Shaking his head, Fionn said, “I never could figure out why.”
“Greed, angel. He was already counting how much he’d be paid if he agreed to a marriage between you and the daughter of an old-line dragon family.”
“Which would not happen because I was gay…” Fionn murmured, his voice fading, remembering his ordeal in the cave when his father had tried to starve him to death.
“That’s right, angel.”
Thinking about what Cody and Dylon were planning to do for gay shifters, Fionn asked, “Mum, I’m not the only gay dragon, am I?”
“I really don’t know. If there are others, they must be concealing who they are; they’re considered to be a mistake of nature.”
“I’m not, and I dare anyone to say I am.” Fionn said indignantly.
“No angel, you are not.”
“I have a bunch of relatives seeking custody of me…not going to happen now since I’m an adult, thank the gods. When I was looking for some papers at our home recently, someone broke in searching for a key. Only after I heard him mumbling about his brother did I realize who he was. He was angry father didn’t change his will.”
“Beware of him, my angel. He means to do you harm.”
“Some of your relatives are also seeking to become my guardian. I didn’t know you had a brother and a sister.”
“No, I kept you far away from them and their hatred of me.”
“I figured it must have been something like that, Mum, because they never came to help when you were sick. My lawyer suggested I meet with them but something in my gut told me not to.”
“I’m glad you listened to your dragon.”
“I try to,” Fionn said, softly.
“It’s time for me to go, angel. Any other questions?”
“No…well, none I can think of. I miss you so much, Mum.”
“I miss you too, but soon you’ll find your Fated Mate…the one who’ll fill the holes in your heart, my angel. One last piece of advice from your mother…trust everyone in the Blackwood Pack. They will protect you from anyone who means to do you harm.”
“I will, Mum, I promise. I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“I know, sweetie, but let’s be happy the gods allow these visits from time to time.”
“Yes, Mum. I love you.”
“And I love you, my angel…”
Fionn watched as his mother faded away until only a hint of jasmine remained. Closing his eyes, he inhaled hismother’s scent, truly relaxing for the first time since Penn told him about the multiple petitions for his custody.
~/~/~/~/~
David awoke late, surrounded by Zane’s scent. Inhaling deeply, he wallowed in the security it gave him, something he never thought he’d find in his life. His mother knew, though, constantly reassuring him of future happiness, and he couldn’t wait to introduce his mate to her as soon as she was rescued. His most urgent need at the moment, though, was to relieve himself. Squirming from under Zane’s arm and leg, he slowly freed himself and headed to the bathroom. After taking a long leak and washing his hands, David studied himself in the mirror, lightly outlining his claiming scar with his finger, feeling his connection to Zane deep in his soul.
Smiling at his image, David felt his whole body shiver in response to his contact with his scar. Hopefully, they’d be able to spend time together today so his mate could show him different ways to make love. With a mental note to talk to Kieran about sex, he headed back to the bedroom where he found Zane still sleeping deeply. He wasn’t sure when his mate had joined him, but he knew it was sometime in the early morning. Wandering over to the desk, David was curious about what Zane had discovered about Brenda.
He picked up the top sheet, scanned it and then, sitting down with a thump, grabbed the next one. Appalled at what he was reading, he didn’t stop until he had gone through it all. Finally, setting the last sheet down, David leaned back, tears slowly falling as pain coursed through his body.How stupid I was not to see the evil in the High Priestess…Brenda? If I couldn’t see it in someone like her, how am I supposed to fight it?Shuffling the papers, regret and sorrow filled his heart, soul, and mind as the magnitude of Brenda’s crimes became apparent and his role in them exposed. Finally, placing all the papers in a pile, he rose and walked over to the window, staring out at the grey morning light that reflected how he felt.
Awakening alone in bed, Zane’s eyes zeroed in on his mate standing at the window. Opening his mouth to call out, he paused, noticing the drooping of David’s shoulders; his mate was hugging himself disconsolately, as if to comfort himself. Zane knew his mate needed him. Slipping out of bed, he padded silently over to David, pulling him tightly against his chest, wrapping his arms around him. Sending love to his mate, he hoped it would alleviate whatever was upsetting him.
Finally, Zane asked, “Babe, what’s bothering you?”
David started to speak, then paused, not quite sure how to begin, but in the end began with how dumb he felt and then moved on to his doubts about fighting evil in a world where he was so easily fooled by it.He went on to say how he regretted not escaping with his mother when he was seven and the guilt he felt because his mother was suffering at the hands of Brenda. By the time he finished, he was on Zane’s lap, his tears being dried by his mate
