Dragon's Mate [Cairgorm Dragons 1] (Siren Publishing Classic) by Clair de Lune Read Free Book Online

Seonag. She has been with us since she was a girl. She will take you to our room and make you comfortable. Go with her and come back in ten minutes for your hot drink.” 
    Eilidh followed Seonag up the stairs to a large, pleasant room at the front of the Caisteal. There was a four-poster bed in pride of place. It had dark-blue velvet curtains, matching the ones at the windows. The floorboards were bare and polished to a deep, rich shine. The chests of drawers and wardrobes shone, and the room smelled of herbs and beeswax. There was a small fireplace, where a fire was laid, ready to be lit. Off the bedroom was a bathing chamber, to which Seonag led Eilidh. Hot water was waiting in a ewer. Seonag indicated the water, the soap, scented with the wild flowers that grew in abundance on the hills, and drying cloths. All had been set out for her convenience. She wondered how Seonag had known. 
    “Braemuir sent a message, my lady,” Seonag said, smiling.
    She left then, and Eilidh washed herself. She was still covered in salt from the seawater, and she looked longingly at the bath. She hoped there would be time later for a long soak in the huge tub.
    When she was washed, and had dried herself, she went back downstairs, to what she presumed was the library. Braemuir was there. On one of the low tables was a tray with a pot, two cups, and saucers and a plate of oatcakes with good Caboc cheese, coated in pinhead oatmeal. She lifted the pot, at his invitation, and poured out a dark brown liquid. It was thick and rich and smelled slightly spicy but very good.
    “ That’s chocolate,” he said.
    Eilidh smelled it then tasted it. She had never tasted anything so very rich and delicious. She finished one cup and, at his indication, poured herself another. This time she sipped slowly, savouring not only the taste, but the aroma, and the warmth the cup transmitted to her hands. This is so good. It slips down my throat like rich liquid velvet. She’d once had a velvet scarf her father had bought her, from a foreign pedlar, as a special birthday gift. She’d not worn it often as it was far too good for ordinary days but she’d loved to stroke it and feel the softness. That was the feeling the chocolate created as she swirled it around her mouth letting the sweet, spicy taste linger on her tongue then the thick liquid slide down her throat. It was heaven and one cup was never going to be enough for her. Sighing contentedly, she sat back in her chair. 
    “We have to choose a dragon name for you,” he said. “I would like to call you ‘Ceanag,’ meaning little, fair one.”
    “As you wish, my lord. It’s a pretty name,” she agreed.
    As they were sipping their chocolate, the sound of wings was heard, and the two dragons came back. Her parents were with them, which was a relief to all of them. Her parents were overawed by the journey on the back of a dragon, by the Caisteal and Braemuir. They were amazed by the sight of their daughter, at home amidst the splendour of the Caisteal.
    “Welcome to the Caisteal,” Braemuir said. “You’re here because someone is trying to harm me through Eilidh. If she dies, now she’s my mate, I shall die, too. We don’t know who it is yet, and we think he may try to get to Eilidh through you. You’ll be safe here until we find the man. Eilidh is my mate now, and she will live here with me. This is her home. Please, sit down and have some of the chocolate your daughter is drinking before she drinks it all.”
    Eildih spluttered as she drank, when she heard what he said. It was true . S he was on her third cup. Never had she tasted anything so rich and so good. Seonag had brought in four more cups. Eilidh served her parents and Braemuir ’ s brother and sister. Her mother and father were glad of the warm drink and the oatcakes and cheese. They’d had no time to do more than throw a few essentials into a sack. Then the two dragons had flown here with them.
    “This is my sister, Muireall, and my