About a Dragon (Dragon Kin #2)(21)

His brother and Talaith looked up at his approach. And as soon as she saw him, her smile faded and her laughter died. She sat straight in her chair, turning to face the table.

He frowned at Éibhear in concern, but his brother merely raised an eyebrow as if to say, “What exactly did you expect?”

Briec sat one seat over from Talaith. He grabbed a fruit, put his feet up on the table, and proceeded to eat while watching her. She fussed with her hair, scratched her wrist and hand, and basically appeared uncomfortable.

What the hell am I doing wrong? Éibhear and Gwenvael never seemed to have these problems with humans. Especially female humans.

“So have you eaten well?”

She nodded without looking at him. “Yes.”

“What about that?” He motioned to the cooking meat.

Éibhear yawned and scratched the back of his head. “That’s for later tonight.”

Still Talaith didn’t refused to meet his gaze.

He motioned to the chamber exit with a nod of his head. In response Éibhear shook his head.

Briec barely caught his roar in time. “Éibhear, would you mind excusing us?”

“As a matter of fact, I would mind.”

“Don’t test me, little brother.” His patience was waning. Had been since he’d first set eyes on this woman. He’d had a vain hope they’d make it back to his den this evening and he’d be between her thighs before the suns rose the following day.

Clearly that wouldn’t be happening now.

Talaith laid her small hand over Éibhear’s much bigger one. Briec’s eyes narrowed, focusing on where their hands met. Another new feeling. Somewhat territorial, which belonged to all dragons when it came to their treasure, but something more. Something he didn’t like one bit.

“It’s all right, Éibhear,” she assured his blue-haired bastard, baby brother. “I’ll be fine.”

“All right then. But call me if you need me.”

If he didn’t know the snot-nosed little cretin was being sincere, he’d rip out his lungs.

With one last glare at Briec, Éibhear left. Once alone, Briec dropped his feet to the ground. “Talaith—”

“Oh. So you’re using my name…now that you actually know it.”

Briec sighed. “I simply didn’t think it was—”

“I don’t even know your name,” she cut in.

He blinked in surprise. “Really? I…I just assumed Éibhear would have told you by now.”

“Is that his job then? To make sure everyone knows your name since you don’t have the decency to introduce yourself?”

It appalled him he was allowing some human to speak to him like this. And it appalled him even more he cared he might have hurt her.

“Fine. My name is Briec. Briec the Mighty.” He truly did not appreciate the snorted laugh that followed his statement. “What’s so funny?”

“It just…” She cleared her throat. “It took me by surprise is all. I thought you’d be Briec the Silver like Éibhear is ‘the Blue’.”

“I was Briec the Silver. When I was much younger. But once you make a name for yourself that usually changes.”

“And what about Briec the Arrogant? That seems much more fitting.”

“It’s Briec the Mighty, little witch.”

“Mighty, huh? Did you give yourself that name?”

“No,” he practically spat in slow, measured tones. “I did not.”

“I was just asking. No need to get testy.”

He was glad to finally see her smile, he simply didn’t appreciate it was at his expense.

“Talaith, understand, I didn’t ask your name because—”

She turned suddenly in her chair to face him. “Are you physically unable to say you’re sorry?”

That stopped him cold. “Pardon?”

“The words, ‘I’m sorry.’ Are you unable to speak them?”

Briec thought for a moment. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever said it.” He thought a moment longer, then shook his head. “No. I’ve never said it before.”

“Isn’t it time you started? Just tell me you’re sorry instead of making all these excuses.”

He looked down into that beautiful face, torn between wanting the return of the cowering female paralyzed by dragonfear and this sarcastic, argumentative female he had the feeling he’d never recover from. “Is that really necessary?”

“Yes.”

He bent his neck to the side and heard the bones crack.

“Here, Briec the Mighty, try it with me.” She leaned forward. “I’m sorry, Talaith.”

Suddenly Briec couldn’t look away from those eyes. They snared him as sure as a war party’s nets. When he finally said the words, he nearly whispered them, unable to find his voice. “I’m sorry, Talaith.”

She blinked in surprise, most likely guessing she’d never get him to say it. She tried to pull away, but he slipped his hand behind the back of her neck and tugged her closer while he leaned over the chair between them.

“Briec?”

“Sssh.”

He had to kiss her. Simply had to. He moved in closer, nearing his goal.