McDermot stayed back with Reance. Lana may have given him a pass, but he didn’t know her well enough to know if she let it go or not.
Maddock sneered, “I should have killed your sister.”
In response, McDermot pulled out the dart gun and shot him in the chest, right over his heart.
Reance turned to McDermot. “He needs to go through trial.”
“He will, but he’s not going to talk until you have him locked away.”
Reance chuckled. “Good, he was getting on my nerves.”
Carmella came back with five of Reance’s private guard. One of them smirked at Maddock. “We finally have him.”
“Yes, and after we have him secure in a cell, you’ll go after his father. Here’s where you’ll find him.” He handed over the paper.
Carmella touched McDermot’s shoulder and whispered, “I’m The Crone.”
His brow arched. The beautiful woman was not what he expected of the clever glamor.
McDermot helped haul a partially frozen Maddock over his and one of the guard’s shoulders. Reance opened another portal to a prison. This one was brighter, with real furniture, yet, he could feel the magic that would keep the bastard neutralized.
Her help earlier made more sense now. Though he had always assumed Carmella had been there by her own design. Perhaps she was, but for a very different reason than he had once assumed.
Reance opened a cell and nodded inside. McDermot helped set Maddock down, then stepped out. “Does he need to be bound?”
“The cell will keep him in. He won’t have any magic while he’s locked up.” Reance nodded to the guard. “See what you can learn from him without harming him. I’ll be back with a mindbender to gather the rest in the morning.” Reance sighed. “And a healer.” He lightly touched McDermot’s arm and brought him through another portal.
They stood before a door. “Stay tonight. Someone will show you to a suite in a bit. You will each have a room there,” Reance assured.
“Your daughter is in labor?”
“Getting there, but I’m willing to bet Aeryana is anxious to go to our daughter. She was so freaked out when she was in labor.”
McDermot rubbed at his face. “Thank you for helping me when you didn’t need to.”
“You did what you needed to and came to me with the intent of making it right. That takes a strong and noble man. It would be a pleasure to have your help in the future.”
Reance opened the door before McDermot could answer.
Aeryana sat beside Shayna, reading a book of magical stories.
Shayna heard the door and shot out of the chair, running for McDermot. “I love it here. Can we stay?”
“For the night.”
“Possibly more,” Reance said. “And if not, you can come visit anytime.”
Aeryana nodded. “Yes, that would be so welcome. I love to read to young people.”
“Please, Mickey?”
“I’m sure we can arrange something,” McDermot answered.
“We will,” Reance promised.
A young man walked into the room. “Are you ready for your suite?”
“Yes,” Shayna answered, then let out a huge yawn.
* * * *
Five minutes after Lana sat beside Isadora, Isa nodded to Lonny. “He knows where to take you. You should have a little alone time. You’re still on your adrenaline high. I’ll have someone come for you when this baby decides to kick it into high gear.”
“You don’t want me here?” Lana pouted.
She waggled her eyebrows. “Toryn may be able to help me get it going faster.”
“So don’t want to know,” Lana teased, letting Lonny take her hand and pull her toward the door. He led her down the hall, up a set of stairs, and into a suite that was absolutely breathtaking.
The furniture was crystal, with colorful cushions and bedding.
“This is your room?”
“When I stay. Which hasn’t been often in decades. But Aeryana has considered me a special guest since I prevented Saressa’s army from gaining entrance.”
“How?”
His face scrunched. “A powerful windstorm that I called. None of her army had any gift with air. The wind I summoned knock most of Saressa’s army out of the sky. And Aeryana’s forces were well versed in such weather.”
“You sent the others to their death?”
“Some, not all. Most were badly injured. Others were smart enough to flee, though they were punished for cowardice.”
“I’m so glad Saressa is dead. Maybe now my parents can be happy.”
He sighed. “Sure, but probably not here. Just like if either family realizes what you are, who you are, you’ll be shunned, if not hunted down.”
“So stupid.”
“Dragons can’t so easily cross the veil. They need someone to pull them over, and most avoid having a master.”
“Yeah, but anyone could come in and control them, right?”
“Not just anyone. Someone with enough power.”
She turned to him, a smile on her lips. “Well, I’m happy with my decision. Even with what you did.”
He moved to her, pulling his shirt over his head. “Forgive me?”
She kicked off her boots, then opened her pants. “Tell me something, did that bastard do anything to you?”
He shook his head. “Someone put on magical binds, but I had something to remove them.”
“And you saved me,” she murmured.
“Didn’t he hurt you?” Lonny murmured, taking her shirt and tossing it on the floor. He trailed his fingers over her ribs and abdomen. “Already healed, I see.”
She nodded. “I never felt it. I was too busy trying to kill him.”
“You would have. But he’s going to suffer now and learn a lesson. I’m sure Reance will wind up having him executed. He’s too persuasive to allow to live.”
“Forget him. You’re with me. He’s in a cell somewhere. And I don’t want to think about that prick because I’m going to make love to you before my best friend wants me at her side while she gives birth to a beautiful little boy.”
He pulled her close. “What do you think about kids? Do you ever want one? Maybe more?”
She pushed him back, her eyes wide. “Eventually. We just got together. Let’s not worry about children for a while.”
He kissed her lips as he pushed his pants down his legs. She scooted out of her jeans and pushed him onto a couch. There she climbed into his lap, taking him as far as she could while sucking his bottom lip into her mouth.
* * * *
Lonny let Lana have control. He caressed her sides, staring into her eyes as she took a steady pace, her walls squeezing him tight. “Lana, I love you.”
“Love you more,” she answered.
“Don’t think so.” He gripped her hips and laid her back. “There’s nothing I won’t do for you.”
She grabbed his neck and pulled him down, taking his mouth again. He took the pace faster, needing her to lose control. “Move in with me,” she said.
“Anywhere you want,” he answered, looking into those gorgeous gray eyes. Flecks of red and blue brightened with each thrust.
She cried out his name, locking her ankles around his hips. Her back arched and he kissed down her throat as she came apart, her body shaking.
He followed her into release before rolling to his back, pulling her on top.
“If it wasn’t for Isa, I would stay locked up in here with you all night.” She pressed a kiss over his heart. “But I bet Toryn could use you by his side too.”
“Yeah, you’re right, but I want to keep you in bed. Or the couch. Anywhere where we can be alone.”
“I should have let you convince me to stay in the home.”
“I knew something was going to happen. But it worked out.” He pulled her closer, holding her tight.
Lana snuggled closer. “Yeah, so I forgive you sending me away this time.”
“I’ll only do it if it winds up being the best choice.” He sat up, pulling her with him. “Wherever you want to live, we will. I don’t care as long as I get to wake up beside you every day.”
She kissed him before hopping up. “We better get dressed.”
He dipped his head. “There will be fresh clothes in the wardrobe. Reance is always prepared.”
“Unnerving.”
“You learn to ignore it. He means well.”
“Not sure I can ever get used to that kind of intervention.”
Lonny chuckled. “I don’t usually notice. Well, lately I have. I knew he wanted me with you for a reason.”
“Which meant he saved me from dealing with Maddock in a worse way.”
“I still think you would have killed him. My magic can be blocked, but a dragon’s magic can’t be. With one exception, and Jayde did that on purpose, taking most of Aquila’s magic.”
“Good to know, but then why didn’t you let them take me, then go for help?”
“Because I didn’t trust Maddock to keep his hands off you.” He stood and moved to the wardrobe.