody well impossible to get to in olden times.”

  He placed a piece of bread into the egg mixture, turned it, and put in the pan. As he repeated the process, Arabella asked, “How exactly was the old leader losing their goodwill?”

  “Well, we used to openly take females as mates from the locals, and in exchange we not only protected the local villages, we also held yearly celebrations near the loch so the females’ families could visit. That all stopped when I was fifteen.”

  “But isn’t that when your parents died?”

  Finn nodded his head as he flipped the French toast. “My father used to be clan leader.”

  Arabella blinked. “What? This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

  “I try not to advertise it, lass. I want to succeed on my own merits and not sail by because of my father’s.”

  Her opinion of Finn rose a few notches. “So, there are humans living on Lochguard now?”

  Finn looked her straight in the eye. “Can you handle it if I said yes?”

  Taking a sip of her mostly cold coffee, Arabella thought about it. A year ago, she would’ve said without hesitation that she couldn’t handle it. But thinking of her sister-in-law, Melanie, and Bram’s mate, Evie, she’d learned firsthand how not all humans were bad.

  Looking back to Finn, she answered, “Yes, I can handle it. So, are there?”

  Taking the French toast out of the pan and putting them on a plate, he nodded. “A few. Most left when Dougal took over and he started harassing them.”

  “Where did they go? It’s not as if they can move to the nearest city.”

  “No, they started their own offshoot holding. They call themselves Clan Seahaven, although they aren’t technically a clan. The DDA doesn’t recognize them as such since there’s only about ten families.” He looked over to her. “Seahaven’s existence isn’t public knowledge, Ara. You can’t share it with anyone, not even your brother.”

  “You’re trusting me with clan secrets?”

  “Aye, I am. So don’t let me down.”

  Wanting to hide her response from Finn, she looked away. She could hardly believe he was trusting her with something as great as the existence of a secret clan.

  Her dragon spoke up. As I said before, he is a good male. You should kiss him as a reward.

  Stop with the kissing requests. Bloody hell, I haven’t even had breakfast yet.

  Kiss him for that too. Maybe then he’ll make us breakfast every day.

  You’re demanding.

  I’m making up for lost time.

  Finn’s voice interrupted her internal conversation. “Tell me what your lovely dragon has to say, Ara. Is it about how wonderful I am?”

  Arabella snorted. “You would become unbearable if I told you the truth.”

  He winked. “Then it is about me. Now, I just need to think of ways to woo your dragon.”

  Her dragon preened. I like him. He can woo me all he wants. I may reward him later.

  Stop it.

  Laying a plate of French toast in front of her, Finn added, “Tell your dragon that I think she’s beautiful.”

  “Oh, for crying out loud, stop it. I can’t handle it from the both of you.”

  He chuckled. “I can’t wait for you to let your dragon out to play with mine.”

  ~~~

  Finn tried not to hold his breath. He’d brought up the topic casually on purpose.

  Studying Arabella’s face, there wasn’t any panic. Aye, she was a little less relaxed than she’d been a few minutes earlier, but no panic. He could live with that.

  He eyed her plate and then back to her face. “Eat.”

  “Someone’s being bossy.”

  “That’s the pot calling the kettle black, lass.”

  Arabella closed her mouth and picked up the knife and fork he’d laid on the side of her plate. She cut a piece and the second she put it in her mouth, her eyes widened. Her mouth half-full, she said, “It’s good.”

  “Don’t act so surprised. Remember, I had Aunt Lorna.”

  As he watched Arabella eat her breakfast, a sense of contentment settled over him. The last year had been hell, what with changing Dougal’s former anti-human structures and rules as well as reforming his Protectors. Outside of his time spent with Arabella and his brief part in rescuing Bram’s mate, he hadn’t really done anything simply because he wanted to. Yet, watching Arabella eat his food with gusto, he wanted nothing more than to cook for her every day.

  Arabella caught him staring at her. “While you’re standing there, how about you tell me how you plan to handle Duncan.”

  Looking to her plate and then to her mouth, Arabella sighed and took another bite before he continued, “I’m working on that today with Faye. I hope to have an answer before this evening.”

  “After nearly a year, why the sudden deadline? If you’re worried about me, I highly doubt this Duncan guy will attack me while I’m staying here.”

  “Aye, you’re probably right about that. Still, I want to set things in motion before tonight. After the gathering, everyone will know you’re mine. The news is bound to stoke some anti-human hatred amongst Duncan’s circle of supporters.”

  Arabella frowned. “What gathering?”

  “It’ll only be a matter of hours before the whole clan knows you’re staying here. I can’t keep secrets from them. A gathering will tell everyone what’s going on. A few should even grow protective of you because of their love of the clan.”

  “Did you ever think to ask me? My brother has spent most of the last decade deciding things for me. I’m not about to have you do the same.”

  “Ara, this is different. In matters of the clan, I am in charge.”

  “Be that as it may, if you plan to make me your partner in bed I should also have a chance to be your partner in everyday life. If you want my trust, Finlay Stewart, then start telling me what’s going on.”

  His dragon spoke up. She is right. Your mum and dad worked as a team. Give her a chance.

  Aye, and look how it worked out for them. Sharing duties cost both of them their lives.

  “Finn.”

  Arabella’s voice snapped him back to the present. “I didn’t ask you because I know you hate them. The gathering back on Stonefire was proof of that.”

  Standing up, Arabella walked over to him and poked him in the chest. “Just because I don’t like something doesn’t mean I can’t do it. In the beginning, I couldn’t stand you. Yet I came to Lochguard and even kissed you. Don’t coddle me, Finn. You never have and I’m not about to let you start now. If you do, true mate or not, I’ll leave and never look back.”

  “I won’t let you leave.” Arabella raised an eyebrow. “I mean, I won’t coddle you.”

  “Better. Don’t do it again.”

  “I promise.” He took her hand and pressed it against his chest. “So, we’re having a gathering, Arabella. Would you do me the honor of accompanying me?”

  “I’m not fond of your tone.”

  The feel of her skin and her proximity stirred both man and beast. Aye, he should be civil and have a rational discussion. Yet with Arabella standing close, his c
ock wanted to do the thinking.

  Lowering his head, he laid his cheek against hers. “Then I have a proposition. We’re going, but how long we stay is up to you.”

  Arabella’s heart beat faster. “How so?”

  He nipped her earlobe and she melted a little against his chest. Finn’s voice was husky as he whispered, “If you promise to show me your naked body tonight, and I promise I won’t touch unless you give permission, we can leave after our ‘First Kiss’ in front of the clan.” He nipped again. “If you don’t, then we’ll postpone the kiss until the very end, after dinner.” Moving a hand to her back, he pressed her body against him. “What do you say, Ara? The decision is in your hands.”

  ~~~

  Arabella was grateful Finn couldn’t see her face. At the mention of seeing her body, she’d been mortified at first. Yet with each nibble on her ear, some of her nervousness eased.

  The promise to look but not touch was a nice one, but while Finn had seen the burns on her arm and neck, he hadn’t seen the rest of her scars. Apart from Dr. Sid back home and her brother and father, no one had, not even Melanie.

  She hated the fact she was self-conscious, but the possibility of disgust entering Finn’s eyes was too much.

  Her dragon chimed in. He will want us no matter what. You may ignore the way he looks at us, but I do not.

  Only because of his dragon driving him to mate.

  Stop with the self-pity. You are better than that. If you would ever allow me out, I wouldn’t care about the scars on my hide. They would make me look tough.

  Finn rubbed her back and pulled back to look into her eyes. “What’s taking so damn long, woman? You wanted a choice and I gave you one. If it’s going to take this long every single time I ask a question, then nothing will ever get done.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me if I don’t have males asking to see my naked body every day. It’s a bit of an odd request.”

  “That’s still not an answer.”

  She growled. “Fine. You promise we’ll stay about half an hour, and I’ll let you see me naked. But no touching.”

  One corner of his mouth ticked up. “Oh, lass, I’ll have you begging for me to touch you. You’d be surprised what a few words can do.”

  “Forgive me if I’m not entirely convinced. I’ve heard lots of your words, and none have inspired me to rip my clothes off.”

  He rubbed her back again, and the strokes sent heat rushing through her body. Finn’s voice was husky when he added, “You’ve heard my extravagant compliments, but you haven’t heard my dirty talk yet, lass. I’ll have you in a puddle within minutes.”

  Confidence oozed in every syllable. Even Arabella’s skepticism faltered.

  Her dragon chuckled. I can’t wait. I’ve always wanted a dirty talking male.

  Deep down, Arabella thought she did too. However, she’d rather cut off her own arm than admit it to Finn in that moment.

  Chapter Four

  An hour later, Arabella opened the bathroom door and came face-to-face with Aunt Lorna. Blinking, Arabella managed to say, “Hi.”

  “Hello, child. Faye told me about the gathering and we have lots to do before it starts.”

  “Um, it’s about five hours away.”

  Lorna waved a hand in dismissal. “And it’ll fly by in no time. You deserve to be pampered, Arabella MacLeod. And while no doubt my nephew will do a fine job as mate, you need a motherly influence. I’ve volunteered for the job.”

  It was on the tip of Arabella’s tongue to say she hadn’t asked for one, but she held back. Lorna had not only been kind, she could be Arabella’s ally against Finn, if she needed one. “What happened to Finn?”

  “Clan leader stuff.” Lorna took her hand. “Come. I have a few surprises waiting for you in the spare bedroom.”

  As the older dragonwoman tugged her down the hallway, Arabella tried not to smile. Lorna’s enthusiasm was infectious.

  Truth be told, she was glad it’d been Lorna and not Finn when she’d finally stepped out of the shower. Finn’s words about dirty talk still lingered, and it was taking all of Arabella’s self-control to restrain her dragon. Her beast had all but repeated, “Kiss him” over and over inside her head.

  To think, she’d scolded her older brother for always thinking about sex. Her dragon would be doing the same once she had a taste. Arabella only hoped she could handle it.

  Her dragon finally muscled out of her invisible cage. Since Finn wasn’t around, Arabella allowed her to stay out. This is your warning, dragon. Be nice or you’re going back into the mental cage.

  I don’t know why you put me in there. All I wanted to do was kiss our drop-dead gorgeous male. Why you resist, I will never understand.

  Thankfully, Lorna stopped them in front of the door to the spare bedroom. “Close your eyes.”

  While her tone was pleasant, the thread of steel made Arabella close her eyes.

  The older female took her shoulders and guided her into the room. A few seconds later, Lorna ordered, “Open your eyes and see your presents from the clan.”

  She did and she gasped at the array of items on the bed.

  From the jeans and t-shirts to the formal dragon-shifter dress to the questionable pile of fancy lingerie, everything was beautiful and in the colors that best suited her skin.

  While her brother and his mate had given her gifts before, no one had spent this much effort and time into picking out things that suited her. To think an all but unknown clan would help her made her suspicious.

  Of course, the act still touched her. Blinking back tears, Arabella forced her voice to remain even as she spoke. “I appreciate the gesture, but I have a feeling you put this together. No clan would help out a stranger in this manner.”

  Lorna tsked. “I don’t know how the English dragon-shifters act, but here in the Scottish Highlands, we always try to help our own.” Arabella opened her mouth to refute the statement, but Lorna beat her to it. “You know secrets spread like wildfire. Pretty much the whole clan knows you’re Finn’s by now. The only exception is probably old, deaf Angus, and that’s because he sleeps until one p.m. every day.” Lorna picked up the traditional dragon-shifter dress. “This is what you’ll wear tonight.”

  The dark purple dress shimmered in the light. Unlike a few hundred years ago, the dress wasn’t made of wool or cotton but rather some type of silky-looking material. She moved to touch it, but then resisted. “It’s too much. I don’t know a lot about fashion, but even I can tell that must’ve cost a fortune.”

  Lorna smiled. “A frugal lass? You are one after my own heart, Arabella MacLeod.” She held out the dress. “But this is worth it. If you’re to be a clan leader’s mate, you can’t wear bin bags for clothes. You don’t want to make Finn look bad, do you?”

  “You lay it on thick, Aunt Lorna.”

  “When you have children such as mine, you have to. The twins alone are responsible for three-quarters of my gray hairs.”

  “Yet they still live with you. Don’t tell Finn, but they’re gorgeous. They’ll be mated before long.”

  “If only that were true, Arabella. I have a feeling they’ll be with me until well into old age.”

  Arabella smiled at her exasperated tone. “Start burning the food and they might leave sooner than you think.”

  Lorna laughed. “Child, I like you more and more.” The older woman moved in front of Arabella and offered the dress. “Try it on. I may need to take it in a wee bit. As much as I’d like to say Lochguard has magical elves who sew gowns overnight, this is just one we found lying around.”

  Touching the smooth fabric, Arabella convinced herself to take the dress. The purple was nearly the same shade as her dragon’s hide. If she tried it on, would it trigger a memory?

  Her dragon chimed in. No, because I’m here. I can stave them off.

  You’re cockier with each passing hour.

  It’s not cocky if it’s true.

  Lorna gave her a shove and Arabella sighed. “I gu
ess I’ll try this on, then.”

  Arabella headed into the hall and went to the bathroom. Slowly, she undressed and tossed the dress over her head. Traditional dragon-shifter dresses only had one strap, and it sat atop on her non-tattooed arm, the one with the burns. Since the sight of her old injuries was ordinary to her, she smoothed the fabric and took a deep breath before looking up into the mirror.

  The dark purple dress was a little big in the bust, but it fit her slender waist and hips fairly well. Unlike some of the latest trends, the dress was simple and unadorned with anything that sparkled. She almost wished it had some sequins or rhinestones; maybe then it would draw attention away from her arm and neck.

  Her dragon grunted. We are beautiful. Display your battle scars proudly. You are stronger because of them.

  Her beast reminded her a little of Finn, but she kept that thought to herself. I will try.

  Don’t try. Do.

  Staring at the shimmery purple fabric, Arabella had a flash of the last time she’d shifted into a dragon, about eighteen months ago.

  Out on one of her morning walks, her dragon had snarled inside her head before the shift happened. In a matter of seconds, her beast had roared aloud and Arabella had banged inside her mental prison to try to get out. She didn’t want to be a dragon. If they didn’t shift back, the hunters might find her and finish what they started.

  Yet her dragon had kept her in that hell for six hours. By the time she’d shifted back to a human, she’d been mentally and emotionally exhausted.

  With a sob, Arabella snapped back to the present. Wiping away her tears, she pushed aside the fear and hatred of the memory.

  In retrospect, it was silly to think the dragon hunters would find her simply because she was in dragon form. Maybe she should try shifting before the gathering. Only then would she finally beat the hunters who killed her mother and destroyed Arabella’s family.

  Her dragon’s voice was soft. We can do it. We have time. I want to fly.

  Flying is a stretch. I might not remember how.