The Dragon Who Loved Me (Dragon Kin #5)(104)

“Oh? Wel , if it was to be . . .”

No. There was nothing to say. Nothing she could say or do that would make her son feel any better.

In fact, Rhiannon knew only one thing at the moment. She knew that she’d already lost the sweet hatchling she adored since she’d seen his handsome face grin at her after tumbling out of his egg, head first. And what dragon would replace that blue-scaled hatchling? Rhiannon stil didn’t know.

So with no words to ease what Éibhear was going through, Rhiannon simply placed her arm around him and tugged until he rested his head on her shoulder. And there they sat, on that hil , staring off at the bodies of Tribesmen not yet cleaned up, wishing things could go back to the way they were, but knowing that would never happen.

Chapter 38

For five ful days Queen Annwyl slept, and Izzy had never been so grateful. Annwyl had needed that sleep more than anyone could possibly know.

At first, everyone tried to tiptoe around, Fearghus snarling at anyone making too much noise. But what Izzy knew and what everyone else eventual y realized was that nothing could wake Annwyl. But when she final y did emerge, bounding down the stairs into the Great Hal , her long, light brown hair washed and a clean pair of black leggings, black boots, and one of her favored sleeveless chain-mail shirts on, Izzy couldn’t help but grin. This .

. . this was the Annwyl she knew. And gods, was she glad to see her again.

“Morning, Iz.”

“Morning.”

Annwyl dropped hard into a chair catty-corner from Izzy and put her feet up on the table. Izzy handed her a round loaf of bread.

“Sleep wel ?” she asked Annwyl.

“Like the dead. It felt wonderful.” Annwyl tore off chunks of bread and ate while looking around the room. “Where is everyone?” she asked between bites.

“Have no idea. Everyone’s been rather scarce since our return. I think they’re al shagging.” Annwyl laughed, her humor back, eyes bright. “I think you’re probably right.” She glanced around and whispered, “And you?”

“And me what?”

Annwyl made her eyebrows dance a bit.

“Gods, Annwyl!”

“Oh, come on. You’ve got both here.”

“Yeah, right. Éibhear’s sitting outside, staring pensively off into the distance—who knows what’s going on with him—and Celyn’s been avoiding me like I might f**k him right here on this table during morning meal. Tel me, my wise queen . . . why do we bother with any of them?”

“We both like cock.”

Mortified, Izzy stil laughed. Out of everyone, Annwyl remained the one being who wasn’t Brannie who could make Izzy feel like everything—

eventual y—would be al right.

“So what do I need to know?” Annwyl asked her.

“Violence is back and safe. I put him up in his stables, got him a couple of sexy mares to keep him company. I think he’s a wee pissed at you that you went off without him, though.”

“He always gets that way when I leave him for too long. He’l get over it. I’l go see him after I eat.”

“Are you going to take him out? Because I haven’t had a chance to clean your saddle yet and it’s absolutely caked in blood—”

“Ralphie wil take care of it.”

“Ralphie?” Izzy lowered her spoon into her bowl of porridge, her heart plunging. “Your old squire?”

“He’s stil fat, but Violence likes him.”

“But—”

“Now don’t get upset. But honestly I don’t real y need a fit, fighting squire right now. I’m taking some time off. Going to be a proper queen for a bit and order others to kil for me. Just like your grandmum.”

Izzy sat back in her chair. “So it’s back to formation then? Just like that?” Gods! Where was the loyalty for duty served?

“Now don’t pout. And don’t whine. Besides,” the queen added, dropping her feet on the floor as a servant placed a steaming bowl of porridge on the table in front of her, “I don’t know any squire that has a rank of corporal. It would be unseemly. Nor do corporals go stomping around in formation, either.”

“Corporal?” Izzy sat up straight, eyes wide. “I’m . . . I’m a corporal?”

“You are now. Promotion effective immediately.”

“Brannie—”

“Her, too, but your grandfather is tel ing her. It’s al that Dragonwarrior stuff. And keep in mind, they’l probably be sending her off to Anubail Mountain for that training of theirs in the next few years. You’l need to make some other al ies for when she’s gone. Brastias wil let you know what your orders are in the next day or two.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I’m pretty sure, though, you’re going to be named team leader of one of the four-man units going east in another month or two. But let Brastias tel you that and make sure to look surprised.” Her voice returned to normal.

“And don’t worry about your mum. She’l blame me anyway, and now that I’ve had some sleep, I think I’m up for a good, old-fashioned, verbal argument that doesn’t end with me taking anyone’s head.” She glanced off. “It’l be a nice change.” Izzy scrambled out of her chair and dived at Annwyl, almost knocking them both over, hugging her tight.