Asher: Dragon's Savior (16 page)

“I have a mate.” It didn’t seem as weird talking to her as he’d thought it would be. “She’s Asher’s mate as well. You’d like her. She’s mouthy and funny. Smart and very strong. She’d have to be to put up with us.”

He grinned when he thought of her tangling with Jacob. “She’s not one you’d call a pushover either. Jacob is kinda in awe of her too.”

Kiaran told her about how Jacob had come to be with them again. And he told her about the witch and how they’d all worked together ridding the world of her. He also told her of his plans to rebuild the castle with the rest of them, and couldn’t wait to see it standing.

He was standing to leave, feeling really good about talking to her, when something caught his eye. Kiaran moved to see what it was and was surprised to find a book. It looked to be as old as he was. Sitting down, he looked at the pages that had been painstakingly drawn with such detail that he could see the castle in all its glory.

There were drawings of tapestries and paintings of his parents. Furniture was drawn out, along with how high it had to be, the length to fit in certain places, and which room it had been in. None of the sizes meant much to him—they were measured in reference to a man named Conway—but Kiaran knew someone that could help.

Fireplaces were drawn out, with extra detail given to the stone that covered it, the hearth that was resting in the grate, as well as how many cords of wood it would need to burn it through a cold night.

As he looked through the pages, telling his mother what he was going to do with each one, he felt like he was going to bring things back to life that had long since been forgotten. He even explained to his mom what things they’d have to add to the castle when it was finished to make it more modern for them, bring it to this century, but in a way that wouldn’t distract from the beauty of the castle itself.

There were pictures of dress of both women and men, of servants and horse men. In the back there were names of farmer who had helped them, and the person who had painted the portraits. Even a list of the magic that had been used to make the rooms safe, the castle walls stronger, and the candles burn so they would not catch the curtains on fire was included.

“Mom, this is going to be wonderful. Thank you so much for this.” He stood up then and walked to where she held his egg in her hand, knowing that she had somehow made it so he’d find it now. “I wish with all my heart I could have known you. Could have been held by you that I could remember. Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. What you had to suffer to make sure we were safe. You and Dad…there is no other parent like you two. And you did a good job finding Jacob and Sally to…oh Mom, I love you so very much.”

Kiaran touched the sigil on his arm and felt tears fall. As they did, he captured them, thinking of what he’d do with the gems as he held them. He was going to have a bracelet made for his mates. One for Essie and one for Asher.

As he left the cave, he felt lighter. The book was tucked under his arm and he couldn’t wait to show it to the rest of them. But instead of going home, he made his way to the castle ruins. He needed to see it alone this time.

His father and mother had given their lives for them. He moved around the one standing wall and put his hand to it. The feelings he got from it, the warmth of love, made him realize that his dad, as much as his mom, had given him the book to follow.

“We’re going to bring it back. Maybe find you in the process. I’d like to…I think I’d like to take you to Mom if we can. I think you should be together, don’t you?” Kiaran thought he heard the building sigh, and he nodded. “We’ll find some part of you, Dad, and take you to be with Mom. It’s only right after all this time.”

Kiaran walked back to the house now. It was full daylight when he stepped into the kitchen, and wasn’t really surprised to find Elbert there. He sat a plate of food in front of him almost as if he’d been expecting him. Kiaran looked up at him, taking his hand in his before he could move away.

“You’ve been a good friend to us, Elbert. Almost like a father.” The man squeezed his hand and nodded. “Thank you for being there for us. I don’t think we tell you that often enough.”

“You don’t, so take care that you do. And Jacob, he needs it more than me.” Kiaran nodded. “She’s your mate now? You’ve bonded with her?”

“Yes.” He looked up at him when he walked away. “You knew? You knew that Essie was my mate?”

Elbert turned and looked at him. “Well, of course I did. I’ve been around a good bit longer than you, young man, and I know a thing or two.”

When he turned his back to him, Kiaran laughed. Christ, he’d not felt this good in a very long time. And he was happy that he’d come with Asher all those weeks ago. Life, he thought as he dug into his breakfast, was going to be fun from here on out.

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Kathi Barton, author of the bestselling series Force of Nature, lives in Nashport, Ohio with her husband Paul. In addition to writing full time Kathi likes to spend time with her eight grandkids, three children and three children-in-laws. She writes to relax and have fun.

Her muse, a cross between Jimmy Stewart and Hugh Jackman brings them to life for her readers in a way that has them coming back time and again for more. Her favorite genre is paranormal romance with a great deal of spice. You can visit Kathi on line and drop her an email if you’d like. She loves hearing from her fans.
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