About a Dragon (Dragon Kin #2)(91)

Finally, when the first rays of the two suns peeked out, he’d climaxed one last time before passing out on top of her. Thankfully she had enough energy left to heave herself out from under him before dropping off to sleep as well, or he would have awoken to a crushed Talaith.

After soaking until the water turned cold, Talaith dropped herself from the tub and dried off. She bit her lip to keep her moans and groans in as her muscles screamed at all her movement. She knew enough of healing to know if she went back to bed, as much as she may want to, her body would cramp up and she would be unable to walk or do much of anything for days.

Somehow she managed to pull on a soft black dress, since the thought of anything touching her sex, even leggings, almost sent her into a crying tantrum. She brushed her hair off her face, and headed toward the Great Hall. She got halfway down the stairs when she stopped and sat down heavily, unable to go a step farther.

Talaith had no idea how long she was sitting there like that when Morfyd found her.

“Gods, sister. Are you all right?”

She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer…her entire body hurt more than she could say.

“No.” Talaith shook her head as tears streamed down her face.

Morfyd crouched beside her. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“My entire body hurts. I can’t walk.”

“You mean sore? Or something else?”

“Sore.” So very, very sore.

“All right. I’ve got something for that. Come, sister.” The witch slipped an arm around her waist and lifted her up. Being that she was actually a dragon, Talaith didn’t worry she might be too heavy for Morfyd. The female basically carried her to the Great Hall.

It surprised her to find it deserted. Usually, this time of morning, the Great Hall fairly buzzed with activity. But today it was merely the two of them.

“Where is everyone?”

Morfyd sat her in a chair at the dining table.

“Recovering, I suspect.”

“Something happened last night. What?”

“I don’t know. I passed out by the lake last night. I woke up with…um…I woke up and had no idea where I was or how I got there. Although I think I’m glad I left. I’d hate to think what would have happened if I were actually here.”

Morfyd dug into her satchel and pulled out several jars of herbs. She grabbed a bottle of wine, poured some into a chalice and then mixed in some herbs.

“Here. Drink this. Straight down.”

With shaky hands, Talaith took the chalice from Morfyd and did as she ordered.

“Good.” Morfyd took the now-empty chalice from her. “Give it a few minutes and you’ll be amazed how well it works.”

“What about everyone else here?”

“Those who lived away from the castle are fine, although from what I can tell they slept quite deeply. The few servants who’ve been bustling around this morning are all those who lived with their families off the castle grounds.”

“And the ones who live here?”

Morfyd winced. “Aren’t much better than you, I’m afraid. But I’ve already made them a batch of what I just gave you.”

As Morfyd said the words, a soft warmth spread throughout Talaith’s body, and the brutally painful soreness seemed to wash away like so much sand during a high tide.

Morfyd studied her closely. “Feel better?”

“Aye.” Talaith smiled in relief. “Aye, I do. Gods, thank you, Morfyd.”

“You’ll have to drink some more tonight before you go to bed. But by tomorrow you should be completely fine.”

Talaith wanted to hug the woman, but decided against it. Instead, she stood and took several tentative steps. Her smile turned to a grin. Even the soreness between her legs had melted away.

“I’m getting the ingredients to that miracle concoction, Morfyd.”

Morfyd laughed as rose to her feet, watching Talaith walk around in front of her. “Of course. With your skills I have no fears you’ll make it wrong.”

“Mmmhm. It even helped with this burn.” She very lightly reached back and brushed her fingertips along the burn marks peeking out from under her dress.

“I have to admit…that did surprise me.”

“Why? Have you never accidentally burned one of your lovers during a lusty bedding?” she joked.

Morfyd took the chalice back from Talaith. “Accidentally?”

“Aye. Do you have something for burns? I’d prefer not to have to live with the scars if I don’t have to.”

Coughing out an uncomfortable, awkward laugh, Morfyd pulled the shoulder of Talaith’s dress down a bit. “Uh…Talaith. This was no accident.”

“What do you mean?” That didn’t make sense. Briec had never hurt her, intentionally or otherwise. Even last night, when his lust got the best of him, he still made her feel cherished, cared for, and so very loved.

“I mean Briec marked you last night. He Claimed you as his own.”

He’d Claimed her. Briec’s desperately spoken words floated back to her, “Tonight I Claim you. Tonight I make you mine.”

“Didn’t he tell you?”

“Does it look like he told me?” Talaith screamed in fury, the full weight of what he’d done slamming down on her. “That arrogant bastard. I’ll kill him.”