A Tale Of Two Dragons (Dragon Kin 0.2)(55)

“I hope you’re right.”

“Hey, Mountain!” Owena called out, and Braith quickly caught Addolgar’s wrist before he could do something stupid. “We’re hungry.”

Now it was Addolgar’s time to close his eyes and let out a breath. “Of course,” he finally said. “Mum already knows you’re coming.”

As a ridiculously large group, they flew to the area just outside the gates of Ailean’s castle. There, the Cadwaladrs and the Penardduns landed, shifted to human, and put on clothes. The Cadwaladrs, although no longer needing to protect Braith or Ghleanna, had not returned to their own caves or castles because they all wanted to get their chance to hunt and kill Lightnings in the north. So until Bercelak decided which of the Queen’s troops would be coming with him, the Cadwaladrs would be making good use of Ailean’s territory.

The Penardduns, however, had a longer trip back home and invited themselves to stay at the castle for the night. Something Addolgar knew his father wouldn’t mind . . . but Addolgar couldn’t speak for his mother. She just thought they were coming for dinner.

They entered the courtyard and found his mother and father waiting for them on the steps.

Shalin grinned and clapped her hands together when she saw her offspring come through the gates. They always felt her love without her ever saying a word.

Their father, though, was always more . . . chatty.

“We’re so glad you all have your heads!” he announced . . . loudly.

Addolgar stopped at the bottom of the stairs, gazed up at his father. “Gee . . . thanks, Da.”

“Well, what do you want me to say?”

Braith’s aunts pushed past Addolgar and Ghleanna so that they could leer up the stairs at Ailean.

“Ailean,” Crystin called out. “Long time, old friend.”

“Crystin. Owena. Aledwen. Good to see all of you again. As always, the Penarddun She-dragons look beautiful.”

Braith’s aunts grinned widely at the compliment—Owena may have even giggled—while Ailean’s mate and offspring rolled their eyes. Especially Ghleanna, who appeared the most appalled.

“Well,” Crystin said, “we’ll be staying here at least the night so I hope you’ll have time for dinner and a little chat about old . . .”

Crystin’s words faded away as three male dragons in human form walked out of the Main Hall doors. Addolgar didn’t recognize them, but Caron ran up the stairs and threw herself into one of the dragons’ arms.

“Daddy!”

Crystin crossed her arms over her chest and gawked up the stairs at her mate. “What the hells are you lot doing here?”

“Oh,” Shalin said, smiling, “when I heard from Addolgar that all of you were safe and coming back to the Southlands together, I sent out messengers to retrieve your mates since I knew they were part of the troops camped not too far from here. Isn’t that fortuitous?”

“Aye,” Crystin muttered. “So very fortuitous.”

The three males glowered down the stairs at their mates and one of them demanded, “What idiocy did you idiotic lot get me lovely daughters into this time, ya daft cows?”

“Don’t even start!” Aledwen barked back, stomping up the stairs to the Main Hall, her sisters stomping right behind her. The three couples bickered all the way into the castle, but the way the Penarddun offspring didn’t seem to notice or care told Addolgar this was how things went among their parents.

Once the Penardduns had gone inside, Shalin opened her arms and Addolgar went up the stairs to hug her.

“I’m so glad you’re all right.” She pulled back. “How’s your leg?”

When the Lightning had rammed that spear into his leg, Addolgar had done his best to block what was happening from his kin. But his mother always knew. Always.

“It’s fine, Mum.”

“Did you cry like a baby when that Lightning speared you?”

Addolgar scowled at his father. “No. I did not.”

“But you weren’t paying attention, were you, boy?” When Addolgar didn’t reply, Ailean threw up his hands. “How many times must I remind you lot to pay attention? Do you think I’ve been training you since hatching just for my bloody health?”

Shalin pulled away from Addolgar and placed her small hands on Ailean’s arm. “My love, why don’t you go check on our guests? I’m sure Crystin would just love to relive old memories.”

“Fine. You talk to the boy then.”

Once his father had gone back inside, Addolgar said, “I’m leaving.”

But he hadn’t even managed to turn all the way around so he could walk down the stairs before his mother grabbed him by the hair and held on tight.

“Mum!”

“You’re not going anywhere. You and your brothers know how your father is. You know why he does what he does. So why must we go through this over and over again?”

“But—”

“He loves you, Addolgar. He loves all of you. In his own . . . Ailean-like way. He would do anything for you. Never forget that. So do not be a prat and simply remember that I love you more than the suns.”

Knowing there was no point in arguing with the female he loved so much, Addolgar just sighed out, “Thanks, Mum.”