What a Dragon Should Know (Dragon Kin #3)(144)

And when Keita ducked the long staff that flew at her head, she knew she’d at least proven her reflexes were quick.

Chapter 36

Izzy made it to the front gates before she turned around and saw them all standing there, watching her go. There were few who could say they had not one but two queens bidding them farewell before they went off to war. Plus Izzy’s father, grandfather, and uncles were out there too, the dragon necklace they’d had made for her from the steel of their favorite weapons hanging under her padded shirt and against her heart. But it was her mum that caused more tears to well up in Izzy’s throat, knowing it would be months before she again saw the woman who’d risked everything for her.

Izzy gave one last wave and quickly walked through the gates. When she knew they could no longer see her, she took off running, forcing her tears back as she didn’t want anyone in her unit to see she’d been crying.

The troops were gathering in the west fields, and she’d been grateful her family said good-bye to her here rather than in front of everyone else. She’d bet that was her father’s smart idea.

She was nearly to the field, able to see horses, banners, and rallying troops through the trees, when she heard her name called.

She stopped and spun around to find Éibhear standing there.

“I see you said good-bye to everyone.”

She chuckled, wiping the wetness from her face with the sleeve of her shirt. “You know how me and Mum are.”

“I do.”

She smiled at him. “Coming to kiss me good-bye then?”

There went that tic she’d begun to notice. It was in his right cheek and she’d caught sight of it for the first time at the last feast when he abruptly walked over to her and said, “I thought you were behind the bloody—oh, forget it!” And just as abruptly walked away.

“No,” he ground out, the tic worsening. “I’ve come to say good-bye.”

“You could have done that back there.”

He let out a sigh. “You’re right. Sorry I bothered.”

She watched him turn, heading back to Garbhán Isle. Cranky and rude as always, he was. What was it about her that irritated him so? He was so nice to everyone else.

She bit her lip a moment before she said, “They say you’re going to the north with Grandmum’s armies.”

He stopped but didn’t turn around. “I am.”

“Will you miss me at all?”

He let out another sigh, more aggravated than the last. “Of course I will.” He faced her again. “I’m your uncle and I’ll miss you.”

“Gwenvael’s my uncle. Fearghus. You’re not my uncle, Éibhear.”

“Izzy—”

“You’ll never be my uncle.”

“I’m not talking about this anymore.”

“The way Celyn isn’t my cousin.”

His silver eyes glinted in the early-morning suns and he snapped, “Going to play that game now are you, princess?”

“He likes me.”

“For now. Until he gets what he wants and gets bored.”

“He’s nice and he’s too terrified of Briec to be cruel.”

“But if you’re in love with him—”

“I’m not.”

He tried to hide it, but she knew she saw relief on that infinitely beautiful face. “At least you’re going to be smart about it,” he muttered.

“He’ll never have my heart, Éibhear.”

“Good—”

“Not like you do.”

“Izzy …” He began to back away from her. “Stop.”

“Go to the north, Éibhear. Go wherever you want. It won’t make a bit of difference. Because when the time is right … You’ll be mine.”

“That’s it. You’re a spoiled brat and impossible to deal with.”

“But you love me anyway.”

“No, Izzy. I don’t. Get it into your thick head already. You’re my brother’s daughter and that means something with my kin. But, at the end of the day, you’re not my problem. Still, try not to get yourself killed, eh?”

Hurt, but not willing to show it, she said, “I’ll try to avoid that.”

He nodded at her and walked off.

“And don’t worry,” she told his back. “I wasn’t planning on waiting for you.”

“Good. You shouldn’t.”

“I’ve always felt my virginity should go to someone who actually earns it.”

And that’s when Éibhear tripped over his own feet and went head first into the trunk of a rather large tree.

“Gods dammit!” he roared, gripping his head.

Not inclined to wait around, Izzy quickly spun on her heel and ran to meet with her already moving troops.

Dagmar quickly crawled to the edge of the ridge and lifted her large spectacles to her face. “Dammit! We missed it.”

“Mhhmm?”

Gwenvael’s arm went around her waist and he began kissing her lower back. “This is your fault,” she accused, trying to ignore the feel of his mouth against her bare skin.

“Probably.” He moved lower. “But do you really mind?”