Theo looked at Colton and nodded. He was hungry since they never stopped for breakfast but was at a loss for words as he wondered if the man really meant it.
Chuckling, Colton said to the Captain, “We’d appreciate it. In our hurry to find our friends, we skipped breakfast.”
“Aye, be right back.”
Ian sat down on the bench, tired from the late night and early morning. He wasn’t worried about it as he knew it was a result of being several months pregnant but that didn’t help him. Food would help so he was glad Colton had accepted the offer.
Seeing the exhaustion in Ian’s body, Colton sat next to him, putting his arm around him. “Hey, you okay? Want to lie down? I’m sure there’s a place below where you can stretch out.”
“Thanks, but I just need some food.”
“Here it is,” Colton said as the Captain came up on deck with several platters of food.
“Take these,” the Captain said, handing them to Colton, “I’ll be right back with the drinks.”
Theo reached out to help, and divided the food into four portions, handing everyone a plate. Sitting back, he looked at Norman and smiled—fish was on the menu today.
~/~/~/~/~
Logan stirred as the car slowed down and, as he looked around, he realized they’d reached their destination. But Fort Williams wasn’t a place he could shift; it was too built up and had too many humans around. Hoping Kieran had an idea, he gently shook him and said, “Mo anan cara,wake up, we’re here.”
Wiping the sleep from his eyes, Kieran sat upright, peering out the windows and came to the same conclusion his mate had—they needed to find a secluded spot, away from human eyes. It would have been easier if it were night, but Kieran wasn’t going to wait for darkness because he was worried about Fionn’s father returning early. Consulting their spirit, Kieran gave the driver the name of a remote wooded area outside of town. He was hoping that with the rainy weather Fort Williams was experiencing, few if any humans would be outside today.
After telling the driver to go back to town and wait for them until they called, Kieran led Logan deep into the forest where they eventually reached a large clearing. Turning to face Logan, Kieran said, “Macushla,once you shift, we will only be able to communicate using our mind link…remember that. Now after you shift, close your eyes, and wait until you feel Fionn’s presence. Since there aren’t any other dragons in Scotland, it won’t be a problem zeroing in on him. Let me know when you’ve done this, and I’ll climb onto your back. Then we can go. Any questions?”
“Yeah, I don’t know how to fly.”
“Trust me, it’s second nature to a dragon. Don’t think about how to do it, just think of flying and it will happen.”
“Uhmm, if you say so. Now I understand I will feel him but how do I locate him?”
“It’s hard to explain but the easiest analogy is radar…the closer you get the stronger the presence.”
“You mean dragons feel the presence of other dragons all the time? Isn’t that annoying? It would be to me.”
Rolling his eyes, Kieran said, “They learn to tune it out when they’re young unless they need to use it. Now chop, chop! Say Gold Dragon.”
“Back up, babe, I don’t want to hurt you.”
Kieran moved to the edge of the forest, waiting, eager to see the transformation of his mate.
Logan stared at his mate while saying, “Gold Dragon.” As before, when he’d shifted to a Sun Bear, Logan could feel his body changing, but this time he was also growing taller and, by the time the change had finished, Logan was sixteen feet high. Moving his head around, Logan was able to see his wings, legs and even his tail when he moved it within his line of sight. Stretching out his body and wings, Logan felt the power contained in a dragon body. Now, since he had the ability to fly, he was eager to try it, that was, until he heard his mate in his head telling him to focus. Remembering what Kieran had told him, he closed his eyes and waited, not knowing exactly what to expect. At first there was nothing and Logan feared they were too late. But hoping that wasn’t the case, he purged his mind of all other thoughts and searched for a sign the boy was still alive.
Babe, let our spirit help you find Fionn.
How?
Tell it what you are looking for.
Logan found their spirit and asked for help and then suddenly, there it was, clear and strong. Relieved that they weren’t too late, he told his mate to climb up on his back and grab hold near his neck as he lowered his body to the ground.
Babe the signal is very strong. Does that mean Fionn is close to us?
Yes, get up in the air and circle this clearing. It will be easy to figure out what direction to head for.Bopping Logan’s head, Kieran added.And no fancy flying stunts…remember your pregnant mate is on your back.
Snorting, Logan was startled to see flames coming out of his nose, which he thought was pretty fucking cool.Jackson is going to be so freaking jealous.
Yes, yes, twin competition, got it. Later! Let’s get the show on the road.Kieran held on tightly as he felt Logan’s broad shoulders bunch up when his wings opened and started to flap. He looked from side to side and saw Logan increasing his wings’ power as they slowly left the ground. Kieran squeaked as his body shifted slightly when Logan’s body was fully extended and they circled the clearing.
