His dragon chimed in. It’s better to be cautious than to lose more people.
Finn looked down at Arabella holding both Freya and their oldest son, Grayson. Despite everything going on, he took a second to memorize the love in Arabella’s eyes as she stared at one of their children.
His beast spoke up. We fight for them.
Finn looked to his cousin Fergus. “You can go back to monitoring contacts with the others. Although, when you have the chance, could you bring one of Ara’s computers here?”
Fergus frowned down at Arabella. “Ara just gave birth.”
Arabella smiled. “Believe me, I would rather be sleeping in a big bed with my mate and children, but I can’t do that until the clan is safe.”
“You’re a strong one, Arabella MacLeod.” With a nod, Fergus left them alone in the delivery room.
Finn sat at the edge of Arabella’s bed and looped an arm around her shoulders. “Are you sure you want the children to only carry my surname?”
Arabella glanced up at him. “You want to discuss that now? I thought we decided weeks ago to give them Stewart.”
“Aye, but it feels wrong for them not to carry a piece of their mother’s name.”
Leaning her head against his shoulder, Arabella said, “We’ll discuss it later. As it is, I’m glad we had two boys and a girl. That simplified naming rights.”
He and Arabella had each picked out a male name. Finn had selected Declan and Arabella had wanted Grayson. Freya had been the only female name they’d both agreed on.
Finn lifted Declan and kissed his youngest son’s cheek. “We’ll get you home soon, wee Dec. Your uncles Fraser and Fergus promised a surprise.”
Declan scrunched his nose as if he knew the surprise would be outlandish. At least his children would be initiated into the MacKenzie family antics from the get-go.
Arabella’s voice filled the room. “I hope by the time they’re old enough to walk, the Dragon Knights will be a distant memory.”
“Me too, love. Me too.”
Finn gently switched Declan for Grayson before whispering into his oldest son’s ear, “But even if that’s the case, you’re the oldest, lad. It’ll be up to you to look out for the others.”
Grayson didn’t so much as move a finger.
Arabella adjusted her children so that they lay on the bed to either side of her. “I need to take a nap, no matter how short, Finn. Make sure the babies don’t roll off the bed?”
He smiled down at his mate. “Never fear, Gray and I will keep watch.”
“Gray and Dec,” she murmured. “I already see the twins getting into trouble with you.”
Her eyelids closed and Arabella was asleep before Finn could say anything.
As he took in each member of his family, Finn whispered, “I will keep you all safe, no matter the cost. Your dad will never allow harm to come to you.”
As his three bairns and Arabella snored slightly, Finn only hoped he could keep his promise.
His dragon chimed in. Of course we will. The Knights are sloppy. We can defeat them.
Just don’t underestimate them.
His beast fell silent, and Finn enjoyed what precious moments he could with his family. Shit would probably hit the fan soon enough.
Chapter Sixteen
Faye and Grant had decided to take the less direct approach to Lochguard by flying apart but close enough they could call out to each other. That way they could survey some of the past hiding spots of the Knights, if they were indeed there.
So far, Faye only saw the usual cottages, trees, and animals in the late evening sunshine.