How to Drive a Dragon Crazy (Dragon Kin #6)(119)

When Izzy glowered at him, he quickly added, “Well . . . they did look a bit dry.”

“Don’t worry,” Elisa said with a smile. “I have more.” She stood and went to a small cabinet in what Izzy assumed was her study. There were books from floor to ceiling and crates filled with witch supplies. At least that’s what she guessed they were since the materials looked like the kinds of things that she’d seen her mother and Morfyd using every full moon.

Elisa came back to the table and placed another plate of biscuits in front of Éibhear. Once done, she sat at the table, her smile still in place.

“So,” Elisa said, acting as if Izzy’s temper hadn’t snapped like a twig, “you want us to take little Rhianwen in.”

“She’s not an orphan I’m trying to palm off on you lot.”

“No. She’s a powerful being that you have no control over.”

Izzy studied her great grandmother. “Maybe.”

“But you think we can help with that?”

“My mother thinks you can. I have no idea what you can do.”

“We can teach your sister to control the power within her. We can make her safe to be around those she loves.”

“And you know all this . . . how?”

“Your sister’s power radiates for thousands of leagues. Even the mages as far off as the Eastlands feel her power—and fear it.”

“So you’re going to try to make her a Nolwenn then?”

“That’s the one thing I can assure you will never happen.”

Feeling slightly insulted, Izzy had to ask, “And why is that?”

“I was born to this life, Iseabail. So were Haldane and your mother. And, if Talaith had stayed, she’d be a Nolwenn. Trained in the arts from birth. But your sister, like you, can’t jump in now. She’s sixteen winters, past her first blood—”

“And trained to be a free-thinking human being who can make her own decisions?”

Elisa smiled. “Some might say. Really, Iseabail, it’s about preparing your sister for something beyond these grand walls. That is . . . if we decide to help her.”

“Why wouldn’t you help her? Because I’d happily cut your daughter’s thro—”

Éibhear suddenly coughed, pointed at his throat. “Biscuit went down the wrong way.” He glared at Izzy and practically snarled between clenched teeth, “Sorry.”

“Your feelings about my daughter, Iseabail, are expected and, I’m sorry to say, quite natural. She was abhorrent to my grandchild, but Haldane has always been stubborn.”

“I’m stubborn. She’s a twa—”

Another cough cut into her words. “Another biscuit struggling down your gullet?” Izzy asked sweetly.

“They’re a little dry.”

Izzy focused on Elisa. “What do you want? Because I know you want something.”

The witch rested her arms on the table and leaned in. Her smile reminded Izzy of her mum but without that warmth Izzy had always taken comfort in. “I’ll take your sister in, ensure her safety, and have her trained, but there’s a task.”

“Of course there is.” Izzy sighed loudly. “Who do I have to kill?”

“This task isn’t for you.” Elisa focused on Éibhear. “It’s for you.”

“Me?” Éibhear said around another biscuit. How many was that now?

“This has nothing to do with him.”

“Isn’t he Rhi’s uncle?”

“I am definitely Rhi’s uncle.”

Izzy’s eyes crossed. “I see we’re not letting that go.”

“Nope.”

Elisa offered Éibhear more tea, which he readily accepted. Did he think this was some kind of tea party? It wasn’t!

“So do you need me to kill someone?” Éibhear asked.

“You two seem kind of focused on that. Do many ask you to kill?”

Izzy and Éibhear shrugged. “Sometimes.”

“Well, I hate to disappoint you both, but this isn’t about killing. This is about rescuing.”

“Rescuing?” Éibhear was surprised. No one had asked him to rescue anyone. Ever. “I can do that.”

Izzy looked at him. “Do you really have time?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Your mother gave you a task, Éibhear. To find out about Vateria.”

“Well then,” Elisa cut in. “That makes this much easier.”

“You need me to rescue someone from Vateria?”

“No. Before the last night of the full moon, you need to rescue Vateria before she’s sacrificed.”

“Huh,” Éibhear grunted, truly surprised. “I really didn’t see that coming.”

Chapter 38

One of the Nolwenns led them to the doors that Éibhear had kicked in. “When you’re done,” the witch said before they walked out, “you may return. But not before.”

Not liking the cow’s tone, Izzy pulled her arm back, but Éibhear caught hold and dragged her out the doors.

“Why do you keep doing that?” she demanded.

“Must we repeat what just happened?”