by Donna Grant
“My ancestors told me about you,” Gemma continued.
Usaeil’s face went slack.
Gemma smiled, nodding, as she dropped her arm to her side. “Exactly. Your retribution is coming. At long last.”
The queen jerked back and took several steps away. “You’re bluffing.”
“Am I?” Gemma asked.
Without another word, Usaeil teleported away.
“What the bloody hell just happened?” Cináed asked.
Gemma stared to turn to face him, but she caught sight of Merrill and paused to look at him. With a wave in his direction, she faced Cináed. Without saying anything, she took his hand and led him to the house.
It wasn’t long after they entered that Merrill strode inside fully clothed. They exchanged looks, both confused about what they’d seen.
Gemma wrung out her hair while Cináed used magic to cover his nakedness. She looked at ease, as if she had found her way through the tangle of the past.
“My father bought this isle not just because it was private, but also because many of my ancestors had lived on it as well. It was those ancestors who stood beside me today.”
Cináed watched her carefully to make sure it wasn’t some trick of Usaeil’s magic.
Gemma laughed softly and walked to him. “I’m all right. I promise. Other than a sore throat and back, Usaeil didn’t hurt me.”
“Explain the ancestors comment,” Merrill urged.
She shrugged. “There isn’t much to say. I felt them with me before Usaeil arrived. They tried to talk to me while she was here, but I didn’t realize what was happening. It wasn’t until she was choking me and I was about to pass out that I heard them clearly.”
“What did they say?” Cináed asked.
“Quite a lot actually. I’ll get to that in a second.”
Cináed pulled her close, needing to hold her. “And the way she wasn’t able to swat your hand away.”
Gemma ducked her head, but there was a smile when she looked back at him. “You kept telling me I was a Clacher. My ancestors told me the same thing.”
“Clachers can sense Druids,” Merrill said.
She nodded, glancing his way. “Exactly. I sensed Druid magic mixed in with Usaeil’s.”
“I’ll be damned,” Cináed said, thinking back to how odd the queen’s magic felt. “You’re right. It was Druid and Fae magic that she hit me with.”
Gemma lifted one shoulder. “Once I heard my ancestors, I knew I had to touch her. Somehow, that hindered the Druid magic she had taken.”
“You told her you knew what she had done.”
“The Druid magic she has she took from another by killing them.”
Merrill ran a hand through his wet hair. “Why does that no’ surprise me?”
“And her retribution?” Cináed asked.
Gemma gave a shake of her head. “I don’t know. The ancestors told me to say that.”
“Rhi,” Merrill said. “It has to be.”
Cináed was thinking the same thing. There was a lot to share with the others when they returned to Dreagan.
Merrill blew out a breath. “What now?”
“I have my answers,” Gemma said.
Cináed smoothed back a wet lock that had escaped her ponytail. “I’m sorry.”
“Knowing helps.” The sadness gave way to determination. “I also found who I am. I took the Clacher name because I found it, or so I thought. I believe my ancestors were with me that night my family died. I think they helped me know to keep away from Usaeil and where to hide. I also think they led me to the Clacher name. I carry it proudly. No longer will I hide.”
He bowed his head and pressed his lips against her. He’d always seen the strength within her. Now she wore it like armor instead of hiding it.
“What about Usaeil coming for you later?” Merrill asked.
That had been Cináed’s next question.
Gemma shrugged. “I may not be able to do magic like other Druids, but I come from a long line of them. The ancestors told me that one of the Clacher abilities that made them so great at regulating Druids is that we can dampen their magic so they can’t use it.”
“Holy fuck,” Merrill said, smiling.
Cináed laughed and kissed her forehead. “I knew you were special.”
Gemma raised her face to him. “Thank you for helping me get through this.”
“You didna need me.”
“Yes, I did. More than you’ll ever know.”
His heart swelled with pride and love. This woman was astonishing, and he couldn’t believe she was in his arms.
“What now?” she asked.
He glanced toward Merrill to find that his friend had quietly slipped out to leave them alone. “Well, that’s up to you.”
“You did promise me some time alone,” she said with a grin.
“And you’ll get it. As much as you want, any time you want it.”
She gave a nod. “But we need to go to Dreagan first.”
“Aye, we do. Con needs to know what transpired here.”
“I understand.”
Cináed rubbed his hands up and down her back. “It’s the after part that’s up to you. I’ve fallen hard for you, Gemma. I know you’ve been on your own for a long time, and I’ll give you whatever space you need. All I ask is that you remain in my life.”
“I don’t want any space. I just want you.”
Elation ran through him. “I doona want to scare you, but I want you to know that I love you.”
“That’s a good thing since I love you as well.”
Cináed lifted her in his arms as he hugged her tight. “Ah, lass, you’ve made me so happy.”
“Not nearly as happy as you’ve made me.” She pulled back to cup his face in her hands. “I’m yours, Cináed. For as long as you want me.”
“That’s forever, love.”
“Then forever it is.”
Epilogue
Gemma wasn’t sure she would ever learn everyone’s name at Dreagan, but she couldn’t wait to try. No longer was she the antisocial person from before. She was a new woman.
Welcoming didn’t even begin to describe how everyone made her feel. She would even go so far as to say that Con was pleased to have her among them. Though she hated to admit she’d been tongue-tied when they met. Cináed hadn’t warned her she was about to meet the King of Dragon Kings.
“Happy, love?” Cináed asked as he tightened his arms around her.
She nodded her head that lay on his chest. They’d returned to the cottage on Skye for a few days to themselves. And just as he’d promised, they hadn’t left the bed. “Immensely. You?”
“More than you could possibly imagine.”
“I can’t wait to spend more time with Henry and Esther. Do you really think we’re related?”
He chuckled. “I do believe you are.”
“I have family,” she said and smiled.
“Don’t forget everyone at Dreagan.”
She didn’t reply because she wasn’t sure how to. They had professed their love to each other, but she didn’t know what that entailed, and she hadn’t wanted to bring it up.
“Gemma?” he pressed as he shifted her so that she looked up at him. “You do understand those at Dreagan are family, right?”
“Yes.” Though it came out a bit hastily.
He frowned but the lines softened as he rolled her onto her back. “Just so we’re clear, I want you as my mate, Gemma Clacher. You tell me when you’re ready to make it official, and I’ll see it done.”
She stared into his gray eyes, undone by the love and desire he’d shown her. “I’ve been yours, Cináed. I’ll always be yours.”
“Ah, lass,” he murmured before he kissed her.
They were interrupted by a knock at the door. He leaned back and said, “You better get that.”
Gemma frowned, but wrapped a sheet around her as she went to the door. She opened it and found a large box sitting there wrapped in a big b
ow. She glanced at Cináed to find him watching her as he lay propped up on an elbow.
“Open it,” he bade.
She squatted down, biting her lip. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone had given her a gift. Excitement and nervousness rushed through her as she lifted shaking hands to the lid.
The moment she removed the lid, a puppy rose up on its hind legs, using the side of the box for its front paws, and licked her face.
“Oh, my God,” she exclaimed as she gathered the squirming puppy in her arms.
Cináed was beside her then. “We can still adopt as many senior dogs as you want, but I really wanted to get you a puppy.”
“I love him. Or her,” she said laughing as the puppy continued to lick her while also trying to get to Cináed. “And I love you.”
He wrapped his arms around her as they stood holding the puppy. The road before them wasn’t going to be smooth—she did have the Queen of the Light as an enemy—but she had Cináed. And that was all she needed.
* * * *
It was a setback. One Usaeil hadn’t counted on. She thought she knew everything about the Clachers, but Gemma had surprised her.
She looked down at her hands. The mortal had simply touched her and prevented her magic from working. How had she done it? More importantly, could Gemma do it again? Not to mention Gemma was a Dragon King mate, which made things even trickier.
Usaeil paced the room, her mind working through her plans. She was going to have to change a few things around. She halted and grinned. Although that might not be a bad thing. She knew Con and the Dragon Kings well enough to know what their next step would be.
Same with Rhi.
Oh, yes. They’d never see what she had coming for them.
* * * *
Also from 1001 Dark Nights and Donna Grant, discover Dragon Night, Dragon King, Dragon Fever, and Dragon Burn.
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Dragon Night
A Dark Kings Novella
By Donna Grant
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Governed by honor and ruled by desire
There has never been a hunt that Dorian has lost. With his sights sent on a relic the Dragon Kings need to battle an ancient foe, he won’t let anything stand in his way – especially not the beautiful owner. Alexandra is smart and cautious. Yet the attraction between them is impossible to deny – or ignore. But is it a road Dorian dares to travel down again?
With her vast family fortune, Alexandra Sheridan is never without suitors. No one is more surprised than she when the charming, devilish Scotsman snags her attention. But the secrets Dorian holds is like a wall between them until one fateful night when he shares everything. In his arms she finds passion like no other – and a love that will transcend time. But can she give her heart to a dragon??
* * * *
Dragon Burn
A Dark Kings Novella
By Donna Grant
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In this scorching Dark Kings novella, New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant brings together a determined Dragon King used to getting what he wants and an Ice Queen who thaws for no one.
Marked by passion
A promise made eons ago sends Sebastian to Italy on the hunt to find an enemy. His quarry proves difficult to locate, but there is someone who can point him in the right direction – a woman as frigid as the north. Using every seductive skill he’s acquired over his immortal life, his seduction begins. Until he discovers that the passion he stirs within her makes him burn for more…
Gianna Santini has one love in her life – work. A disastrous failed marriage was evidence enough to realize she was better off on her own. That is until a handsome Scot strolled into her life and literally swept her off her feet. She is unprepared for the blazing passion between them or the truth he exposes. But as her world begins to unravel, she realizes the only one she can depend on is the very one destroying everything - a Dragon King.
* * * *
Dragon Fever
A Dark Kings Novella
By Donna Grant
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A yearning that won’t be denied
Rachel Marek is a journalist with a plan. She intends to expose the truth about dragons to the world – and her target is within sight. Nothing matters but getting the truth, especially not the ruggedly handsome, roguishly thrilling Highlander who oozes danger and charm. And when she finds the truth that shatters her faith, she’ll have to trust her heart to the very man who can crush it…
A legend in the flesh
Suave, dashing Asher is more than just a man. He’s a Dragon King – a being who has roamed this planet since the beginning of time. With everything on the line, Asher must choose to trust an enemy in the form of an all too alluring woman whose tenacity and passion captivate him. Together, Asher and Rachel must fight for their lives – and their love – before an old enemy destroys them both…
* * * *
Dragon King
A Dark Kings Novella
By Donna Grant
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A Woman On A Mission
Grace Clark has always done thi
ngs safe. She's never colored outside of the law, but she has a book due and has found the perfect spot to break through her writer's block. Or so she thinks. Right up until Arian suddenly appears and tries to force her away from the mountain. Unaware of the war she just stumbled into, Grace doesn't just discover the perfect place to write, she finds Arian - the most gorgeous, enticing, mysterious man she's ever met.
A King With a Purpose
Arian is a Dragon King who has slept away centuries in his cave. Recently woken, he's about to leave his mountain to join his brethren in a war when he's alerted that someone has crossed onto Dreagan. He's ready to fight...until he sees the woman. She's innocent and mortal - and she sets his blood aflame. He recognizes the danger approaching her just as the dragon within him demands he claim her for his own...
Ignite
By Donna Grant
Dark Kings 15
Coming April 30, 2019
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Things weren’t going good, and they didn’t look to be improving any time soon.
V ran a hand down his face wearily. All he wanted was to go to his mountain and figure out why his sword wouldn’t work. But he couldn’t. If he did, every Dragon King at Dreagan would know something was wrong.
