My Wild Irish Dragon (13 page)

Aiden was patiently listening to their discussion. “By the way, I was wonderin'… If you're supposed to cater to paranormal visitors, how will you advertise?”

“Ah, that's the rub,” Rory said. “All we can safely do is rely on word of mouth. I'm thinkin' we'll put a note on the bulletin board at the paranormal club next door. Members can tell their out-of-town relatives.”

“Well, we don't need to decide right now, so let's not ignore our guest,” Amber said.

“Ye're right, luv. Forgive us, Cousin. How are Conlan and Eagan?”

“They're right as rain. Busily supervisin' the new staff, makin' sure orders go out quickly… Keepin' well. Thanks fer askin'.” His posture and expression changed, but it was hard to say why. “And how's Chloe?”

“You just missed her. She and her new fella were here a few moments ago.”

His face fell. “She has a man in her life? Is it serious?”

Rory nodded, confused. Why would he be disappointed to hear that?

Aiden cleared his throat. “It's just, well… I guess it doesn't matter now.”

“What doesn't? If you have any concerns, it matters.”

Aiden fidgeted uncomfortably.

“Out with it, Cousin. We're family. You can tell us what's on your mind.”

Amber had set the cookies on the coffee table and was about to sit down, but she paused. “I can leave you two alone, if it's personal family stuff.”

“You're family too,” Aiden said. “No need to leave.”

“If you're sure,” she said hesitantly. He nodded and she nestled into the space beside Rory on the couch.

His arm automatically wrapped around her. “So, about Chloe? Should she be here for this?”

“Nay!” He slumped back in his chair and sipped his whiskey.

“All right. I know you two haven't always been friendly, but if it's something that concerns the family…”

“Forgive me, Cousin. I mean, Prince,” Aiden corrected himself and offered a slight bow of his head.

“Jaysus, if you're using me formal title, somethin' must be desperately wrong.”

“Not at all, Cousin. I'm sorry to cause you any undue concern.”

Rory scratched his head. “The only thing you're causin' me is confusion.”

“I know it. Here's the thing. I was thinkin'… I mean, we—me brothers and I—were discussin' the fate of our species one day.”

“Ah. I see the importance now. And what did you talk about?”

“Well, as you know, a dragon can only have children with another dragon. And dragons are as rare a breed as there is on this earth.”

“You speak the truth.”

“Aye. And with wee Shannon already wed, to a
human
, that leaves only Chloe to procreate the next generation.”

Rory didn't care for the way Aiden almost spat the word “human.” After all, he was mated to a former human too, but he wouldn't address that now. His more immediate concern was for Chloe. “Again. You speak true. Now speak plain and tell me what you and your brothers have in mind to do about that.”

“Well, obviously one of us needs to volunteer to mate with Chloe. Conlan realizes that as the oldest and leader of the Ulster clan, if he were to wed her, he'd be made king upon your death, and we don't want anyone worryin' about a repeat of what happened with our fathers.”

Rory's brows shot up. “You think one of you would try to kill me to take the castle, title, and land—what's left of it?”

Amber's hand shot up. “I vote for no.”

“It's all right, luv,” Aiden said and chuckled. “No one's goin' to try to assassinate Rory. We like the big lug.” He grinned.

Amber relaxed, but only slightly. “I don't understand.”

“I'll try to make it simple. Rory is king as far as anyone knows. His parents, like ours, disappeared long ago and without knowin' where they are—or
if
they are—no one can be certain that the king and queen still live. That's why Rory is called crown prince and is still next in line for the throne.”

Rory laughed out loud. “King of a crumblin' castle and caretaker's cottage. I don't think the good people of Ballyhoo or the Irish government would consider letting me rule anythin' more than what I already own.”

“I still don't understand,” Amber said.

Rory explained. “When I die, Chloe will be next in line. She is a princess now, and unless we find out what happened to our parents, she'll probably stay a princess.” He looked to Aiden. “Did you think she'd call herself queen if I don't call meself king?”

“No. But she'd rule Ballyhoo and what's left of your clan. In other words, Shannon and Finn.” Then he leaned forward and clasped his hands. “But wouldn't it be grand if we could unite our clans? Conlan has already said he'd abdicate his position as clan leader due to the worry. Then with age being the deciding factor, Chloe would rule. She's a few months older than I am…”

Amber scratched her head. “Doesn't the next male become king? That's what they do in England. The only reason Queen Elizabeth is the queen is because she didn't have any brothers.”

Aiden gasped, and Rory pinched the bridge of his nose.

“I beg your pardon, Amber,” Aiden was quick to say. “I didn't mean to react so. It's just that you brought up the English… But never mind. You see, long ago, we lived in a matriarchal society. The eldest, male or female, would rule the rest.

“So that's why I'm proposin' that Chloe and I could marry and—”

“Whoa!” Rory held up one hand. “I think you're forgettin' somethin'.”

Aiden crossed his arms. “The boyfriend?”

“That and somethin' else,” Rory said.

“And what might that be?”

“Chloe hates you.”

Aiden reared back. “She hates me? Sure'n we've had our differences, but
hate
is the wrong word, Cousin.”

“She attacked you on our front lawn, and the two of you looked like you were fightin' to the death.”

Aiden chuckled. “Oh, that. Nay. She's
attracted to me
and pushes me away, because that's what she does.” He paused for a moment and said, “At least that's what she did in the past. I was surprised to hear she was seein' someone. I was beginnin' to think she was gay.”

“And you'd marry her even if she was?”

“To save the species? Of course I would.”

“And how do you propose to, well, propose? She'll laugh you into next week.”

“Not if her crown prince
orders
her to marry me.”

Rory's jaw went slack, and he forgot to breathe for a moment. Soon he recovered enough to kick his brain into gear.

On the one hand, he could do that. He could order her to marry a dragon and shag every five years until the species had been repopulated. However, he'd never do that to Chloe. His beloved sister would truly hate him for the rest of his life, and he couldn't bear the thought of that. On the other hand, the Ulster clan was right about her being the last hope for the species. But Aiden? Of all his three cousins?

“Why do you want to volunteer for this, Aiden?”

“Because the attraction goes both ways. You don't have to worry. She'll grow to love me. I know our love would be passionate and our lives would never be boring. And I swear to you, I would never hurt a hair on her head.”

“It's not her hair I'm worried about.”

Apparently, he took that personally. Rory and Amber indulged Aiden while he ranted. Rory had expected him to wear himself out, but he continued pacing and swearing across their living room floor, going strong.

At last, Rory rose, held up one palm, and said, “Stop. Me poor ears can't take any more.”

“But don't you understand? Chloe marrying me is the last hope for our race. You're her king. You need to think of what's best for your people. You
must
order her to procreate.”

Rory laughed. “First of all, I'm not sure I'm king. I haven't heard about the demise of me father and mother. Until I do, I'm just a prince, and a limited one at that.”

“What do you mean by ‘limited'?”

Rory snorted a light curl of smoke. “Have you seen me castle? It's in ruins. And me subjects? They consist of two sisters. Finn doesn't give a fig about me royal status. He was born a free Irishman just nineteen years ago.”

“What about the Ulster Arishes? You could be crown prince of us all. My marrying Chloe would unite our clans again. I'd restore the castle as a gift to you and me bride. Isn't it time?”

“Our truce has held without uniting clans. I'm not sure we're meant to.”

“How can you say that?”

Rory rose. “First, our markings are different. You and your brothers have dyed the orange streaks in your hair, but I know the color doesn't match our red ones.”

“Perhaps our children will have reddish-orange markings. The two colors would blend rather than compete.”

Rory was the one pacing now. “Perhaps you're right, but I can't—rather, I
won't
—order me sister to marry you.”

“You'd rather condemn our species to extinction than have me as a brother-in-law, is that it?”

Rory stopped and sighed. “That is not it. I'd welcome you as a brother, but me sister would eat you alive and make herself a widow before she'd let you touch her. It's for your own safety.”

This time Aiden snorted. “You know she wouldn't. And I'd be so good to her, she'd grow to love me. Mark me words.”

Like hell.
“She'd hate both of us forever. If you don't realize that, you don't know me sister a'tall.”

Aiden balled his fists and his lips thinned. Steam poured out of his nostrils.

Amber jumped in, probably fearing that steam would be blasting out of his ears at any moment. “I'm sure you're angry. It's never easy to be rejected, but you can't take this terribly personally. Chloe fell in love with another firefighter before you ever thought about marrying her. Maybe you could find another dragon…”

He crossed his arms. “Where?”

She shrugged. “I don't know. I'm sure there has to be one somewhere.”

Rory grasped the chance to present a new option, since the other one was awful. “You should talk to Drake. Find the missin' branch of our family tree. Mayhaps there's a whole enclave in the Scottish Highlands where his family came from.”

“Terrific!” Amber said. “I can fly you to his apartment right now if you like.”

“Not so fast. I know you're tryin' to get rid of me, but I'm not ready to go just yet.”

Amber strolled over to him and clasped his shoulder. “Yes you are.” Then the two of them disappeared.

Ryan rolled over with Chloe in his arms. He liked the way she moved over him when she was on top. She played his body like she played her music.

She'd had plenty of experience with instruments and almost no experience with the other—um—instrument, although he wouldn't have guessed it. Instinct must be showing her the way. Of course, his groans of pleasure probably guided her as well.

Her own sensations were evident by the way she threw her head back and moaned as she rode him…like now.

God, I love this woman.

Because she was so adventurous, he thought he might try some flavored lube next time. She didn't need it, for sure. Her hot, wet channel was plenty lubricated, but it might make the experience of sucking his cock more pleasurable. She insisted that she liked to do it, but he couldn't help wondering if that were true. Melanie had grudgingly done it when he'd asked, and soon he'd stopped asking.

He'd thought Melanie leaving him was devastating. Now he was grateful she had. Meeting Chloe really was the best thing that had ever happened to him.

She ground her pelvis against him with each thrust until her inner muscles spasmed hard. She bucked and tried to hold back the scream she obviously wanted to let out.

“Go ahead, baby. Scream if you want to.”

She whimpered and moaned, but eventually gave in to a series of louder animalistic cries. So much for trying to be quiet. Suddenly his own orgasm hit. He let out a groan and she milked him as he surfed an incredible high, and he rode his release all the way to the last aftershock.

At last, Chloe stilled, then toppled off him onto the mattress. He gathered her panting body into his arms and kissed her forehead.

“That was incredible,” she said between deep breaths.

“Yes, it was.” He cradled her head in his hand and stroked her back while she recovered. They stayed like that, basking in the afterglow for several minutes. He wondered if he should tell her how he felt…if he should say those three little words, packed with such enormous meaning.

This would certainly qualify as the happier time he'd been waiting for. He was just about to speak when a soft snore met his ears.

* * *

Amber had transported Aiden to the room he used when he was visiting. Apparently she wanted to speak to him alone.

“We need to talk to Drake Cameron,” she said.

“The only other dragon in this city?” he asked. “For Chloe? I thought he was already married.”

“Not for
that
,” Amber exclaimed. “Bliss would kill anyone who touched her man—dragon or not. I just know he searched for female dragons already. We should find out what he may have learned.”

Aiden sighed. “It wouldn't hurt to ask. Maybe there's someone else out there.”

“I'm glad you're being reasonable.” She muttered “at last” under her breath, but he heard it clearly.

“So, where does Drake Cameron live? Can I get there from here?”

She grinned. “I can get anyone to anywhere. Let me go speak to him. Meanwhile, why don't you unpack?”

Impatiently, Aiden did as she suggested, then returned to the parlor where Rory was still sipping his whiskey.

Aiden didn't even have a chance to say hello. Amber and Drake strode out of the closet and Rory jumped to his feet.

“Drake,” Rory exclaimed. “Grand it is to see you. Can I pour you a taste of me cousin's fine Irish whiskey?”

“Sorry, Rory. I'm going on duty in a few minutes, otherwise I'd be glad to join you.”

“Ah. Some other time, then.”

“I can get a cup of tea for you, Drake,” Amber said. “It won't take any time at all.”

“That would be great. Thanks.”

She disappeared into the closet again and Aiden eyed Drake. The firefighter sported his dragon clan's yellow streaked widow's peak without trying to hide it. Aiden and his brothers had covered theirs since hair dye was invented, thinking they'd need to blend in.

“You remember Drake, don't you, Aiden?” Rory asked.

“Actually, I've never had the pleasure of meetin' him before now.”

“Oh! My apologies. Aiden Arish, meet Drake Cameron, and vice versa.”

Amber returned with Drake's tea just as they were shaking hands. Then all four of them sat down in the living room.

“I hate to skip the pleasantries, but Amber didn't have much time to explain things to you. Since you're due somewhere else soon, would you like the short version?” Aiden asked.

“Actually, she filled me in pretty thoroughly.”

“Ah, that's right. A muse can manipulate time a bit. So, what can you tell us about your hunt for a female dragon before you met the love of your life?”

Drake groaned. “You don't want anything to do with the only willing one I found. That ended in disaster. There are the Asian dragons, but they wouldn't even consider me.”

“Why not? Are they racist?”

Drake laughed. “It probably had more to do with my not-so-dear departed uncle.”

Rory nodded. Aiden didn't know who he was referring to, but he caught the undercurrent of resentment. Since Drake's time was limited and he had more important questions for him, Aiden decided to skip the details.

“It sounds like you found no one suitable,” Rory said.

“That's the gist of it.”

“So Chloe is our only option to continue the species?” Aiden said hopefully.

“I'm not saying that at all…only that
I
couldn't find anyone but the psycho Gaia had to banish to Siberia.”

Now there's a story I'd like to hear at some point.

“You know, we have a missin' branch of our family tree,” Rory reminded him.

“Uncle Faelan?” Aiden asked.

“The very same.”

“Wait,” Drake said. “My grandfather's name was Faelan Harris. Now there's a coincidence, eh?”

Rory and Aiden stared at him with rounded eyes.
Could we be related?

“Did you have any sisters?” Rory asked.

“No,” Drake said and sighed. “And if you didn't pick up on my slight accent, I came from Nova Scotia, but I was born in Scotland—I think.”

“What do you mean, you think?”

“Well, I wasn't there. I mean…I
was,
but I sure don't remember it. I was told my mother was in Scotland when I was born.”

“Tell us more,” Rory said. “About your grandda, I mean.”

“He was supposedly the last dragon. When St. George slayed him, my grandmother was pregnant. She fled to the Scottish highlands and hid in the deserted mountains there.”

“Did she happen to remarry?” Aiden asked.

“The timeline doesn't fit,” Rory said. “Our uncle was the youngest and there's already a generation between.”

“True. But it's still possible that we're related. My grandmother found another dragon also hiding out in the Scottish Highlands. He was younger and she married him—informally, of course.”

“Jaysus,” Rory breathed. “We may have found the missin' branch.”

* * *

Ryan and Chloe returned to work, but purposely staggered their arrival times. The weather had been frigid and blustery, and the Charles River was beginning to freeze over. They had no sooner taken over for the previous shift when a call came in.

Ice rescue: Under the Mass Avenue Bridge. Engine 33 and Ambulance 1, respond.

Chloe and Ryan reached the pole almost at the same time, but Ryan held back to let her go first. She didn't hesitate. Chloe ran to her gear and suited up quickly.

“What kind of fucking moron thought that going out onto the ice this early was a good idea?” Haggarty grumbled before he jumped into the ambulance with Nagle.

“I guess we'll see,” Lieutenant Streeter responded in a clipped tone as he barreled into Engine 33's front seat. “It's been cold as hell for a couple of weeks, but yeah. Not smart.”

When they arrived, a young boy clung to the edge of the jagged hole he'd fallen through. His lips were blue, his eyes glazed, and his teeth were chattering.

“Shit,” Haggarty mumbled under his breath. “It's a kid.”

The lieutenant stood between the shore and his firefighters. “That ice won't hold us and I don't know if the kid can grab the life preserver without going under.” He spoke quietly so the boy couldn't hear him.

“I can reach him,” Chloe volunteered.

“Hell no,” Ryan practically shouted.

“Stuff your protectiveness, Fierro. I'm the logical choice.” Her small, light size would finally come in handy. This was her chance to prove her worth.

He glared at her as Haggarty retrieved the rope and tied it around her waist.

“You'll want to lie down as flat as you can and crawl. It'll distribute your weight across—”

“We were taught ice rescues in trainin',” she snapped. “Just let me get out there.”

The kid's eyes were beginning to close, signaling hypothermia setting in.

She grabbed the life preserver the lieutenant handed her and wasted no time lying on the ice and inching her way to the lad as quickly as she could. His grip was slipping and she reached his wrist just as he let go.

“I've got you. Stay with me, lad,” she said reassuringly. She slipped the doughnut-shaped life preserver over his head and under his free arm. Looking back over her shoulder, she yelled, “Pull!”

Ryan held the other end of the rope and pulled so hard the two of them flew across the ice to safety. It was a good thing she had a tight grip on the kid.

Nagle had a blanket ready and wrapped the boy up tight. Haggarty handed her another blanket and nodded. “Good work, Arish.”

There was no sarcasm in his tone, and if she wasn't mistaken, the look he gave her conveyed respect.

“Thank you,” she said. Her teeth began chattering. She looked over at the boy. “Where are your parents, hon?”

He didn't answer. He was probably too cold to think straight.

Nagle cradled him close to his body and took him to the open doors at the back of the ambulance.

Haggarty said, “The hospital will locate them, Arish. He needs medical attention right away. Get into the front seat where it's relatively warm.”

“But I'm soaked.”

Haggarty smirked. “I didn't say to sit in
my
seat.”

He glanced at the lieutenant. “Okay if I take her with us?”

“Absolutely. Get her checked out too. I think Fierro may have yanked her arm out of the socket.” He frowned at Ryan.

Haggarty chuckled and said, “Let's go, Chloe.”

She smiled at Ryan and climbed into the passenger seat.

On the way to the hospital, Haggarty glance over at her a couple of times. “How are you doing?”

“I'm fine.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Why wouldn't I be? I wasn't on the ice more than five minutes.”

After a short pause he said, “I'm sorry for giving you such a hard time.”

She wasn't sure she'd heard him correctly. “Did you just apologize?”

He chuckled. “Yeah. I was an asshole, but I'm capable of admitting it.”

“Hmmm…” was the only response she could think of.

“Well?”

“Well what?”

“Do you accept my apology?”

“Oh. Of course!” She smiled. “Apology accepted.” After a few moments she couldn't help but ask, “Does this mean you'll treat me kindly in the future?”

He grinned but looked straight ahead. “No promises…but I'll try.”

* * *

Aiden wanted to take Chloe for a walk and explain his feelings for her. He was sure she'd understand. Even if she didn't react well at first, she'd come around. Rory had already told him he wanted to stay in Boston with Amber, even if it meant abdicating the throne.

That meant Chloe could return to Ireland as queen. She'd probably insist on the title of crown princess, but he'd change that too.

It was hard to wait until she was off duty. Four twenty-four-hour shifts on and a day off, then one shift on and four days off? “Who ever heard of such a daft schedule?”
Oh well. She won't work at all after we're wed.

Yule came and went with little more than a cup of eggnog and a small exchange of gifts.

Amber gave Rory a plush crimson robe. She winked, saying he might need one as soon as they began admitting guests. Aiden didn't need the visual of his cousin strutting around in the nude.

Rory gave Amber a diamond ring. Aiden didn't know if it was supposed to signify an engagement or not, and he didn't want to make either of them uncomfortable by asking. He hoped to be a brother-in-law, not just a cousin, at some point. Preferably very soon.

At last Chloe breezed through the door into the living room and said, “Merry belated—Christ!” Her eyes widened. “Aiden?”

“Ah, there she is. Merry Christmas and blessed Yule, luv…and soon a very happy New Year,” he said with a wide smile as he advanced toward his confused female cousin with his arms open wide.

Chloe approached him slowly. “Glad tidings, Cousin,” she said and allowed him to hug her, briefly. Too briefly. Oh well, that would change too. She'd soon realize how important it was for the two of them to procreate and rule the castle in Ballyhoo together.

“How was your work?” Rory asked.

Amber interrupted. “Before that, can I get you some eggnog? I spiked it with some Arish Irish Whiskey.” She winked.

“Perfect. Thank you kindly.” As Amber strode off to the bar, Chloe turned to her brother and answered his question. “Work was excitin'!” Her face became more and more animated as she recounted the story of an ice rescue.

Shite. This job of hers sounds dangerous. She'll have to leave it at once in order to protect the royal bloodline.

She went on about how some bloke named Haggarty had been giving her a hard time until she proved herself.