About a Dragon (Dragon Kin #2)(24)

“Strange?”

Briec frowned. “Compared to what?”

His brother had a point. No one in the dragon world ever referred to the Gwalchmai fab Gwyar kin as normal.

“She doesn’t trust me,” Briec added.

“That one trusts no one.”

“Fearghus’ mate trusts him.”

So that’s what this is about. He’d wondered about Briec’s sudden interest in a human female. Now he knew. He wanted what Fearghus had. But what Fearghus had with Annwyl was special. Very, very special. “That’s different, Briec. Annwyl is…well…Annwyl. And would you start using her name.”

“Why? She’s of no consequence to me.”

More like Briec still hadn’t forgiven her for backhanding him during one of her rages. As far as Briec was concerned—the most powerful human queen known to this world in the last ten thousand years didn’t exist for him.

“But you still want what Fearghus has.”

Briec looked up from the bowl of fruit in front of him, horror written all over his face. “Good gods! I’d rather remove my eyes than spend a minute in that woman’s bed.”

Gods, his family could be literal.

“I don’t mean you want Annwyl, idiot. I mean you want the kind of relationship Fearghus has with Annwyl.”

Briec shrugged and went back to his fruit. He chose two. “He does seem…”

“Happy?”

“As much as Fearghus can be.” True. No one referred to Fearghus the Destroyer as the life of anyone’s party. Their grandfather, Ailean, still held that title. Even Gwenvael hadn’t quite managed to pass that old bastard’s excesses. Of course all that was before Ailean met their grandmother—Shalin, Tamer of Ailean. A title well earned and held until her final days.

“Look, Briec, if you want anything close to what Fearghus has, you’ll have to change some…things.”

“But she hasn’t even seen my den yet.” Briec grabbed a hunk of cheese and bread. “She might like it.”

Gwenvael struggled not to slap his older brother in the back of the head. Although he and Briec were close—no matter how much they fought—he still found him frustrating. Mostly because his arrogance could fill up an entire city.

“I meant you’ll need to change some things about you.”

“Me? Change? For her?” Now Briec leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. “Why would I change for a human? Any human?”

“If you want to be between her legs without her crying and praying for death, you better change.”

“What am I doing wrong?”

“Everything.”

“Specifics, brother.”

“Telling her she belongs to you when you haven’t even bed her yet is always a bad idea.”

“Why? She does belong to me by dragon law.”

Silently, Gwenvael sighed. This would take longer than he thought. Briec could be so stubborn. Almost as bad as their father.

“Dragon law only works, brother, if you want her as your slave. If that’s what you want, then throw our laws in her face at every opportunity. But if you ever hope to have her bed you willingly the way Annwyl does Fearghus—and from what I’ve been able to figure out, she drains his c**k dry—then I suggest you take another tack.”

“Are you saying I have to seduce her?”

Gwenvael stared at his older brother. “What did you think? She’d be so grateful for your rescue; she’d drop to her knees to service you?”

Briec fell silent for a moment, then he answered honestly. “Yes. As a matter of fact, I was expecting that.”

Gwenvael shook his head. “It amazes me we have the same blood.”

Returning to the fruit and cheese in front of him, Briec muttered, “It amazes me I didn’t strangle you at birth. And why am I eating fruit? Where’s that horse?”

* * *

Arzhela stared down at the bowed golden head of her favorite loyal servant. Unlike that bitch, Talaith, Hamish of Madron came to her of his own free will. He wanted power and she could provide it…as long as he remained loyal to her.

As always, and like a good dog, he came when called.

“The time has come, my son.”

As was proper, he did not raise his eyes to look upon her. So she couldn’t see his face, but she could sense his smile, she made sure he understood—with her victory would come his power and ascension. “But there is much to be done. Is all prepared?”

“Nearly, my goddess. My best warriors have been dispatched to track down that peasant. And my army is nearly assembled. A few more details and we’ll be ready for your command.”

“Good.” She reached down and like her favorite hunting hound, she petted his head. “I know you will not fail me.”

“Never. My life is yours, m’lady. It has always been yours.”

She grinned and she knew he couldn’t see her fangs. “I know, child. I know.”

* * *

Another set of books dropped at Talaith’s feet. She cringed. “Éibhear!”

He stopped. “What?”

“I think I have enough books.”

“You sure?”

Talaith glanced around at the piles and piles of books that now surrounded her. Perhaps thirty books altogether. “I’m sure.”