“Then you’ll want to talk to Fionn,” Logan said. “He’s a real dragon. I only shapeshift into one when we need to get somewhere quickly or breathe fire or…”
“Macushla,I have a great idea!” Kieran interrupted enthusiastically. “Maybe…”
Zane groaned, “Oh, no, not another one!”
“Hush, I want to hear it,” David said, batting his mate’s arm.
“Thank you,” said Kieran, continuing on. “I thought maybe Fionn would like to go flying with us some night. I’m sure he hasn’t done that in a long time,” Kieran said, looking at Logan. “And it’s not good for his dragon to be kept pent up because the longer Fionn does that the more likely he’ll shift at the wrong time and, with his father dead, he doesn’t have to fear him anymore and I think he’d feel better if you went with him, you know, so he’s not alone.”
Contemplating his mate’s words for a few seconds, Logan said, “And you think it will help get him out of his depression?”
“I’m hoping it will,macushla,” replied Kieran, then turning to David. “Would you like to come with us, David?”
“Oh, yes! Can we? Please…” David asked his mate.
Zane smiled, happy to see the joy in his mate’s face. “Absolutely, babe! It should be a lot of fun.”
“Yes, it should be fun,” Logan said. “But first we have to take care of this High Priestess thing.”
“Absolutely,macushla,” Kieran said, eyes twinkling with delight.
“Let’s find where the others have gone,” Logan said, “because it’ll soon be time to leave.” He took Kieran’s hand and led him outside with Zane and David following. Looking around, Logan spotted three men deep in discussion on the far side of the village center, so he headed there. When they arrived, the three were exchanging ideas about housing, jobs and improving health care for Ian’s subjects.
Glancing at the new arrivals, Ian smiled and said, “Angus, once we prioritize the projects, then Slate’s company can do the initial assessment of what will be needed regarding supplying power, heat, and water before drawing up a set of blueprints for the hospital and clinic. Once that’s done, Colton can get to work on the design and layout for it.”
“Ay, that’s fine, but what aboot the cottages? Some o’ them are in very rundown condition and families are havin’ to share what homes we have,” Angus pointed out.
Slate then joined the conversation. “My company will work on the houses at the same time since the need for both them and the hospital are equally important,” he assured Angus.
“Once the blueprints are finished for the houses, I plan to hire Logan to do the design for them,” Ian said, with a smile. “That is, if Logan wants the job.”
“Are you kidding!” exclaimed Logan, squeezing Kieran’s hand.Babe, will you help me with this project?
Oh thank you so much, macushla, I have loads of ideas!
I’m counting on it, babe.
“Do you have an idea about the timeline?” asked Logan.
“Can I get back to you on that?” replied Slate. “I’ve arranged for my team to be here next week to make an initial survey and, once that’s finished, I’ll have a better idea of what the project will involve.”
Nodding, Logan said, “Great. Let me know once you have a firm one.”
“Ah have one more thing that needs tae be included…a castle fur our king,” Angus said.
Ian’s eyes widened. The last thing he wanted was to waste money on a castle he’d use only a few times a year, if that, especially since his shifters’ needs were so great.
Colton, aware of his mate’s conundrum, asked, “Angus, does it have to be a castle? Why not a house, like the ones Slate’s company will build?”
Angus was quiet while he gathered his thoughts. Then he said, “When ye father died, the only thing that kept us alive was his promise that ye would return and take yer place as our king. All these years, on yer birthday, we celebrated and ended the evening with a toast ‘Next year, our King will return tae Scotland.’
“The Scottish Wolves have had a king since the beginning o’ time, a king who we respect, follow ‘n’ obey. We will fight any battle, wage any war, keep any peace for our king because our trust in him is absolute. It’s been that way since the beginning ‘n’ it’s that way now,” Angus said.
“When I told everyone what ye have planned, no one was surprised. They ne’er doubted their king would take care of them, just as ye father did when he gathered up as many Scottish Wolf families as he could tae save them from the war the humans began. He did whit was necessary fur his people, even if it meant sacrificing his own life. Why does King Ian need a castle? Fur each stone used tae to build it represents every Scottish Wolf shifter’s loyalty tae their king.”
Ian blinked his eyes several times trying to hold back the tears caused by Angus’ eloquent words. Understanding better now, what his kingship meant to his people, made his reluctance about granting Angus’ request fade away. Instead, he knew a castle would now have to be included in his plans. Worried about the cost of building one, Ian looked at Colton. “Any suggestions as how to proceed?”
“Well, you already have a castle, so I suggest Slate take a look at it and see what’s needed to make it livable again,” replied Colton.
