What a Dragon Should Know (Dragon Kin #3)(142)

“Don’t you want to come inside and dance with me for a bit?”

“I will. Soon.”

Leaning in close, he pressed his lips to her throat. As she often did, Talaith moved her head to the side, allowing him better access. He gently nipped her skin, working his way down to her shoulder, while his hands slid down her arms. His brutal lust for her always surprised him. He’d thought it would wane over time, but it had grown steadily day by day as she had grown and changed over time, becoming more confident and comfortable in her new life.

He slid his hands down her arms and onto her thighs. She had such delightfully strong thighs, he always enjoyed running his hands over them, dragging his fingers up under her gown so he could touch her smooth skin. He brushed against the leather ties that held her sheathed dagger, his c**k hardening more knowing it was there, knowing that when he took her again tonight—as he’d done for most of the afternoon—it would still be there in easy reach, making her even more deliciously dangerous.

Briec continued to travel up her thighs, but when her hands grabbed his, he let her have control, wanting to see what she’d do.

Talaith drew his hands up farther, close to her sex. But she didn’t stop there, she kept moving until she reached her stomach. She pressed his hands against her belly, sighing contentedly when he smoothed his fingers across it.

He adored how soft her skin was. How her entire body reacted to his merest touch. How … how …

Gods.

Briec pulled away from Talaith’s neck and looked down at her. Her smile was soft and content, her eyes dreamy.

It had been years since Briec had studied the ways of a Dragonmage, but he still had some skills. And that’s why she’d told him like this, knowing he’d understand without her having to say a word.

Emotions he’d never felt before ripped through him, making him feel slightly drunk and extremely panicked. He knew there were all sorts of things a dragon would say to a dragoness at a time like this, but Talaith was no dragoness. And that’s what worried him.

“I can’t lose you,” he said simply.

Her brown gaze turned to him in surprise. “What are you talking about?”

“What Annwyl went through. If Eirianwen hadn’t stepped in, brought her back, Fearghus would have lost her. I can’t lose you. I won’t. You mean everything to me, Talaith.”

“Sssh.” She turned in his arms, rising up on her knees, her hands framing his face. “It’ll be all right.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I do. I know. This isn’t Rhydderch Hael using my body for his experiments as he did with Annwyl. This is different. I’m different. I have strength Annwyl doesn’t have. Powers that will protect me, and are already moving into place to protect the child. Our child.”

“Are you sure? I won’t allow myself to be miserable, Lady Difficult.”

“Because it’s all about you, Lord Arrogant.” Her grin was wide and bright. She wanted this child. “Trust me. I’ll not say I won’t be as happy or as miserable as any other woman full with child, but what happened to Annwyl won’t happen to me. The hard part is over now. The walls have been broken, gods of every type and pantheon roam through the worlds freely, and what was once unthinkable … will one day be quite common.”

“I don’t care about one day. I care about you.”

“I know.” She kissed him, her mouth soft against his. “Your love and faith in me is why I know I’ll be fine. That we’ll be fine.”

“And what of Izzy?”

“We tell her nothing.”

He pulled back, startled. “Talaith.”

“You know what she’ll do if we tell her.” Yes. Briec knew. He knew his daughter would change her plans to leave with the Eighteenth Legion because she’d fear leaving her mother’s side. She’d want to be here for Talaith, even if it meant giving up what she wanted. “I won’t have that hanging over my head, Briec, or have her resent me because of it. She’ll learn about all this soon enough, just not yet.”

“If you’re sure.”

She sighed, frustrated, and leaned back. “Must you question me?” she suddenly barked, irrationally annoyed in his opinion.

“I’ll question you if I want! And is this how it’s going to be from now until you are blessed with having my offspring? One moody-cow moment after another?”

“Oh, trust well, Lord Arrogant, that I plan on making your life a living hell.”

“Who says you don’t already?”

“I haven’t even begun!”

“Uncaring wench!”

Difficult bastard!“

Then they were kissing, their mouths fused, their tongues teasing and stroking while they ripped each other’s clothes off.

And that’s how Briec knew Talaith spoke true—everything would be just fine.

* * *

Dagmar slammed a small jar of ointment on the desk and bent over it, giving Gwenvael complete access to her ass.

“Get to work,” she ordered.

“I’ll need a basin and cloth. Don’t forget my lecture on hygiene.”

“That is not what this is for, you disgusting bastard. It still hurts.”

“Sorry about that.”