Epilogue Two
Many Months Later
At the edge of Glenlough's main landing area, Caitlin Todd waited for Lorcan to finish dressing after his shift. She should feel guilty since Georgiana hadn't felt well enough to come with them. However, even though her stepdaughter was ill, it had been a few weeks since Caitlin had visited her family and she was anxious to see her children and mother again.
Her dragon spoke up. Would you rather have Lorcan waltz in naked?
No. He's mine.
Exactly. So have a little patience.
Once Lorcan made the final adjustment to his formal kilt-like attire, he strode to her side. "You can stop tapping your fingers, Caity."
"I can't help it. This is the first celebration after Teagan's pregnancy announcement. I want to make sure she's all right and no one tries to organize some sort of revolt."
Slipping his arm through hers, he guided them out of the landing area's exit. "Killian and Brenna should be here already. Although I think Teagan is more than capable of taking care of herself."
Glancing over at her mate, she smiled. "You've come a long way on your position with females."
He raised his brows. "Did I have a choice? Between your mother and daughter, I was getting more guilt trips than I ever had from my own gran when I was a lad. I mainly changed policy to finally have some peace and quiet."
Lorcan teased her, but Caitlin knew he was secretly enjoying the changes a few female Protectors were determined to bring to the clan, as soon as they finished their time with the British Army.
Patting his arm, she said, "Since I think the changes only brings us closer to your actual retirement, I'm going to thank my family for their harping this one time."
"Because that won't backfire," he drawled.
"Oh, stop. It's their way of showing love and acceptance. If they didn't like you, there would be only silence and plenty of glaring."
"You mention silence as if it's a bad thing."
She sighed. "Lorcan."
He winked. "You know I'm jesting. I'm just partial to your flushed cheeks and revel the opportunity to see them when I can." He leaned over to her ear and whispered, "As well as other flushed parts of your body."
His words only made her face burn hotter.
Her dragon laughed. If you can't stop blushing at our age, I don't think it's ever going to happen. Prepare for Mam to tease us.
They approached the last leg to the great hall. She'll be too busy sitting near Teagan and Aaron, glaring out at the rest of the clan, to notice.
She may be older, but her eyesight is as keen as ever. Just wait and see.
A pair of Glenlough's younger Protectors stood at the entrance. Ignoring her dragon, Caitlin smiled at each of the Protectors in turn before entering the large, rectangular hall.
Banners in the colors of Glenlough's allies lined the edges of the room. Not only were all the clans in Ireland represented, but also those of Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland, and both English ones. The multitude of vibrant colors, ranging from blue to green to red, made Caitlin proud. Her daughter had been instrumental in securing each clan's place of honor in the hall.
At the far end was a raised dais, complete with a long table and a series of chairs. Teagan sat next to Aaron, whispering something. Brenna and Killian were on the main floor, talking with Lyall O'Dwyer—head of Glenlough's Protectors—and Dr. Ronan O'Brien. She'd just began searching for her mother when her voice filled her ears. "My daughter is the last to arrive. I'll admit, that's a first."
She opened her mouth to reply, but Lorcan beat her to it. "You don't want to know why we're late, Orla. Trust me on this."
Her mother leaned on her cane. "Oh, aye? Defiling her again, I reckon."
"Mother!"
Orla winked. "There's nothing to be ashamed of. I had my own secret rendezvous at your age. The young think we stop at forty. I think it's because they can't handle the truth."
She sighed. "Can we talk about anything else? How's Teagan doing?"
Waving a hand in dismissal, her mother answered, "Fine, fine. Although Caruso is going to drive her to quitting her position and running away if he doesn't learn to back off."
"Most males are that way. He'll learn. After all, Teagan isn't one to mince words."
"Do I get a say in how males act?" Lorcan asked.
"No," Caitlin and her mother answered in unison.
Sighing, Lorcan shook his head. Caitlin was about to excuse them from her mother when Molly Caruso—Aaron's mother—caught her eye and waved.
Looking back at Orla, Caitlin said, "Sorry, Mam, but I promised Molly we'd discuss a few things. We'll catch up with you later."
"I imagine so." Her mother pierced Lorcan with a stare. "Try to leave without saying goodbye, and I'll find a reason to visit Northcastle and stay for weeks."
Lorcan raised his brows. "What, and lose your ability to criticize everyone and give orders when you feel like it? I somehow doubt it."
"Cheeky sod," Orla said with a smile. "Now, go on then."
She and Lorcan made it to Molly's side. As Caitlin embraced the other dragonwoman, she murmured, "It's good to see you."
Molly released her. "I'm not fond of big gatherings, but I knew you'd be here. I also want to keep an eye on Aaron, in case he starts to upset Teagan."
She glanced at her daughter and her mate. At present, they were laughing. "Maybe now's a good time to say hello to them, while they're in a good mood. And maybe snag Killian and his mate along the way, so we can have all our children together for a brief moment."
Molly bobbed her head. "Then we can sneak to a corner of the room and discuss ideas for the baby shower."
Even though baby showers were mostly a human thing, Molly had mentioned the one for Evie Marshall back on Stonefire and both females thought it would be a good way to honor their first grandchild.
Caitlin didn't even need to look at Lorcan to know he'd follow her. He couldn't care less about baby showers and the crafts she wanted to do for it, but he merely wanted to spend time with her.
Her dragon spoke up. Too bad Georgiana is ill, or we'd have everyone in one place.
I know. But that just gives me an excuse to invite Teagan, Killian, and their mates to Northcastle.
As they approached Killian and Brenna, Lorcan wrapped an arm around Killian's shoulders and forced him to walk. "Come, son. Your mother wants everyone together."
"She's not going to take a family photo again, is she?" Killian asked warily.
Caitlin jumped in. "Not this time. But once the weather turns better, I want one with all of us in our dragon forms."
Brenna grinned. "I think that's a brilliant idea. Maybe we could even use it as a promotional photo, to show how a family spanning three clans gets along."
Killian sighed. "I can already tell that protesting is going to fall on deaf ears."
Lorcan slapped Killian's shoulder. "You're still young, but you'll learn soon enough to pick your battles."
Killian grunted, but thankfully didn't argue. Her son and Lorcan had grudgingly learned to respect one another over the last few months. She suspected one day, they might even enjoy being in each other's company.
Ascending the stairs of the dais, Caitlin picked up her pace. Spotting her arrival, Teagan stood. As Caitlin held her daughter close, she said, "How're you feeling, darling?"
"I'm fine, Mam." Teagan released her. "No one's challenged me yet and I'm determined to keep my position even after the baby's born."
Aaron grunted. "Bloody too right you will."
Killian nodded. "Say the word, and I'll be back to defend your place."
Teagan rolled her eyes. "I'm fairly good at this clan leader thing." She smiled. "But if I need help, I'll be sure to ask for it."
As Aaron and Killian started planning what they wanted to do to any challengers, Caitlin merely smiled and leaned against Lorcan's chest. His arms went around her automatically and she was content to watch in silence, basking in the warmth and love of her mate.
Her years of worrying about looking after her children were gone. She'd raised two brilliant, fierce dragon-shifters, who now had their own responsibilities and mates to look after. Which meant she could spend the rest of her days spoiling grandchildren and traveling with her mate once he retired.
Caitlin had never thought she'd find a second chance at happiness with a male she loved. While her first mate, Kieran, would always hold a special place in her heart, she adored Lorcan, too. True mate or not, she loved him and looked forward to making many new memories in the future.
*~*~*~*
Did you enjoy this story? Then please consider leaving a review. :)
The next story in the Stonefire Dragons series will be about Zain and Ivy (the human who brought the flash drive and who fell into a coma). It'll be called Persuading the Dragon and should be out in March 2019. While that seems far away, there are two Lochguard stories out before then. Finn and Arabella's follow-up novella, The Dragon Family, will be out in May 2018. And Alistair Boyd's book, The Dragon's Discovery, will be out in Fall 2018. While waiting, you may want to check out my science fiction romance series. A preview of the first book, The Conquest, will be right after the Author's Note and the blurb for The Dragon Family.