About a Dragon (Dragon Kin #2)(94)

Éibhear appeared beside Fearghus.

“Your woman is insane.”

Fearghus frowned. “Annwyl?”

“Not your woman. His woman. She almost cut my throat.”

Briec’s eyes narrowed. He felt more protective of her now than ever before. Of course, before he hadn’t taken her like an animal from night until well into the morn. “Why? What did you do?”

“I protected her daughter.”

Fearghus groaned. “Oh, gods…Izzy. Tell me she wasn’t here last night.”

“She wasn’t. I found her off playing with my sword.”

Fearghus finally laughed while Briec’s eye twitched. “What the hell does that mean?”

“She stole the blade Annwyl gave me. I found her training with it. Her words, mind you. I’m surprised she didn’t cut her own throat.”

Briec let out a breath. The thought of even one of his kin taking advantage of his woman’s daughter made him feel like Bercelak when it came to Keita and Morfyd. More than one dragon had lost his wing to Bercelak’s protective nature. And humans…well, Bercelak the Great had enjoyed many good meals made of his daughters’ human suitors.

“But before I could explain what happened, your woman put a blade to my throat. And I didn’t appreciate it.”

“My heart bleeds.”

“And how’s Annwyl?” Fearghus asked softly.

“Crawling. Gods, what did you do to her last night?”

Fearghus slammed his head against the doorframe. “She’s going to hate me.”

“Don’t worry, Fearghus. We’ll live together, bitter and alone. Like the Doane brothers,” Briec feebly joked.

Glaring at Briec, Fearghus snarled, “Never say that to me again.” No one wanted to end up like those two bitter old dragons.

“Well, I’m going to bed,” Éibhear sighed. “It was a long night putting up with that evil little cow.”

“Watch what you say about my—” Briec stopped speaking but his brothers were quicker than they usually acted.

Fearghus grinned, enjoying the demise of Briec’s less than loyal ways when it came to females. “Gods, brother. Were you about to call her your daughter?”

“What if I was?”

“Come on, Briec,” Éibhear begged. “You can’t make that annoying harpy part of this family. Don’t I suffer enough with you lot?”

“Too late, brother. I Claimed Talaith last night.”

“That was fast work. How did you get her to agree?”

When Briec looked at the floor his brothers laughed incredulously. “You Claimed her without her permission?” Fearghus demanded. “Have you lost your mind?”

“And she’s mean, brother. I didn’t realize how mean until she threatened to take my balls. I felt like Gwenvael.”

“Don’t make me feel worse than I already do.”

“What do you think she’ll do when she realizes what it means?”

“Kill me.” If he were lucky. Leave him, if he weren’t.

“Give her time, Briec. I’m sure she’ll come around.” Fearghus stood up straight, tossing his hair off his face. “Well, I best go find my woman. Make sure she hasn’t—”

The roar rang through the castle, cutting off Fearghus’ words and startling the three brothers.

They knew that sound. Annwyl’s war cry. They’d all heard it more than once since knowing her. But with Hamish’s armies nowhere near Dark Plains…

As one, they moved. Out of Talaith’s bedchamber, down the hallway, and down the stairs to the Great Hall where they all stopped by that last step. They stopped and stared.

Morfyd stood beside the archway leading outside. She looked torn between bolting for her life and shifting right there, taking the castle and its contents with her.

Briec’s eyes quickly searched for Talaith. He found her. She crouched on top of one of the dragon statues that littered the hall, her blade held firmly in her right hand. He had no idea how she got up there, but he was grateful.

Slowly, Fearghus moved toward Annwyl. Brave dragon his brother, since she’d just picked up one of the dining tables made of solid wood and threw it against the wall as if it weighed no more than a twig.

“Annwyl?”

“Stay away from me, Fearghus.” She sounded reasonably calm. That couldn’t be good.

“Annwyl, talk to me.”

Roaring, the crazed warrior kicked the chair at her feet up, grasping it in midair with her hands. Then she turned and let it fly. Fearghus calmly stepped out of its way while Briec and Éibhear dived for cover.

“Calm down.”

“Go to hell.”

Briec found it fascinating how calmly the couple spoke to each other, although the rage coming off both practically washed the rest of them from the room.

“Someone mind telling me what the hell is going on?” Fearghus asked the entire room.

Green eyes flickered to Morfyd. “Tell him, witch. Tell him what you told me.”

Morfyd, not moving away from her one chance at freedom, looked at her older brother. “Annwyl is with child.” Fearghus’ eyes narrowed at the implication of that statement and Annwyl snorted. Morfyd held up her hand before either could say anything. “I believe it’s yours.”