About a Dragon (Dragon Kin #2)(88)

Rolling his eyes, Briec glanced at his brother who appeared equally bored. But when Fearghus’ eyes looked past him, a deep frown dragging his black brows low, Briec turned to see what he was staring at.

It was moonlight. But, for some unknown reason, it wasn’t white or silver, it was orange and yellow…like flames. And it spread throughout the room, filling the Great Hall.

The brothers continued to watch as their women argued. Until Talaith’s gasp caught his attention.

“Look at that,” she whispered, staring at the oddly colored moonlight. “I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s beautiful.” Talaith glanced at him then…and grinned.

Like a battering ram, that smile snatched his breath away and destroyed his ability to think. He gripped the arms of his chair and fought hard—so very hard—for control. But he sensed it was a losing battle.

Talaith’s smile faded. She stared at him in wide-eyed silence. She knew something was wrong, she merely didn’t know what.

Of course, neither did he. All Briec knew was that he had to have her. Not just have her either. He had to Claim her. Make her his own. He had to bury himself inside her until the two suns rose. He needed to fill her with his seed until it lubricated her eyes. His desire for it overwhelmed his logic. No matter what his rational mind told him, he couldn’t stop his body’s response to her.

“Fearghus, wait!” He tore his eyes away from Talaith to see his brother standing up, Annwyl tight in his arms. He looked at Fearghus’ face and both dragons realized they were feeling the same thing. The overwhelming desire to lay claim to what they considered theirs.

Growling, Fearghus carried an arguing Annwyl out of the Great Hall.

Briec locked his sights on Talaith, who stared at him with wide brown eyes. He watched her closely as she pushed her chair back and carefully stood. He continued watching her while she slowly moved toward the stairs. He expected this was how humans acted when they were around a wild jungle cat or a vicious dog. Thinking that if they didn’t startle the beast or make any sudden movements, they’d make it back to the safety of their homes.

Too bad it wouldn’t be that way for Talaith.

* * *

Talaith made it as far as the bottom step, before she stopped. As soon as she’d seen that strange light coming from the moon, she knew something was very wrong. Not deadly, but not right either. She sensed it had taken over the entire castle. Then when Fearghus dragged a struggling Annwyl from the room, she knew she’d been right.

Now she glanced back at Briec. But she realized that had been a mistake. Because he growled and she squealed and took off. Up the stairs and toward her room, but he was right behind her. She could feel him closing the distance between them, reveling in the chase. The bloodlust pounding through his ears and his system.

She made it back to her room and had barely enough time to slam the door shut, but his hand was there, shoving it open. She stumbled back, watching Briec move into the room. His eyes locked on her like a lion’s locked on a deer.

He kicked the door closed with his foot and turned the key, trapping her. “Come to me, Talaith.”

“Oh, you must be joking.” She moved around the bed, although she knew it wouldn’t really keep him from her.

“Talaith. I need you.” Nice words, except he was already pulling off his surcoat and chainmail shirt. “Don’t deny me. Not tonight.”

“You’re not yourself, Briec.”

“Sorry, love. That’s not quite true.” He walked toward her, while yanking off his boots at the same time. “My body’s human, but at the moment you’re dealing with pure dragon.”

“I find that a little scary.”

“I need you, Talaith,” he said again. “Tonight I Claim you. Tonight I make you mine.”

Her mind screamed at her to run away, to take the blade she had hidden under her dress and cut his soft human throat. But her body…her body wanted to lay on the bed and open up to him like a sacrificial offering.

“Briec, it’s just—”

“No, Talaith. No words tonight. Just say ‘yes’ and leave the rest to me.” He stood before her naked now. Eeeck! True, it was all her imagination but his shaft looked ten times bigger. He held his hand out to her. “Please, Talaith. Please.”

She knew he fought his own body’s urges. She knew he was desperately fighting whatever had control of him so he didn’t terrify her. She wasn’t terrified, though. Not of Briec. Not even when he was like this.

Knowing that, she walked up to him and placed her hand inside his much bigger one. He let out a sigh, taking firm hold of it and tugging her closer. It looked like he was about to kiss her, but he suddenly stopped. His eyes closed and he once again fought for control.

“You know I love you, don’t you, Talaith?”

“Aye.”

“As you love me?”

Now or never, Talaith. “Aye.”

His eyes opened. “So please, when this night’s over…please remember that.”

Then he ripped the dress from her body.

* * *

Suddenly feeling exhausted, Morfyd sat against a large tree, overlooking one of the biggest lakes on Garbhán Isle. It was getting late. She had important protection spells and rituals to perform. The powerful Black Moon of the Fire Dragon would only be full for a little while longer. But she was so tired.