Chapter Fourteen
Caitlin O'Shea stood beside Lorcan on a stage in front of the entire clan and tried her best not to shift her feet.
The mating ceremony had finished a few minutes before, but Lorcan was giving a speech about several items. One of which regarded her future in the clan.
Glancing at Lorcan's strong profile, she was both nervous and excited to finish what they had started back in her temporary housing. One clan matter after the other had come up to prevent them spending much time alone together. But while some females would be cross about such matters, Caitlin understood clan leaders and their duties.
Although when news came through about Adrian fighting off a mate-claim frenzy and Killian's change in condition, all she'd cared about was finishing the mating ceremony so she could accompany Lorcan to Stonefire. They would need to consummate the mating to ensure no challenges popped up, but tomorrow morning they would make the journey across the Irish Sea.
Lorcan glanced at her and smiled. He was about to introduce her new duties, so she returned the smile and focused back on the clan in front of them.
Her mate's voice boomed in the great hall. "While having a beautiful female on my arm is a boon, she has a brain as well and will be helping out the clan's teachers. If the alliance is to work, we must start erasing the distrust and rumors surrounding Glenlough." There were a few grumbles in the crowd, but Caitlin had a feeling that any trouble toward her would come later. Lorcan continued, "Now that I've finished my announcements, enjoy the celebration. It's been a while since our last one, and we could all do with brushing up our dancing skills."
He signaled the person in charge of the music and it filled the hall a few seconds later.
Lorcan took her hand and led her down the stairs to the main floor. He wasted no time in guiding them to the dancing area and pulling her close. She was grateful for knowing the dance well, otherwise she may have stumbled at Lorcan’s hard body against hers; the thin material of her dress did little to shield his heat.
Lowering his head to her ear, he murmured, "You look beautiful, Caity. I didn't get to tell you that earlier."
"Since I spent an hour on my hair, I hope I look nice or it'd be a wasted effort."
Her mate lightly brushed the back of her neck. "Just know that your hair is coming down later. I want it to fan your body on my bed."
She should feel guilty considering her son was struggling hundreds of miles away, but there was nothing she could do until she set foot on Stonefire's land. So, for once, she decided that the evening would be hers. "Patience, Lorcan. Socializing with the clan is just as important as consummating our mating."
"I want to curse you for knowing how clan leaders work so well, but I must admit it makes my job easier."
She should merely snuggle close and enjoy the dance. But she couldn't help but say, "I hope things calm down soon enough. Because if I can be honest, you work too much."
"I won't disagree with that. Although with the alliance with Glenlough and now possibly Stonefire, it should make my life easier."
Her new mate swung her out and back again. Once Lorcan completed turning her and pulling her close, Caitlin asked, "Are there still people inside Northcastle who are looking to oust me?"
Lorcan had shared that some of the more stubborn clan members who wanted nothing to do with other clans had been grumbling to sympathetic ears.
Her mate shook his head, his strong jaw lightly caressing her cheek in the process. "I think most, if not all, have been contained and questioned thoroughly. I can't risk banishing anyone right now, or they could end up either with the rogue dragon group hiding in the wilds of Scotland, or they might be kidnapped and wake up like Killian, sans memory and eventually with two dragons."
At the mention of her son, she closed her eyes, trusting Lorcan to guide her through the dance steps. "No one should be without a dragon, let alone have to deal with two. And yet, Killian's experienced both in such a short time."
"I know, Caity. And while I don't know your family well, it pains both man and beast to see you sad." He cupped her cheek and she opened her eyes to see his face. "I will help you do whatever we can to fix this."
The conviction in Lorcan's voice brought tears to her eyes. "Thank you."
He kissed her gently. "Don't thank me. It's what a stepfather is supposed to do. Although I admit gaining two grown children will be somewhat difficult."
She smiled. "Especially when one of them is a clan leader in her own right. If ever there was a stepchild who wasn't going to make life easy for a stepparent, it would be a fierce leader like Teagan."
"It's who she is, Caity. I wouldn't want anything less."
Since this had been the most time she'd had to simply talk with her new mate in a while, she risked asking, "How does your daughter feel about it?"
He twirled her out and back. "Georgiana is a difficult female to read. She's quiet, but intelligent. She's never really had a mother since hers died so young. To be honest, she probably won't know how to act with you. Although it's not in her nature to be cruel for the sake of it."
"I already know that. After all, she risked a great deal to help Killian. For that, I will make every effort to know her better."
Strumming his thumb on her cheek, he murmured, "This is nice, dancing and talking with you. I wish we could've mated years ago."
A small part of her mourned never being able to give Lorcan a child, but she quickly pushed it away. "It never would've worked, and you know it. Regardless of how you've thought of me, Teagan needed me the past five years, as she grew into her role as clan leader. And your clan needed you, too, after the incompetence of your predecessor."
He smiled. "You already have me, Caity. No need for flattery."
She raised her brows. "It's true. The former leader nearly started a war. Northcastle desperately needed your reasonable mind."
"I won't disagree with that. However, long-term peace is on the horizon, more than ever before. Plus, all our children are grown. Once Killian is on the mend, I can think about retiring."
She searched his gaze. "Are you sure, Lorcan? You're not yet sixty, and a hearty male at that."
"A male could get used to your compliments, Caity."
"Well, I'll be around for a while. However, know that I only give compliments that are true."
Chuckling, he rubbed her lower back. Without thinking, Caitlin melted against Lorcan's body. His breath tickled her ear as he said, "I'll remember that. But I'm serious about retiring. With all the changes, a younger male might do better."
"Or female."
"I have nothing against it, but I'm not sure if Northcastle is ready for that, love. After all, we don't have any female Protectors."
"Then you need to change that before you retire. It'll be one of my requirements."
"Requirements, aye?"
Since she didn't feel any tension in Lorcan's body, she held her ground. "Yes."
He kissed her neck and murmured, "Good, as I'm sorely in need of a few restrictions. A bachelor's life has made my life rather routine." He kissed her neck again and she sighed. "I won't retire until everything is sorted. But I look forward to taking some time for ourselves. I've always wanted to travel and frolic in a warmer ocean with a gorgeous female, both in human and dragon forms."
Lorcan's warm thumb against her cheek easily coaxed out her past. "Truth be told, when I was younger, I was afraid to travel. The UK and Ireland weren't the only ones dealing with changing times and balances of power with the human governments. I'd heard stories of foreign dragons attacking Irish ones. But I'm wiser now and know that there will always be rumors about those who live in other countries. While it's unlikely we can visit every country, I'd like to make a go of it. The trick will be in garnering the DDA's permission."
Lorcan pressed her closer against his body, and Caitlin drew in a breath. His deep voice rolled over her. "Once I retire, we can make that our life's mission, to allow greater freedom between clans."
She laughed. "That doesn't sound much like retiring. Accomplishing that will require maybe even more work than being clan leader."
He grinned. "Perhaps, but it also means we can travel. And with you on my arm, that sounds like heaven."
Heat rushed to her cheeks. "Keep it up and you're going to run out of compliments soon."
"Never, Caity." Moving to her ear, his hot breath tickled her skin as he added, "We can do a few more dances, but then I'm whisking you to my secret room in the great hall. I've had decades to fantasize about this night."
Lorcan's rumbly voice made her stomach flip in a good way. "Just make sure it's nothing that will pull a muscle, or you could be limping onto Stonefire tomorrow."
He lightly swatted her bum, heat radiating from his touch and traveling to between her thighs. It took everything she had to focus on Lorcan's words. "I bet I can outlast many a lad in his twenties. Just make sure to tell me if you wish to stop, Caity. I sense you care more about others' needs over your own. But as I've mentioned, I plan to take care of you and I can't do that without knowing what to look for."
She nodded just as the song ended.
Her dragon spoke up. He will be good for us. But I won't make my final decision until I see him naked.
You would say that.
Her beast grunted. He's boasted quite a bit. I want to see if he can live up to the hype. Because if he can, I may see if I can tire out his dragon half.
She laughed, and Lorcan raised his brows in response. When she caught her breath, she said, "I hope your dragon likes a challenge. Mine is ready to outlast yours."
He snorted. "Female dragons are randier…"
Lightly swatting his chest, she leaned closer. "Don't encourage her."
Grinning, he stepped back and bowed as the final notes of the song echoed in the space.
Somehow Caitlin managed to survive a few more dances without worrying about things outside her control, enjoying the light conversation and teasing from her new mate.
It was still early days, but Caitlin began to think a life with Lorcan might be good for her. He didn't try to force her to be someone she wasn't—unlike her mother. And she didn't always have to be strong—like with her children. She was simply Caitlin Todd.
And she rather liked the sound of that.
After who knew how much time had passed, the latest song ended and Lorcan pulled her to the side of the hall. He whispered, "I've done my obligations. Now it's time to escape and take some time for just the two of us. Are you ready, Caity?"
Her heart rate kicked up at his words, and even further when he lightly stroked the bare skin of her arm.
Her dragon spoke up. Yes, I'm ready. Let's go.
She bobbed her head. Lorcan threaded the fingers of one hand through hers and slowly guided them out of the great hall, stopping to say hello to various clan members along the way.
While she looked forward to the next part of the evening with Lorcan, she couldn't stop her palms from sweating. The last time she'd done this had been over a decade ago.
Don't worry. I can always take over and ride him hard.
No, love. I want the first time. You'll have many more times in the future, provided he lives up to his promises.
Her dragon snorted. We'll see. Most males like to boast, but fall short in reality.
Lorcan took her through a secret door she hadn't noticed in the wall, and up a flight of stairs. The ensuing corridor was covered in old tapestries, helping to keep out the chill of the old stone building. He finally stopped in front of a sturdy, wooden door. "Are you ready, Caity? Because once we get inside, I'm not going to waste time with pretty words."
Taking a deep breath, she answered, "I'm ready. Besides, pretty words will only make me more nervous. I'm anxious to see you naked."
"A female who knows what she wants. You keep giving me reasons to adore you."
She couldn't stop the color rushing to her cheeks. "Let's just go inside."
Before she could do more than blink, Lorcan opened the door, tugged her inside, and shut the door again. Hauling her up against his body, he murmured, "My lovely Caity. You won't regret agreeing to mate me."
"I thought there weren't going to be any pretty words?"
With a growl, Lorcan took her lips in a rough kiss. She instantly parted her own to allow him access, the stroke of his tongue against hers sending fire throughout her body.
He cupped her arse cheeks and easily lifted her, carrying her to the bed, all while never missing a beat with his exploration and dominance of her mouth.
While she could feel his hard chest against her, she wanted to feel every inch of his skin against hers. Just as she was about to wrap her legs around his waist, Lorcan broke the kiss and gently laid her down on the large bed. "I hope you aren't attached to this dress."
She'd barely shaken her head when he ripped it down the middle and tossed the material aside. His pupils flashed repeatedly as he slowly perused her body.
Caitlin may not be twenty, but she wasn't embarrassed about her body or her age. Both told her life's story, and she wouldn't have it any other way.
Lorcan lightly ran a finger down the middle of her chest, to her belly, and stopped short of going between her thighs. "My beautiful female."
"I can't yet make the same assessment about you until you're naked."
Chuckling, he removed his fingers and quickly undressed. Her eyes zeroed in on his hard cock, thick and ready for her.
Her dragon huffed. He had better be.
He raised his arms out to his side, preventing Caitlin from replying. "Shall I turn for the lady?"
Biting her lip, she nodded.
Lorcan turned slowly and her eyes drank in his tall, lean frame, firm muscles, and deliciously round bum. It was a miracle the male hadn't been snatched up before.
However, the instant he finished his turn, Lorcan covered her body and took her face between his hands. It took everything she had to concentrate on his words since his cock was resting between her thighs. He murmured, "I will make it up to you later with my tongue between your legs, but right now, all I can think about is being inside you."
"Then take me, Lorcan." She raised a leg and hooked it around his hip. "I'm more than ready."
She moved her hips and he groaned. "I can feel how wet you are."
"Your time is limited. Normally I'm okay with that, but for now, I want you. Let's not waste what precious time we have together."
Lorcan position his cock at her entrance. "You are mine, Caity. And after tonight, you'll understand that well."
His words sent a shiver down her spine, in a good way.
In the next second, he inched inside her until he filled her to the hilt. She groaned and closed her eyes, savoring the fullness.
"Look at me, love."
She forced her eyes open, the tenderness and desire in Lorcan's eyes rendering her speechless.
There were a million reasons why it never would've worked between them over the decades. But now, in this moment, they were together. And Caitlin had a feeling she'd enjoy the male above her for the rest of her life.
Lorcan moved his hips and she soon lost any thought but the pleasure he brought her. Neither one of them lasted long the first time, but Lorcan easily lived up to his word. By the end of the night, Caitlin was sated, boneless, and happier than she'd been in a long time. As she listened to Lorcan's heart beat under her ear, she only hoped everyone she cared for would soon be as happy as she was in the present.
Not wanting to think about the near future, Caitlin closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep in the arms of a male who made her feel safe and treasured.