Dragon Actually (Dragon Kin #1)(16)

Annwyl crouched beside Morfyd. She couldn’t bring herself to release the woman’s hand. “I thought he was here,” she whispered.

Morfyd frowned. “Thought who was here?”

“My brother. I felt him here, Morfyd. As surely as you are standing here now.”

“You were just dreaming. He can’t hurt you here. Fearghus would never let him.”

The witch spoke true, of course. She trusted the dragon with her life, more than any of her own troops. Even more than Brastias.

“Thank you for understanding.” Annwyl stood and went back to her bed, wrapping one of the fur covers around her shivering naked body. “And for being able to move so fast. I don’t know what I would have done if I . . .”

“But you didn’t. So let’s not think of it a moment longer. Here.” Morfyd handed her a parchment. Annwyl saw the seal of Brastias and grinned.

“You saw him, then?”

“Aye. He seemed heartily relieved that you still live.”

Annwyl sat down on her bed. “And my men?”

“They still have hope.”

Annwyl nodded. “Thank you for doing this.”

Morfyd stood up. “Do not speak of it. I will get you something to eat while you read your letter.”

Once the witch left, Annwyl carefully removed the seal and opened the parchment.

Annwyl—

We await your return.

Yours in life, death, and war.

Brastias

Annwyl read the letter again and then held it against her chest. Her army waited. Soon she must return.

Fearghus watched his sister grab several pieces of fruit. Her human body seemed shakier than usual. “Are you all right?”

“That mad bitch threw a blade at my head.”

He studied his sister. “What did you say to her?”

Morfyd swung around to glare at him, fruit flying everywhere.“What did I . . . why do you . . . how dare you . . .”Morfyd stopped and pulled herself together. “I did nothing, brother. She was having a nightmare about Lorcan or something. I happened to walk in at the wrong time.”

“Or something?”

Morfyd shrugged as she knelt down to pick up the scattered pieces of fruit. “He could very well be contacting her through her dreams.”

“I thought you put up protections around the glen?”

“I did,” she snapped. “That doesn’t mean he hasn’t found a wizard to work around them.”

Fearghus walked up to his sister. He towered over her in his human form, dressed and ready to start his training with Annwyl. “No one should be able to get past your protections, sister. I don’t care if it’s the queen herself. I want Annwyl safe. Understand?”

Morfyd’s eyes narrowed as she examined her brother.

“Why are you dressed like that?” Her frown deepened.

“And for that matter, why are you human?”

Damn. “I need to go into town.”

“Town for what?”

“Supplies. Now get on with the spellcasting. Please.”

He stormed off before she could ask any more questions that would force him to lie to her more.

Annwyl was falling. Then she was landing. Her back hitting the hard ground, then her head. She lay there. Unable to move. Suddenly his face loomed over her.

“Sorry ’bout that.”

No he wasn’t. He wasn’t sorry about anything. She’d gotten in a couple of really good blows and he retaliated, knocking her right on her backside . . . hard.

It took her several moments to get her breath back; by then he reached out to help her stand. She slapped his hands away and dragged herself up so she knelt on the hard ground.

She glared at him.

“What’s that look for? It’s not my fault you weren’t fast enough.”

Annwyl punched him in the face. “Was that fast enough?”she snapped.

Now he glared as he clutched his slightly wounded nose.

Annwyl pushed herself to stand up, but the spasm in her neck and shoulder forced her right back down. She moaned in pain and the knight looked at her.

“What is it?”

“Nothing.”

“Liar.” He moved behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. His touch sent shocks through her body. Annwyl tried to push his hands off, but he ignored her.

“Stop being difficult.”

His strong hands glided across her shoulders and quickly found the spot at the base of her neck where her muscles bunched into tight knots. “Gods, girl. There’s a huge knot here.” His thumb pushed into the flesh and Annwyl’s body jerked.

“Oi! Painful!”

“Sorry.”

“No you’re not.” She stood up while trying to pull away, but he pulled her back.

“Must you be so difficult? If you give me a moment, I can fix this.”

Annwyl gritted her teeth.

The knight chuckled, his hands massaging muscles on her shoulder. Annwyl bit her lip and barely stopped herself from moaning. The man had the most unbelievable hands she ever experienced. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on something—anything!—that could distract her from the feeling of him touching her.

The muscles loosened under his big fingers and she found herself relaxing . . . grudgingly.