Cole: House of Wilkshire ― Paranormal Dragon Shifter Romance

by Kathi S. Barton

  “You and your wife, what is it you do?” Matt laughed. He told him what they were. “A dragon of the elements? I don’t think...well, I can figure it out. I’m assuming you can control them. All the elementals.”

  “That’s it precisely.” Matt put out his hand, and a stream of water rose up from the earth to his palm. While he spoke, he played with the water as if it were nothing more than a long rope. “I’m a very rare type of dragon. My body, if taken apart, is worth more than even Devon’s, with all his power. Aisling is a white dragon. What that means for us is that as soon as we bonded, she became exactly what I am. Our children will also be a pure as we are since we were both born dragons.”

  “You said taken apart. I’m assuming you mean that people would kill you to harvest your body.” He felt his face heat. “I didn’t mean that to sounds so heartless. I just meant—”

  “I knew what you meant. And yes. That is the sole reason there aren’t more of us around. We helped the human population a great deal when they needed us. Then at some point, it was discovered that there was magic, a great deal of it, to be had if we were cut up. Witches and warlocks are especially hard on us.” Dillon told him he was sorry. “No need to be, Dillon. None at all. There is something else that I need to make you aware of if you’ve not already been told. We all believe that one of your sisters is Cole’s mate. He won’t say if they are or not. Cole made a promise to Ryan that he’d not tell her until she wanted to know. And by doing that, he’s not told any of us anything.”

  “Is it important that we all know?” Matt told him it was because they’d have to protect her better. “Better than you are now? You do know that I’ve never seen a family more prepared for anything that comes their way than you guys. But I have to warn you. All of you. Whichever sister it is, it’s not going to be an easy coming together. Both of them have been hurt badly by men.”

  When Matt didn’t say anything, he didn’t either. They’d find out soon enough. Dillon knew too that it wasn’t his story to tell. It would have to come from his sisters. He did wonder if anyone had looked into their minds. He, in some little way, would love to be able to see what had actually transpired when they’d been hurt. But then, Dillon wasn’t sure he wanted to know. It would break his heart all over again to hear more than they’d shared with him. While he knew it had been brutal, he also knew they were much stronger than even he gave them credit for.

  ~*~

  Ryan tossed her cell phone in the trash can by the store she was just about to enter. Pulling it out, she took out the sim card then busted the sucker into three pieces. One of the things she had gotten from Cole when he’d helped her along was a good deal more strength. It had come in handy over the last few days.

  “You must be Rylie.” Ryan told the woman that she was Ryan. “Ah, the very one I was looking for. My name is Susanna. I’m the grandmother to Devon. I’ve been away for a few weeks and have only just heard that we have visitors. How are you enjoying our little town, my child?”

  “It’s lovely. Quaint, I guess someone might call it.” Susanna smiled at her and told her to tell her what she really thought of the town. “I’m not sure, actually. This is the first time I’ve been able to leave the house without fifty armed people with me. I’m a loner, and all this protection shit is driving me over the fucking edge.”

  “Have you had lunch?” Ryan told her that was next on her list. “Will you need to retrieve that device? I’m sure that since you tossed it away, you don’t wish to speak to the person on the other end.”

  “No, I do not. Not any of them.” She followed the woman to the deli she’d been wanting to try since they were brought here. “I’m not sure what is going on, but everyone is acting all weirded out that my family is here. Not weirded out, I guess, but super friendly. Why?”

  “Well, I’d like to say that they’re normally that friendly, but I don’t think you’d believe me. However, they are. And since you’ve become a part of the household, I’m sure they’re trying their best to make a good impression on you.” Ryan asked her if it was because she might be in the running to be a slave to Cole. “Slave? I doubt very much he’d treat you so if you were his mate. Cole is a good young man. He’s had a little bit of trouble that has been resolved, and I do believe he’s doing better for it.”

  “My brother, Dillon, is going to stay here. I don’t know what Rylie and I are going to do. I guess we’ll figure that out when I’m brave enough to ask if it’s me or Rylie that is the mate to Cole. There is just too much going on in my head for me to even think that any of this is real. I mean, this is the most laid back town I’ve ever been to. Usually, when a town is this way, I immediately think they’re harboring a serial killer or something. But I don’t get that vibe here.” Susanna laughed, and it made her smile. “I’m not one for society, really. I didn’t date much in high school. I didn’t even go to my own graduation. Rylie did. She’s the outgoing one of the two of us.”

  “Would it be so bad if you were his mate, Ryan?” Ryan looked away, pretending to look at the specials written on the chalkboard. “I’m going to take that as an undecided. I’ve known Cole all of his life. He was forever here after Devon’s father was killed. I believe all of them have stayed with him in that castle more than they did at their own homes. They’ve all had very tragic and horrific childhoods. The women, too, have had some rough times in their lives.”

  “I’ve heard some of them. Kelly talks about how she fell in love with you long before she met Devon—who I like, by the way. He’s sort of stodgy when he wants to be but can laugh at himself too. I like that. All of them have some kind of quirkiness that I think is funny. It suits them. They’re old world, aren’t they?” Susanna asked her if she knew what they were, the people she was living with. “No. I asked Cole not to tell me anything. I don’t know that I could handle much more. Or at least I hadn’t been able to before. But now that I’d like to know, I don’t know how to get him to answer me. Even if I knew how to ask him. I’ve been avoiding him.”

  “He told me. That’s one of the reasons I’ve come to town to find you. To see if you’re doing all right or if you need anything. He’s also said that if you wish to know what he is, I may tell you. As for whether you’re his mate or not, that will have to come from him. Would it be so bad being a mate to him? Or for your sister to be?” Ryan had been muddling that same question in her head since they arrived. “What is it that I can answer for you, Ryan? I’m open to many subjects that you could want to talk about.”

  “I’m afraid.” She looked at the other woman, wondering if she’d have any better luck telling her what she was afraid of than she had her sister. “I have absolutely no trust for people in general. Rylie and Dillon, of course, but not even my parents. They weren’t terrible people, but they weren’t the kind of parents you’d go to if you had a bad day or if you were hurt. I’m not saying they didn’t love us. I’m sure they did. But I think that had we not been born, they would have been much happier. After they died, Rylie and I found some information that they’d, at one time, decided to give her and I up for adoption.”

  “But they didn’t.” Ryan told her why they’d not been able to. “So, because no one could guarantee that the two of you would stay together, they decided to not go through with it. I can understand that, I guess. At least they wanted the two of you to grow up as sisters.”

  “I suppose. I’ve actually thought of that too. Then after Dillon was born, they tried again. We were four years old when he was born. I don’t know why they thought they’d have any better luck keeping the three of us together in an adoption any more than they did when it was just Rylie and I, but that was there on the signed paperwork as well.” She looked at the other woman. “What are all of you?”

  “Dragon.” Ryan had known it was going to be something special. Something that no one believed in anymore. While dragon hadn’t been one of the things she had thought of, it didn’t really
surprise her. “You don’t seem all that surprised. Did someone else give you a hint?”

  “No. I mean, not directly. I was in the hall of paintings this morning. There are some of the best paintings I’ve ever seen, by the way. There is a dragon in each of the paintings. Not right out in the open, but something you’d have to look for.” Susanna seemed surprised she’d seen them. “I didn’t touch any of them. I just got turned around and ended up there. Benshaw found me there and even gave me a tour of the others that have been moved for restoration.”

  “The simple fact that you saw the dragons in the paintings is what surprised me.” Ryan asked her what that meant. “I think you know the answer to that without me having to explain it. Not everyone can see them. No one but immediate family.”

  When her meal was set in front of her, she just stared at it before she looked at Susanna. She was enjoying her meatball sub and talking to one of the waitstaff. After Susanna introduced her to the young woman, the server went on her way and left the two of them there. Ryan didn’t know how to ask the next question.

  “Of course you do, dear. You can even speak to Cole if you wish. Just think of him and then speak, as you would thoughts. I do believe he’s working on the house he only recently was given. An incentive the women purchased for him so he’d stick around.” Ryan wasn’t sure she wanted to speak to him right now. Susanna told her that was all right too. “I’m sure that what you’ve only just figured out will wait. I’ve not told him, but just so you know, he can feel your uncertainty. He’s asking me if you’re all right with him being a dragon.”

  “Why would that matter?” Susanna shrugged as Ryan picked up her sub too. “Men are such pussies at times. Why would he ask you if I was all right when I’m sure that, as you said, he could speak to me. Dumbass.”

  I didn’t want to startle you when I just spoke to you. She nearly did scream when it sounded like he was right there behind her. Susanna said you’ve seen the dragons in the portraits in the great hall. I believe there are more of them. I have quite a few of them myself of my—

  Shut up a second. I’m thinking. His laughter made her feel warm and fuzzy. Don’t you have something better to do with your time than to annoy me? I mean, I’m having a nice lunch with Susanna. She thought about the ramifications of being his mate. I’m not sure what I should do now.

  What would you like to do? She asked him straight up if she was his mate. You are. I think you’ve known it for a little while now. You can do things with the magic I shared with you that your brother and sister can’t do. I’m assuming you’ve been thinking of ways to get out of being my mate as well.

  You’d be better off with my sister than with me. She’s more your style. Cole asked her what she thought her style was. Mine? Well, I’m not nearly as nice as Rylie is about things. I tend to just do whatever needs to be done, and Rylie overthinks it. I think that’s the tradeoff we got being identical twins. Will you be able to tell us apart? Most men can’t.

  I can tell who you are, even with you standing next to your sister. Not just the way she talks, though that is a hoot to me. But also the way you stand. Did you know that you give off the appearance of being relaxed all the time? Rylie sits all prim and proper. You sit like you want. If you’re sitting to rest, you slouch down in the chair and sigh heavily. If you’re unsure of yourself, you sit stiffly and have your right hand free. I’m assuming so that you can reach for your gun if you need it. There are other things I can tell you about yourself, but I’d like to be in person when I do that. She told him not to be nice to her. I’m a nice man, Ryan. And believe it or not, I’ve fallen in love with you. I know it’s too soon for you, but I wanted you to know that.

  I’ve been hurt before. I’m terrified of sex. He asked her if she’d been raped. Shouldn’t you know that? I mean, everyone and their butler around here has been inside of my head like I’m a bag of candy on Halloween. Christ, I’m overwhelmed again.

  Just breathe love. In and out. She growled at him. I’ll have to show you how I growl. It’s very scary. However, you should know that I’d never harm you. Never take advantage of your nature. Also, I won’t look into your head unless you don’t answer me. I know you’ve been hurt. It’s in every move you make. But I’m a patient man, and I can wait until you’re ready for me to know. I’m here for you.

  I don’t know that I’ll ever be ready for anything. Ryan asked him not to say anything. I need to think. Just think about things this will change for me. I’m guessing everything, but I have to think.

  All right. You take all the time you need. However, you should know that now you’ve acknowledged us, I’m going to be hanging around you more. Not only do I want to be close to you, but my dragon does also. She asked him what the dragon would want of her. Nothing more than you’re willing to give him. Neither of us wants anything from you other than your love. And we can wait on that as well.

  Ryan didn’t know how to tell him she wasn’t any more sure of love than she was of anything else in her life. She would need to speak to him. To tell him what she had on her mind. Also, about what the fucking president wanted from her.

  When lunch was over, the two of them went in and out of the shops. They were gearing up for the warmer weather now. There were seeds in the stores on big displays, as well as tools. Ryan asked why they weren’t in seed packets like they had back home.

  “These seeds are handed down from family to family. They only sell them when they have too many. But you’ll also see that everyone is generous with the food they grow. We are as well with the castle foods. Most everyone here is self-sufficient in some way or another.” Ryan told her how she’d been in the new courthouse just yesterday. “Yes. The entire town was in on building it. There are renovations going on all over our little town. If you’d like, I’m sure the others would gladly have you get in on some of the projects.”

  “I’m not too crafty or anything like that. I’m more of a ‘you tell me what to do, and I’ll do it’ sort of helper.” They both laughed. “Again, Rylie would be good at something like that. She used to do flower arrangements when she was younger. Also, Dillon. He’s very handy with manly projects. He built me a shelf that was a huge selling point when I sold my house. I really hated to leave it behind, but I had nowhere to take it. Not to mention, it was fucking huge.”

  The two of them ended up back at the house. Susanna had pointed out the street that the house Ryan and Cole owned was located on. She wasn’t so sure about that. The homes were bigger than her apartment building, and then some. She didn’t want to see it, not with Susanna. Ryan wasn’t even sure she wanted to see it with Cole. But for the first time since they arrived here, she was looking forward to perhaps living here permanently. Ryan hoped she could convince her sister to live here as well.

  Chapter 3

  Ryan wasn’t thrilled about her brother having to go back and testify against Sandra. It scared her that he might well get hurt. Sandra, as she’d been saying for some time, was unstable. She nearly got up to go back outdoors, a place she was enjoying a great deal, when all the women, all six of them, came into the room and sat down with her.

  “Something has happened.” Kelly nodded, then looked around the room at the others. “Tell me. Don’t beat the bush to death in getting there, either. I’m not in the mood, nor do I want to have to figure out where this is going. I think it’s really sweet of you guys to come here and be here for me. But I’m not going to be happy if I have to beat the shit out of you to get the answers.”

  Roxanna smiled before speaking. “We’re waiting on your brother and sister, as well as Cole. He needs to be here since this essentially affects him as well.”

  Ryan thought of all the things they could say to her. Whatever it was, she knew she wasn’t going to be able to ignore it. As soon as Dillon and Rylie arrived with Cole, she moved to sit with him and held his hand when he offered it. It wasn’t until the rest of the men showed u
p that she felt calmed. She wondered if they could hold her too.

  “We’ve been notified by a couple of people. I want you to know that I didn’t call them. They called me to—” Connor cleared his throat. “I’ve spoken to your parents. They wanted me to tell you what they know about their deaths.”

  “Sandra killed them, didn’t she.” It wasn’t a question, but Roxanna said she had, but there was more. Ryan wasn’t sure that she wanted to hear more but continued. “All right. I don’t even know why that was the first thing I thought of. What did she do? Do you know?”

  “I’m going to start at the beginning of what I know. That way, I can fill you in on what we’ve all been able to figure out. Is that all right?” Ryan looked at her sister when she said yes. Dillon looked like he’d been hit between the eyes with a bat. “All right. Just before you married Sandra, she took out a million dollar policy on your parents. I can’t figure out why she did that way back then, but it has kept the insurance people from jumping to conclusions. The policy is doubled since they were killed in an accident. To be honest with you all, I had no idea that she was that smart.”

  “She’s collected two million dollars? On the death of our parents? Did you know she tried to steal some of the things that belonged to them before they were even cold in their graves? Please tell me you have a plan.” Bryce told her not as yet. Also that she’d not collected it because she’d been in jail since she’d been home. “So she will get it. All that money. You said she killed them. Is there a way we can prove this?”