About a Dragon (Dragon Kin #2)(61)

“Well, we all know your feelings on that man.”

“And you all forget I do know the man. I know what he can do. What he’s willing to do. And if he thinks Arzhela will bring him power—”

“Which is exactly what I’m sure she’s promised him.”

“Then we can’t leave her there. Not for another second.”

Talaith sat between the two women completely confused. Were they talking about getting her daughter back? Why?

“Well, I’m sure Brastias and a few of the—” Morfyd began.

“No.” Annwyl stood. “We’ll go.”

Talaith and Morfyd froze. They immediately looked at each other, then turned back to Annwyl.

“What?” Morfyd asked.

“You heard me. Get off your asses.”

“Annwyl, have you lost your mind?”

“Hardly.” She walked to the tent flap and motioned to someone. A young boy, her squire perhaps, ran to her. She spoke to him briefly and he ran off.

“You want us to go into Madron territory to retrieve a girl we’ve never met and have no idea what she looks like?”

“Well, I’m assuming she looks like her.” She pointed at Talaith. “Exactly how many desert people do you think Hamish has in his kingdom? It’s doubtful there are many because they usually have more sense than to go there.”

“Oi,” Talaith finally objected.

“You don’t count. You didn’t have a choice.”

Annwyl pulled on a sleeveless chainmail shirt. “Morfyd, you’ll need to wear something other than your witch’s robes. Leggings would be good.”

“Annwyl, wait—”

“What?” Annwyl turned on them both so fast, the witches leaned back a bit. “What are you going to say, Morfyd? That we should leave that girl there? That girl who had nothing to do with this and was merely a pawn? Leave her there for Hamish?” The queen’s obvious horror at Morfyd’s suggestion spoke volumes. “You know I won’t let that happen. So get off your asses, you lazy sows, we leave in quarter hour.”

She handed the dagger to a stunned Talaith, grabbed her own two swords, and stormed out. Confused, Talaith looked at Morfyd, who merely shrugged. “Her brother handed her off to Hamish years ago. As a bride, no less. If it hadn’t been for Brastias and the others, she’d be his wife instead of queen. Although knowing Annwyl as I do now, more likely she’d be dead after taking half the wedding party with her.”

“So she really plans to—”

Morfyd placed her hand on Talaith’s shoulder and that’s when Talaith felt burning tears flowing down her cheeks. She had no idea when she started crying or why she couldn’t stop. “If you were looking for a mindless killer, only concerned with blood and pain, you’ll be sorely disappointed. I know that’s what they told you. But they lied Talaith. She lied.” Long fingers wiped the tears from Talaith’s cheeks. “Now, no more crying. We’ll need you armed and ready. You’ll finally get to properly use those skills of yours.”

Talaith nodded. “I understand.”

“Good.” Morfyd stood. “Now I have to go find leggings.” She winced. “Och. That sounds so unattractive.”

“You didn’t tell her.” Talaith stood and tilted her head back to look Morfyd in the eye. “About—”

“Your dragon?” That should sound stranger than it did. But it felt right to Talaith, which concerned her even more. “Are you ashamed?”

Talaith thought on that for a moment, but only a moment. “No. I feel no shame. And I won’t start now.”

“As you like.” Morfyd smirked. “And no. I won’t tell Annwyl about your dragon.”

“I see she wears their image all over her armor and branded on her arms. Has she actually killed one in battle?”

The witch began coughing and Talaith felt sure she only did it to cover up her laughter.

After clearing her throat, she said, “You might say she’s faced down one or two during her reign. One of them, she ripped his heart right out of his chest.”

Talaith winced. Lovely, Talaith. A dragonslayer. Perhaps next you could align yourself with a witchhunter. “Should I be concerned if she finds out?” She at least wanted to find and save her daughter first before the queen turned on her.

The witch smiled and Talaith felt no comfort from it.

“Concern yourself with your daughter for now Talaith, Daughter of Haldane. The rest will work itself out…in time.”

Chapter Sixteen

“Wake up, Briec.”

Throwing one arm over his head to block out the glare of light, Briec ignored the voice calling him to get up. He didn’t want to get up. In fact, the way he felt at the moment, he planned to never get up ever again.

“Briec. Up. Now!”

Groaning, his head moments from splitting completely in half, Briec forced his eyes open and stared into the beautiful face of his baby sister.

“Keita?”

She smiled. “I was starting to worry you’d never wake.”

“I don’t want to be awake. So why are you waking me?”

“Fearghus sent me for you. He needs you and Gwenvael and Éibhear to do something for him.”