About a Dragon (Dragon Kin #2)(101)

“You’ve wondered something since Izzy came back into your life. Ask me now.”

She controlled her urge to tell the beast to stop testing her and help her get her daughter back, but she’d dealt with Arzhela long enough to know when to push a god and when not.

Taking a deep breath, she asked honestly, “Why didn’t you just kill me when you knew what Arzhela was up to? Why did you protect Izzy when you could have killed me and just ended it? And killed Izzy for that matter.”

“Because that wouldn’t have ended it. By having you, she didn’t bother with other attempts. If I’d killed you it would have gone on and on until she killed Annwyl. And when Annwyl and Fearghus found each other, I knew…knew they were the ones.”

“The ones to breed your…” She shrugged. “What exactly are you having them breed?”

“Nothing she can’t handle the birth of,” he vaguely answered. “That woman won’t let anyone or anything hurt what she loves. And she loves like she hates—passionately and until the end of her days.”

“And I still live because…”

“Even gods need to sleep every once in a while, Talaith. No, I needed Annwyl to live until my Moon was full in the sky. Then I let the Magick do the rest.”

“Huh. Aye. Thanks for that by the way.”

There went those fangs again. “As if you didn’t enjoy it, Briec’s sweet Talaith.”

Talaith blushed and looked away from the smirking bastard.

“I knew if I protected Izzy, blocked her from Arzhela’s sight, I’d keep her safe while forcing Arzhela to focus solely on you until she knew exactly who she wanted dead. She couldn’t risk you meeting your daughter before then. She just never expected Briec to be in your village that day.”

Talaith’s eyes snapped to Rhydderch Hael’s gold ones. “You sent Briec?”

“No. I don’t send anyone. Unlike you humans, my people are much more…independent. I can open doorways, but it’s up to them to walk through. No. I only made it rather necessary for one of Fearghus’ brothers to go. When I realized it was Briec, I knew the only way I could ensure he would take you was if you were in danger. And even then, there were no guarantees.”

“You turned my husband against me.”

“Oh, he’s always hated you. All I need do was light the flint. Of course, I never knew Briec would keep you.” The god chuckled. “I thought he’d drop you off in the nearest town. Izzy and her Protectors were already headed that way and Annwyl was heading home to Fearghus. Everything was in place as I’d been planning for years. But when that arrogant bastard wouldn’t release you, I had to scramble for ideas.” He looked Talaith up and down. “Although I can see why he would keep you.”

At her glare, he continued. “I warned Morfyd of your coming—because I knew with you still thinking Izzy was in danger, you’d continue to be a true threat to the queen—and started the storms to slow everyone down until you were on the move again. We had a wee bit of extra time, so I didn’t worry much. I assumed Briec would tire of you quickly. But he didn’t, did he? You must be quite the fantasy come to life to hold on to our dear Briec.”

She knew it now—she really and truly hated gods.

“All that’s fascinating, but it still doesn’t explain—at least to my satisfaction—why I still live.”

“We can’t cross realms, Talaith. Not like you humans—with your soft, pliable skin.”

“You need me to get you into Arzhela’s realm.”

“Someone as strong as you anyway. I could have used Annwyl, but I have other plans for her. Besides, she’d never be able to get Arzhela’s talisman. It would have killed her merely to touch it. But you’ve been chosen by Arzhela herself, and she still wants you alive—even if it is for revenge at this point.”

His giant dragon head cocked to the side. “You do have the talisman, don’t you?”

Talaith held up her hand, the blood encrusted talisman still clutched by her fingers.

“Good. Good. Now we can get this underway. But first, you must give yourself to me freely, Talaith, Daughter of Haldane.”

If she’d followed the Nolwenn path she wouldn’t have called a goddess or god to enter her until she was well into her three hundredth winter. She wouldn’t have had the power, strength or guts to do it beforehand. But Arzhela, damn her, made it impossible for her to wait now.

Because Talaith would do anything, give anything, to make sure her daughter made it back alive. And Rhydderch Hael knew it. He knew if Arzhela got her hands on Izzy, Talaith would stop at nothing to get her back. That’s why he allowed Arzhela to take her.

At least now, Talaith had no fear as she had before. Because she knew Rhydderch Hael would destroy Arzhela and then he would send Izzy back to Briec. And Briec and his kin would take care of Izzy until her daughter’s final days.

Hell, that was more than she would have hoped for two moons ago.

“I give myself to you freely.”

“Good.” Then Rhydderch Hael took that talon that had healed her only minutes before and tore her open from bowel to throat.

* * *

Arzhela smelled the little bitch as soon as she walked through the portal. She couldn’t wait to have fun with this one.