Page 26 of Storm Dragon
Floating to the ground, Ruairí transformed back into his human form. As soon as his feet touched down, he stalked straight to Tamsyn. Heart filled with more love and joy than he ever knew possible, the Guardsman’s heart skipped a beat when the fur of Queen Bridgette retreated. There she was, his Mate, as breathtakingly gorgeous on the inside as she was on the outside, and all his.
No longer able to hold back, he took the last step, the one that would bring all his dreams to life. No words were necessary. Everything he needed to know was written on her lovely face. She wanted to be with him as much as he did.
Gently placing his hands on either side of her face, eyes locked with hers, he leaned and laid his lips to hers. The electricity of their connection caught fire. The last piece of his soul, Tamsyn, clicked into place. For the first time in his very long life, Ruairí was whole- and he never wanted the feeling to end, and apparently neither did his fiery Mate.
As his hands slid onto her shoulder, Tamsyn’s arms wrapped around his waist, her fingers dug into the small of his back, and she pulled their bodies closer still. Her soft, womanly curves perfectly fit against the hard planes of her returning muscles, and Ruairí knew he was truly home.
Deepening their kiss, opening all that he was to his One True Fated Mate, the Guardsman felt his Mate doing the same, and his heart soared. It was one of the last steps before they were truly Mated.
Never wanting the bliss of being with Tamsyn to end, Ruairí lifted her feet from the ground and slid his arm under her knees. Never breaking their kiss, he turned to leave the cave when a chorus of three cleared their throats. Then a voice he never thought he’d hear again chuckled, “I see congratulations are in order.”
Reluctantly ending their kiss, Ruairí opened his eyes. It was unbelievable- absolutely a miracle. It was almost as wonderful as finding his Mate and escaping his prison- for there stood his brother, Carrick.
Three long strides and he was standing in front of the man who’d taken over leadership of the Golden Fire Clan and taught Ruairí and their younger brother, Gunnar, the ways of the Dragon Guard. Looking deep into Carrick’s eyes, the Bond they’d always shared as brothers returned to its full luster with fireworks of Magic and familiar love.
Unable to speak, Ruairí could see that his brother was having the same difficulty and loudly cleared his throat as he searched for the words to properly express his immense feelings. But he needn’t have worried. His Mate had him covered.
Tapping him in the chest, she teased, “You might want to put me down so you can give your brother a hug.”
“What?” Furrowing his brow, his gaze returned to Tamsyn’s at the same moment that he realized she was still in his arms. Snickering nervously, he gently pulled his arm from under her knees and set her feet on the floor. “You are absolutely right, Mo gràidh.”
With a smile that brightened his whole being, she stepped back and teased, “Okay…” Motioning between the two men, she giggled, “…make with the hugging.”
Doing as they were told, Ruairí hugged his brother. Opening his mind to Carrick, he let him see everything that had happened. When. Carrick did the same, and Ruairí pulled away. Taking a step back, he slapped his palm to his chest and gasped, “My Brethren? They live?”
“Yes,” Carrick smiled. “Almost all of the Enforcers have been returned to us and will be waiting for quite the celebration when you are ready to rejoin them.”
“That is wonderful, but first I want to… Wait. Almost all?”
With his expression turning dark, the Leader of the Golden Fire Clan slowly nodded. “Yes, it is true. The Lorgaires have not been found.”
“So, Gunnar is…?”
“Still lost.”
Feeling his Mate’s confusion and needing a distraction before the tears he was holding back started to fall, Ruairí turned to Tamsyn. “Gunnar is our youngest brother.”
“Yep, I got that.” Smiling a sad smile, she closed the distance between them and slid her fingers between his, giving his hand a squeeze. “And he was one of the… the… Long… Long… whatever you said?”
“The Lorgaire,” Ruairí corrected. “It is the Ancient word for Tracker.” Swallowing back a fresh rush of emotion, he continued, “Gunnar was the Leader of the Longaire, the Trackers of Force Enforcer, four Guardsmen responsible for tracking down the evildoers we were dispatched to bring to Justice.”
“And they disappeared the same time that you did?”
“No,” Ruairí answered quickly. Then, turning to his brother, he asked, “It couldn’t have been then. They weren’t with us. So, how…?”
“They were called to duty by the Morrigan to find you and the other Enforcers. Fifty years into the search, all communication ceased. Not even the Goddess or her other personas have been able to find them.” Inhaling deeply, he ran his fingers through his dark, auburn hair. “And, I am sad to say, that is why I must cut our reunion short. Word of Gunnar and the others has reached the Isle of Skye, and I must go.”
“I understand.” And Ruairí did, but saying goodbye so soon after reconnecting with one of the most important people in his life after being separated for so long was bittersweet. The only consolation was that he would find their younger brother.
Looking down at Tamsyn, he read her thoughts almost as quickly as they crossed her mind and smiled. “Oh, Mo chat bheag, you are a treasure, and I cannot thank you enough for your willingness to let me go with Carrick in search of our brother.” Pulling her close, he laid a chaste kiss upon her lips. “But I have not been called, and the Goddess does not suffer uninvited guests. She has asked for Carrick, and that is exactly who she expects to see.”
“Okay,” Tamsyn reluctantly agreed. “I know y’all Dragons have a lot of pomp and circumstance with your customs. Just know that I believe family comes first in everything.” She patted his arm. “And you are my family, which means the big guy over there and the one I don’t know yet are too. So, whatever y’all need- you get.”
“Thank you, Mo gràidh.”
“Yes, thank you very much, Tamsyn,”Carrick reiterated. Smiling, he continued, “And now I understand why you seemed so familiar.” Looking at Ruairí, he winked. “Your Mating Bond was already starting to form with Storm here, and my Dragon King and I recognized you as Family.”
“Storm?” Tamsyn asked.
