by G. A. Aiken
Other times, he’d spend all day in bed with her, taking her slow and long. Toying with her. Teasing her. Like he had all the time in the world. Both worked wonderfully for her and she’d already begun to plan their argument for the night. She had the feeling the fruit he’d brought in the other day wasn’t ripe enough.
Aye. That’ll work.
Smiling, Talaith crouched beside the cave entrance watching the rain fall. This way in was at ground level by a stream and was not big enough for Briec to enter in dragon-form, which could explain why he knew nothing about it. He still thought there were only two entrances into his cave, but she’d discovered five others. When the time was right, she’d tell him about those extra entrances. No matter how this all ended, she’d want to make sure he remained safe long after she was gone.
Looking up at the dark sky, Talaith hoped Briec would be all right. He’d left nearly an hour before with promises of returning with something special for her besides the fresh supply of bread she truly needed. She couldn’t begin to guess what his “something special” may be, but she didn’t care. Trinkets, gifts, even his treasure meant nothing to her because wealth couldn’t buy her what she needed.
The torrent of rain stopped suddenly and she glanced up at the two suns shining brightly overhead. Startled, Talaith looked around. Unwilling to miss this opportunity of getting out of the cave for even a few minutes, she stepped away from the entrance, breathing in the fresh scent of a rain-doused forest.
She’d only gotten a few feet away when she felt the hairs on the back of her neck rise. Her eyes closed and she almost moaned in despair.
“Hello, Talaith. Miss me?”
Shaking with rage and fear and outright hatred, Talaith slowly dropped to her knees and bowed her head before the deity. “My Goddess.”
“Guess who?”
Blinded by small hands over his eyes, Briec smiled at the teasing voice in his ear. “Hell and damnation?”
“Well that was just mean.” He turned and his baby sister punched his arm. “You’re all so mean to me.”
“No we’re not…except Morfyd.”
The beautiful redhead smiled and he marveled at how much she reminded them all of Gwenvael, only female. And a tad bit lustier.
“That’s because she lets me torture her. I don’t know why she blames me for her own weakness.”
“Brat.”
She giggled and threw herself into her brother’s arms. “I missed you, brother. I haven’t seen you in ages.”
“Aye. I’ve been busy.”
His sister pulled away, smiling up at him. “And with whom were you busy?”
“That, baby sister, is none of your business.”
She pouted and he bet that worked on all the males, human and dragon, who had graced her bed. “You’re no fun.”
“And you are a spoiled brat. Guess that makes us even.”
Keita the Red Viper Dragon of Despair and Death—as one unfortunate town named her after their failed attempt to enslave her with chains so she could be their guardian—twirled around showing off her expensive gown. “Isn’t this lovely?”
“And who died to give you this?”
She looked affronted. “No one. But I do have someone for you to meet.” She motioned to three knights who quickly headed their way, angrily eyeing Briec.
“They don’t know everything about me, brother,” she whispered. “So I’d appreciate it if you not mention it yourself.”
Briec shook his head. His sister was absolutely shameless and yet she never embarrassed him like Gwenvael often did. He found her entertaining.
The knights strode to a stop beside Keita, surrounding her.
“And who is this, m’lady?” One of them asked, glaring at Briec as if he’d done something.
“This, my loyal knights, is my brother, Briec.”
Once they realized he was kin, they all visibly relaxed and nodded greetings.
“Isn’t he handsome? As all my brothers are.” She winked at Briec. “If you’re kind to him, perhaps he’ll let us stay in his home.”
Briec knew exactly what his little sister was up to. She must have grown bored with these men, but those days of using humans for sport and then dinner were long gone. With Fearghus having a human mate and their queen awarding the Mad Bitch of Garbhán Isle the loyalty of all dragons, it would be in bad taste to toy with them.
Besides, he knew Talaith wouldn’t appreciate it one bit. And that was enough to ensure he not get involved.
“Unfortunately, little sister, that will not be possible.”
The pout returned. “Oh?”
He looked at the three men. “Perhaps another time.”
Keita took his arm. “Would you excuse us a moment, gentlemen?” She walked off, not bothering to wait for their answer. “You have changed, brother.”
“Not really. We all have to grow up eventually.”
“Why? I’m only a hundred and ninety winters. I have years to go before I have to be as boring as Fearghus or Morfyd.”
Chuckling, Briec leaned down and kissed his sister’s forehead. “Do be careful, brat. You play with fire too often.”
“Ah, but we are fire, brother.” She patted his chest and trounced off, but as she reached the men, she spun back around. “Should I mention to Daddy that I saw you?”
Only Keita called Bercelak the Great, one of the most feared dragons in this region or any other for that matter, “Daddy”. And she was the only one he’d allow to get away with it.
“No.”
Nodding, she said, “That’s what I thought.”
She walked off and, like well-trained dogs, the knights followed.
The wind picked up a bit, and Briec knew another storm was coming. He wanted to get back to Talaith. To see her beautiful face and perhaps start another argument over…he stopped to think a minute. Ah, yes. The fruit. He bet she ate all the fruit.
He shrugged. That would work for a good argument.
She looked up at the goddess who had been the bane of her existence for sixteen years now. She hated Arzhela, the goddess of light, love and fertility. Talaith hated the bitch for what she’d made her do, and what she still needed her to do. Talaith hated her for taking her away from her people and leaving her in that village where she would always be an outsider.
But what she truly hated the bitch goddess for most of all? Taking away Talaith’s daughter.
“You summoned me, goddess?”
Bathed in gold light, a wreath of gold and white flowers adorning her golden head, the goddess smiled at her. “You always say that with a sneer, my darling girl.”
“Do I? I hadn’t noticed.”
Talaith no longer looked at the goddess. She feared what her eyes would show. So she stared at her neck. Smooth, pale, and long, Talaith dreamed of dragging her blade across it.
“Of course you noticed,” Arzhela stated brightly. The goddess always looked bright and cheery. It hid the dark soul beneath. “But it matters not to me. For your time is coming.” She clapped her hands together. “And I am so excited!”
“Yes, goddess.”
Arzhela pouted. “You don’t sound excited.”
Cruel, heartless bitch!
“Whatever brings you joy, goddess, brings me joy.”
“There’s that tone again,” she remarked cheerily, but without a trace of genuine humor. “Be that as it may, everything is falling into place just as I planned.”
Talaith frowned, her eyes still focused on the bitch’s throat. “Sorry, goddess?”
“Well, your presence here. Did you really think a dragon would want you?”
Arzhela wanted Talaith to believe Briec was one of her many pawns like her priestesses or Lord Hamish who even now held her daughter in his fortress, and had these many long years—assuring her daughter was so close and yet so very far. But Talaith knew Arzhela’s power didn’t move past the humans. “If there is one thing I know, is that you do not control the dragons. Especially this one.”
<
br /> She heard the guttural hiss a split second before the goddess used Magick to lift Talaith and throw her against the outside cave wall.
The wind knocked out of her, it took Talaith a bit to push herself back to her feet. But by then she understood completely what had been going on. Arzhela had no control over the dragons. Her Magick couldn’t breech what the dragons considered their very basic defenses. No wonder Talaith hadn’t heard from the bitch Arzhela in over a moon—she couldn’t touch her when Talaith was with the dragons. But as soon as Talaith left Briec’s cave and his protection…
“Don’t test me, Talaith. I am in no mood.”
“Sorry if I offended you, goddess.”
Arzhela took a deep breath, most likely working hard to control that monumental rage. Once she’d calmed herself, her voice again took on the light lilting tone Talaith had come to loathe.
“Oh, don’t apologize, dear. It’s all right. But perhaps I should make some things clear to you. He’s noticed her.”
Panic, cold and brutal, swept through her limbs, making her immobile. Making her helpless. For the first time in the last five years, Talaith looked the bitch in the eye. “What?”
“Hamish has noticed her. Not surprising, Talaith. She’s the same age you were when you had her. Although much more attractive, but you’ve always been a bit plain. Guess she took after her father, more so than you.”
Talaith fought her desire to scream. To fight. To kill. She even fought her desire to wretch.
“Now, don’t panic, love. I see it on your face. If you follow my instructions, you won’t have anything to worry about.”
“You promised you’d protect her.”
“And I will. Just as I promised.” The goddess’ face turned ugly as her true nature swept across it. “But don’t think for a moment that you’ll be able to get out of this. Don’t think for a moment anyone or any…thing can protect you from me.”
The goddess lifted her hand, two fingers out, and it felt as if Talaith’s throat was back in that noose, choking her. Killing her. Her fingers scratched at her bare neck, fighting to remove a noose that wasn’t there.
“You know what you need to do, Talaith. And you will do it. And you’ll do it well.” Arzhela made a fist, and the feeling worsened, getting tighter around Talaith’s throat. Not only cutting off oxygen but soon, crushing bone. “Do it well, or your throat won’t be the only one I crush. But I’ll make sure he has her first. I’ll make sure he makes her love it.”
Fear for her child overrode fear for herself. She no longer cared about her death. She only cared about her daughter. The daughter they’d ripped from her arms before she’d taken her first breath. The daughter she worried about every moment of every day. The daughter whose name she didn’t even know.
“Yes,” she tried to scream, but was only able to barely choke out.
“Good.” Arzhela released her and Talaith dropped to her knees, hands around her throat, taking in deep gulping drags of air. “I’m so glad we understand each other so well. Tomorrow you’ll leave here and head toward the rising suns. Understand?”
“The weather?”
“I’ll protect you from that.” Which told Talaith Arzhela hadn’t been responsible for all these storms. Surprising.
“The suns will rise tomorrow. And I’m sure you’ll know what to do once you arrive at your destination, yes?”
Talaith shut her eyes. “Aye.”
“Wonderful. Wonderful.” Arzhela turned and headed off into the forest. “Oh, and I’ve returned your powers to you. By tomorrow, you’ll be back where you were when you pledged yourself to me.” Pledged herself? She never pledged herself to anyone or anything. The bitch was insane. “Don’t forget, Talaith. Once this is all done and your task complete, you can take your daughter and your Magicks and return to your people and your desert gods. But you mustn’t fail me.”
She actually still wanted Talaith to believe she’d survive this task. She must believe her truly stupid.
“Sleep well, Talaith. Tomorrow begins a brand new day.”
Then Arzhela was gone.
Chapter Thirteen
Briec stared at Talaith across the dining table. She hadn’t spoken since he arrived home, appearing lost and in pain. She’d pulled her bare feet up onto the chair, her chin resting on her knees, her arms tight around her legs.
“Are you not hungry?”
Without looking at him, she answered softly, “Not really, no.”
“Talaith? Talaith, look at me.” She did, those dark brown eyes turning to him. His chest tightened at the sight of the pain in them. “Gods, woman. What happened while I was away?”
“Nothing. Really.” She forced a smile, it seemed as if doing so caused her physical discomfort. “I’ll be fine in the morning.”
Leaning back in her chair, she took a deep breath before speaking again. “So, how did it go in town today? Is everyone all right with these storms?”
“Aye. It’s a little muddy, but surprisingly not too much damage. I feared the river would overflow, but it hasn’t.”
Her forced smile turned bitter. “The gods must be protecting us then.”
Briec didn’t know what to do with Talaith like this. She seemed ripped apart from the inside out, while at the same time, she seemed dangerously angry. And the fact that it brought out some unnamed emotion in him, gave him no ease.
“I bought something for you.”
“Oh?” She didn’t sound the least bit interested.
“Aye.” He stood and walked around the table until directly behind her. “I had this made for you.”
He slipped the silver chain on her neck, quickly latching the clasp. As he released it, the pendant dropped to hang down her gown, right between her breasts. Talaith grasped the pendant and looked at it carefully while Briec crouched beside her. He’d given her a dragon. Not large at all, but modest in size, ensuring Talaith would feel comfortable wearing it. With wings expanded from a detailed back, fangs bared, its claws and tail holding on to a single jewel he’d pulled from his own treasure.
“Do you like it?” he asked softly.
“Briec, it’s beautiful. But why—”
“I wanted you to have something from me.”
She stared at him for a long time, almost making him uncomfortable. Then she asked, “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why did you want me to have something from you? Why do you care?”
“Because…” His brain scrambled for some answer he could understand. “I’ve enjoyed having you here with me.” Did she still want to leave him? Did she still plan grand escapes? Or did she realize this was where she belonged?
“For now,” she pushed.
He blinked, then nodded, extremely confused. “Um…yes. For now. That was what I’d always said.”
Her smile turned sad and resigned and Briec had absolutely no idea what to do about it. What he never expected, though, was for her to take his face between her hands and kiss him.
What did she expect him to say exactly? That he loved her? That he wanted her with him forever? Her mother’s words came back to her as she kissed Briec. The words she said to her when Talaith told her she was with child.
“Foolish, foolish, Talaith. You keep expecting to find happiness—and you never will. Not for us.”
“Us” being the Nolwenn witches. The most powerful witches in Alsandair. And the loneliest. Nolwenn witches had consorts, but only for physical needs or Magicks requiring sex. When the men became too old to perform, the witches sent them on their way. They may have favorites among them, but never enough to care once they were gone.
Talaith loved her daughter’s father, which was unheard of. Of course, having her daughter at sixteen was absolutely unheard of, too. Especially since her own mother didn’t have her until it was well past her two hundredth winter.
Yet the Nolwenn way of life wasn’t what Talaith wanted. Not for herself and especially not for her daughter.
His hands
gently gripping her shoulders, Briec pulled back from her. It wasn’t easy for him. She saw that in the way his violet eyes watched her. As always he wanted her…for now.
“Talaith, what is it? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She stroked his jaw, loving the rough feel of it against her hand. “Just take me to bed, Briec.”
He didn’t have the answers he wanted—the answers he’d never get—but knowing the dragon as well as she did now, she knew he expected to get it out of her tomorrow.
He picked her up out of the chair and carried her to the bed they’d been sharing together.
She’d make this night memorable for both of them, because soon memories would be all she’d have.
Chapter Fourteen
Danelin, captain of Queen Annwyl’s elite guard, checked his sword carefully for any nicks. It was the one thing that kept him from crying out of pure boredom. Exactly how much more rain and mud could he be witness to? They’d barely moved more than a league in the past week. He wanted to go home. He had a small bit of land Annwyl gave him after she took her brother’s throne. On it was a small house with an even tinier garden. But it was his and he loved it.
Yet all the men felt like that lately. They’d been away from Garbhán Isle for too long now. They wanted to see their wives, mistresses, children…even their mothers. They were weary of battle and definitely weary of this weather. Although Danelin had no doubt in a few months they’d be clamoring for another battle, another war, they still needed the occasional break from it.
The one who needed the break from it most of all, however, was their queen. They all knew she’d been away from her mate for far too long. The longer they were separated, the sharper her tongue. And woe to the small war party that accidentally crossed their path. Often the rest of them didn’t even have to fight…she did all the work for them.
Aye, only one was brave enough to face her when she got this way. Only one dared to irritate her.
