About a Dragon (Dragon Kin #2)(96)

“He can’t make the choice for you, Annwyl. Nor can he force you to do this. As you know, there are ways to…end this if you so choose.” Izzy glanced at Morfyd and, thankfully, walked back to her mother’s side. “But he does ask you think on it first. Before you do anything.”

They all stared at Annwyl, waiting for some kind of answer. All but Éibhear. He stepped away from the wall he’d plastered himself against and cocked his head to the side.

“Anyone notice…no birds,” he muttered. Then he yelled, “Down!”

The dragons moved fast. Like lightning. Briec grabbed Talaith and Izzy around their waists, pulling them close into his body while turning his back. Morfyd pushed Éibhear and herself up against the wall near the doors. Fearghus stepped back and to the side as a volley of arrows flew threw the open windows and doorways, flooding the room.

Talaith looked up to see that the only one who didn’t move was Annwyl. She simply stood there, watching as the arrows landed all around her.

Either she’s the bravest woman I’ve ever met or the craziest bitch ever created.

Screams and war cries came from the outside courtyard as Brastias stumbled in to the hall, an arrow-riddled shield in his hands.

“Annwyl…” he puffed out. “It’s Hamish.”

Annwyl only stared at him.

Briec released Izzy and Talaith but still used his body to shield them. “Where is he?”

“Outside the castle gates.”

Fearghus shook his head. “That’s impossible. He shouldn’t have been here for weeks.”

“One of my men just told me. One second he and his woman were alone in the fields—the next, Hamish and his full army were there. He barely got them both away in time.”

“Full army?”

Morfyd stepped away from the wall. “Only a god could have gotten them here like that.”

“Arzhela’s pet,” Talaith sneered. “Her most loyal servant. He only allowed her temples to be built in Madron. She’d originally sent Izzy to him.”

“We don’t have much time,” Brastias went on. “They’re headed this way. The troops are scrambling now.”

Annwyl silently headed toward the doors.

“Annwyl, wait,” Fearghus called after her.

She stopped but didn’t look at him. Or any of them for that matter.

“You have two choices, Fearghus,” she said quietly. “We can stand here and…discuss this with the way I’m feeling at this very moment. Or…I can go out and have my discussion with Hamish and his troops first.” She glanced back at him, golden brown strands of hair falling across her scarred face—but nothing could conceal the rage burning in those green eyes. “Choose, dragon.”

Fearghus made a sweeping gesture with his hand. “Hamish.”

She nodded and headed toward the door, Brastias behind her, but Fearghus’ dark voice followed her out, “But when you return, my mate…we’ll have much to discuss.”

Turning to his brothers, he said, “Call to the other dragons, then take to the skies. Destroy their supply wagons and as many of their troops as you can manage. But they know we’re here, so be careful. Morfyd…” He looked at his sister. “Go with Annwyl. Protect her as best you can. But don’t get close.”

“I had no intention of it, brother.”

Now those dark, dark eyes fell on Talaith. “Do you have healing skills?”

“Aye.”

“Then set up this hall to receive our soldiers. The servants will help you. There are other healers who will come to lend their aid.”

Talaith nodded, relieved he’d given her a task rather than telling her to get out. For whatever reason, it seemed the dragon had decided to forgive what she’d almost done to his mate. Then again he did have much more pressing concerns than some little assassin with a god on her tail. “It’s done. Should we set up another place for enemy casualties?”

“There won’t be any,” he said simply, before walking away.

Talaith understood why the dragon and Annwyl were together. Well matched those two, because no mere female could handle a dragon like Fearghus and no human male would ever be able to sleep soundly in a bed next to Annwyl.

Briec took her hand. “Talaith—”

“Wait.” She looked at Izzy. “Go to your room. Lock the door. You are only to let me, Briec, or Achaius entry. Understand?”

“But—”

Talaith narrowed her eyes at her daughter. “Don’t play with me, little girl. Do. You. Understand?”

Izzy gazed at the floor. “Aye. I do.” Poor thing. Talaith had been ordering her out of the room all day.

“Then go.” With that, Iseabail disappeared up the stairs, and Talaith turned back to Briec who hadn’t released her hand. “Go. Do what you need to do. And when you get back, this…” she waved dramatically indicating her back and new brand, “…will be discussed.”

He smiled, leaned over, and kissed her shoulder. She felt it all the way to her toes.

“As you wish, my soft and defenseless damsel.”

He left her. And Talaith didn’t stop watching him until a confused, half-dressed Gwenvael stumbled up next to her. “Is it me…or did I miss something?”