Chapter 27
Collum recoiled, the past twenty-five years shattered by that one flippant remark. “You can't be about to tell me what I think you are. She’s dead. Everyone knows she’s dead.”
“Well duh, of course they do,” Mar replied. “Funny how everyone will believe what they’re told isn't it. Who told everyone she was dead?”
She climbed off the plush chair and wriggled her fingers in front of the massive stone fireplace. “I felt the same when I finally figured it out. Domhall is good at keeping secrets. He’s even better at manipulating them. I only clued in, ‘cause he wanted me to. The players are about to shift Dragon-Mine and I’m more than happy to be one of them.”
Collum studied her frame in the fire. She chugged her whiskey, with a devilish smile.
“You’re enjoying this,” he finally choked out.
“I always enjoy a bit of intrigue. It keeps me fresh.” She scolded him, “Oh, come on, you’re a dragon for Christ’s sake. Dragon’s get off on intrigue. The only reason you might not be enjoying this as much as me is because you’ve fallen for the reason we're all playing the game.”
He cursed. The world turned on its axis. He’d lost Alex. He'd never get her back now. “Domhall.”
“Yep, good old insane, Domhall. Loving husband, loving father, loving grandfather. You know, I'm beginning to suspect that dude ain't as nuts as you all think he is. This is going to start a war, Collum. I don't know about you, but I sure as hell know whose side I want to be on.”
The whiskey glass in his hand felt like lead. “Gray is alive.”
Mar patted his muscled arm. “Gray is alive.”
“Can you find her?”
“I'm pretty damn sure I can.” She rubbed his muscles beneath the black cashmere sweater. “You know, I thought you'd be meaner. Folks warned me about you. Don't cross him, don’t piss him off, don't let him near your daughters, blah, blah, blah. If you weren't in love with the girl, I'd totally have a go with yeah.”
He ran an exasperated hand through his hair. “For Christ's sake, Mar, take this seriously for a minute.”
“I am. I'm totally serious. I'd be all over you in a heartbeat if it weren’t for the smell of the lust you have for Alex, all over you. Honestly, it's not fair. But, I don't go in for being turned down, so, you know, no toques.” She flipped her hair back and swept her hands down her body before tossing back the final slug of whiskey in her cup.
“I'm just going to ignore you,” he said.
“That might be best.”
“And I don't love Alex. I barely know her.”
“Uh huh. You keep telling yourself that, oh master-of-denial. You reek of claiming smoke. Don't dragons only claim the one who is to be their mate?”
“It's different. Alex isn't a dragon. The rules don't apply.”
“Yeah? Bullshit, Obewankanobe. Just ‘cause you don't want to be claimed, doesn't mean you aren't. Smoke that logic. Oh, and you better hope you are claimed because I hear tell it's the only way to find her.”
He grabbed her shoulders. His dark eyes filled with blue fire. “Quit playing games with me, witch.”
Mar shook him off. “Easy, big guy, not sure if you noticed, but this skin is perfect. No bruises, okay.”
He released her immediately, moved to the other side of the room, studied the ancestral paintings that lined the wall of the library. Each face was as dark and harsh as his own. Each face, a descendant of dragons. Humans thought dragons were a fable, a legend like unicorns. In reality, they’d simply evolved to walk among the humans. They were a fierce and passionate race, led by instinct to conquer.
Collum was the one among them with the power and control to lead. Most hid on their towers of rock, with little desire to be near other beings. Spread across the world, they came only when called. They came when he called.
He rejoined Mar by the fire, placed his hand gently on the small of her back. “I apologize, witch. I shouldn't have grabbed you.” He rubbed her skin with tender affection.
She turned her brilliant white smile on him and retreated from his touch. “None of that now. I told you, I'm not into you okay.”
He smiled fondly at her. “Ah, yes, I forgot. Now tell me what you meant. How can I find Alex?”
“Right. This keeps getting better and better. Another rumor, of course, but I'm fairly certain it's true. Tell me, is it true ancient dragons could call to their mates across time and lands?”
Collum studied her. “That is the rumor.”
“But is it true?”
“We are not ancient anymore so I fail to see why it matters. Those old ways have been lost. And Alex is not my mate.”
“Sure, sure, but you claimed her.”
He nodded. “But she is not dragon, was raised human. She is young and unschooled and we were together but once. The bond isn't strong enough to find her, even if the ancient ways still existed.”
“Well I disagree with you and I want to do a spell. I've studied the ways of your people. I'm, like ninety-two percent certain I can find her, or at the very least get within a close range. I only need you to be willing to try.”
He sighed, felt a moment of weakness. “She’s found her mother.”
“Who cares. You swore to protect her. That vow isn't kaput. Domhall has his own game plan. My sense is she's going to need you. Sorry, but you better suck up the fact that she traipsed off with another dude and try this.”
The brand on his flesh ached. Moved under his sweater. Called out for its other half. He nodded. “What do we need?”
“Cool—Your blood, a strand of her hair, a dragon’s egg. I have the rest.”
“A dragon’s egg. Are you out of your fucking mind? It’s against every law of my people to touch dragon eggs. They are sacred.”
Mar doubled over with laughter. “I sort of figured that. Thought it was worth a shot. Those goddamn things are worth a fortune.”
He growled again. Felt like all he did was growl around this child.
She giggled. “Take it easy. Ha, you should've seen your face. Gosh, I love how volátil you dragons are. Easy pickins, easy pickins.”
Collum took a menacing step toward her.
“Stop. Stop. I'm funny, remember? You like me.” She jumped over the back of the lounger and grabbed her boots. “It's just the blood and hair, promise. You have to be willing to let me cut you and you have to be willing to stand inside the life circle I create.”
Collum retreated. “Very well. When?”
“Tomorrow. It's like one in the morning and I'm totally wiped.” She bounced out of the room. “Don't worry about me. Glenny showed me where I could put my stuff. We took care of that while you were down here throwing good whiskey in the fire. He deserves a raise you know. Tots for now, carino.
~ ~ ~
Collum sat by the fire for a few minutes after Mar had left. The revelations for the night were almost too much for him. Kaylen had lied. There was no way she hadn't known who Alex's father was. It surprised him that he wasn't angrier. But truthfully, he respected her strategy. Goddamn he missed that woman.
The clock on the mantle read two o'clock in the morning. He forced himself to leave the den. Morning was coming soon. His feet carried him to the room he’d shared with Alex. The covers were still rumpled from when they’d made love. Glenn had wisely chosen not to make up the room. He picked up a pillow, inhaled her lingering scent. He sat on the edge of the bed and placed his head in his hands. Her mother was alive. She had a brother. Knowing everything he did, he couldn't see how she’d possibly wish to return to him.
“Fuck,” he muttered, raking his hands through his hair as he straightened.
He'd been charged, however, with keeping her safe and she wasn't safe yet. Not with the war coming their way. The war her mother and brother were sure to crave as much as their enemies.
He had vague memories of Gray Taleisin. He'd heard the stories. The woman was a fierce warrior who loved knowledge and destruction as much as any dragon. She must be chomping at the bit for payback. Whether Alex liked it or not he was bound to her for a while longer. That meant he had to find her before they all did something stupid.