Land of Ice and Snow [Cairngorm Dragons 3] (Siren Publishing Classic) Read Online Free

settle for just any mate.”
    “No, you are not for just any man. You are mine now. Please take me to your Clan and we will sort this out now.”
    “What’s a Clan?”
    “Your family or group. In my land we call it a Clan. I am Feasgar of the Braemuir Clan. The Clan chieftain is my brother. We will go now.”
    Obediently she lifted off and led him up the fjord to the settlement at Alesund. They both landed in dragon-form and then changed. The homes were of modest size and all sturdily built of logs. Smoke issued from the chimneys. The spaces between the logs were filled with moss to insulate the homes, Lachlann judged. It would be needed here. The air was crisp and cold even in the sun. The settlement itself was not large compared to the ones he was used to at home. A crowd gathered, and he noticed the beautiful clothes with their rich embroidery, contrasting with his Braemuir tartan plaid and his huge sword. He had on a leather jerkin lined with sheep’s wool. The sleeves were long and tight about his wrists. Leather strips had been sewn onto the jerkin in an intricate pattern. His clothes were different but not inferior. The people looked prosperous and well fed, even if the small town was more modest than the ones he was used to. The crowd gathered closer about them as she held his hand. He learned her name then.
    “Sigourney, why have you returned from exile without permission? Who is this stranger?” A woman asked belligerently. From Sigourney’s mind link he learned the woman’s name was Helga, and there was no love lost between his mate and her. He learned the history of Sigourney’s banishment and what she thought were the reasons behind it. This didn’t predispose him to like Helga.
    “I can’t see what it has to do with you, but I am Lachlann of the Braemuir, come from across the ocean to claim my mate.” Lachlann’s powerful voice stilled all protests, and he took Sigourney’s other hand in his, pulled her to him, and raised her hands to his lips.
    “If any man challenges my right to this woman, let him come and fight me now.”
    Needless to say, there were no challengers. Lachlann wasn’t as massive as Ness or Braemuir, but he stood a head taller than any of the young males present. Most of them would have been hard-pressed to lift the sword he brandished so easily.
    Sigourney led him to her father’s house. The crowd followed out of curiosity. Isolated as they were Lachlann assumed they didn’t often have visitors and certainly not from across the ocean. Lachlann noted that Sigourney’s was a larger house than the rest, and he supposed that meant her family were of some consequence. Still the house was on a much less opulent scale than the Caisteal, so Sigourney was in for a surprise when she went home with him. A man and a woman came out of the house. The woman looked like an older version of Sigourney.
    “Lachlann, may I present my mother, Gudrin and my father, Axl. Mother, Father, this is Lachlann of Braemuir from across the ocean.”
    Lachlann shook hands with Axl and kissed Gudrin’s hand.
    “I am delighted to make your acquaintance. I have come here seeking a mate. I believe that your daughter is my destined mate.”
    Axl smiled as Gudrin took her daughter in her arms and kissed her cheek.
    “Welcome to Alesund, Lachlann of Braemuir. Our daughter is dear to us, and I can see we have much to discuss.”
    “He’s the one of the legend, Mother. His dragon is golden-orange, and he flew across the ocean to find me.”
    “Very touching,” Helga spat out. “Then he will have to fulfil the rest of the legend.” Sigourney turned to look at her. “The lost golden marriage-torc has to be reclaimed from the old dragon under the mountain.”
    A gasp of shock escaped from Sigourney’s mouth.
    “How can you expect him to do that? No-one has ever returned from such a quest. Why do you want to send him? It will make no difference. I will never marry your son.”
    “Hush, Sigourney. It is