Last Dragon Standing (Dragon Kin #4)(141)

“That is the task we’ve been given. That is the task we’ll carry out.”

“And what if I tell you I don’t need you? What if I tell you to go?”

“Then we’ll go. Our orders are to follow your orders. That is what we’ll do.”

Annwyl briefly glanced back at a practically snarling Talaith, and asked, “We have a Nolwenn babe here as well. Will she be safe around you?”

“We have never harmed a Nolwenn not of age. We will not start now.

We are not here to cause any harm, Queen Annwyl. Or take your children.

You have met us in direct combat and have earned our respect. We will carry out our orders to the best of our abilities. We will protect your children with our lives. Our very souls if need be.”

“Why?”

“Because you are all that stands between a world of many leaders, many cultures, many gods—and a dictator. War calls for you, Queen Annwyl. You must answer.”

Before Annwyl could reply, a knock came at the back door to the room and Ebba entered. She walked on two legs and wore a dress, coming to Annwyl’s side, and whispering in her ear, “You wanted me to tell you when I was putting the babes down for the night.”

“Thank you,” Annwyl replied, but then she saw the witch, Ásta, watching the centaur and smirking. The other, Bryndís, was still down on one knee, head bowed. “This is Ebba,” Annwyl told the witch. “The babes’

nanny.”

The two females sized each other up until the witch said, “A centaur.

We once hunted your kind for sport.”

Ebba smiled. “And we used to devour your kind as snacks. Don’t cross me, Kyvich, or I’ll leave nothing for your sisters to mourn but what I pick out from between my teeth.” Then, with a nod to Annwyl, Ebba walked out.

Annwyl again leaned down to Dagmar and whispered in her ear,

“Adore. Her.”

Rhiannon watched from her throne as her offspring approached, her sister held in Gwenvael’s arms. Beside her was what remained of the Elders.

Those who’d been involved with Elestren were among them, safe. They’d been pulled into the She-dragon’s need for vengeance without realizing it, and Rhiannon wouldn’t hold that against them…this time.

“Is it done?” Rhiannon asked once her offspring stood before her.

“It is done,” her eldest son answered for them all.

“Good.” She slipped off the dais and moved closer to Gwenvael. She brushed the hair from her sister’s battered and torn face. Now she remembered why she’d always hated Franseza since they were hatchlings—the bitch was mean. “Hello, sister.”

Esyld’s eyes opened, and widened a bit more when she saw Rhiannon staring down at her. “I-I told them nothing, sister. I swear. I never betrayed—”

“Hush, now. It’s over. I know what you’ve sacrificed.” Gods, did she know. The Northlander had touched Esyld’s hand, and what he saw, he sent to Rhiannon. Esyld’s Quintilian lover who’d tried to warn her, to protect her, only to get his throat cut in front of her; the beatings; the torture. Ragnar had shown Rhiannon all of it. She hadn’t asked him to, but she understood why he’d done it. So that there would be no question about Esyld’s loyalty, and there wasn’t any question. Esyld was and would continue to be loyal—to Keita. It had been Keita Esyld wanted to protect. It was Keita she’d suffered for, afraid of what would happen to her niece should Franseza get to her.

And that was how it should be. “You’re safe, sister. You’re home.” Rhiannon motioned to her guards. “Take her to the healers.” Esyld was carefully removed from Gwenvael’s arms and taken out of the meeting chamber.

“We are sorry for what you suffered, Princess Keita,” one of the Elders said. Rhiannon didn’t bother to see which one.

“And Elestren has been removed from her position among my royal guard.”

“Elestren should be removed from this world,” Briec said.

“No.” Keita glanced at her brother, shook her head. “I won’t allow it.”

“Why do you protect her, Keita?”

“She thought I betrayed the queen—she was doing her job. Perhaps a little overenthusiastically. Besides, she’s family.” Rhiannon sensed her daughter had been forced to have this conversation with her brothers quite a lot since they’d left for Castle Moor.

“The decision’s been made,” Rhiannon said, returning to her throne.

“Ghleanna will decide Elestren’s fate.” She sat down and glanced to the Elders. They all nodded, and Rhiannon focused on her children. “Now, there’s one last thing….”

Together, Keita and her siblings, Ragnar and his kin, walked through the courtyard and up to the Great Hall steps. It had been a long flight home, and all of them were exhausted, looking forward to getting some food and some sleep.

But they stopped at the very bottom of the steps and waited. They waited for Annwyl the Bloody. She sat in the middle of the stairs, watching them all. Behind her stood Dagmar, Talaith, and Brastias.

“Annwyl?”

Annwyl looked her mate in the eyes. After a time, she spoke. “We proceed with the celebration feast for the children as planned. Then, once all is ready, I’ll be leading my legions to the Western Mountains and into war against the Sovereigns.”