Page 16 of Her Scot of Bygones
“Sure,” I said, having every intention of weakening it.
Aspen poured a cup and handed it to me, evidently having decided how she wanted to handle my frustration with Lucas. Or so I assumed based on her revelation.
“I’ll admit I was furious at Lucas when he first took you,” she began, “but once we got the letter and I started sensing him through Broderick, I was relieved, and you should be too.”
When I frowned at her in confusion and sipped the mead, liking it more than I expected, she went on, clearly speaking for her and Broderick.
“We were relieved because he got to you before Evan did,” she explained. “Despite the letter implying you and Lucas would connect first, Evan could have found his way to you before that happened. We were even more relieved when we felt how protective Lucas’s dragon already was of you. How taken by both your human and inner beast, however repressed she might be right now.” She cocked her head. “Surely, you feel it too?” Hereyes narrowed a little as if she sensed something. “In fact, I have a feeling your dragon is just as taken with him, and I think knowing your way to his chamber proves it.”
“I’m not sure what it proves.” I sighed. “All I know is I took it to heart when I realized he’d taken me when he knew you were experiencing a risky pregnancy and didn’t seem to care that you would get so upset.” Yet again, I was surprised by the harsh wave of emotion that rolled through me. “You could have lost your babies, Aspen.” I shook my head, more than a little worried. “Broderick told me everything, so I know you should be taking it easy andnotgetting upset.”
“First of all, dragon shifter babies are a lot different than human babies,” she revealed, sounding sure of herself. “They’re stronger, so you don’t need to worry about them.” The corner of her mouth curled up. “Seriously. My sons will sense it and take full advantage of their Aunt Hazel once they're born.” She rested a comforting hand on my arm. “As to Lucas, the last thing he meant to do was stress me out or risk the health of my babies. He might be impulsive and not always think things through, but he’s got a good heart.”
She gave me a gentle squeeze before continuing. “Not just that, but now we’ve received the letter, and with everything that’s happened to you since traveling back in time, I think it’s pretty clear his inner dragon had no choice. Not when I’m almost certain you’re his fated mate.” Her eyebrow swept up, and her look became all-knowing. “I think the wordbygonessuits this situation well, don’t you, given everything worked out the way it was supposed to?”
Something about the way she said it and the flicker of her inner dragon in her eyes helped me see past my hurt to sound reason.CouldLucas truly be my hero? My Scot of Bygones personified? My fated mate? Things were pointing more and more in that direction. If that were the case, then his behaviorwould make sense if what I’d heard about that sort of connection between dragons was true.
“I suppose you’re right,” I granted, somehow not surprised to see the purplish twilight that had been cast over the ocean gone and a nearly full moon rising. “So what’s next?” I frowned. “Because I can’t say I’m crazy about being caught between Lucas and some guy I don’t even remember.”
“From what I gathered from that letter, I think what happens next will be determined entirely by you.” Aspen gestured at the door. “Meanwhile, why don’t we go eat so you can meet everyone?”
I nodded and was about to respond, surprisingly eager to see Lucas again despite how hurt I’d felt minutes before, but for a split second, I felt like I stood in his chamber again, and something out over the sea caught my attention.
Something that made it crystal clear where I was supposed to go next.
CHAPTER TEN
–Lucas–
ALTHOUGH IT HAD only been a few hours since I last saw Hazel, I was surprised by how desperately I missed her until she joined us in our smaller dining chamber. I missed her so much, it took a great deal of inner strength not to go to her the moment she and Aspen entered the room. I forced myself to stay perfectly still, warring with my emotions not to throw caution to the wind and pull her into my arms.
To feel her against me again and never let her go.
I could not be blamed, either, because she was a vision.
No longer in modern-day clothes with a frilly apron, she wore a deep purple dress that complemented her curves and looked stunning with her long, thick, wavy, vibrant crimson hair flowing around her shoulders. In truth, it was hard to believe she might be destined for me because her beauty was unparalleled. A priceless gift if she were to end up being mine, which I unfortunately knew might not be the case because,according to Aspen, she’d abruptly left my chamber after seeming so drawn to it.
Although tempted to go up and at least escort her down to dinner, Aspen had been clear that it was best she be alone with her sister so they could talk. There was no way to know what they discussed because they blocked me from their minds, but my heart skipped a beat when Hazel met my gaze and smiled. It might have been a small smile, but it did wonders for my confidence and soothed my inner beast.
“You must be Flame,” Hazel exclaimed, her smile growing when the grey pup born of the Wolves of Ossary trotted over from where he’d been curled up in front of the fire to greet her as if they hadn’t seen each other in far too long. Much to his pleasure, she crouched and scratched him behind the ear. “Aspen told me you helped quite a bit on her adventure.” She cocked her head. “Any chance you’d like to do the same for me?”
Flame licked her cheek, then headed my way, plunked down beside me, perked his ears, and cocked his head at her in return,giving me much-needed hope. Although a shifter, he had been born in wolf form, so it would be some time before he shifted to his human half for the first time and finally spoke.
“I would say that means yes, Hazel, Flame will help you.” Chara smiled. “Both of you, it seems.”
“’Tis good to hear,” Marek said, undoubtedly sensing how pleased that made me and my dragon, because yet again it implied Hazel was my mate. He winked at me and urged everyone to sit and dine. “Let us eat. ‘Twill be a good opportunity for you to get a bit more acclimated to your surroundings before meeting our clan, Hazel. I encourage you to ask us anything you like so you might better ken this era.”
Thankfully, she was seated beside me with Aunt Chara and Uncle Marek across from us, and Broderick and Aspen at the heads of the table. Hazel was relatively quiet, listening as everyone caught her up on everything from strife at the Sassenach border to what she should know about the Sutherlands and the blasted pact they were holding over our heads.
“So the King of Scotland, Robert II, is fully aware that not only the MacLeods but the Sutherlands possess dragon blood, and both are tied to a pact that if not honored could start a war between two of his most powerful clans?” Hazel said at one point, fascinated by not only the details of the pact butthe various dishes being served. Aspen had made sure it was a variety, given Hazel’s love of cooking, and so different from what she was used to. I, of course, took every opportunity to describe each dish to her.
“Aye,” Broderick replied. “The king is fully aware and was,is, the driving force behind us fulfilling the pact.”
“I can imagine.” She smiled and thanked me when I saw she chose a choice cut of succulent meat. “He doesn’t need internal war when he’s constantly dealing with it externally.” A caring, protective sort, whether it was of her kin or kin by extension, given Broderick was now her brother by marriage, worry furrowed her brow when she looked at him. “How is your brother, Tavish, and cousin, Sloan? Both are fighting at the border, right?”
“Aye.” He nodded. “Last I heard, both fare well and are fighting hard on behalf of king and country. Thank ye for asking.”
“I’m so glad to hear it.” Her eyes drifted a little when she tried the meat, murmuring how delicious it was. “And what about Storm?” She looked at Aspen. “Have you heard anything from her besides the letter she sent with Flame?”
