What a Dragon Should Know (Dragon Kin #3)(117)

That hadn’t been what she’d expected the future Dragon King of Dark Plains to ask, but … all right.

“Yes, but it was because she was vague that—”

“Now aren’t you glad I bought you the socks?”

Dagmar scrutinized Gwenvael. “Pardon?”

“If I hadn’t gotten you that new pair, you wouldn’t have given up your socks to a traveling goddess.”

“He has a point,” Fearghus tossed in.

“Yes, but—”

“Which means you owe me your life.” Gwenvael glanced at his brother. “Like Talaith and Briec—I can keep her.”

“No, you cannot!” Dagmar snapped, completely confused.

“But I bought you the socks,” Gwenvael insisted.

“Only because I made you take back the puppy.”

Regarding his brother, Fearghus asked, “Puppy?”

“I was trying to make her feel better. She was all upset because I wouldn’t bring that bloody dog of hers.”

“Was he a nice one?”

“Large. Lots of meat. With the right seasoning …” Gwenvael sighed, his eyes staring far off. “Gods, I’m hungry.”

Dagmar dragged both her hands through her hair. “Shouldn’t both of you be a little more … livid with me?”

“But I have my Annwyl back,” Fearghus said. “Sort of. She doesn’t know who she is.”

“Or that she’s a mother.”

“Let’s not be negative,” Fearghus insisted lightly. “All that matters is that my Annwyl wiped out an entire murderous unit of Minotaurs.”

“Fearghus,” Gwenvael asked, appearing sincere, “can Annwyl fight naked all the time?”

“Don’t make me kill you. I’m in a good mood, and it’ll just upset Mother.” He stood and bundled the fur around his children, carefully lifting them. “I’m off to find Annwyl.”

Gwenvael tapped his leg. “Remember what Talaith said, Fearghus. Take it slow with her. Give her time to remember who she is.”

“I will.”

Fearghus took several steps away, but stopped. He faced her. “Dagmar?”

“Yes?”

He gazed down at his twins and then at her. “Thank you.” He smiled and it was something so beautiful and sincere she didn’t know what to say. “For everything. I’m eternally grateful.”

Unable to speak, she nodded, and Fearghus disappeared down one of the dark tunnels.

“You keep staring at my brother like that and I’m sending Annwyl after you.”

Startled, Dagmar’s spine snapped straight and she gave Gwenvael her haughtiest look. “I don’t know what you mean. I’m not wearing my spectacles, so I can’t see anyway.”

“Ohhh. That’s what that was. It wasn’t you staring longingly at the spot where that deep, low voice told you ‘Thank you, Daughter of The Reinholdt … for everything.’ ”

“I hate you,” she managed before she started laughing.

Gwenvael rested his hands on the bed, braced on either side of her legs. As he moved forward he teased in a high-pitched voice, “Oh, Fearghus! I’ll happily help you because you’re so big and strong!”

He kept moving forward, forcing her back, even as she pushed at his shoulders. “Stop it! I did not say that, nor do I sound like that.”

“I’ll save you any day, little Dagmar.”

“You’re just jealous,” she shot back.

“I am.” He caught her off guard with the quick reply. “I don’t want you looking at anyone like that but me.”

He stretched out on top of her, bracing his weight on his right forearm while his left hand brushed against her cheek. His teasing expression turned serious and he studied her face so intently, she became uneasy.

“What?”

“I’ve never been so scared for anyone before in my life, Dagmar. Not like that. But I knew, I had no doubt, that you’d give us time to get to you. I knew you’d never go down without a fight.”

She didn’t doubt his words for a moment. She knew they were as truthful and unadorned as what she’d recounted for him and his brother.

“I …” she swallowed, unable to fight the emotions surging through her at that moment. “I think I need to have a slight breakdown right now.”

“Feel free.” He kissed her forehead and pulled her close to his body, rolling to his back so she could lie on top of him. “You’ve had a very long day, Lady Dagmar.”

She rested her chin on his chest. “I truly have, Lord Gwenvael. I truly have.”

Chapter 30

He found her by the lake, as he knew he would. They’d fallen in love here, made love here, argued here, and even trained for battle together here. Whenever Annwyl needed time away from her day-to-day responsibilities as the Queen of Dark Plains, Fearghus brought her here. It was here she felt safe and sane and loved.

The fact that she’d returned here now gave him hope he hadn’t lost her completely.

Still naked and covered in blood, she stood at the edge of the lake, peering into the water. She didn’t move as he approached, although he sensed she knew he was there.

“Annwyl?”