Because they had just found each other again.
It could be no other way with his dragon mate.
But he knew as the luster of her shiny scales dulled and her body remained limp, she was gone. His best friend, his true mate…was gone.
Erin was dead.
Chapter Nineteen
“WHY CANNAE I hear you anymore?” came a soft voice.
Erin blinked and tried to sit up, tried to see, but her body remained unresponsive and her eyesight equally so.
“Robert, is that you?” she said, worried but keeping it out of her voice. “Are you all right?”
“Aye, but I’m scared,” he whispered. “You stopped singing.”
She had, hadn’t she? But when had she stopped? For the life of her, she couldn’t make sense of anything save her concern for the little boy.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I don’t know why I stopped singing just that I’m…tired.”
“I dinnae want ye to be tired,” he whimpered.
“Me neither,” she said. “Because that means I can’t protect you like I should.” Erin felt exhaustion swamp her but didn’t want the wee King to be scared after she fell asleep so she tried to explain things to him the best she could. “You know how I’m losing my voice?”
“Aye,” he murmured. “’Tis sad that.”
“Maybe,” she agreed. “But there’s something to be learned from it.”
“What?”
“That sometimes there’s more to be learned by listening and paying attention to your surroundings.” She struggled to stay with him. “There’s a certain wisdom to be gained by speaking at only the most important times. That way, your words carry more weight and are respected in a way they might not have been otherwise.”
Erin heard the tears in his voice and wished she could make things better.
“Then I will say the most important words now,” he whispered. “Thank ye for protecting me, my friend.”
“Anytime, little King,” she managed to whisper before darkness closed around her more tightly.
After that, everything went very, very silent until she heard a heartbeat.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
Robert?
No, while she loved the little wannabe king this was by no means his heartbeat but a much stronger one. A calling that came from far, far away but ever so slowly pulled her closer. The closer it pulled her, the more the sounds around her increased. Wind. The waves lapping in the distance. Crying.
Yet always there was a heartbeat.
One she already knew better than her own.
His.
Green eyes. Unending devotion. True love.
Her dragon…her mate.
Rònan.
Erin tried to cry out to him but instead inhaled sharply and sucked in air that burned her lungs. Then she gasped as her lungs seized. Strong arms wrapped around her as she struggled for air.
“I’ve got you, Erin,” Rònan rumbled against her ear, his voice thick with emotion. “I’ll always have you, lass. Relax and breathe. You’re not alone. Never alone.”
His words said aloud and within her mind calmed her as her lungs worked to take in oxygen. After several blinks, blurriness slowly gave way to clarity.
The first thing she saw was Rònan’s handsome face.
“Thank the bloody gods.” His hand trembled slightly as he cupped her cheek. His bloodshot eyes were locked on her face. There could be no doubt he’d shed tears for her. “Welcome back, lass.”
“What happened?” she said but nothing came out. Even so, he apparently heard her within the mind.
“You saved not only Jackie but the wee Bruce,” he said into her mind. “Yet again, you are a hero, my lass.”
Only then did she realize that he held her on his lap on the castle stairs and not only her friends but Viking posse and even Robert stood nearby.
She teared up when she saw the little king and held out her arms. “I’m so glad you’re okay. Come here, Sweetheart.”
Even though the words didn’t actually come out of her mouth, Robert crawled onto her lap and wrapped his arms around her. Erin knew he tried his best to hide his tears as he whispered in her ear, “Thank ye for saving me and trusting me to hold yer ring for ye. ‘Tis so verra good that it brought ye back to us.”
Erin kissed the top of his head as her eyes met Rònan’s.
She knew at that moment that everything had gone exactly how Adlin MacLomain said it might.
“So when you touched me without the sword in dragon form, our magic drove the bad guy away yet again, right?” she said into Rònan’s mind. “And as I asked him to when I first gave it to him, little Robert made sure the ring was returned to me. That was the key to bringing me back from the brink of death, right?” Her lips curled with satisfaction. “Better yet the power of the love that we share?”
“Aye,” he murmured. “How did you know all that would happen?”
Though saddened, Erin was well aware that her voice was permanently lost and sent out a general message she hoped all could hear while looking at Rònan. “I think Robert could use some rest. If we could all go somewhere private, that’d be good.” She glanced at her Viking posse and managed a small smile. “You’re more than welcome too, my friends.”
Evidently everyone heard because they nodded and Grant crouched beside them, eyes on Robert. “’Twas no easy task keeping yer Ma in the castle all this time. Might ye go rest with her now that ye know Erin is safe?”
The Bruce pulled back and his little bloodshot eyes met hers. “I think mayhap ‘twould be ill of me to leave a true Lady alone at this time.”
Erin wished she could speak into his mind but knew she couldn’t so she pointed at her throat, tried to talk then shook her head while offering a warm smile. She put a closed fist to her chest and mouthed, “I am strong. Thank you.” After that, she put a hand against his heart then one against hers before she pointed between them and mouthed slowly, “I love you.”
Robert paid attention to every little detail before he finally nodded and whispered, “’Twas a wise mistress who once told me fewer words mean I’m paying attention and will have more impact so I will only give you five more.” He wrapped his arms around her and whispered, “I love you too, Erin.”
Erin smiled, kissed the top of his head and held tight before Grant took his hand and led him away. When Rònan seemed unwilling to let her go, she eyed her limbs then her ring before she cocked a brow at him and spoke the only way she could now. Within the mind. “I think despite what happened, I’m doing okay. That means I can walk.”
When he frowned, she winked. “But I wouldn’t mind you staying close.”
Rònan eyed her for a long moment before he nodded. “Aye, always.”
Despite her strong words, Erin was never more thankful when her legs worked and she was able to walk without issue. Her friends pulled her into a group hug before she got too far. Though Cassie could no longer see, Nicole could barely hear and Erin was officially mute, they had found a place that their disabilities didn’t hinder them nearly as much as they thought they would.
Or maybe it was merely their friendship that kept them so strong.
But even Erin knew it had as much to do with the men they found…the MacLomains who were theirs.
All that aside, they weren’t whole and they all felt it. Jackie was gone and it slowed their steps. It kept worried looks on their faces alongside the relief they felt that Erin was alive. It was an odd mix of emotions and it affected each and every one of them.
But right now she had to stay focused on a friend who needed her more.
So she fell into step beside Darach. Though she knew he was glad to see her alive, she had never seen anyone try to disguise a heavy heart as he did now. She wrapped elbows with him and whispered into his mind, “It’ll be okay. Though I don’t understand your reasoning yet, I know you did the right thing. The best thing possible for Jackie.”
Darach offered no response, h
is frown deepening.
Grant led them to a wall walk a few floors up and off the backside of the castle. A few torches burned and several mugs of whisky were served before she sat down beside Rònan and eyed the others. She spoke within their minds.
“Before I came here I made a brief visit to the Celtic Otherworld.” Her eyes went to Rònan. “As I soon found out, I had traveled there when you were first taken by the dark demi-god. I arrived when they were torturing you.” When surprise flickered in his eyes, she slid her hand into his. “When I went to stop them they fled. As it turned out, the last time we were intimate, we ignited the power of the ring and became dragon mates.”
“But…” Rònan started yet she shook her head.
“The demi-god knew that we would likely ignite the ring, that we were meant for each other. That’s why he went after me when I was a teenager. Why he made me hate dragons. Anything to keep us from finding love. It’s also why he kept pursuing me during all those strange moments after I traveled back in time. Like when I thought Jackie called to me from the fire in the cave. How Robert somehow talked to me that night you were sleeping at the Viking fortress. And then when I thought I saw my father at your castle that night Cullen took me. The only thing I remain unclear about is seeing Brae’s ghost.” She sighed. “But I’m sure we’ll figure that out soon enough.”
“I dinnae ken why you were there when I was tortured, though,” Rònan said.
“I learned about all that from Adlin MacLomain and…” Her eyes went to Grant and Torra. “Chiomara the Druidess.”
Shock registered on their faces before she turned her eyes back to Rònan. “Ever wonder why you took such a severe beating yet you were still alive when Nicole joined you in the Celtic Otherworld? Why you two weren’t destroyed in an instant?”
“Aye,” he murmured.
“It was because I showed up before Nicole ever arrived,” she said. “I’m not sure how but I got there just in time. When I did the power of the ring stopped him from hurting you. Yet until we’d lived the moments leading up to the ring igniting, the Otherworld could still pull you in and through our connection, me as well. Apparently, we were there in some sort of dream state that made hurting us far more difficult. Not to say we didn’t have added protection from not only Chiomara and Adlin but even Jackie when she watched over me. I’d still love to know how she managed that.”
She shook her head. “Anyway, I found out from Adlin that the demi-god had no idea we eventually mated as dragons.” Erin quirked her lip. “Neither did I for that matter but I’m glad we did. It became our ultimate, but unexpected weapon. Though he knows about it now, it’s a weapon that’ll come in handy when we fight him again. One he never expected.”
“So the demi-god meant to…kill my son had you not arrived?” Torra asked softly.
“Yes, but don’t give me any credit. It was Adlin and Chiomara that were at the center of this plot,” Erin said just as softly. “They’re the true heroes because bringing me there stopped the demi-god from killing Rònan.”
“Why did they want to kill Rònan to begin with?” Niall kicked in, upset.
“To prove a point.” Erin kept her eyes steady and answered matter-of-factly. “Rònan’s not only a wizard but he’s got the blood of a dragon. It made sense to kill him and weaken all of you in spirit at the very least.”
“So he never meant to use Rònan to fight his battles?” Grant asked.
“No. He was a pawn used to weaken you.” Erin met Rònan’s eyes. “Besides, my man couldn’t be taken and used by dark magic no matter how hard they tried.”
Rònan tried hard not to, but she knew he preened at her compliment.
“Though I’m grateful beyond words, ‘tis a bit strange that Chiomara the Druidess was part of all this, aye?” Torra remarked to Grant.
“Now that’s where it gets really interesting.” Erin kept her eyes on Rònan’s. “It seems she’s been acting like someone else to get you to the twenty-first century so we would meet and put this all in motion.”
Rònan eyed her and shook his head as he figured it out. “All along I thought she was Jackie.”
“Yup.” Erin shrugged. “She and Adlin are great masterminds even from the afterlife.”
“Bloody hell,” Grant and Torra whispered at the same time.
Erin nodded. “They were very informative. I know Chiomara is your ancient Irish relative, the woman who pretty much started this clan.” Her eyes went to the ghostly stranger standing in the corner. “But who is she?”
Torra’s eyes followed hers and froze.
“Ma?” she whispered.
“Aye, lass,” the woman murmured as a man appeared beside her. “’Twas I assisting my grandbabe.”
“Who are they?” Erin whispered to Rònan when he stood.
“My grandparents,” he whispered aloud. “Iain and Arianna MacLomain.”
Arianna’s eyes went to Erin. “’Twas a pleasure meeting you, lass. You are and will always be the love of my grandson’s life.”
Erin instantly recognized her voice. “You were in Tosha.”
“Aye.” Arianna nodded. “A name that meant satisfaction and has that not been proven time and time again with everything you and Rònan did together…what you found. Not just love but perfect unity. An unbreakable force for dragons…mates.”
Erin tended to think of things far more sensual when it came to satisfaction with Rònan but wasn’t above nodding her head. “For sure…it’s definitely been satisfying.”
Arianna and Iain chuckled, obviously understanding the humor in her response. When a neigh resounded from below, Erin strode to the railing and looked over. Tosha pranced around, clearly happy to be left alone on the shore of the loch.
“She’s yours, lass.” Arianna nodded down at Tosha. “I simply merged with Salve. ‘Tis why Tosha came out of your horse trailer in New Hampshire. She’s still your horse but now you better ken her soul and as time passes she will look more like the horse you remember. Care well for her.” Her eyes went to Rònan. “And though I know it doesnae need saying, care well for my kin.”
Holy shit. Well, now it all made sense. Erin grinned down at Tosha, also known as Salve.
She hadn’t lost her horse after all.
“Wait,” Torra said but Arianna and Iain embraced, Iain’s words catching on the wind. “Your son is safe, daughter. We love ye both and will see ye soon enough.”
Rònan frowned as they vanished.
Erin chuckled inwardly and glanced at Rònan. “They were pretty lusty in life, eh?”
“Nay,” Torra said, a frown on her face as well. “Though affectionate, my parents were always…more refined.”
Grant smirked then winked at Torra. “I guess that's changed some in the afterlife, Cousin.”
Torra narrowed her eyes but a small smile played on her lips. “Apparently so if my Ma merged herself with a horse named ‘Satisfaction.’”
“Not so different than me naming my horse Salve,” Erin piped up. “Short for Salvation. Hers not mine in that I saved her.”
They gave her an odd look but seemed to understand the comparison.
Grant, however, was the first to get back to business. “I feel time is limited.” He eyed Darach and Erin. “I need to better ken why you two decided to give the sword meant to save Jackie to Heidrek.” His eyes landed squarely on Darach. “More than that, I need to know why you sent your lass away with the Viking.”
When Erin saw pain flash in Darach’s eyes and sensed how he struggled with his words she shook her head.
“No.” She crossed her arms over her chest and faced Grant. “With all due respect, this is where I need to ask you and Torra to leave so that I can speak to Darach and his cousins alone.”
Grant’s eyebrows lowered sharply and he was about to respond before Darach cut him off. “Please, Da.” When Grant’s eyes flew to him, he clenched his jaw. “I need to speak with Erin and my cousins alone. ‘Tis important.”
Rònan had nev
er seen Darach stand up to his father. Not that Grant intended it in the least, but he suddenly realized that it took a lot for Darach to step out from under his father’s ever powerful shadow.
“Nay, we must know everything,” Torra started but Rònan cut her off. “Erin and Darach have done much for our clans. Might we not respect their wishes?”
Surprise then something close to pride flickered over Grant’s face as he looked between Rònan and Darach. “Aye,” he said softly. “We will honor their wishes indeed.”
Rònan’s mother gave Erin a smile and nod of approval before she wrapped elbows with Grant and left. Meanwhile, Darach downed half a mug of whisky.
“What were you trying to tell us in the armory earlier, Cousin?” Rònan said. “What secrets do you keep?”
Darach’s eyes went from Erin to Rònan and he shook his head, clearly debating if he should share.
Erin felt Darach’s internal distress as much as they all did. “What is it Darach? Does all of this have to do with guilt over being with another woman in Scandinavia? Because even despite the kiss, I don’t think Jackie would hold that against you. She’s pretty understanding.”
Darach’s eyes perked in surprise because she knew about the Viking girl. He ran his hand over his face in frustration and shook his head. “’Twas not what everyone thinks. ‘Tis important that Jackie steers clear of me. Nothing good can come from us being together.”
“But why when ‘tis obvious there is affection betwixt you?” Rònan frowned with concern. “Does this have something to do with why you’ve avoided becoming laird?”
“Aye,” Darach murmured, more troubled by the moment. “I cannae become laird or ‘twill be the end of us all.”
“Bloody hell,” Rònan said. “Why not tell me sooner? Any of us? ‘Tis ill of me to have thought so poorly of you.”
“Nay.” Darach shook his head. “You were right to feel as you did. I would’ve felt the same had our positions been reversed.”
Rònan eyed him for a long moment, clearly trying to understand what was going on. In the end, he gave all he was capable of considering the circumstances. All he could think of to make things right.
Oath of a Scottish Warrior Page 28
