The Dragon Who Loved Me (Dragon Kin #5)(32)

It took some time, but eventual y they got al the females in their bedrol s and asleep. Once done, Vigholf and Rhona headed back to the castle.

“Wel ,” he muttered, “that was fun.”

“I’m sorry,” she said again.

“No need to apologize. But I’m surprised you didn’t keep your promise.”

“Promise? What promise?”

“The one to your cousin to give it a feel.” He glanced down at himself, gave her a wicked grin. “So you can see how huge it is.”

“What are you talk . . .” She shook her head and laughed. “Gods, you’re pathetic.”

“I’m merely trying to help you keep your promises to your kin.”

“Of course you are. Look, a few of my cousins may not be able to hold their liquor, especial y when a male is around, but I assure you that I can.” Vigholf stopped, studied her when she faced him. “You drank tonight?”

“Drank more than any of them, that’s for sure.”

“And yet you’re . . .”

“I’m what?”

“Sober.”

She chuckled. “I’m my father’s child, Northlander, and he can hold his liquor.”

“Considering how badly off the rest of your cousins are, I have to say I’m impressed. You don’t seem even a little different.”

“What can I say? It’s a gift.” Rhona suddenly held up a finger as if to silence him—although he hadn’t said anything—and then she sat down hard on the ground. Stil holding up that one finger.

Vigholf crouched next to her. “You al right?”

“The universe began to spin, so I decided to sit until it stopped.”

“Good plan.”

Since he didn’t know how long she’d need to sit, Vigholf sat beside her. He careful y took her raised finger and tucked it back into her fist.

“Thank you. I didn’t seem to have control of that talon.”

“Finger.”

“Whatever.” She smiled a little. “You can let go of my hand.”

“I could, but probably won’t. What with your universe spinning and al .”

“Any opportunity. You Lightnings take any opportunity.”

“There’s truth to that, I’m afraid.”

“You are, however, surprisingly light of touch.”

“Pardon?”

“The way you’re holding my hand. I always thought you’d be more of a mauler. Like a diseased wolf chewing the knuckles off me fist.”

“That’s very nice.”

“Not real y.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“Oh. I see.” Rhona gazed off for a moment, then asked, “Where are we?”

“Okay. That’s it. I’m taking you to bed.”

“No, no,” she protested as Vigholf got to his knees. “I’m fine. I can walk.”

“Is the universe stil spinning?”

“No. Now it’s just the trees.”

“Right.” He reached for her, put his arms around her. “I’l put you to bed and you’l feel better in the morning.”

“I’d rather stay out here. Sleep under the stars.”

“You don’t like beds much, do you?”

“They’re al right, I guess. But I’m just as happy on the ground, looking up at the sky.”

“Then we’l do that.”

Vigholf picked her up and carried her over to a big tree. With care, not wanting to bash her head against the ground, he set her down.

“This is nice,” she said, smiling. “Can’t see the stars, though. With al those branches and leaves in the way.”

“I’m not destroying a tree so you can have a view of the sky. You’l have to imagine what it looks like.”

“Such care about foliage.”

“We don’t have much in the way of lush trees and plants in the Northlands. So the ones strong enough to survive, we take care of.” Vigholf stretched out next to her, lying on his side and propping his head up with his hand.

“So you must be glad the fighting moved to Euphrasia,” she said.

“I am. Especial y the way you Fire Breathers just blast everything in your way.” He smiled. “We have much more finesse with our lightning than you have with your flame.”

“Yeah. Right,” she laughed. “Finesse.” Rhona looked at him. “You don’t have to stay out here if you don’t want. I’l be safe. My kin’s right there.” She pointed in front of her, then off to the side. Then she sort of flitted her hand about. “They’re around.”

“You act like I have somewhere to go. Besides, I want to stay here. Keep you company.” When she frowned a bit, he added, “I like you. You and your little spear . . . cute.”

She gazed at him for a long time before she asked, “Do you actual y like me, or is any unattached female worth your time? You Northlanders do seem a bit hard up and I do have a pu**y available. And it’s been pretty unused lately.” It took a lot for him not to laugh. Mostly because he knew she’d regret al this come first light. And they had at least two and a half days of travel together back to Euphrasia during which he could absolutely torture her over it.