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                        Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
                      2932 Ross Clark Circle, #384
                           Dothan, AL 36301

                         The Distressing Damsel
                        Book 2 of the Dragon Kin
                 Copyright © 2006 by Shelly Laurenston
                        Cover by Scott Carpenter
                          ISBN: 1-59998-061-4
                     www.samhainpublishing.com

All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced
in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case
of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

    First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: May 2006
The Distressing Damsel
       Shelly Laurenston
                          Dedication

   To Chef, Princess Cammy, Cindy, Melissa, Joy, Dakota Daaaahling,
Sandy, and Jess. You’ve been there through this little party and have
helped me every step of the way. Thank you all, my friends.


   And to my dad, Shelton. I didn’t call you the Black Dragon of
Hempstead for nothing. If it hadn’t been for your inherent crankiness
and very strange sense of humor, I would have never started equating
dragons with family. I love you, Dad. Hope you’re saving a seat for me in
Valhalla.
                             The Distressing Damsel




                         Chapter One

    “Come with me,” he ordered.
    Big brown eyes slowly looked up at him in surprise. Then she
muttered, almost to herself, “Good gods, the trees have started moving
on their own.”
    “Pardon?”
    “Nothing. Just referring to your rather…unholy size.”
    He glanced down at his human body. He actually found it small,
almost puny…like most humans. And he found her downright tiny.
    Shaking his head, he decided to figure all that out later.
    “Come with me.” He smiled. “I desire to have you.”
    How could he not? She was beautiful. Clearly from Alsandair, her soft
brown skin told him of many ancestors living under the hot desert suns.
Her hair, though, was darker than the few desert people he’d seen over
his long lifetime. Almost black and a riot of soft, silky curls, reaching
down her back and swaying against what he considered an amazing ass.
    “That’s…uh…charming. But I’m almost positive my husband would
have a problem with that.” She tried to walk around him, but he stepped
in front of her.
    “Husband?”
    “Aye. Husband.”




                                        -5-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



   “The slow-witted one that’s been following you? I thought he was your
servant.”
   She snorted, then quickly looked down at the ground. Covering her
mouth with one small hand, she remained silent for several seconds.
Finally, she focused on him again, but he could see the laughter in her
eyes. “Yes. That’s the one. But he is my husband. Not my servant.
Although some days…” He expected her to be insulted for her mate. She
wasn’t. Good. It gave him hope.
   “Well, you deserve better than that. You deserve me. So come with
me.”
   Her smile was slow in coming, but once it turned into a full grin, he
thought his weak human knees would give out. He’d never seen anything
so beautiful before.
   “My, my. That’s a lot of arrogance you have in that very large body.
How do you fit your head through doors?”
   “I’m arrogant because I know I can offer you more than that rodent?
Is that arrogance or honesty?”
   She shook her head. “Who are you?”
   “Come with me and find out.”
   “No. No. I’ll not be traipsing off with any strange knights this day.
Although I appreciate the offer.”
   She walked around him, muttering to herself, “I’ll have to write this
day down in my diary.”
   He could let her go. Any other human female he would have. But he
found her absolutely fascinating. Maybe it was the way she snarled at
the baker who initially refused to serve her. She’d been getting similar
treatment all over the market. They all seemed to fear her, but he wasn’t
sure why. Magick surrounded her, but it was untapped—almost
stagnant. Something a typical human peasant would never know or see.


                                          -6-
                               The Distressing Damsel



Nor was she marked as a witch like his sister and so many other females
with power. Nothing marred that beautiful face. So why they all seemed
to hate her, he had no idea.
   “Wait.”
   She stopped and turned to face him. “Yes?”
   “You’re not safe here.”
   “Well that’s a new approach.”
   “I’m not joking. Do you not see it?” He glanced around at the vendors
watching them. “They despise you. They fear you.”
   He knew fear like that. He saw it every time he flew over a town or
spotted a battalion too close to his territory. To be quite honest…he loved
that fear.
   Her smile faded and she pulled the worn cloak she’d recently put on
tighter around her. She deserved better than those ugly clothes. She
deserved the finest silks and wool to drape that body.
   “You think I don’t already know that? You think you’re telling me
something new and shocking?”
   “Then why do you stay?”
   He saw it. In her eyes. A deep weariness, coupled with fear. “Because
I have no choice.”
   “You always have a choice.”
   “Perhaps knights such as yourself do. But I am not that lucky.”
   The one she called husband walked out of the local tavern and glared
at the pair of them. “Come on,” he barked at her.
   “Aye,” she called back. She looked at Briec and smiled. “I’ve enjoyed
our conversation, knight. It’s been nice talking to someone who can—”
   “Create full and complete sentences?”
   That grin returned and, for a moment, his heart actually stopped
beating. “No, it was nice to finally meet someone whose arrogance is only


                                          -7-
                               Shelly Laurenston



rivaled by the arrogance of the gods. Now, if you’ll excuse me…” she
leaned in and whispered good-naturedly, “…my servant awaits.”
   She winked at him and walked away. And he knew right then it didn’t
matter who she bound herself to, he’d have her…at least until he was
done with her.


                                  zzz

   She placed the food in front of her husband, and turned to walk
away. But he grabbed hold of her wrist and dragged her to his lap. She
didn’t fight him. She knew she didn’t have to.
   His lips touched her neck and she forced the repulsion back. She
decided to think about other things to distract her and immediately,
strange violet eyes came to mind. She didn’t know they’d built men that
size in these insignificant little Northern towns. For sixteen years she’d
lived here and it seemed like any man taller than her left the village to
become a soldier or a castle guard. The remainder were not very tall nor
very handsome.
   Ah, but that knight…by the gods, he was absolutely magnificent.
Covered from head to toe in that expensive black cape, all she could see
were those beautiful violet eyes and that face. Gods, that face!
   Outrageously arrogant, too. But it amused her. Mostly because she
didn’t have to live with that every day. If she did, she might kill him in
his sleep—once she was done with him, of course.
   Still, she should have never spoken to him. Strangers didn’t come
through this little village often and it had gotten worse in the last three
years. Even with one of the main travel roads cutting close by, less than
a day’s foot travel away, the traders and travelers who once came often,
came no more.


                                        -8-
                               The Distressing Damsel



   Those in the village recently started to blame her for the lack of
outsider gold. Of course, lately they’d been blaming her for everything. A
cow died…her fault. A child caught the brain fever…her fault. One of the
village women twisted an ankle…
   Apparently everything was her fault. My, she never knew she had
such awesome powers.
   Aye, their lack of kindness made speaking to the strange knight from
parts unknown easy, but a dangerous chance to take. He would feel no
need to protect her or respect the bonds of her marriage bed. Yet, she
simply couldn’t help herself. He’d been so outrageously ridiculous he
made her smile. And, the gods knew, she didn’t smile often.
   She doubted she’d see him again, but he would be a nice memory to
hold on to.
   Finally, her husband pushed her away with an angry snarl.
   “Evil bitch, what have you done to me?”
   She    strained   herself   trying    not    to sigh   in annoyance.   This
conversation had become tiresome ten years ago, now it neared
intolerable.
   “I know not of what you speak, husband.”
   He stood, knocking the chair over in the process. “Lying bitch! You’ve
hexed me or something! I get near you and…” He gritted his teeth and
glanced down at his groin.
   “I don’t understand, husband.” She barely reined in her sarcasm.
Barely. “From what I understand many of the ladies have been lucky
enough to find out what a steed you are in bed. I assumed you’d merely
tired of me.”
   Then he was there, his hand raised. She didn’t flinch, which is what
he wanted. But she knew he’d never follow through. He’d only hit her



                                          -9-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



once and quickly learned never to do it again. Of course, since then, he’d
looked at her like a demon incarnate.
   Just like now.
   Unwilling to take the risk, he turned over the dining table and
stormed out into the night. Tomorrow, he’d return with muttered
apologizes and it would all start once more in a month or two.
   For sixteen years this had been her life and it would continue to be
her life until told otherwise.
   With a sigh, she righted the table, cleaned up the mess, ate a little of
her own dinner—without the herbs she’d put in her husband’s meal—
cleaned the grime of the day off her body, put on her white nightdress—
after securing the dagger tied to her thigh—and finally crawled into bed.
   As she drifted to sleep she thought of violet eyes and arrogant men in
chainmail.




                                         -10-
                             The Distressing Damsel




                         Chapter Two

    They dragged her from bed before the two suns even rose over the
Caffyn Mountains. She fought as best she could, but the noose they’d
wrapped around her throat cut off her ability to breathe, weakening her.
And they bound her hands tightly with coarse rope because they feared
she’d cast a spell on them. She had none to cast, but what really
annoyed her was her inability to get the dagger still tied to her thigh.
    Of course, only she would get an entire town to try and kill her. Nice
one, idiot.
    Strong men threw the end of the rope over a sturdy branch and
slowly pulled her off her feet. They didn’t want her to die too quickly.
They wanted to watch her hang for a while, and it looked like they’d
prepared a pyre for a good, old-fashioned witch burning.
    Lovely.
    The man she called husband screamed at her. He screamed how she
was a witch. How she was evil. How they all knew the truth about her
and now she would pay. If she weren’t fighting for her life, she’d roll her
eyes in annoyance.
    But what truly galled her…what set her teeth absolutely on edge—
other than choking to death—was that the goddess who sent her here all
those years ago was the same one leaving her to die.




                                       -11-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    She thought the evil bitch would at least protect her until she finally
accomplished what she needed her to do. What she’d been training to do
since she was sixteen.
    But Talaith, Daughter of Haldane, had learned long ago that no one
was to be trusted. No one would ever protect her. No one would ever do
anything but use her. Eventually she’d learned to trust no one but
herself.
    Of course a few allies might have helped you this day, Talaith.
    She coughed and squirmed in her bonds, praying her neck would
finally just break. She would definitely rather not die by burning. Talaith
never considered flame a witch’s best friend.
    As she wondered what it would take to snap her neck using her own
body weight, she saw him.
    He stood out like a jewel among pigs. Her arrogant, handsome
knight, still in his chainmail with the bright red surcoat over it, but
without the black cape he wore that shielded part of his face and hair
from her sight. She wasn’t sure if it were her imagination or if her
impending death had made her sight untrustworthy, but he had—silver?
—yes. He had glossy silver hair that reached past his knees. But it
wasn’t the silver hair of an old man. This beauty couldn’t be more than
thirty winters. At most.
    Gods, and he was a beauty. The most beautiful thing Talaith had ever
seen. Well, at least she’d leave this world with something pretty for her
last vision.
    He walked up to one of the townsfolk and motioned toward her.
    “She is a witch, m’lord!” a woman—whose child Talaith saved from a
poisonous snakebite the year before—screamed. “She’s in league with
demons and the dark gods.”
    She wished. At least the dark gods protected their own.


                                       -12-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   The knight stared at her for several moments. If she could, she
wouldn’t have been too proud to beg for mercy. But, even if she could
speak, she wouldn’t bother. Those cold violet eyes of his told her it would
have done no good anyway.
   If only you’d fucked him like you wanted to, he might feel slightly
obligated to help you. But you had to be a hard bitch.
   Of course, according to her husband, she was always a hard bitch.
   With a bored sigh, her knight turned and walked away, disappearing
into the surrounding woods.
   Typical. Even a brave knight wouldn’t help her. Every day her life got
more and more pathetic.
   “Die, witch! Die!” How lovely. Her own “dear” husband started up that
endearing chant. The bastard. She’d meet him on the other side when his
time came and she’d make sure he suffered for eternity.
   The noose tightened a bit and she felt more of her life slip away while
they continued to pile extra wood around the stake.
   Funny how one’s mind plays tricks on them when so close to dying.
   For instance, if she didn’t know better, she’d swear that was a giant
silver dragon ambling out of the forest. An enormous, amazing creature,
with a silver mane of hair that gleamed in the morning sunshine and
nearly swept the shaking ground at its feet. Two massive white horns sat
atop its head and a long tail, with what looked to be a dagger-sharp tip,
swung lazily behind him.
   Silently, he stood behind the townspeople. So focused on her, they
were completely unaware of his presence. Who knew I could be so
fascinating as to distract an entire town? Of course, they could also be
ignoring the dragon because it was simply a figment of her imagination.
A dream of a grand rescue that would never come.



                                        -13-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    Her fantasy dragon leaned forward and nudged Julius the baker with
the tip of his snout. Julius glanced behind him, nodded and turned back
to her. Then he froze where he stood…just before he pissed himself.
That’s when his wife glanced at him and behind him. She screamed,
grabbed her son, who had been seconds away from throwing a rather
large rock at Talaith, and ran. Soon after, the rest of the townsfolk
caught sight of her fantasy dragon, screamed and bolted away.
    She frowned. Perhaps she still had enough of her power so she could
conjure the image of the beast, but somehow she doubted it.
    The dragon shot out a few flames at the retreating humans, but
nothing to do any real harm. Finally, it stared at her for several
moments, turned and walked off.
    Unbelievable. Even my rescue fantasies are disasters.
    But as she wondered if her afterlife would be as pathetic as her
current life, the dragon’s tail whipped out. The tip cut through the rope
that hung her from the tree, and she dropped.
    Expecting her ass to hit the unforgiving ground at any moment, she
tensed in surprise as the tail wrapped itself around her body and held
her.
    Now that the noose was not so tight, her senses slowly came back to
her. That’s when she realized a tail really did have her. A tail attached to
an enormous dragon casually walking through the forest. She tried to
move out of its grasp, but the tail pinned her arms—with her still bound
wrists—against her body. And her noose still tight enough she couldn’t
call for help.
    Of course, who would she call? Her husband? Probably not? Lord
Hamish, ruler of these lands? If she had the strength, she would have
laughed at that.
    No. It looked as if she was going to be the breakfast of a monster.


                                       -14-
                               The Distressing Damsel



   As the dragon made it into a clearing and suddenly took to the air—
with her still wrapped up in its tail—Talaith had only one thought…
   Typical.


                                    zzz

   Briec the Mighty, second oldest in the House of Gwalchmai fab
Gwyar, second in line to the throne of the White Dragon Queen, Shield
Hero of the Dragon Wars, Lord Defender of the Dragon Queen’s Throne
and, as far as he was concerned, the only sane one of his kin, headed to
a nice, quiet spot. Some place by water would be nice. It would be at
least two days before he made it back to his den, but he wanted to take a
good look at his prize. Preferably without the puffiness that comes with
being hung from a noose.
   True, his sister awaited the information he had about Lord Hamish,
which wasn’t much. But when he decided to stay in the village, he
passed the minute bit of information on to one of the Garbhán Isle
soldiers waiting outside Madron lands. As it was, Briec couldn’t believe
he’d run an “errand”. For his brother’s bitch, no less. She’d actually sent
him to find out if Hamish was preparing to make a move on Garbhán
Isle. From what Briec could tell, Hamish wasn’t planning anything. Still,
he was Briec the Mighty sent to do this menial task. Really he should
have killed the woman when he had the chance. But his brother
Fearghus seemed so fond of her. Although for the life of him he couldn’t
understand why.
   Scarred and insane that one, and Briec would rather spend his long
years with a nest of vipers.




                                         -15-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Yet, he’d never seen his brother so…well…happy. The crazy cow
made him smile. Cranky, unfriendly, “kill you as soon as look at you”
Fearghus the Destroyer smiling. It confused Briec.
   Briec himself wasn’t unhappy. But he wasn’t that happy either. And
lately he’d been wondering how one achieved that level of happiness. He
wondered if it had to do with Fearghus’ human female and if the same
would work for him.
   When he saw his dark beauty in the village, Briec thought, Why the
hell not?
   He’d returned to the village early that morning to sniff her out,
destroy her husband if he interfered and take her home with him. But
Briec never expected to find the entire town trying to execute her while
turning the event into a family gathering.
   And they called dragons “monsters”.
   Besides, he’d reminded himself at the time, if you rescue her she’ll be
grateful. According to his younger brother Gwenvael there was nothing
more accommodating than a grateful human female.
   Briec looked down, the two suns glinting off a large lake catching his
eye. A perfect place for taking a little break and getting to know his new
human.
   They landed by the water’s edge and Briec immediately released her
from his tail. As he expected, she pulled herself into a tight ball. Her eyes
tightly closed, her entire body shaking. Dragonfear. No, Briec didn’t
understand it, but he respected it. Dragons were awesome beings, so
humans should quake in fear. At least for a little while.
   Briec yawned and glanced around the dark bit of forest he
discovered. It was nice. Shame a cave wasn’t nearby. Although he hated
the thought of moving. After two hundred and sixty two years, he’d
collected quite a lot of treasure. Besides, he liked his den.


                                        -16-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   As he was wondering how long before the dragonfear might take to
wear off, Briec saw movement out of the corner of his eye. Turning his
head slowly, he watched the human, her hands still bound but hurriedly
pushing her fingers between the noose and her throat, scrambling up to
her feet. As she moved toward the trees, Briec whipped his tail out,
slamming the tip into the ground right in front of her. She reared back
and fell on her adorable ass.
   “Going somewhere, little human?”


                                   zzz

   Talaith stared at the silver spike planted in front of her. That silver
spike a mere tip to the longest tail she’d ever seen. Slowly, she looked
over her shoulder at the dragon.
   By the gods—he’s huge! She felt the panic again. The dragonfear. One
of the most unpleasant feelings she’d ever experienced. It dug deep into
her gut and spread out, immobilizing her limbs, her ability to speak and
think. All she wanted to do was scream and cry and beg for eternal
darkness so she didn’t have to look at it anymore.
   “Take deep slow breaths,” it told her. “It will calm you.”
   Calm her? Slow breaths? Instead she sucked in a breath to tell it to
go to hell, but ended up sending her late-night snack spewing across the
dragon’s foot.
   Staring down, it muttered, “Oh, that’s just vile.”
   Talaith’s eyes narrowed and suddenly she found her voice. “And yet, I
feel remarkably better,” she sneered.
   Ah, and look…she’d found her stupidity, too. You’re mouthing off to a
dragon, Talaith. Well, she never could curb her tongue.




                                        -17-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Although, she wasn’t lying. She actually did feel better. Perhaps
getting sick relieved the tension the dragonfear caused. She didn’t know,
but when the dragon’s violet eyes settled on her, she was grateful she
hadn’t had a big snack the night before.
   “Hhhmm. A sense of humor.” He cocked his head to the side. “That
actually might annoy me.”
   She frowned, ignoring the teasing sound to that oh-so-low voice and,
with heavy sarcasm answered, “Oh, well, that’ll keep me up nights.”
   Had she lost her mind? What was she doing? Her husband always
said she had the most vicious tongue he’d ever come across. But she
couldn’t help herself. Some days it was her only defense.
   “Seems the dragonfear is wearing off, little human.”
   “So it would seem, enormous dragon.” She cringed when he showed
rows and rows of large fangs. Good gods is that his smile?
   “Well, we can’t stand here all day marinating in your sick.”
   Sitting back on her heels, her stomach finally settling, she said,
“Sorry. Does the smell ruin a good meal for you?”
   “As a matter of fact, it does.”
   “Well isn’t that just too—Aiyee!”
   The dragon’s tail wrapped around her waist, lifting her off the
ground. “So perhaps we should get you clean then, eh?” Then the
bastard flung her into the lake.
   She screamed until she hit the water and went under. Forcing herself
not to panic or drink too much of the lake, Talaith kicked her legs hard
trying to get back to the surface. As she broke through, she saw the
dragon glide into the water, his head and body disappearing from her
sight.




                                        -18-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   He was coming to eat her! Her lust for survival swept through her,
knocking out any fear, and she turned and did her best to swim to the
other side with her hands still bound.
   She knew she didn’t have a chance, though, and wasn’t surprised
when he grabbed hold of her waist. That’s when she started fighting,
kicking and thrashing. He would still make her his morning meal, but
she’d make sure she didn’t go down easy.
   “Calm yourself, woman.”
   “Let me go!”
   “I said calm down!” He yanked her to him and Talaith immediately
froze. That did not feel like any dragon.
   She looked down and saw an arm wrapped around her waist.
Although it was the biggest arm she’d ever seen in her entire existence, it
was still not the forearm of a dragon. It was human.
   Terrified of what she’d find holding her, Talaith turned her head and
peered behind her.
   “Feeling calmer now, m’lady?” he asked while grinning.
   Talaith took a deep breath as she stared at her beautiful knight. “As
a matter of fact…no. I’m not.” Then she growled, “So get your bloody
hands off me.”
   “But I like having you in my arms.”
   That did it. She couldn’t take anymore. Not another second. This was
all simply too much for one woman to take. With a feral snarl she swung
her bound hands at his face. He roared in anger, but released her to
cover his right eye. She took her chance and swam toward the shore.
She’d just dragged herself out of the water when he came charging up
behind her.
   Talaith got as far as the line of trees before she felt his hands, still
human thankfully, on her. They grabbed hold and yanked her back. She


                                       -19-
                               Shelly Laurenston



slid, hitting the ground, her knees scraping across rocky dirt. She tried
to pull away again, but his firm hold merely tightened, then he flipped
her over. She tried kicking him, but he pinned her down with his own
body. As human, the man was simply enormous.
   He grabbed her bound wrists and pushed them above her head,
keeping her in place.
   “Stop fighting me!”
   “Not in this lifetime!”
   He gave a short roar and Talaith froze. She closed her eyes, the
dragonfear making a sudden and rather unpleasant return. Yet it didn’t
last this time. Going as quickly as it came.
   Once gone, she opened her eyes and looked at the dragon hovering
over her in human form.
   Oh, he’s absolutely perfect. Talaith blinked. Nice one, Talaith. Any
other frightening thoughts about the dragon’s perfect body before he has
you for dinner?
   Yet she simply couldn’t help herself. He truly was perfect. His long
silver hair framed a ruggedly sculpted face. A hard, square jaw with high
cheekbones and a long nose that had clearly been broken before. He had
a full bottom lip she could see herself spending hours sucking on and
matched with his thinner top lip, she knew with all her heart it would
feel absolutely wonderful having him kiss every inch of her. Add in those
nothing-but-trouble violet eyes and Talaith felt herself slipping into a
very dangerous place.
   She fought for control. “Let me go!”
   He stared down at her for several moments. Then he took his free
hand and felt the not-even-swelling right side of his face, by his eye. “You
hurt me.”
   “Good.”


                                       -20-
                                The Distressing Damsel



    “Are you supposed to hurt the one who saves your life?”
    She rolled her eyes. Am I actually having this conversation? “Probably
not.” He raised one dark silver brow in question and she growled in
annoyance. “You can’t be serious.”
    “Of course I am.”
    She glared at him, but said nothing.
    “I’m waiting.”
    Dammit. If she didn’t say anything, he’d keep her like this for ages.
And having this fiend so close to her barely clothed body was making her
extremely uncomfortable. Finally, she spit out, “I’m sorry if I hurt you.”
    “That was…better. I suppose. And yet—”
    “Yet what?”
    He settled down against her and that was when Talaith realized he’d
placed himself between her legs. The only thing between them at the
moment was her very thin and worn nightdress.
    “I don’t feel you really mean it.”
    “What?”
    “You say the words, but you don’t mean the words.”
    “Really? Well I mean these…get the bloody hell off me!”
    “Yes. Those I do feel you mean.”
    “What do you want from me?” He looked down at her face and that’s
when she felt his oh-so-human erection pulsating hot and powerful
against her sex. “Oh, not in this lifetime, dragon!”
    “Perhaps. And yet—” He sniffed the air. “It smells as if your body has
other ideas.”
    “What you smell is fear.”
    “No. I know fear. It has a subtle difference, a little more tangy. What I
smell at the moment, however, is anything but fear. No, m’lady. I smell
lust.”


                                          -21-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



    “You do not!”
    He leaned in closer, his nose brushing against her jaw, her cheek, the
side of her neck. He took another deep breath, letting it out on a groan.
    “Sorry, little human. But I most certainly do.”
    Talaith closed her eyes again. She got the feeling she could yell at
this dragon until the end of time, and he would still do what he wanted
with her. So, she put her pride away and gave one last ditch effort.
    Softly, she asked, “Please. Please get off me.”
    Instantly,   the   dragon’s      expression       changed   from   laughing
amusement to deep concern. He moved away from her, releasing her
wrists.
    Fighting back tears she would never allow to come, Talaith
awkwardly pulled herself to a comfortable sitting position. Her arms
hugging her knees tight, her wrists still bound. That’s when the dragon
finally removed the noose from her neck and the rope from her wrists.
    “I should have taken these off sooner.”
    Startled, she looked up to see him toss the rope away before grasping
her wrists and gently massaging them. I guess I could pretend that’s an
apology. Although from what she knew of dragons…not likely.
    “And remind me to put something on your throat, or that rope burn
will hurt something horrible come tomorrow, if not sometime tonight.” He
tilted her head back with his forefinger under her chin, examining her
wounded neck closely. “It still may scar, though.”
    It amazed her exactly how beautiful this man was. From his
extremely long body rippling with well-defined muscles under smooth tan
skin to his excessively wide shoulders and back tapering into a narrow
waist. All of it the definition of male perfection.




                                          -22-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Talaith’s eyes traveled farther down. She couldn’t help herself. And
once she saw it, his erection, she couldn’t tear her eyes away. She
couldn’t even be bothered to study those massive thighs of his.
   He cleared his throat and her gaze snapped back to his face. His grin
had returned, more powerful than the last time. Because now he caught
her looking. “Like what you see apparently.”
   That wasn’t a question.
   She’d always heard dragons were arrogant, but she didn’t realize to
what extent until this particular dragon. And she had to admit it
annoyed the living hell out of her.
   In answer to his question, she shrugged and lied, “I’ve seen better.”
   Now both eyebrows peaked in surprise, but he still said, “Liar.”
   Oh, and she was. A big, fat, dirty liar.
   “If that will help you sleep tonight, dragon.”
   “Actually, m’lady, you’d—”
   She cut him off as soon as she realized where the conversation was
leading, “Don’t say it.”
   He nodded. “As you wish.”
   Carefully she pulled her hands away from him and again wrapped
her arms tight around her knees. “What do you want from me, dragon?
Honestly. No more games.”
   The dragon stretched that long, magnificent body out on the ground
beside her, resting on his side. He didn’t bother covering himself up, and
she realized he probably wasn’t aware exactly how naked he truly was in
human terms. Dragons may lay around naked, but not humans.
   “I’ve never been with a human before. I’ve been with dragon females
who were human at the time. But never a full human.”
   She scratched her head in confusion. “Why would dragons…uh…be
with each other as human?”


                                       -23-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “We find it entertaining.”
   Talaith nodded in understanding, then she realized exactly what the
dragon was telling her. On occasion she could be a tad slow catching on
to things.
   “Are you saying…” She cleared her throat, but it didn’t help. That was
panic choking her at the moment. Nothing to really do about panic. “You
want to bed…me?”
   “We can do it in a bed, if you wish. I told you all this yesterday.”
   “No.” This couldn’t be happening. No, no, no.
   “Why not?”
   Think, Talaith. “Well, first off I’m bound to another.”
   “Ah, yes. To the man who tried to kill you.”
   “Well—”
   “Let’s see…” He laid out flat on the ground, his big hands behind his
big, fat head. “What were his exact words again? Ah, yes. ‘Kill the witch.
Burn the witch.’ Didn’t he hand a child a rather large stone?”
   “All right. All right.” Bastard. “Forget that.”
   “Forgotten.”
   “In the end, I am human. And you,” she looked at him from the top of
his beautiful head to the bottom of his gargantuan feet, “are clearly not
human.”
   “So? I can shift into human, as I’ve done here. And you seem quite
pleased with my form.”
   “It was one look.”
   “Yes. But it spoke volumes, m’lady.”
   Talaith ran her hands through her wet, tangled mass of curls. She’d
give anything to have a comb or brush. She’d give anything to be dry. “I
am not a lady.”
   “Perhaps. But you’re no mere peasant either.”


                                        -24-
                               The Distressing Damsel



   Working hard to keep her face neutral, she said, “Why would you say
that?”
   He shrugged nonchalantly as he stared up at the two suns. “I can
just tell.” He sighed in boredom. “I don’t want to talk anymore.”
   Good. His voice had begun to drive her mad with wanting. “Fine.”
   He looked over at her. “Come.” He motioned to his throbbing hard
shaft, currently pointing at the suns and, if she was not mistaken,
calling her name. “Ride me.”
   Yes, m’Lord! “What? No!”
   “Are you going to be this difficult all the way back to my den?”
   Uh-oh. “Why are we going to your den?”
   “That’s where you’ll live, of course. You know, until I’m done with
you.”
   Finally, all fear—and lust—of the dragon left her, and Talaith’s mouth
dropped open in shock at his pure arrogance.
   “You rude, arrogant bastard!”
   “Excuse me?”
   She pushed herself to her feet. “You heard me. I haven’t survived
sixteen years with that idiot, simply to become the plaything of a
monster.”
   “I am not a monster. I’m a dragon. You humans should be
worshipping us.”
   “Shame it’s more fun to hunt your kind then, isn’t it?”
   The dragon sprung to his feet. “That is not something I’d joke about if
I were you, little human.”
   “I won’t stay.”
   “You will. Whether you bed with me or not. You will stay. You’re mine
by dragon law.”
   “I am not governed by dragon law.”


                                         -25-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   He grabbed her arm and yanked her over to him. Talaith rose up on
her toes, forced to by the way he pulled her.
   “Now that I’ve saved your life, little human, it belongs to me. And that
means you are governed by the laws of my people.”
   Because she didn’t know what to say about that, Talaith said the first
thing that came to mind.
   “I hate you.”
   He snorted a laugh. “Hate is a human emotion. It means nothing to
me.”
   The dragon released her by pushing her away from him.
   “I’ll go find us some breakfast. Try and leave, m’lady, and I’ll make
sure you regret it when I find you.” His eyes narrowed. “And I will find
you.”
   Then he stalked off into the woods, leaving Talaith alone.
   Good. Now I can panic in peace.


                                  zzz

   Was it really supposed to be this hard? Did his brother have to fight
this hard to get his human mate to submit? Of course, Briec wasn’t
Fearghus. His brother probably seduced the crazy female. Briec didn’t
waste time with seduction. Why bother? Either she wanted to be with
him or she didn’t.
   Simple. Logical. Of course, humans didn’t strike him as the most
logical of beings.
   He stopped by a tree, putting his hand against the rough bark so he
could lean against it. Glancing down, he willed his human cock to
behave. Unruly thing. Especially around this particular female.




                                       -26-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   He wished it was simply because she was gorgeous, even when
heaving her meal on his talons. Unfortunately, it was more than that. He
found her mean and funny and very smart. A potent mix for his lust.
   Still, she hated him. Her exact words. For humans, apparently, that
was quite important. As was love. Both of those emotions so foreign to
Briec, he’d never actually used the words in a sentence.
   It bothered him he should care whether this woman wanted him or
not. He was Briec the Mighty. Females clamored for his attention. No one
had ever dismissed him so quickly or eagerly before. And no one had ever
outright rejected him. How dare a human reject him. If he thought it
would bother her, he’d go back and destroy her entire village. But he
knew better. She wouldn’t care. She didn’t belong there and they both
knew it. Why she stayed there for so long, he would find out. He intended
on finding out everything about this difficult, mean-spirited, beautiful
woman.
   Briec’s hand dug into the tree, tearing the bark from it as a large
jackrabbit raced past him. He stared at it for several seconds then shot a
ball of flame, roasting it on the spot.
   It gave him small satisfaction, but it would do for now.




                                          -27-
                                Shelly Laurenston




                       Chapter Three

   By the time Briec got back to their camp, the female sat huddled by
some wood, desperately trying to start a fire by banging two rocks
together. Her entire body shook and she cursed steadily at her efforts.
   “What are you doing?”
   She didn’t even glance at him. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
   “Banging two rocks together.”
   She muttered more curses that nearly singed his ears, then growled,
“I’m trying to make a fire. I’m freezing.”
   He spit a small bit of flame at the kindling. It burst to life as the
woman squealed and stumbled back away from the bonfire.
   “What in all that is holy do you think you’re doing?”
   “You would have never gotten that fire started on your own. And you
are of no use to me if you get ill. You humans don’t heal very well from
sickness.”
   “Perhaps. But we don’t heal well from burns either, dragon.”
   He grunted, unwilling to admit the truthfulness of her words. “Seems
you’ve recovered well from the dragonfear.”
   Now that the fire had calmed to a dull roar, she squatted next to it,
warming her hands. “Prefer me quaking and crying, eh?”
   “Not at all. Wouldn’t mind you a little less viper-tongued, though.”




                                        -28-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “I’m sure you wouldn’t. But I just don’t think I can manage that.” She
glared directly at him, looking him right in the eye. “At least not for you.”
   Good gods, he’d never known someone so ready at every turn to be so
blatantly rude to him before. Apparently the dragonfear his kind relied
on so much was not nearly as powerful as promised.
   Deciding not to get into another fight with her, he dropped the three
rabbits he’d caught. These he’d left raw, assuming she’d want to cook
them herself.
   She stared down at the carcasses then back up at him. “And what do
you want me to do with that?”
   “Whatever you humans do to your meat. Skin it and cook it, yes?”
   With more angry muttering, she pulled up her painfully boring
nightgown and Briec noticed for the first time she had a sheath tied to
her shapely leg. A sheath that held a very sharp and well cared for blade.
   As she went about skinning the animals, Briec settled against a tree
opposite from her.
   “Do you always go to sleep with a blade tied to your leg, m’lady?”
Since he’d assumed by her dress that those peasants dragged her from
her bed. Of course, why humans went to sleep wearing clothes he’d never
understand. She’d have to stop that once they began bedding together.
He wanted that naked body pushed up against him. He’d be damned if
some ugly material lay between them…ever.
   “Yes.”
   “Did your husband not think that odd?”
   “He didn’t know.”
   Briec, a being easily bored by nearly everyone, found himself
irrationally intrigued by this woman.




                                        -29-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “How could he not know?” She didn’t answer, instead focusing all her
energy on the rabbits. Only one possible way came to mind of how the
man wouldn’t know about that blade. “Did he not bed with you?”
   Without looking up, she murmured, “Not for many years.”
   It galled Briec how ridiculously happy that little admission made him.
“And how did you manage that?”
   Unless the man was blind, there would be no way he couldn’t want
this woman. Briec wanted her the second he saw her.
   “I don’t understand your question.”
   “If I remember correctly, you said something about the two of you
being together for sixteen years. That’s a very long time for a husband
not to—”
   “Couldn’t he have just grown tired of me?”
   “Of course.” If he were a complete and utter idiot. “But males of most
breeds still have moments when they take that which is most available.
So I’m not sure how—”
   She threw the skinned rabbit down on the ground and turned that
dark, angry gaze his way. “Herbs. I put certain herbs in his food.”
   “You poisoned him.”
   “No!” She actually had the nerve to appear insulted when she was the
one putting herbs in the man’s food. “Understand, he bed many others, it
would have been cruel to deny him that, but anytime he came near me,
he’d lose his…uh…” Once again she glanced at his lap. Seemed she
couldn’t stop herself from staring at it. “Well, you know. With the herbs
and a very simple spell it was surprisingly easy.”
   “If you didn’t want him, why did you stay?”
   “I don’t want to discuss this anymore.” She picked the rabbit back up
and finished cleaning it. “It’s none of your business what I did or didn’t
do with my husband.”


                                       -30-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Were you with others?”
   “Other what?”
   “Other males.”
   She rolled her eyes. “I didn’t want the one I had. Why would I bother
with another?”
   “Because at our core, we’re all animals in need.”
   Her head snapped up at his bald statement. For a split second, he
saw a heat in her eyes that nearly burned him to embers. But, just as
quickly, she hid it. He guessed she’d been hiding much her entire life. He
looked forward to stripping away all the layers of protection she’d
wrapped around herself.
   “I don’t know what your needs are, dragon. And I don’t want to
know.”
   “Really?” Dramatically, he sniffed the air again, and she glared at
him.
   “Would you stop doing that!”
   “I could. But where would the fun be in that?”


                                  zzz

   Fun? He thought this was fun? Nightmares were made of this. Tales
of terror to scare children into behaving. She was not having fun.
Dammit.
   Standing up, Talaith went in search of a sturdy stick. “Tell me,
dragon. Are you planning on forcing me to bed with you?”
   “No.” He said it so casually. Like she didn’t just ask him if he had
intentions of raping her.
   She crouched down, moving a small pile of twigs and branches
around until she found what she needed. “Then you and I will not be—”


                                       -31-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



   “Oh, yes we will.”
   The branch held tightly in her fist, Talaith stood and turned quickly
to face him. “No. We will not.”
   He snorted a laugh, his eyes rolling. “Why do you deny yourself?”
   “Oh. Is that what I’m doing?” His arrogance made her head want to
explode.
   “Aye. To both of us.”
   Marching back to her rabbits, Talaith again crouched by the fire. She
picked up one of the carcasses and brutally shoved the stick through it.
She didn’t even have to sharpen the end to a point with her knife.
   “You, dragon, are the most—”
   “Amazing being you’ve ever met.” It wasn’t a question from him. It
was a statement.
   “I was going to say the most arrogant son of a bitch.”
   He blinked. “Well that’s rude.”
   “Personally, I find you—”
   “Shush.” He waved his hand.
   For a moment, Talaith truly thought her head might explode.
Through gritted teeth, she snapped, “Did you just shush me?”
   “Aye. I want to take a nap before we move on.” He settled back
against the tree, closing his eyes. “And I find your constant chatter quite
annoying.”
   Talaith looked around desperately. When did everything become blood
red? Because at the moment, everything appeared blood red.
   “And don’t try running off anywhere.” One eye opened and focused on
her. “Although it might be fun to chase you down.” He smiled as he again
closed both his eyes and seemingly drifted off.
   Unable to think of anything else to do, Talaith stuck her tongue out
at him.


                                          -32-
                                The Distressing Damsel



    “And don’t stick that tongue out at me,” he teased in a low, sing-song
voice, “or I’ll find a good use for it.”
    Startled, she immediately closed her mouth and turned back to her
rabbit. But when she heard his deep chuckle from across the flames, she
knew at that moment she really did hate him.


                                     zzz

    Briec only slept an hour or so. The suns hadn’t moved far through
the sky. He glanced around the camp and panic swept through him.
Gone. She was gone. But then he heard her gasp and a startled, “Ack!”
    Before he could move, she stumbled out of the forest pulling her
nightdress down. He really would have to get her something better to
wear than that. He’d begun to despise it.
    “What’s wrong?” he demanded as he quickly stood, ready to blast
anyone who may have touched her or tried to harm her.
    She opened her mouth to answer but closed it again.
    “Well?” he pushed.
    She shrugged. “Bugs.”
    “Did you say bugs?”
    “Yes. And don’t look at me like that.” She glanced around the forest.
“I don’t like…” she shuddered, “…being outside.”
    She walked closer to the dwindling fire. “I was off taking care
of…uh…some things when something suddenly crawled on me.”
    He stared at her and she angrily folded her arms across her chest. “I
don’t need to be judged by you.”
    “As you wish.”
    She perked up. “Really? As I wish? Then can I go home?”
    “Yes.”


                                           -33-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



   She blinked in surprise and he smiled. “Home with me. Unless you
hope to return to the noose.”
   “Oh, keep tossing that into my face,” she snapped.
   “If it gets me what I want.”
   She stormed up to him, looking fierce in her dirty nightdress and
bare feet, gorgeous hair an out-of-control mane of curls, and pointed one
small finger at him. “I. Detest. You.”
   Briec leaned down until their noses almost touched. “I. Don’t. Care.”
   Screaming in exasperation, she turned away from him. He couldn’t
hear what she muttered, but he really didn’t care.
   “Let’s be off. I want to get a few more leagues between us and that
den of vipers you lived with before the suns go down.”
   “You’re really insisting I go with you, aren’t you?”
   “Of course. You’ll be safer with me.”
   “And how can I be sure of that?”
   Briec walked over to her. Gently gripping her shoulders, he said, “I
promise I won’t hurt you.”
   “But you won’t let me go either.”
   “Where exactly would you go? Clearly you’re from Alsandair. I can tell
by your color.” He reached up and caressed her cheek, startling her. But
he couldn’t help himself. She had the most beautiful brown skin he’d
ever seen. Flawless, even when outright cranky. “Do you have family
here? Friends? Anyone who cares for you within a thousand leagues of
this place?”
   She tried to turn her face away at his words, but he wouldn’t let her.
“Trust me. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. And we’ll at least get
you some decent clothes.”
   “Fine.”



                                          -34-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   He stared at her, but her face revealed nothing. She’d taken control of
her emotions and hidden any feeling she had. She was good at that.
   Realizing he’d gotten the most out of her he could, Briec walked
away. When he was at a safe enough distance, he chanted the old spell of
his people and his body shifted. He went from man to dragon in
moments. She stared at him, looking duly horrified. It was no longer
dragonfear. No, she simply found him a monster. He’d somehow have to
get her over that.
   With that last thought swirling through his brain, Briec the Mighty
did something he never thought he’d do. He lowered himself to the
ground as much as possible.
   “Climb up.”
   Her eyes widened. “Climb up? Where?”
   Briec sighed, annoyed he’d even think of allowing this. “On my back.
Grab hold of my hair and climb up.”
   “Can’t we walk? Or a brisk run is always nice.”
   “Woman, don’t test me.”
   She glanced desperately around the forest, apparently looking for
that last way out. But he didn’t give her one.
   “Unless you’d like to make our journey wrapped in my tail—”
   Her head snapped around. “No!” she yelped.
   “Then climb.”
   After another long pause, she finally walked over to him. With a deep
sigh, she grabbed hold of his hair and hauled herself onto his back. She
actually tried to sit sidesaddle. And he knew why. Except for that dagger
she kept on her, she was naked under her nightdress.
   “That won’t work, little human. You’ll need to straddle me.” He heard
her quiet moan of despair and fought back a laugh. Normally he would
never revel in someone else’s discomfort. But he knew what she was


                                       -35-
                              Shelly Laurenston



hiding as soon as she straddled his back. He felt it against his scales as
if it were human skin she rested upon.
   The woman was wet. Evidently she liked a good fight. Of course, so
did he, when he found a worthy opponent.
   Add in that heady scent of lust, and Briec knew he’d made the right
decision.
   She was his…until he was done with her.
   Smiling, he unfurled his wings and took to the skies. All the while
enjoying the feel of his little human clinging desperately to his back and
hair, even as she insisted on squealing like a frightened mare.




                                      -36-
                               The Distressing Damsel




                        Chapter Four

   Arzhela, the goddess of Light, Love and Fertility, glowered down at
the lowered head of her priestess.
   “What do you mean he took her?”
   She heard the woman swallow before she answered. “He took her.”
   “Who took her?” And to be quite honest, she feared the response.
   “A grotesque beast. A demon from the underworld. A blight upon—”
   “Do not test me, Mer’lle!” the goddess’ voice boomed across the temple
built in her honor.
   The woman trembled, and Arzhela reminded herself a frightened
priestess was a useless one.
   “Tell me what the villagers said, Mer’lle.”
   “It was a…dragon. A silver dragon, my goddess.”
   Arzhela turned from her priestess and stared at the gold statue made
in her image. She took a deep breath and sent a silent call to her
brothers and sisters, gods and goddesses of this world, to keep an eye
out for her little protégé. She couldn’t afford to lose Talaith now. She’d
invested too much in the human, using her best priestesses to train her.
Prepare her.
   The time had finally come when she was to call on Talaith to perform
her sacred duty. In fact, Arzhela would have called on her within the next
week. Because after the coming full moon, another moon would follow.



                                         -37-
                               Shelly Laurenston



Among her pantheon, it was the time of darkness and despair. The time
when a dark evil would force her priestesses to build up their protections
around the villages while keeping all other Magicks and spellcasting to a
minimum. Because it was the night the power of the dragon gods would
reign supreme upon the land. To the dragon gods’ brethren, the Moon of
the Black Fire was a mighty and sacred time when their powerful witches
worked their strongest Magicks. And a time that one of the dragon gods
had been looking forward to for centuries. She knew all he needed was
finally in alignment. All he wanted at the ready. Unless she could stop
him. Unless she could destroy his plans. Which meant she must have
that viper-tongued little rodent back.
   And, if she had to, she’d rip the land apart until she found her.


                                  zzz

   It took them much longer than Briec anticipated to get to the next
safe place he knew of on this route. By the time he decided to land, both
the suns had set and he knew his little human must be freezing. He
could hear her chattering teeth over the howling wind.
   His feet touched solid ground as he landed, trying not to jar her
anymore than necessary. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw that she’d
plastered herself to his back with her face buried against his neck. She’d
dug her hands into his hair, her fingers clinging to big handfuls of the
silver strands. She didn’t even look up, instead choosing to tighten her
legs around him…if that were physically possible. The woman had
remarkably strong thighs.
   He liked that.
   “We’re here.”
   “I don’t care,” she raged into his neck, her entire body trembling.


                                         -38-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Are you going to stay like that?”
   “Yes.”
   “How long?”
   “Forever.”
   Now why did he like the sound of that? Quickly, Briec pushed that
ridiculous thought out of his head. “Listen—”
   “No. I’m not moving. Ever. Again.”
   “As you wish.”
   “You keep saying that like you mean it.”
   Briec stifled a laugh and, remembering something his sister taught
him many years before, cast a quick flame-protection spell around the
girl. It was slight and would only last mere seconds, he thought for sure
she wouldn’t even notice, but her body stiffened and she said, “What are
you up to anyway?”
   Flames surrounded the pair and he shifted back to his human form,
smiling at the fact he had this beautiful woman straddling his naked ass.
He crossed his arms and rested his head on them, wondering how long it
would take her to notice.
   For nearly two minutes she didn’t say a word. Then she moved
around a bit, and her bare sex—hot and hungry—ground into his
cheeks.
   She gasped in horror and finally sat up straight. “What in holy—”
   “I thought you weren’t moving?”
   “You tricky bastard. I knew I felt you cast a spell.”
   “Just a minor one. I’m surprised you even sensed it.”
   Her hands still tangled up in his long hair, he had enough room to
turn over. Which he did quickly, before she could bolt off.
   Briec caught her around the waist and pulled her tight against him,
her pussy rubbing against his now healthy erection.


                                        -39-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    Panicked, she tried to get her hands untangled from his hair, but she
seemed to be having quite a time of it.
    “Let me go,” she demanded as she yanked one hand and realized she
still had his hair.
    Wincing from the pain of that pull, he challenged, “I can’t let you go.
Because you’ve still got me.” As he made the statement, making sure to
sound sad and at a loss, he ground his hips up between her thighs.
    This time she pulled his hair on purpose. “Don’t do that!”
    “Sorry. Accident.”
    “It was not.” After a few more desperate struggles, she held her hands
up in triumph. She’d finally untangled herself from his hair. But when
she tried to jump off his lap, he tightened his grip on her waist.
    “You’re not going to leave me like this, are you?”
    “I most certainly am!”


                                  zzz

    What the hell was going on? No man—or in this case male—had ever
pursued her like this before. And he was pursuing her. With every look.
Every word. Every devious thrust. And, to be quite honest, she had no
idea how to handle it.
    Talaith had loved only one man before and lost him at sixteen. After,
they handed her over to the one she now called “husband”. Since that
man knew she was his as wife, he never bothered pursuing her. She had
a feeling he wouldn’t have appreciated it one bit if he’d been forced to
either. Yet the more she fought the dragon, the more he seemed to be
enjoying himself.
    True, she could just give herself to him and get it over with. But
something, that inner voice that had never steered her wrong all these


                                       -40-
                                 The Distressing Damsel



many long years, told her she’d never recover from her time spent in this
dragon’s bed. And did dragons even have beds? Would she have to mate
with him on the cave floor? None of that sounded very comfortable.
       “This isn’t fair.”
       “What does fair have to do with anything?”
       “I’m tired and freezing. I can’t fight you right now.”
       “Why does everything between us need to be a fight?”
       Because she enjoyed it? No. Probably not a good idea to say that.
She’d never get rid of him then. She could tell he liked their fighting just
as much.
       Shaking her head in exasperation, she snapped, “Everything between
us? What are you talking about? We’ve known each other since this
morning.” She slapped at his tightening hands on her waist. “Stop that!”
       Talaith pushed hard against his chest, but his arms wouldn’t budge.
Still, she kept trying. And, finally bored with the struggle she assumed,
he released her. Since she didn’t expect that, Talaith shoved herself
backward and landed hard on the ground.
       “Ow!”
       He didn’t even apologize as he sat up, staring down at her. Was he
angry? She guessed not when he began to speak to his erection.
       “I know. I can’t believe she left us like this either. Cruel wench, isn’t
she?”
       After the long, frightening, horrible day she had, this was not
remotely how she expected to end it. And, against her will, she smiled.
       “Look. Now she’s laughing at us.”
       Desperately fighting a bout of laughter, she ordered, “Stop talking to
it.”




                                           -41-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   He shrugged. “Well you won’t talk to him…and he’s feeling awfully
lonely. And I think you hurt his feelings.” Then he made it bounce twice
in agreement.
   Talaith covered her face and sighed. What exactly did her mother tell
her the seven signs of madness were? Well, a dragon talking to his own
shaft had to be one of them.


                                   zzz

   “Are you going to answer any questions this evening?”
   “No.” She wouldn’t even look at him. For her, he’d shifted to human
when they’d first arrived and had remained that way ever since. Yet still
she wouldn’t look at him. If she didn’t like him human and she didn’t
like him dragon, then what exactly did that leave?
   “I don’t understand—”
   “Please,” she sighed. “I am so tired. Can we not simply go to sleep?”
   He gazed at her across the campfire and she did truly appear worn.
   “Of course.”
   He patted the ground next to him. “Come. You can sleep here.”
   “Oh, you must be joking.”
   “No. I’m not. I don’t have blankets for you. My body will keep you
warm.”
   “I just bet it will,” she muttered to herself. She seemed to do that a
lot. Talk to herself. He found it…odd. To him she said, “Do I look that
stupid to you?”
   “You don’t look stupid at all. I don’t waste my time on stupid people.”
   “Well that gives me ease.”
   “I’ll make a promise to you. You’ll sleep here and I promise nothing
will happen except sleep.”


                                        -42-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “And you expect me to believe that?”
   Briec, for the first time in a very long time, became a little angry.
   Slowly, he pulled himself up and walked across the burning campfire,
enjoying the warm flames briefly surrounding his body, until he stood
over her. Brown eyes stared up at him, and he no longer saw any fear.
Most likely because now she spent most of her time hating him instead.
   “Are you questioning the word of a dragon, little human?”
   She stood, looking much less fierce in her now filthy nightdress. “No.
I’m questioning the word of you. You just happen to be a dragon.”
   “My promises are much more reliable than some human might
make.”
   “You took me from my village…”
   “I rescued you.”
   “…and now you won’t let me go.”
   “I break no laws, m’lady.”
   “Dragon laws, which don’t affect me.”
   “They affected you as soon as I saved you from those villagers.”
   She stared up at him for several more moments then, growling, she
turned from him and stepped away. “Thank you, but I’ll be fine on my
own.”
   “You’re being ridiculous.”
   “It’s my right, or have I lost the ability to make all my own decisions?”
   “Fine. Freeze in the night then. I don’t care.”
   He turned from her and walked off into the woods, allowing his body
to slowly shift back to dragon as he did so. He’d watch her and keep her
safe, but he’d do it from a nice, respectable distance.
   Briec didn’t understand this woman. Not at all. Even for a human
she seemed damn strange. Was it not a mere hour or so ago she’d been



                                       -43-
                                Shelly Laurenston



laughing and smiling at his jokes? And now she’d returned to treating
him like he’d wiped out her whole family.
   He stopped in mid-stomp. Wait. Did I? He thought long and hard,
then finally shook his head. No. He’d never damaged any villages or
towns in Alsandair. So, he realized, he could be quite righteous in his
anger and started walking again.
   He didn’t have time for damn difficult women. Especially beautiful
human ones. Perhaps the queen was right. Perhaps it was time to settle
down with a nice dragon female. Pick a mate. Breed some hatchlings, if
he absolutely must. He truly thought his older brother and heir to the
Gwalchmai fab Gwyar throne would have taken care of the future heir
situation for him so he wouldn’t have to worry one way or the other. But
choosing a human as his mate, Fearghus resigned himself to a life
without offspring. Of course, Fearghus seemed to like so few beings,
perhaps that was in everyone’s best interest. Who knew what nightmare
his brother would raise?
   Briec settled his big body down and watched the woman from the
trees, surrounding them both with a strong protection spell. She couldn’t
see him. He was too far away for her human eyes. He didn’t know what
he expected to see once she believed herself alone. But what he didn’t
expect was for her to sit on the ground, her knees pulled up under her
chin, her long arms wrapped around her legs. Then she turned her head
and rested her cheek against her knees. She made no sound. She didn’t
call for help. She didn’t try and leave.
   Still, even from this distance, he could see her tears. He closed his
eyes and fought his desire to return to her. His desire to shift back to
human and to get her to stop crying the only way he knew how. It was a
hard fight, but somehow he won.



                                        -44-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   As he watched her, looking so alone and so despondent, he tried to
figure out what this feeling was he suddenly had. Deep in his chest,
burrowing its way up his body.
   It was something he’d never felt before and hoped to never feel
again—the feeling he’d done something wrong. And that somehow he
should feel bad for it.
   He shook his head. No. He’d done nothing wrong. He was a dragon
and this was how things were.
   His sweet little human would simply have to learn to live with it.


                                 zzz

   She knew he watched her. Even from this distance, she could feel his
eyes on her. Tears streamed down her face, but she refused to wipe
them. To show him any of her feelings. He’d merely think she was sad
anyway. That was far from the truth. Leagues away, in fact.
   No, sadness wasn’t her problem. Frustration. Pure frustration was
her problem. Exactly how many others would take her from where she
lived and order her to do their bidding? How many others would use her
like she were some barwench awaiting their next ale order?
   For sixteen years now, Talaith waited. Waited for the day when the
goddess who claimed Talaith as her own would come and tell her exactly
what she wanted from her. That’s why she’d lived with that dullard she’d
called husband all this time. That’s why she stayed in this land that was
not of her people. And why she’d lost her power. Because she had a price
to pay.
   Yet she never saw this dragon coming. And Talaith would bet all the
gold in the universe her goddess never saw him either.




                                      -45-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   The dragons had their own gods and their gods protected them with a
fierceness bordering on rabid. The gods of humans were less protective
but there were many more humans to go around. Since one great battle
eons ago, human gods and dragon gods could never fight each other
because they could never enter the other’s plane of existence. So they
used their loyal worshippers to fight their battles for them, then sat back
to enjoy the carnage.
   Still, a very uneasy alliance had developed among humans and
dragons over the last thousand years or so. It used to be if you left the
dragons alone and ignored the occasional stolen cow or destroyed
battalion, they stayed away from the villages and the humans. Those
humans looking for glory, who broke the unspoken pact, usually brought
the dragons’ brutal wrath swiftly on some poor kingdom and king’s head.
   In the last few years, however, rumors had begun to spread through
the small towns and villages. Rumors of more and more dragons seen
taking to the skies. Although still no talk of any destruction or violence,
fear had taken root and spread. Especially in Madron where Lord
Hamish ruled with a brutal fist. The few rumors he allowed in her tiny
village was that the dragons were once again killing randomly, destroying
towns, villages, anything that may annoy them. But the armies of
Madron were preparing for some kind of war against dragons…as if the
humans could win. All humans truly had in their favor was their
number. One of her teachers back in Alsandair compared humans and
dragons to fleas swarming over a wolf. Enough could cause unbearable
torment, but usually a good bath would wash them off.
   Talaith never thought she’d ever see a dragon much less be taken by
one. Taken so he could bed her. Clearly he didn’t get out of his cave
much if she was the best he could do. Perhaps she should speak of



                                       -46-
                             The Distressing Damsel



commitment and really scare him back to his lair. She almost smiled at
the thought, but she knew her tongue would get the better of her.
   He irritated her. Greatly. And when anger ruled her head that meant
her mouth took over. Woe to those who ended upon the wrong side of
that.
   But who knew a being could be so bloody arrogant? And demanding?
And rude? And gorgeous? And so well-endowed, he reminded her of a
warhorse?


                                     zzz

   Lord Hamish roused his best men before the two suns rose. He had
them dressed in travelers’ robes, their weapons hidden, and divided into
several groups so they could cover more area in the shortest amount of
time.
   “I want the little bitch back before the next full moon. Am I clear?”
   “Aye, Lord Hamish,” they answered as one.
   “We’ve failed our goddess once. We’ll not fail her again. Not if you
hope to live.”
   They had failed her. Nine years ago. They’d failed her and he’d been
attempting to make it up to her ever since. What surprised him was that
she didn’t kill him when she discovered his failure. Instead, she’d
forgiven him and told him if he continued to do her bidding, she’d reward
him with more power than any human could ever hope to obtain. Since
then she’d protected him from the Mad Bitch of Garbhán Isle. He
shuddered to think he almost wed that demon-stain. She probably would
have slit his throat while he slept. He never thought he’d meet anyone
more insane than her brother. But she was more insane and the last
three years of her rule proved it.


                                       -47-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   No. He’d never fail his goddess again. If for no other reason than
Arzhela would be the only one who could protect him from the Blood
Queen of Garbhán Isle.
   “And the dragon with the woman, lord?” one of his men asked.
   He didn’t hesitate. “Kill it. But she lives.”
   And that’s all he had to promise his goddess. He didn’t understand
what She needed this woman for. A peasant, from what he knew. A
peasant and nothing more. But the goddess wanted her back and that’s
all he needed to know. So his men would bring her back alive.
   What they did with her between Dark Plains and here…not really his
concern as long as she returned breathing.




                                        -48-
                              The Distressing Damsel




                         Chapter Five

   Talaith thought for sure the goddess would come for her during the
night. Of course, the sad truth remained she couldn’t decide which was
the lesser of two evils—the goddess or the dragon.
   She wouldn’t worry about that now, though. The suns had begun to
rise and she knew the dragon would want to leave soon. Still, she felt
safe and warm. Of course, now that she thought about it, that seemed
strange. Because she fell asleep the night before with chattering teeth
and her body pulled into a tight ball. It got so bad she almost called out
for the dragon, but she couldn’t. Her pride simply wouldn’t let her.
   Talaith forced her eyes open. Trees swayed over her as the wind blew.
A storm was coming, she could smell it. Then why wasn’t she freezing—
or already frozen—to death?
   She glanced down and realized a thick, shiny mane of silver hair
covered her entire body. Her entire naked body. Glancing to her left, she
saw the human form of the dragon stretched out next to her. Stomach
down, one big muscular arm thrown over her waist; he’d pushed his own
body right up against her side, his handsome face even more so in sleep.
   He’s got the longest eyelashes…oh, good gods, Talaith. Get hold of
yourself.
   Before she panicked, she closed her eyes and used the tiny bit of
Magick the goddess allowed her to keep to search for anything the



                                        -49-
                               Shelly Laurenston



dragon may have done to her while she slept. After a few moments, she
knew he hadn’t done anything besides lay next to her all night. No spells
cast. No charms of lust. And he definitely hadn’t fucked her.
   Knowing he hadn’t broken his promise to her, she felt confident
enough to turn and say, “Get your bloody hands off me!”
   Without moving from his apparently comfortable position or opening
his eyes, he calmly replied, “Don’t get snappy at me, wench. I had to do
something. Those chattering teeth of yours would have kept me up all
night…and don’t pull my hair.”
   She snatched her hand back before she got a firm hold on the silver
strands. “Let me go.” She squirmed, trying to get him to release her.
   Instead, he groaned.
   “You really need to stop doing that. Or, do it more.”
   “Doing what?” she demanded absently, desperately trying to reach
the blade he’d left tied to her leg. Did he leave it because he knew how
much safer she felt with it on? Probably not. That would require him to
think about someone or something other than himself.
   His grip tightened on her waist and his eyes opened, devastating her
with one look from that heated gaze. “Stop squirming, woman, or I won’t
be responsible for my actions.”
   Eeek! “Oh. Sorry.” She winced, realizing she’d apologized to the big
oaf. “If you let me go—”
   “I don’t want to let you go.” The hand on her waist now slid up and
down her side, caressing her skin. “You’re soft. All over.”
   This could easily get out of hand. Especially when she had to fight
her own desires. It had been a long time since she’d been with her
husband or any man. If only the dragon were ugly or somehow repulsive.
But he wasn’t. Even his dragonform, which horrified her, still didn’t
disgust her.


                                       -50-
                               The Distressing Damsel



    “I think you need to—”
    “You know,” he kissed her shoulder and she had to close her eyes
and grit her teeth to stop from moaning, “you would have frozen to death
last night if it hadn’t been for me.” His tongue flicked out and licked a
small scar she had on her shoulder blade. “That’s twice I’ve saved your
life.”
    Her nipples peaked, and she had the intense desire to slap herself in
the face. “This time doesn’t count. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you.”
    He propped his head up with one arm while his other hand continued
to move along her flesh, making her think things she knew for a fact
were morally wrong. “You’d prefer I left you in that tiny trash heap you
call a town?”
    “No. But you could have dropped me off at any larger town between
here and there.”
    Yawning and closing his eyes, he rubbed one leg against hers, which
she was starting to find a tad disconcerting. “And leave such a sweet
young thing to the tender mercies of those harsh streets? What kind of
dragon hero would that make me if I did that?”
    Dragon hero? It must be nice in his fantasy land. “Look, I…stop that!”
she barked when he tilted his head a bit and rubbed her nipple with the
tip of his nose.
    The small and rather strange move sent shots of heat coursing
through her entire body. “I don’t need you or anyone else to protect me.”
    He stared at her breasts and her now painfully hard nipples. “But
you’re so soft and fragile.”
    Soft and fragile? The week before she’d dragged a lost cow out of a
mud patch.
    “I am not soft and fragile. I’m…I’m…”



                                         -51-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   Unable to continue, she watched him—with his mouth hovering so
close to her breast—knowing what he was going to do long before he did
it. Still, she panicked like a young virgin when his mouth opened and his
head lowered.
   “I thought you said we had to get an early start,” she spat out in a
fast rush as his tongue just flicked the tip of her nipple. It took all her
strength not to arch her back and beg for more.
   The dragon paused and growled. Sleepy violet eyes looked up at her.
“Is there not a moment in the day when you’re not talking?”
   “No.”
   He stared at her and for a bit she feared he’d ignore her and simply
go back to amusing himself with her breasts. If he did, she wouldn’t be
able to stop him. Mostly because she really wouldn’t want to.
   Sighing, he instead pushed himself away from her and immediately
she felt the loss of his body heat. Talaith pulled her legs up, wrapping
her arms around them. His long hair slid across her bare skin, sending
her heart racing, while he sat up.
   “Fine. The sooner I get you back to my den, the sooner we can work
this out.”
   Back to his den? Well that didn’t sound too good. “Work out what?”
Her teeth started chattering again and he glared at her in annoyance.
   He relit the dead pitfire with a blast of flame. “What do you think?”
Absently he lifted his head and sniffed the air. He smiled. “Stay here.”
   Then he was up and disappearing into the forest.
   With a shake of her head, she grabbed her discarded nightdress—
struggling hard not to imagine him slipping it off her body while she
slept—and tugged it back on.
   Forcing herself up and moving, Talaith put more wood and twigs on
the pitfire. She could be wrong, but she wondered if those really were


                                       -52-
                             The Distressing Damsel



screams and war cries she heard off in the distance. She couldn’t be
sure, so she decided not to worry about it since the sound never came
closer.
   Eventually the dragon returned. He had a large satchel over his
shoulder and a beautiful black dress in his hand.
   “Here. See if this fits. I can’t stand you in that hideous nightdress
anymore.”
   She glanced down at herself. “Besides the dirt—which I blame on
you—what exactly is wrong with it?”
   “It’s dull and plain and boring. All the things you are not. So take it
off and put this on. At least this will keep you warmer until we can get
you better clothes.”
   Talaith took the dress from him. Made of the finest wool, she’d guess
it cost more gold than all her dresses put together. Still, her rescuer had
no pockets whether dragon or man, so where did he get this from?
   “Where did you find this dress?”
   He pointed back where he’d come from. “Caravan on the road.”
   Talaith shuddered. Now she knew those screams had been all too
real. “Are you telling me you killed the girl whose dress this is?”
   “No. That’s not what I’m telling you. She ran away screaming. As did
her rather plump handmaidens. The soldiers with her, though—”
   She held her hand up. “Please don’t.”
   “Don’t feel bad for them. They’re enemies of my brother’s mate…I
think. Maybe. Anyway, it was like two birds…one stone.”
   When she only stared at him, he held up the satchel. “Hurry and get
changed so you can eat. They had bread and cheese.”
   Sighing, Talaith placed the dress down carefully and proceeded to
turn her back to the dragon and remove her nightdress. Once naked, she



                                       -53-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



quickly scooped the dress back up and hastily put it on, knowing the
dragon watched her every move.
   She tied the bodice and turned to face the dragon. “Well?”
   He smiled warmly. And for the first time ever, Talaith felt beautiful.
“Much better.”
   She reached for the nightdress, intent on washing it as soon as she
could manage, but a small blast of fire beat her to it, destroying the
garment in seconds.
   She looked at the dragon, one eyebrow raised. “Was that really
necessary?”
   He shrugged. “I really hated that nightdress.”
   “I think I’m grasping that.”


                                     zzz

   She was hungry. That’s what she said. Even after the bread and
cheese. So, a few hours into their flight, he landed in a clearing and now
they walked through the forest toward a town so they could get her food.
And the entire time she kept talking. Constantly.
   Mostly it was complaining. But some of it was observations about
everything. Constantly.
   “Shouldn’t you be living in a cave somewhere, waiting for virgins to be
thrown at your feet or something?”
   “Well, I—”
   “I mean, exactly how long are we going to keep this lunacy going?”
   “Look, I—”
   “Did you ever consider how I might feel about all this? No. Wait. Don’t
bother answering that one. I can well imagine your feelings on what us
lowly humans think.”


                                          -54-
                               The Distressing Damsel



    She looked at him over her shoulder. “Well? Aren’t you going to say
something?”
    When he only laughed at her, she stomped away muttering to herself.
    “Don’t be mad,” he called after her. She stopped walking and turned
to face him. “I’m just not used to so much…uh…conversation.”
    Her eyes narrowed. By the moment, she seemed to become less and
less fearful of his dragonform. Shame he couldn’t say the same about
when he was human. “Are you saying I talk too much?”
    “You don’t think you talk too much?” He sauntered up to her,
enjoying the view of her in her lovely new dress. Although nothing could
quite beat how beautiful she was naked. Slipping that horrid nightdress
off her the previous eve had made all he’d had to endure since taking her
quite worth it. “Not that I don’t enjoy the sound of your voice.”
    That surprised her. “You do?”
    “Aye.” He circled her, his tail sweeping in front of her. “You’re
beautiful. Intelligent. A little mean.”
    “I am not!”
    “And clearly hiding something.”
    Her body tensed at that, but she didn’t say anything. He slid his tail
gently around her legs, enjoying the little shiver he caused her. “Aren’t
you? Hiding something?”
    “If I was, do you actually think I’d tell you?”
    “Fair point. Still…” He dragged his tail up her legs and across her
ass.
    She gave a little squeal and slapped at it. “Stop doing that!”
    “You’re much too smart and well-spoken to be some mere peasant.
You say you can read and write. Therefore, definitely not peasant stock.
You’re from Alsandair, yet you have no family close by. I’ve never met a
female from the desert lands who traveled this far north without another


                                          -55-
                               Shelly Laurenston



female or their kin. Add in that Magick—untapped, mind you—just pours
off your body like rainwater and you make me think that perhaps you
hide something.”
   She stood silent, staring straight ahead.
   “Who are you really, little human?”
   Dark eyes focused on his face. “I am a Nolwenn witch.” It was an
evasive answer, but it fascinated him nonetheless.
   “Nolwenn witch? Here?” Now he was truly confused. “Why in the
world would a Nolwenn witch live with that buffoon you married?”
   “My mother disowned me long ago. So…I…left. Came north.”
   Briec sat back on his haunches. “Disowned you? But Nolwenn
witches can only have one child. Usually a girl, I believe.”
   “I know!” she snapped. “Do you not think I know my own people?”
   “But what, little witch, could you have done to get your mother to
disown the only child she would ever have?”
   “I fell in love.”
   Ah. Now he understood. Nolwenn witches never mated for life. Only
to breed and to satisfy inherent needs or for certain Magickal rights.
They never took another as their mate. Instead their lives belonged to
their demanding desert gods and the Magick.
   “Your husband?”
   “No. Another. And before you ask, he died. Long ago.”
   “Your mother wouldn’t take you back?”
   “I never asked.”
   “You are fascinating.” She truly was. A Nolwenn witch? Here? He
must introduce her to his sister, a white dragonwitch. Only their mother,
the Dragon Queen, held more power than his sister.
   Briec had another thought. “How old are you?”
   She sighed. “Thirty-two winters. Soon thirty-three. Why?”


                                       -56-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “You’re a babe.” Like dragons, Nolwenns weren’t immortal, but they
could live up to six or seven hundred years.
   “Perhaps as dragons go, but witch or no, I’m still a human.”
   “I know. Tragic really.”
   “And why is that tragic?”
   “Because…” He gave a little sniff of disdain. “Humans are so weak,
annoying, whiny and stupid.” She opened her mouth to speak, but he
cut her off. “But that’s why I find you so fascinating. You’re none of those
things. Except annoying.”
   She huffed. Several times, in fact, before she turned and stomped off.
She kept doing that, too. Stomping off.
   “Were we done talking?”
   “Yes.”
   He followed after her. “But I have more questions.”
   “You can stick your questions up your ass.”
   He slammed his tail in front of her. “I don’t think I heard you, little
witch.”
   “You heard me just fine and stop threatening me with that thing!”
She kicked his tail.
   By the gods, she was absolutely adorable!
   “I wasn’t threatening you. I was halting your progress. Trust
me…you’ll know if I’m threatening you. Now,” he settled back down,
“where were we? Ah, yes. There’s something you need to explain to me.”
   Sighing in resignation, she asked, “What?”
   “Nolwenn witches are powerful from birth.”
   “Some. If all the proper spells are done before, during, and after the
birth,” she answered as she began to suddenly walk around him picking
wildflowers. Seemed odd. She didn’t exactly appear to be the flower-
picking type.


                                        -57-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “Yet although Magick surrounds you, it’s not truly…harnessed.”
   “True enough.” She walked behind him, still picking flowers. “I have
not practiced or studied since I left Alsandair.”
   “I see. Well, perhaps I could—” He’d turned around to speak to her
directly, but she was no longer behind him.
   Briec glanced around, quickly realizing it wasn’t that she was no
longer behind him. She was no longer there.
   The little bitch was gone!


                                   zzz

   Talaith crouched on the highest branch that could hold her weight. It
hadn’t been easy getting above him and out of his eye range so
quickly…the beast was huge. She glared down at the big silver head of
that arrogant idiot.
   Irritating? I’m irritating? Did he have absolutely no concept of what a
bastard he was? Clearly not, otherwise he would have let her go.
   But he was “determined” to have her. No. No. No. That would not be
happening. She’d done some strange and stupid things, but having a
dragon between her legs would not be one of them.
   Concentrating, Talaith slowed her breathing and heart rate. Dragons
had amazing hearing, her trainers said, so she used all her skills to make
sure he wouldn’t hear her. She faded into the shadow of the branches
and leaves, so his dragon eyes wouldn’t spot her.
   The only thing she couldn’t control was his keen sense of…
   The dragon sniffed the air, then looked right at her. “There you are,
my little witch.”
   Dammit.




                                        -58-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Before she could even think about climbing back down, he grabbed
hold of the tree with his two front claws and shook it. Screaming, Talaith
went flying. But that damn tail of his caught her seconds before she hit
the ground.
   “Now that was amazing, little witch. Tell me, where did you learn to
move so fast and to disappear so well? In your little village after baking
the morning bread?”
   He laughed at his own joke, walking again toward town with her still
wrapped up in his tail.
   “Yes, I was right about you. You are fascinating. You and I will find
such pleasure together, my little witch.”
   Could I hate him more? She thought about it for a moment. No, I could
not hate him any more than I already do.




                                       -59-
                               Shelly Laurenston




                         Chapter Six

   The chatter in the pub they decided to go to for food was interesting,
to say the least. Lots of talk about angry gods and horrible storms. Plus,
they feared the coming of the Black Moon.
   Of course that wasn’t the correct name of the powerful moon, but
she’d given up hope that the Northerners had any real knowledge of
other cultures. Besides, she had bigger issues at the moment.
   The only thing she currently worried about was getting away from
one annoyingly determined dragon. He leaned back in the booth they’d
luckily found in a quiet corner. She’d feared they’d have to sit out at one
of the long tables on a bench. As it was, the dragon was hard to miss.
Even with the hood of his black cape covering that silver mane of hair
and the chainmail shirt and leggings he wore—apparently one in that
doomed caravan had been close to his size—he received looks wherever
he went. How could he not? He towered over everyone. Add in that he
practically had to drag her along behind him, and the two of them stood
out quite loudly to the general populace.
   What she didn’t understand, what she would never understand, is
why she hadn’t screamed yet. Why hadn’t she yelled for help? They’d
passed a magistrate on their way to the pub. One of the few towns that
actually had one, and although he watched them with intense interest,
she never screamed or tried to pull away. Instead, she only stared back.



                                       -60-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   Resting her chin in her hand, Talaith stared into her beer. She knew
exactly why she didn’t yell for help. He might get hurt. Even killed. She
didn’t want that. As much as she detested him—oh, and she did detest
him—she still didn’t want to be responsible for his death. She merely
wanted him to let her go. But if the town turned on him before he had a
chance to shift or if he shifted and took the town with him…she’d never
forgive herself either way.
   She could almost hear her mother whispering in her ear, “Talaith,
Daughter of Haldane—you are an idiot.”
   And the dragon wondered why she didn’t run back to her mother for
solace. She, of all people, knew that welcome home would be less than
pleasant.
   “You’re deep in your thoughts, little witch. What worries you?”
   “You know if you keep calling me that someone will slash my face
open.”
   He frowned in confusion. “That’s no longer the law.”
   “Really?”
   “Really. It has actually been against the law for about three years.
Since the new…” he sniffed in that arrogant way he had and said,
“…queen has been in power.”
   Talaith stared down at her mug and kept her face neutral even as her
hand tightened around the cup. “A new queen?”
   “Aye. The Butcher of Garbhán Isle is long dead. His sister took his
head and his throne.”
   “I see.”
   “Did you not know of this?”
   They told her it was coming—that she was coming—but no one had
told her it had already happened. “No. Lord Hamish didn’t allow
information in or out of the towns without his express approval. Those


                                        -61-
                                Shelly Laurenston



spreading rumors were usually dragged away in the middle of the night
to his dungeons.”
    The dragon rolled his violet eyes in barely concealed disgust. “I don’t
like that little man.”
    She finally smiled. “Only you would think him little.”
    “Very true.”
    She licked her lips and carefully asked, “Do you know the, uh, new
queen?”
    “I choose not to speak of her,” he answered distractedly.
    He sat forward abruptly. “I itch to be off.”
    Talaith groaned, unable to hide her distaste for flying. “Can’t we
walk?”
    “With storms coming? I think not, little witch. So drink up so we can
be off. I grow weary of all these…” he glanced around, “…humans.”
    “Trust me,” she sneered before tossing back her ale in one gulp, “that
feeling has become mutual.”


                                   zzz

    The townsfolk had been correct. A storm was coming. A bad one.
Briec could smell it in the air. But it was moving fast, a lot faster than he
was. Although he’d have no problems braving an ice storm, he couldn’t
do that to her. These humans and their frail skin, she’d freeze to death
before he ever made it home.
    So, grudgingly, he headed to the one safe place he knew of in a
thousand leagues.
    They landed inside the cave as the winds picked up and the first
drops of rain and flakes of snow fell on his wings. Thankfully, she’d




                                        -62-
                                The Distressing Damsel



stopped squealing during this flight, but she insisted on keeping a brutal
death grip on his hair.
   “You can let me go now.”
   “Are you sure?”
   He smiled at the trepidation in her voice.
   “Yes. I’m sure. Unless you want me to shift to human while you’re—”
   “No!” She cleared her throat. “I mean, no need.”
   Her fingers untangled from his hair as he lowered himself to the
ground so she could slip off.
   She took several steps away from him, wrapping her arms around her
body for warmth. “Is this your den?”
   “No. But we’ll never make it in this storm. At least you won’t.” And he
wasn’t willing to risk her.
   “You sure we’ll be safe here?”
   “Aye.” He moved away from her, heading deep into the cave. “You
wait here. I won’t be long.”
   “Yes,” she called after him. “What fun I’ll have standing around in
this dank, dark cavern waiting around for you.”
   Ignoring her sarcasm, Briec went to head off the trouble he knew was
lurking around somewhere in this place.


                                     zzz

   After five minutes, the storm turned deadly. She couldn’t remember
seeing a storm this bad in all her years in this northern land. But when
lightning bounced off two stones outside the cave only to ricochet inside
and nearly take her head, she decided waiting around for the dragon’s
return might not be in her best interest.




                                          -63-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



    Unsure what else to do, but knowing she couldn’t just stand there,
Talaith headed deeper into the cave. It didn’t take much time to find a
long corridor lit with torches. Sighing in relief at the soothing golden
light, she strolled down the rocky path, almost able to ignore the massive
bouts of thunder exploding outside the stone walls surrounding her.
    She passed huge naturally formed chambers. Some were empty
except for a big boulder or two, but as she moved along, she found the
others filled with furniture, clothes, statues. Some chambers so large
they held entire carriages. And one had gold coin and treasure from the
dirt floor to her hip.
    She paused at that one. She hadn’t seen gold since she’d last been to
her father’s home, when she would sneak off to meet him. Smiling at the
brief memory of, as her mother called him, “the one who gave me the
seed which allowed for your presence,” she again strolled down the hall.
After a few more steps, she stopped. Froze, really.
    How long had he been following her? Watching her? True, she could
stand here forever, terrified. But hadn’t she done enough of that for the
last two days?
    So, steeling herself against what awaited her, she slowly turned.
    “Well, hello, pretty lady.”
    It spoke. An enormous gold dragon with a gold mane of hair that
swept across the cave floor spoke to her.
    Why not? This sort of thing must be common among those of us going
insane.
    Most people never met one dragon. Somehow Talaith had managed to
meet two. Could her life be anymore unmanageable? Probably not.
    He leaned down a bit and sniffed her. “Ah, big brother’s about, I see.
Are you his gift to me?”



                                          -64-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Talaith growled. She tired of arrogant, smirking dragons assuming
she existed only to be their plaything. Actually, she’d grown tired of
everything male. The entire male species merely horrid beings meant to
do nothing more than destroy all that existed around them.
   Enunciating each word clearly so there’d be no confusion, “No, you
arrogant, half-witted bastard. I am not here for you.”
   Startled, the dragon sat back on his haunches. “I…uh…”
   “What? Am I supposed to be quaking in fear of you?” Purposely
keeping her voice low and controlled, she stepped closer to him. “Should
I be sobbing and begging for mercy? Well, I’d rather burn in the farthest
reaches of hell before I give you or that arrogant, half-witted brother of
yours the satisfaction.”
   She thought for sure she’d die. Thought for sure she’d finally pushed
her luck to the breaking point. Especially when he went down face first
on the ground and repeatedly slammed his claw against the rocky floor,
shaking the cave.
   Surprisingly, though, death did not seem his purpose. Laughter,
however…
   Even more evident when he rolled that giant dragon body onto its
back and laughed harder. Hysterically, almost. Powerful dragon limbs
flailing and everything.
   Eventually, her silver dragon charged in. She’d started to learn his
different expressions and moods. Right now he appeared concerned.
   He stared at the gold lying on the ground literally rolling around in
laughter then at her. “What did you do?”
   Incredulous, she snapped, “Me?”
   The gold looked up at the dragon. “She is going to make your life a
living hell, brother!” Then he exploded into another round of violent
laughter, again rolling back and forth across the floor.


                                       -65-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   Growling, the silver grabbed the gold around the throat and picked
him up, placing him on his feet. The gold hit him to get the silver claw off
his throat. So the silver hit him back. They stared at each other for
several seconds, then the battle was on.
   Not bothering to look back, Talaith ran, praying she could avoid
getting buried alive with two idiotic dragons.


                                  zzz

   Éibhear the Blue opened his eyes when she sat on his tail, which lay
happily buried under Gwenvael’s gold. He’d come to his older brother’s
den to wait out the coming storm and had settled his bulk under one of
the many piles of gold Gwenvael had scattered around.
   He’d always been good at disappearing. Especially for a dragon.
   Still, he never expected to find anything as interesting as this among
Gwenvael’s treasures.
   A woman. Human. Very pretty. And reeking of his big brother’s scent.
Briec with a human? The queen wouldn’t like this one bit. She’d barely
learned to accept Fearghus’ mate.
   Slowly, so as not to startle her, he drew himself over to her until his
snout rested by her leg. She didn’t notice him right away, cringing every
time the cave walls shook—Briec and Gwenvael must be having one of
their “discussions”—or stones fell from the ceiling, just missing her head.
He knew, however, the instant she became aware of his presence.
   Her entire body tensed, her eyes closed, and she moaned in despair.
“Exactly how much am I expected to take?” she asked no one in
particular. Éibhear said nothing, figuring she’d look at him in her own
good time. And, she did.
   “Hello.”


                                       -66-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   She sighed. “Blue. You’re blue.”
   “I’m Éibhear the Blue.” After eighty-seven years, he never tired of
saying that.
   “Of course you are.” She rubbed her eyes with her fists. “Exactly how
many more dragons are there?”
   Éibhear wasn’t sure what she meant or even if she was speaking to
him, so he decided to ask. “Here, m’lady, or in the entire world?”
   Without taking her hands away from her eyes, she snapped, “Why
would I give a centaur’s shit about the entire world?”
   A known fact among their kind was that Éibhear was the most
tolerant of his entire kin. He liked humans as a general rule and called
many among them friend. That didn’t mean, however, he had to let
someone yell at him for no good reason.
   Slowly, Éibhear moved away from her. But she didn’t really notice
until he pulled his tail out from under her and her butt slammed down
hard with the pile of gold that had been covering him.
   “Ow.” Gorgeous, dark brown eyes turned to him. “What did you do
that for?”
   He shrugged. “I thought you wished to be alone.”
   Another crash came from deeper inside the cave and the walls
trembled. She pulled her legs in tighter and wrapped her arms around
her body. “No,” she answered as she stared up at the ceiling, clearly
terrified it would crash on top of her at any moment. “I do not wish to be
alone. It will be nice to be buried alive with another. We’ll keep each
other company in the afterlife.”
   Taking a deep breath, she admitted, “I’m just so tired. I’m sorry if I
offended you.”
   “Oh, you didn’t.” Éibhear wanted to put her at ease, so he laid the tip
of his snout on her raised knees. “I completely understand.”


                                       -67-
                                Shelly Laurenston




                                     zzz

    Talaith stared down at the blue dragon snout lying dangerously close
to her face. Ah, well this makes sense. And although she should at least
feel wariness if not outright terror at this dragon, she didn’t. Something
about him simply put her at ease. She couldn’t explain it and, at the
moment, she didn’t want to.
    “My brothers will stop anytime now,” he said reassuringly. “Usually
when one or the other starts bleeding.”
    “Aren’t you worried?”
    “About?”
    “The sturdiness of this cave.”
    “Ah. This cave was here long before any of us were born, and will be
here long after we go home to our ancestors.”
    Another loud bang shook the walls, and Talaith placed her hand on
the dragon’s head. For some unknown reason, she found it comforting.
    In response, the blue snuggled in closer to her, sighing contentedly
when she ran her hand through his hair. She couldn’t resist—it was
blue!
    “What is your name, m’lady?”
    Even the dragon who had her for nearly two days never asked her
that—as if he couldn’t be bothered. “Talaith. I am Talaith.”
    “Very pretty name, m’lady.”
    Still stroking the silky hair, Talaith finally gave a very small smile. “I
am no lady, dragon. Merely the only daughter of a merchant.” And the
chosen one of a goddess who is to…hmmm, probably shouldn’t mention
that.
    “I’ve met many with rank. You’re more royalty than most of them.”


                                        -68-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Laughing, “You don’t even know me.”
   The enormous dragon lifted his head and beautiful silver eyes
focused on her. As he looked her over, she didn’t feel naked and
uncomfortable at all, as she seemed to when the silver dragon did the
same thing. No, she knew in her heart this dragon was simply assessing
the situation before him.
   His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Lady, what happened to your neck?”
His snout gently brushed her throat where she’d hung from the town
noose while they prepared the stake.
   When she didn’t cringe at him being so close, she felt quite proud.
   Shrugging, “My entire village tried to hang me yesterday morn.”
   And as easily as he showed kindness, he grew angry. “Why would
anyone do that to you?”
   “Because I am a witch.”
   He sniffed with indignation. “Well, of course you are. I can see the
Magick all around you. But what about your family? Was there no one to
protect you?”
   She couldn’t help it, she chuckled. “My husband led them, Éibhear.”
Gods, Talaith. That’s not funny.
   He growled low and black smoke curled from his nostrils. “Do you
want me to kill them? I can destroy a village you know? I can destroy
them all.”
   “That is very, um, sweet of you. But do not waste your time. Leave
them to their ignorance, Éibhear. I can no longer be bothered.”
   Staring a moment more, he nodded before placing his head back on
her knees. “As you wish. But please let me know if you change your
mind.”
   Talaith grinned as she hadn’t in ages. “I will, Éibhear. I promise.”



                                       -69-
                                Shelly Laurenston



                                   zzz

    Gwenvael held up his claw. “Stop. Stop.” He wiped his snout and
looked at his gold talons. “Ack! Blood. I’m bleeding! Death comes for me!”
    Briec rolled his eyes, annoyed beyond reason by his idiot brother’s
antics. “Oh, grow a spine.”
    Gwenvael roared and crouched down, prepared to charge him again,
when Briec suddenly noticed his human had fled.
    “Where’s the woman?”
    Immediately Gwenvael became distracted. One just needed to
mention something female and he became distracted. Gwenvael’s sexual
prowess rivaled only by their grandfather’s.
    “I don’t know.” He glanced around. “She was standing here a moment
ago.”
    Briec glared at his kin. “You scared her off.”
    “I scared her off?”
    Letting out an exasperated sigh, Briec sniffed the air and followed her
scent. Not surprisingly, Gwenvael followed right behind him. Nosy
bastard.
    “So where did you find her? She’s quite lovely.”
    “At her village. And stay away from her.”
    He had the nerve to sound affronted, when he said, “Why, brother. I
would never—”
    “Don’t bother. Fearghus already told me what you did with that mate
of his.”
    “I was only playing. Honestly, none of you have a sense of humor.”
    “And from what I heard, neither did his mate. By the way, how is
your neck? I heard she put a dagger to it.”
    “It’s fine, thank you. And why don’t you ever use her name?”


                                        -70-
                               The Distressing Damsel



   “Don’t see a reason. She is of no consequence to me.”
   Briec stopped walking and again sniffed the air. Gritting his fangs, he
turned to Gwenvael and together they said, “Éibhear.”


                                    zzz

   Talaith glanced up as the silver and gold dragon stomped into the
chamber. As soon as the silver saw her, his eyes narrowed, and she had
the overwhelming desire to protect Éibhear.
   “What the hell do you think you’re doing?”
   Éibhear, who’d shifted back into human and graciously put on a pair
of black breeches out of respect to Talaith, fairly ignored his brother as
he tilted her head back a bit more to get at her wounded neck.
   “What does it look like I’m doing?”
   “Don’t backtalk me. I asked you a question.”
   “And I don’t see the need to answer it. As it is, I’m so angry at you
right now, I don’t even want to see your face.”
   “What are you talking about?”
   Unable to stop herself, Talaith sucked her breath in between her
teeth and cringed. Éibhear’s face softened as he looked at her.
   “I’m sorry. This will only take a minute or so more.” By the gods…that
voice! She nearly envied the woman who would wake up every morning to
that voice greeting her. Of course, the silver dragon’s was nothing to
sneer at. Only his made her think of dirty, dirty things.
   “That’s all right. I’m fine.”
   By sheer force of will, Talaith stood her ground while Éibhear gently
smoothed on more cream. He said his sister, a fellow witch, had created
it and that it would manage the pain of the rope burn on her neck. The
blue dragon had been horrified when he realized his brother had not


                                         -71-
                                Shelly Laurenston



taken care of her wound. Of course, Talaith knew she would have never
let the silver dragon get that close to her.
   Plus it had completely “slipped” her mind that he’d asked her to
remind him to care for her neck. The big bastard should have
remembered without her reminding him.
   All right, Talaith. Now you sound like a wife.
   Éibhear motioned for her to lift up her hair as he moved around to
get where the noose had dug into the skin behind the backs of her ears.
   “Did you never think to treat this, big brother?”
   By the startled look on the silver’s face, followed by the glare in
Talaith’s direction, he remembered quite well their earlier conversation.
   “She’d promised to remind me.”
   “Remind you?” Éibhear stood behind her, but she heard the
annoyance and outrage in his voice.
   The gold leaned back on his haunches and shook his head. “How
could you? You bastard.”
   “Shut. Up.”
   The gold glanced at her and winked. Cheeky idiot.
   “Fine,” Éibhear went on. “I understand how that could slip your
mind. But while I’m doing this,” he gently moved some of her stray hairs
out of his way, “why don’t you introduce us, big brother?”
   “Oh. Of course.” The silver cleared his throat, opened his giant maw
to speak…but nothing came out.
   Éibhear kept putting on the ointment, but the gold clearly expected
his brother to introduce them properly. When he said nothing, the gold
balked.
   “Are you telling me you don’t know her name?” the gold demanded.
   “Well, I, uh—”



                                        -72-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   Stepping away from her, Éibhear closed up the jar of ointment as she
released her hair. Her eyes began to water from the pain and she
wondered about the logic of allowing Éibhear to put that dragon-created
junk on her human flesh. The dragon witch probably made it for
something with scales.
   Éibhear dropped the jar in a small bag he had with him. “He’s had
her since yesterday.”
   The gold’s eyes practically exploded from his head, then he burst out
laughing.
   Talaith said nothing as Éibhear pushed her hair off her face to
examine a small scrape on her forehead. But she knew the silver didn’t
appreciate the familiar move one damn bit. Good.
   “It was an oversight,” her kidnapper gave by way of explanation.
   Éibhear’s silver eyes locked on his brother. “I know her name. And
I’ve known her about ten minutes.”
   “I’m Gwenvael the Handsome,” the gold stopped laughing long
enough to say. “At your service, m’lady.” He made a low, sweeping bow
and the silver brought his tail down on the back of the gold’s head. “Ow!
What was that for?”
   “Accident,” the silver snapped. He turned back to Éibhear. “This is
none of your concern, baby brother. I saved her, therefore she—”
   “If you say,” she spit out between tightly clenched teeth, surprising
them all, “I belong to you, one more time. I swear by all that’s holy I will
scream these walls down.”
   The three dragons silently stared at her. When she didn’t back down
or look away, the gold fell into another fit of laughter that caused the
silver to roll his eyes practically to the back of his head.
   “Hungry, m’lady?” Éibhear asked as he stood beside her. It suddenly
occurred to her the pain no longer plagued her.


                                        -73-
                              Shelly Laurenston



   She almost sighed in relief, but instead said, “Starved.”
   He held his arm out. Like the rest of him, his arm was big and
muscular. In fact, his human form was bigger than even the silver’s.
“Then let’s get you fed.”
   She took his arm gratefully, and they headed toward the exit. As she
passed the silver, she stopped and looked up at him.
   “And the name is Talaith, in case you were wondering.”
   With that, the pair walked off, but she could still hear the gold’s
hysterical laughter tormenting his brother.


                                 zzz

   After Briec slammed Gwenvael’s head into the floor a few thousand
times, he shifted into human, yanked on a pair of breeches and boots
and went in search of his human.
   Talaith.
   A very pretty name. It fit her. And he probably should have asked her
what her name was…he just didn’t think of it. She’d never believe it, but
the woman distracted him. To be honest, he was surprised he could
remember his own name when in her presence.
   Besides, it’s not like she took a breath long enough during her
constant chatter to allow him to ask her much of anything. Especially
important questions like who the hell she really was. He had no doubt
she was truly a Nolwenn witch, but she was much more than that. So
very much more.
   It didn’t take long to track down the pair. Like all his kin, Gwenvael
had set up several of the cave alcoves for the possibility of humans
stopping by. He had several furnished with beds, chests for their clothes,
bookcases. Whatever they may need. This particular chamber had a


                                      -74-
                             The Distressing Damsel



dining table and cooking pit. A lamb slowly roasted over the open flame
while Talaith and Éibhear ate fruit, bread and cheese. When he walked
in she was laughing, turned in her chair to face his brother. She
looked…comfortable.
   He stopped before reaching them and tried to understand this
awkward new feeling. No. He wasn’t liking this one bit either. He felt it
now every time he looked at her. The feeling that he’d give anything
merely to hold her close.
   Briec shook his head. Exactly what had this woman done to him?
Damn Nolwenn witches. Apparently even the untrained ones cast spells.
   His brother and Talaith looked up at his approach. And as soon as
she saw him, her smile faded and her laughter died. She sat straight in
her chair, turning to face the table.
   He frowned at Éibhear in concern, but his brother merely raised an
eyebrow as if to say, “What exactly did you expect?”
   Briec sat one seat over from Talaith. He grabbed a fruit, put his feet
up on the table, and proceeded to eat while watching her. She fussed
with her hair, scratched her wrist and hand, and basically appeared
uncomfortable.
   What the hell am I doing wrong? Éibhear and Gwenvael never seemed
to have these problems with humans. Especially female humans.
   “So have you eaten well?”
   She nodded without looking at him. “Yes.”
   “What about that?” He motioned to the cooking meat.
   Éibhear yawned and scratched the back of his head. “That’s for later
tonight.”
   Still Talaith didn’t refused to meet his gaze.
   He motioned to the chamber exit with a nod of his head. In response
Éibhear shook his head.


                                        -75-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    Briec barely caught his roar in time. “Éibhear, would you mind
excusing us?”
    “As a matter of fact, I would mind.”
    “Don’t test me, little brother.” His patience was waning. Had been
since he’d first set eyes on this woman. He’d had a vain hope they’d
make it back to his den this evening and he’d be between her thighs
before the suns rose the following day.
    Clearly that wouldn’t be happening now.
    Talaith laid her small hand over Éibhear’s much bigger one. Briec’s
eyes narrowed, focusing on where their hands met. Another new feeling.
Somewhat territorial, which belonged to all dragons when it came to their
treasure, but something more. Something he didn’t like one bit.
    “It’s all right, Éibhear,” she assured his blue-haired bastard, baby
brother. “I’ll be fine.”
    “All right then. But call me if you need me.”
    If he didn’t know the snot-nosed little cretin was being sincere, he’d
rip out his lungs.
    With one last glare at Briec, Éibhear left. Once alone, Briec dropped
his feet to the ground. “Talaith—”
    “Oh. So you’re using my name…now that you actually know it.”
    Briec sighed. “I simply didn’t think it was—”
    “I don’t even know your name,” she cut in.
    He blinked in surprise. “Really? I…I just assumed Éibhear would
have told you by now.”
    “Is that his job then? To make sure everyone knows your name since
you don’t have the decency to introduce yourself?”
    It appalled him he was allowing some human to speak to him like
this. And it appalled him even more he cared he might have hurt her.



                                       -76-
                               The Distressing Damsel



    “Fine. My name is Briec. Briec the Mighty.” He truly did not
appreciate the snorted laugh that followed his statement. “What’s so
funny?”
    “It just…” She cleared her throat. “It took me by surprise is all. I
thought you’d be Briec the Silver like Éibhear is ‘the Blue’.”
    “I was Briec the Silver. When I was much younger. But once you
make a name for yourself that usually changes.”
    “And what about Briec the Arrogant? That seems much more fitting.”
    “It’s Briec the Mighty, little witch.”
    “Mighty, huh? Did you give yourself that name?”
    “No,” he practically spat in slow, measured tones. “I did not.”
    “I was just asking. No need to get testy.”
    He was glad to finally see her smile, he simply didn’t appreciate it
was at his expense.
    “Talaith, understand, I didn’t ask your name because—”
    She turned suddenly in her chair to face him. “Are you physically
unable to say you’re sorry?”
    That stopped him cold. “Pardon?”
    “The words, ‘I’m sorry.’ Are you unable to speak them?”
    Briec thought for a moment. “You know, I don’t think I’ve ever said
it.” He thought a moment longer, then shook his head. “No. I’ve never
said it before.”
    “Isn’t it time you started? Just tell me you’re sorry instead of making
all these excuses.”
    He looked down into that beautiful face, torn between wanting the
return of the cowering female paralyzed by dragonfear and this sarcastic,
argumentative female he had the feeling he’d never recover from. “Is that
really necessary?”
    “Yes.”


                                         -77-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   He bent his neck to the side and heard the bones crack.
   “Here, Briec the Mighty, try it with me.” She leaned forward. “I’m
sorry, Talaith.”
   Suddenly Briec couldn’t look away from those eyes. They snared him
as sure as a war party’s nets. When he finally said the words, he nearly
whispered them, unable to find his voice. “I’m sorry, Talaith.”
   She blinked in surprise, most likely guessing she’d never get him to
say it. She tried to pull away, but he slipped his hand behind the back of
her neck and tugged her closer while he leaned over the chair between
them.
   “Briec?”
   “Sssh.”
   He had to kiss her. Simply had to. He moved in closer, nearing his
goal.
   “So what’s to eat?”
   Briec’s head snapped up at the sound of Gwenvael’s voice. And before
he could consider the consequences of his actions, he sent a ball of flame
that shoved the dragon’s human form completely out of the chamber.
   As soon as he did it, he knew his mistake. He turned around, black
smoke still curling from his nostrils, to find Talaith staring at him. Her
eyes wide, her mouth open.
   “Talaith—”
   She shook her head. “No. No. Everything’s fine.” Of course, she said
that as she pried his fingers off her neck and leaned away from him.
   Talaith no longer had the dragonfear, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t
wary. She went back to her fruit and cheese as Briec desperately worked
to control his human body.
   Glancing at him out of the corner of her eye, she said, “Um, so, how
long you think this weather will last then?”


                                       -78-
                             The Distressing Damsel



    Accepting his defeat for the moment, Briec shrugged. “I don’t know.
But hopefully not long.”
    Hopefully not long at all. His desire for this strange female was
beginning to affect his normally logical mind.
    And he didn’t like it one damn bit.


                                  zzz

    Talaith stood at the mouth of the alcove and stared. “This is
amazing,” she murmured.
    “Dragons like water. One of my brothers has a lake in his den.”
    She nodded as she examined the steaming hot springs. There were
eight in varying sizes, replenished from an outside water supply
according to Gwenvael. He’d bragged about them all through the
delicious lamb dinner Éibhear made. The more he talked about it, the
more she wanted to try them out. She hadn’t had a bath since the
dragon dunked her in the lake after she’d vomited.
    “You going to get in or just stand there with your mouth open…drool
coming out.”
    She glared at him. “Very funny.” Talaith stepped inside, letting the
light   fragrant   steam   wrap   around      her.    It   was   warm   but   not
uncomfortably hot. Crouching down, she tested the water with her finger,
relieved to discover it was hot but not searing—with dragons you could
never be too sure, their idea of uncomfortably hot differing from most.
With renewed eagerness, her fingers went to the ribbon tying her bodice
together, quickly undoing it. But as she started to strip off her dress,
Talaith realized Briec leaned back against the wall and watched her.
    “Could you excuse me?” she asked.
    “No,” he answered.


                                       -79-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    “Will you not let me enjoy anything?”
    “That’s a bit unfair.” He grinned. “I merely thought we could enjoy it
together.”
    “Well, you thought wrong.”
    Briec sighed. “Do you really dislike me that much, little witch?”
    “It isn’t that I dislike you so much, big, fat dragon. It’s that I don’t
like you enough.”
    “You’re cruel.” And she knew he teased.
    “Aye. So I’ve been told. Too cruel for you.” She put her hands on his
chest and tried her best to shove the big ox from the chamber. “Find
yourself a willing woman. A dragoness perhaps. Someone who actually
finds you charming.”
    He took hold of her hand and brought it to his lips. “I’ll leave you,
little witch.”
    “Thank you—”
    “For now.”
    Talaith bit her lip as Briec slipped her index finger into his mouth.
His tongue swirled around the tip before gently sucking. His eyes stayed
on Talaith’s, unwilling to let her go.
    Her sex went dripping wet, her strong legs went weak. Another
minute of this exquisite torture and she’d be flat on her back without
another word.
    All I wanted to do was take a bath. Now all she wanted to do was
wrap herself around Briec the Arrogant like a jungle snake.
    Using the same control she possessed to slow her heart rate and
calm her breathing, Talaith pulled away from the dragon. “Well, that
was…interesting.” She took a step back. “Now if you’ll excuse me.”
    Briec nodded, turned, and began to walk away. Stopped abruptly.
Sniffed the air. Looked back at her with a grin. Then he walked off.


                                         -80-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   She glared at his retreating form and thought about all the wonderful
ways she could eviscerate the beast.


                                  zzz

   Moving silently so as not to wake the sleeping Talaith, Briec lay down
outside the cavern Gwenvael gave her for a room. It had an enormous
bed. A table and chairs of the finest wood. A pitfire built right into one
wall. It was nice and he’d give almost anything to share that bed with
Talaith. But she still resisted him. He had no idea why. She wanted him.
He knew it. She knew it.
   They could be spending the entire night making each other very
happy until they both passed out from the pleasure of it. Instead, she
fought him. Fought him and herself as far as he was concerned.
   Yet what truly baffled him? What would most likely keep him up for
the entire night…why he cared? And why he enjoyed her fight so very
much?
   She sighed in her sleep and he crossed his eyes at the images that
gave his delirious brain. Of her under him, sighing like that when he
made her come, and come…
   Stop, Briec. You’re only torturing yourself. Painfully so.
   Briec rested his dragon head on his arms and prayed for dawn. Dawn
would bring the suns and his way out of this nightmare. Because, he
knew, once he got his lovely, sweet Talaith back to his den, she’d be all
his.




                                       -81-
                               Shelly Laurenston




                         Chapter Seven

   “Where the hell are the suns?”
   Talaith’s head snapped up from her book at Briec’s angry shout
somewhere off in the cave.
   Gwenvael, who’d fallen asleep at the table, jerked awake, screaming,
“I never touched her!”
   Éibhear sighed in disgust. “You never fail to embarrass me.” He
placed a bowl of hot porridge in front of Talaith. Where he learned to
cook, she’d never know, but she appreciated it. He even made normally
boring porridge delicious.
   Gwenvael glared down at the bowl of porridge thrown in front of him.
“Porridge? You want me to eat porridge?” He looked up at Éibhear. “Has
your mind slipped since last night? Where’s that horse I found the other
day?”
   Talaith, unable to hide her shock and not really wanting to, stared at
Gwenvael in horror.
   Éibhear cleared his throat and glared at his brother. “The horse, idiot
brother o’ mine, is safe and alive somewhere else.”
   “Come on, Talaith,” Gwenvael implored. “You don’t mind if we eat—”
   “Yes. As a matter of fact, I do mind.”
   He gave her what must be his best “imploring” face. “But,
Talaith…my love.”



                                       -82-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “Gwenvael…” she mimicked back to him, “…my pain.”
   Éibhear laughed hard as Briec entered the chamber wearing only
black breeches and boots. Does he have to look so…tasty? He sat in one
of the chairs across from Talaith, threw his feet up on the table, pushed
his porridge away and grabbed a piece of fruit. All while glaring at her.
   She stared back, then said, “What are you looking at?”
   He motioned to the ceiling with his hand. “Are you responsible for
this?”
   She glanced up at the rocky ceiling. It was actually kind of pretty
with its sparkly shards hanging down. Of course, then she thought about
those dropping on her head and suddenly they looked like dangerous
blades. Shaking off the scary image, Talaith looked back at a still glaring
Briec. “I didn’t do anything to the ceiling.”
   “Not the ceiling,” he barked at her. “The weather.”
   She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Has being around
dragons given me some kind of god-like status I am not aware of?”
   Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Éibhear bend his head over his
porridge, desperately shoveling it into his mouth while Gwenvael simply
laughed out loud.
   Briec ignored his brothers and pointed an accusing finger at her.
“You are the witch.”
   “An untrained one, as you so eloquently pointed out. Besides, why
would I play with the weather and risk angering the gods?” Like she
didn’t have enough of that to worry about in general.
   “Perhaps because you don’t want to leave. You seem so comfortable
with my brothers, little witch.”
   She leaned forward, ridiculously angry and loving every minute of it.
For some strange reason, she felt completely safe arguing with this



                                        -83-
                                Shelly Laurenston



dragon—odd. “Because your brothers haven’t been pawing me or trying
to see me naked.”
    Gwenvael shrugged his massive shoulders. “Actually—”
    Annoyed with the very sound of his voice, Talaith grabbed one of the
fruits from the bowl near her plate and threw it. Her aim, as always,
unerring. The large, round and juicy fruit slammed into Gwenvael’s head
with unrelenting force.
    “Ow! What was that for?”
    “Accident,” she snarled.
    “Nice aim,” Briec grumbled. “For a quiet little wife.”
    She turned to look at him, one eyebrow raised in challenge. “Your
point?”
    He growled, and she grinned. Which did nothing but piss the dragon
off. But before he could do or say anything else, Éibhear looked up from
his empty bowl. “So!”
    Startled by his near shout, they all stared at him. “Doesn’t seem like
the rain will let up. What would everyone like to do today since we’re
stuck inside?”
    Talaith pointed at the book on the table next to her bowl. “I’ve got
this.”
    “You read?” For some unknown reason, Éibhear seemed ridiculously
happy about this.
    “Aye.”
    “She’s a well-read peasant,” Briec drawled out.
    “I know where there are more books.” Éibhear jumped up and was
out of the cavern in seconds.
    “But I already have a book,” she said to no one in particular.
    “I guess he feels you need more.”
    Her eyes locked on Briec. “What I need is to be let go.”


                                        -84-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Why would I do that? Have you somehow fulfilled your blood debt to
me without my knowledge?”
   “I never asked for you to save me.”
   “Most likely because of that rope choking the life from you.”
   “Oh!” She stood. “I hate you. Perhaps you should go fly in the rain
and lightning will strike you dead!”
   Grabbing her book and ignoring her growling stomach, she turned
and stormed from the cavern.


                                  zzz

   Gwenvael leaned back in his chair, his hand under his shirt so he
could scratch his chest. The other hand rubbed his forehead where the
fruit had made a rather unpleasant temporary dent. “So what is your
obsession over this human female, brother?”
   “She’s…” Briec struggled for words.
   “Strange?”
   Briec frowned. “Compared to what?”
   His brother had a point. No one in the dragon world ever referred to
the Gwalchmai fab Gwyar kin as normal.
   “She doesn’t trust me,” Briec added.
   “That one trusts no one.”
   “Fearghus’ mate trusts him.”
   So that’s what this is about. He’d wondered about Briec’s sudden
interest in a human female. Now he knew. He wanted what Fearghus
had. But what Fearghus had with Annwyl was special. Very, very special.
“That’s different, Briec. Annwyl is…well…Annwyl. And would you start
using her name.”
   “Why? She’s of no consequence to me.”


                                       -85-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    More like Briec still hadn’t forgiven her for backhanding him during
one of her rages. As far as Briec was concerned—the most powerful
human queen known to this world in the last ten thousand years didn’t
exist for him.
    “But you still want what Fearghus has.”
    Briec looked up from the bowl of fruit in front of him, horror written
all over his face. “Good gods! I’d rather remove my eyes than spend a
minute in that woman’s bed.”
    Gods, his family could be literal.
    “I don’t mean you want Annwyl, idiot. I mean you want the kind of
relationship Fearghus has with Annwyl.”
    Briec shrugged and went back to his fruit. He chose two. “He does
seem…”
    “Happy?”
    “As much as Fearghus can be.” True. No one referred to Fearghus the
Destroyer as the life of anyone’s party. Their grandfather, Ailean, still
held that title. Even Gwenvael hadn’t quite managed to pass that old
bastard’s excesses. Of course all that was before Ailean met their
grandmother—Shalin, Tamer of Ailean. A title well earned and held until
her final days.
    “Look, Briec, if you want anything close to what Fearghus has, you’ll
have to change some…things.”
    “But she hasn’t even seen my den yet.” Briec grabbed a hunk of
cheese and bread. “She might like it.”
    Gwenvael struggled not to slap his older brother in the back of the
head. Although he and Briec were close—no matter how much they
fought—he still found him frustrating. Mostly because his arrogance
could fill up an entire city.
    “I meant you’ll need to change some things about you.”


                                         -86-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Me? Change? For her?” Now Briec leaned back in his chair, arms
crossed over his chest. “Why would I change for a human? Any human?”
   “If you want to be between her legs without her crying and praying for
death, you better change.”
   “What am I doing wrong?”
   “Everything.”
   “Specifics, brother.”
   “Telling her she belongs to you when you haven’t even bed her yet is
always a bad idea.”
   “Why? She does belong to me by dragon law.”
   Silently, Gwenvael sighed. This would take longer than he thought.
Briec could be so stubborn. Almost as bad as their father.
   “Dragon law only works, brother, if you want her as your slave. If
that’s what you want, then throw our laws in her face at every
opportunity. But if you ever hope to have her bed you willingly the way
Annwyl does Fearghus—and from what I’ve been able to figure out, she
drains his cock dry—then I suggest you take another tack.”
   “Are you saying I have to seduce her?”
   Gwenvael stared at his older brother. “What did you think? She’d be
so grateful for your rescue; she’d drop to her knees to service you?”
   Briec fell silent for a moment, then he answered honestly. “Yes. As a
matter of fact, I was expecting that.”
   Gwenvael shook his head. “It amazes me we have the same blood.”
   Returning to the fruit and cheese in front of him, Briec muttered, “It
amazes me I didn’t strangle you at birth. And why am I eating fruit?
Where’s that horse?”


                                  zzz



                                         -87-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   Arzhela stared down at the bowed golden head of her favorite loyal
servant. Unlike that bitch, Talaith, Hamish of Madron came to her of his
own free will. He wanted power and she could provide it…as long as he
remained loyal to her.
   As always, and like a good dog, he came when called.
   “The time has come, my son.”
   As was proper, he did not raise his eyes to look upon her. So she
couldn’t see his face, but she could sense his smile, she made sure he
understood—with her victory would come his power and ascension. “But
there is much to be done. Is all prepared?”
   “Nearly, my goddess. My best warriors have been dispatched to track
down that peasant. And my army is nearly assembled. A few more details
and we’ll be ready for your command.”
   “Good.” She reached down and like her favorite hunting hound, she
petted his head. “I know you will not fail me.”
   “Never. My life is yours, m’lady. It has always been yours.”
   She grinned and she knew he couldn’t see her fangs. “I know, child. I
know.”


                                  zzz

   Another set of books dropped at Talaith’s feet. She cringed. “Éibhear!”
   He stopped. “What?”
   “I think I have enough books.”
   “You sure?”
   Talaith glanced around at the piles and piles of books that now
surrounded her. Perhaps thirty books altogether. “I’m sure.”




                                       -88-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “Well, if you’re sure.” He stared at the books, a deep frown on his
handsome face. Clearly he didn’t feel confident she had enough to
entertain her. Exactly how long did he think she’d be staying?
   “Mind if I join you then?”
   “Uh—” was all she managed before Éibhear, grinning, grabbed one of
the books and sat on the floor, leaning against her chair.
   “It’s nice that you’re here, Lady Talaith.”
   Talaith barely stifled her laugh at the title he’d given her, knowing the
blue dragon was being sincere. “Thank you, Éibhear.”
   “Are you very miserable?”
   Truth be told, she wasn’t miserable at all. Uncomfortable, yes. A tad
wary, absolutely. And the sounds of Briec and Gwenvael constantly
fighting had begun to seriously wear on her frayed nerves. But, other
than that, she was hardly miserable.
   Some       might   actually    interpret      her   current   feelings   as
rather…contented. Although that made no sense to her. Trapped in a
cave with three human-eating dragons—she should be terrified beyond
all reason.
   But she wasn’t.
   “Lady Talaith?”
   Smiling, she reached over the arm of the chair and patted one of
Éibhear’s enormous shoulders. “I’m not miserable, Éibhear. And you
don’t have to call me lady. I’m not, actually.”
   “Aren’t Nolwenn witches royalty?”
   Now she did laugh. “Hardly. We’re very political, that’s true. We’ve
been the advisors of many kings and queens over the centuries. But no
Nolwenn witch born has been of royal blood.”
   “Ah. Well, you still seem like royalty to me.”
   “You’re very sweet.”


                                        -89-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “I know.” He leaned his head back so he could look at her, his blue
hair falling across her arm and legs. “I’m the nice one.”
   “Are you now? And Gwenvael? Which one is he?”
   “He’s the whore.”
   Enjoying the conversation immensely, Talaith relaxed back in her
chair, her legs tucked up under her. The wool dress she wore had been
waiting for her on a chair beside her bed when she woke up that
morning. She didn’t know which brother left it for her, and she wasn’t
about to ask…but even she had to admit it looked wonderful on her.
“And Briec?”
   “The warrior.”
   Unable to stop herself, she snorted. “Is he? Really?”
   Éibhear eagerly turned around so he could rest his arms on Talaith’s
lap and lean in close. By the Dark Gods of Fire, she’d never seen arms
that large before. “Really. He’s fought great battles for many years.”
   “And who did Briec battle? Some of my poor fellow humans?”
   Solemnly, Éibhear answered, “To be honest, Briec doesn’t consider
fights with humans as battles. I think he sees that more as hunting. Or a
snack that runs.”
   “What a lovely thought.”
   “My brother’s battled other dragons. Those who would dare challenge
our mother’s throne. And he’s never been defeated. Not once. They’ve
written songs about his conquests and…uh, Talaith that really hurts.”
   Talaith looked down to see she’d reached over and gripped a handful
of Éibhear’s hair. “Oh. Sorry.” She released him, absently petting his
head. “Did you say your mother’s throne?”
   “Aye.”




                                       -90-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Your mother is, um, the Dragon Queen?” One of the most brutal and
powerful killers in the known world and Talaith somehow ended up in
her children’s laps. Good one, Talaith.
   “Aye. Queen Rhiannon of the House of Gwalchmai fab Gwyar. First
Born Daughter of Queen Addiena. First Born White…”
   “So,” she cut him off before the litany of his mother’s titles forced her
to stab herself in the neck, “you’re actually Prince Éibhear.”
   “I guess.” He rested his head on her lap and instinctively Talaith
dragged her hands through his blue hair, which no longer seemed that
strange a thing to do.
   “And Briec is Prince Briec?”
   “Aye.” He snuggled in closer, his eyes drifting shut. “Now don’t you
feel special, Lady Talaith? You’ve been kidnapped by royalty.”
   Chuckling, Talaith continued to stroke Éibhear’s hair. “Oh, aye. This
entire kidnapping takes on a whole new meaning, my friend.”
   Éibhear sighed, relaxing into her. “My mother used to do that.”
   “Do what? Be sarcastic?”
   “No, no. No one does that quite like you. I mean—” He yawned. A big
one. “She used to stroke my head like you’re doing.”
   “She doesn’t anymore?”
   “No. She says I’m too old.” His voice began to fade.
   “Perhaps, but that’s no worry to me, now is it?”
   He didn’t respond and she leaned over to see Éibhear had fallen dead
asleep.
   Smiling, she relaxed back and started to again read her book while
gently stroking Éibhear’s head.


                                  zzz



                                       -91-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   At first he’d felt nothing but intense jealousy while he stayed back in
the shadows and watched the pair. Especially when his little witch began
petting his baby brother’s head like that. But Éibhear’s words humbled
him. He didn’t know his little brother thought so highly of him. Or
bragged about him so. And, of course, seeing Talaith’s face when she
found out they were royalty…well, one really couldn’t put a price on that.
   Still, it was the way she stroked Éibhear’s head that fascinated him.
Nothing lusty about it at all. In fact, it was very maternal and sweet and
warmed his heart as nothing ever had before. Too often he and Gwenvael
had to hurt those who would take advantage of Éibhear’s good nature.
Or mock him for being kind. But Talaith, she let him be as kind as he
wanted and never made fun of him for it or tried to take advantage.
   Now the question became, how did he get Talaith this comfortable
with him but without her feeling maternal? There had to be a way to get
her to soften toward him. But the only time she seemed unafraid of him
was when they were fighting. Gods, but the woman did love to fight.
   Of course, when Briec thought about it, so did he.


                                  zzz

   If he were remotely human, he’d never see or hear her heading
toward one of the lower exits out of his cave.
   He should let her go. It wasn’t wrong Briec took her from that village
because he was truly rescuing her. But not to let her go once he got her
to safety—only Briec would think that was perfectly acceptable.
   Still, leaving without letting any of them know bothered him. And
Éibhear was so fond of her, too. Plus, Gwenvael truly enjoyed the way
she tortured his older brother. He’d pay her to stay if she would keep
that up.


                                       -92-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   Her body melded into the shadows—she’d changed into all black—
and she moved silently. Yes, her skills truly did impress him and now
Gwenvael understood why Briec seemed to constantly question her.
   This woman was no mere peasant.
   She stood a stone’s throw from the mouth of the cave, but she
wouldn’t move. Her eyes scanned around. She sensed him. Very
impressive. He waited, wondering how long before she caught sight of
him. For another minute or so, she continued to search the area with her
eyes. She knew he was there, she just didn’t know where.
   Finally, she stood up straight and her head fell back so she looked up
at the ceiling—and him.
   “Talaith.”
   Even though he kept his voice calm, because he felt no anger at her
escape attempt—she wasn’t his female—she still screamed. Like a
banshee.
   She ran, too. Right toward the exit and the ongoing storm outside.
But he ran along the ceiling until he passed her, then he dropped down
in front of her, shaking the cave walls and blocking her way out.
   “Oh, no you don’t.” He sat back on his haunches and stared at her.
   She quickly crouched before him, a dagger drawn, and inched back
step by step. This was a woman who knew how to protect herself. He
liked that. Weak females bored his kind, so Briec had chosen well.
   “Move, dragon.”
   He fought his urge to laugh at her order. What exactly did she expect
to do with that tiny blade? Especially with her usually powerful voice
sounding shaky from fear.
   “I can’t. My brother would have my head.”
   “I don’t belong to him.”



                                        -93-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “No, but you’ll have to fight that fight yourself, beautiful. Now,” he
motioned in the opposite direction with the tip of his tail, “go back to
Briec.”
   “I’m not a dog. And what is wrong with your tail?” She frowned. “It’s
missing something.”
   Unwilling to discuss the betrayal of his kin and the day those bastard
brothers of his cut off the tip, Gwenvael brought his tail up so he could
wrap it around her waist and carry her back to his brother. But she
latched onto it with one hand and used the other to plant her blade
between her teeth. While Gwenvael was still trying to understand what
the hell she may be up to, he raised his tail, allowing her to jump from it
to his forearm. Next thing he knew, she climbed onto his snout and over
the top of his head.
   “What in bloody—”
   Then he saw her dagger. How could he miss it? She aimed it straight
at his eye. He swatted at her with his claw. He didn’t knock her off, but it
startled her enough she stabbed his head scant inches from her original
target.
   “Aaaaaaarrrrrrrggggggggggghhh! You mad cow!”
   He didn’t want to hurt her, but he had no choice. Especially when
she yanked her blade back and took aim again.
   Using his tail, he slammed her from behind, sending Talaith flying.
She hit the ground with a grunt, but smartly rolled with the landing.
   She ended up on her back, the dagger still clenched in her hand. He
didn’t wait for her to get up. He wrapped his tail around her, making
sure her arms were pinned at her sides and headed back into his cave.


                                  zzz



                                       -94-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   Morfyd the White, Dragonwitch of House of Gwalchmai fab Gwyar,
First-born Daughter of Dragon Queen Rhiannon, Vassal to Queen
Annwyl of Garbhán Isle, and Supreme Battle Mage to the armies of Dark
Plains, picked herself up off the ground, unable to look any of the men in
the eye who’d watched her trip over her own two big feet. After all these
years, she thought she would have mastered her human body a little
better.
   Unfortunately…
   “Are you all right?”
   She winced at the humor-filled voice she now so easily recognized.
   “Aye, Brastias.” She took the hand of Queen Annwyl’s general and
second-in-command, allowing the man to help her up.
   “Those feet of yours just came out of nowhere and attacked again,
huh?”
   She glared into his smiling face. “Keep that up, and I’ll let the next
battle wound you get go septic.”
   She brushed off the front of her white robes and desperately tried to
ignore those strong hands of Brastias’ brushing off the rear. With every
pass over her ass, she practically purred.
   “Honestly, Morfyd,” he said with all sincerity, “are you sure
everything is all right?”
   “Aye. Just one of my brothers.” She had felt a sudden and extreme
pain in her head that ended just as suddenly. Not good, especially when
it caused her to trip over her own two feet, but her brother still lived.
That she knew.
   Brastias frowned in concern. “Are they all right? Gods, it’s not
Fearghus is it?”




                                      -95-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   She shook her head, but couldn’t help but smile. No one wanted to
have that particular conversation with the queen should her mate be in
distress.
   Brastias took her arm and headed toward her tent. “Which brother
then?”
   She knew he could care less, but he always liked to find a reason to
take her hand or arm and to escort her to her tent. Morfyd had to admit,
Brastias did make going to war an almost pleasurable event.
   She concentrated for a moment, feeling for those tendrils of Magick
that kept the entire Gwalchmai fab Gwyar family continually connected.
They could shut each other out at will and usually did—unless they were
surprised. Clearly, something blindsided her kin. “Gwenvael, I think.”
   “Gwenvael? Really? Shocking,” he said flatly.
   Morfyd laughed. Brastias had been around her kin long enough now
to know if there was trouble, Gwenvael would most likely fall head first
into its lap. “I know. Unbelievably shocking.”
   They now stood in front of her tent and, as always, Morfyd
desperately searched for a reason to invite Brastias in. It had been three
years since she met the man and she still had yet to find a reason that
didn’t sound idiotic.
   Would you like to come in and count my herb supplies, O’ tall, gorgeous
one? By the Dark Fire Gods, you’re pathetic.
   “Bullocks this,” she muttered.
   Chuckling in surprise, “I’m sorry?”
   She girded her loins. She could do this. He was only a human. A
gorgeous, amazing, beautiful, human…but still a human. “Brastias, I
was wondering if—”
   Morfyd.



                                       -96-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   It was only her name, but it held enough power to drop her to her
knees. Brastias held on to her arms, the power of the gods tearing
through her.
   Call to me, child. Send for me.
   Shaking, Morfyd looked up into the extremely concerned face of
Brastias as storm clouds appeared in the sky above his head.
   “What is it, Morfyd?”
   “Inside my tent,” she gasped. “A large satchel. Fetch it for me.”
   Frowning, Brastias clearly did not want to let her go. But he had no
choice. She had no choice.
   “Please, Brastias.”
   He nodded, releasing her, and disappeared inside her tent.
   Morfyd.
   Scowling, Morfyd raged, “I hear you! Stop bloody calling me!” She took
deep breaths to calm her nerves, motioning to one of the young
messengers who helped out during battle. “Boy. Come.” Reluctantly, the
boy moved toward her. “Go to the queen, tell her a storm comes. A bad
one.”
   The boy glanced up in confusion. It had been a beautiful night, clear
skies. But that was about to quickly change. Storms were heading their
way. She’d hoped they would stay ahead of them, but it looked like that
wouldn’t be the case.
   “Boy!” She watched as his large eyes snapped down to focus on her.
“Do it now.”
   He nodded and ran off, relieved to be away from her most likely.
   Brastias returned to her side. “Morfyd, what is it?”
   More like who, but she didn’t have time for that. Instead, she ignored
the concern in his voice. “Help me up.”
   He did, easily lifting her to her feet.


                                        -97-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    “The bag.” There was too much going on to bother any longer with
niceties.
    Brastias quickly handed the satchel to her. Turning away from her
tent, she headed toward a river a bit away from camp. “You sure you
don’t need me to—”
    “No, Brastias!” She stopped when she realized she’d snapped at him.
Gods invading her body brought out that reaction. But the warrior had
done nothing wrong.
    She looked at him over her shoulder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
    “No need to apologize, Morfyd.” He gave her a warm smile, never
angry at her sudden and abrupt changes of mood brought on by the
constantly shifting winds of Magick. “Go. We’ll have food waiting for you
when you get back.”
    And he knew she’d be fairly starving after working Magick. The man
is absolutely perfect.
    He smirked. “If we can find a cow laying around that is.”
    She glared at him before storming off. Sarcastic bastard.


                                  zzz

    “Why are you being so nice to me?”
    “What?” Briec looked up from the game he’d been playing with
Éibhear for the last hour. So focused on the pieces and his next move,
Briec barely noticed Éibhear kept staring at him.
    “I said why are you being so nice?”
    “Can’t I be nice to my baby brother?”
    “No.”




                                       -98-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    Briec chuckled, but it choked off when a bleeding, raging Gwenvael
stormed in with a bruised, less bloody, but equally raging Talaith
wrapped in his tail.
    “What the hell is going on?” he demanded as Gwenvael tossed Talaith
at his feet.
    “That mad bitch stabbed me!”
    “You were in my way!” Talaith yelled back.
    Growling, fangs showing, Gwenvael moved on her. But Briec stepped
between the two, staring his younger brother down, and baring his own
fangs.
    “I know, brother, you haven’t lost your reason.”
    “She’s crazy. You haven’t had her yet. So I say we dine on her this
evening before she kills us all in our sleep.”
    Although human males were fair game to his brother, there was no
woman alive Gwenvael had ever “dined” on. At least not that way. And
the way the big gold tried to look around Briec to glare at Talaith told
him Gwenvael merely wanted to terrify her. Which was good. Because
Briec’s desire to protect this female—against his own kin, no less—
confused him. He had no idea what he’d do if Gwenvael actually tried to
hurt Talaith.
    “Éibhear, take care of our brother’s scratch, would you?”
    “Scratch? You call this a scratch?” He pointed at the wound with his
claw and it took much not to wince at it. “She nearly took my eye out!”
    “Don’t over-dramatize, Gwenvael,” Éibhear chastised while helping
Talaith to her feet by letting her grab hold of one of his talons. “When I’m
done, you’ll be fine.”
    “This is my den. I want her out.”




                                        -99-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Briec snorted a laugh before he had the chance to stop it and he
thought for sure Gwenvael would try to remove his head. But Éibhear
grabbed Gwenvael’s forearm.
   “Stop it, Gwenvael.” He motioned to his brother with his tail. “Come.”
   Éibhear walked off, dragging a glaring Gwenvael behind him.
   Briec watched until he was sure Gwenvael was gone. What he found
entertaining was that Talaith actually thought him distracted enough not
to notice her attempt to sneak away.
   He slammed the tip of his tail in front of her and she screamed, then
kicked it.
   “Gods damn that thing!”
   “You harmed my brother, m’lady.”
   She turned to face him. “You said yourself it was only a scratch.”
   “I said that in the hope of keeping you from becoming his next
midnight snack. I left that blade on you because I trusted you not to use
it. Especially not to use it on my kin.”
   She had the decency to look a bit ashamed. “I didn’t want to hurt
him. I just wanted to leave.”
   Apparently he owed his brother much if he prevented her from
leaving.
   “Why?”
   “Why what?”
   “Why do you want to leave?”
   “You are joking.”
   “No. I’m not. I want to hear your reasons. I want to know what it is
about me and my brothers you find so horrifying you’d rather brave the
wrath of the gods than stay here with us?”




                                       -100-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    Even deep within Gwenvael’s den they could hear the thunder and
lightning strikes dotting the land around them. This was not the kind of
weather anyone, human or dragon, should be out in.
    “You’re dragons. Our most hated enemies.”
    He rolled his eyes and sat back on his haunches. “Honestly, little
witch, I know you can do better than that.”
    She sighed. A great heaving sigh. And her shoulders dropped. She
shook her head slowly, her brown eyes locked on the ground at her feet.
    “I just can’t stay.”


                                    zzz

    If only he was as stupid as the one she called husband. If only he
cared so little for anything but himself, he’d never know when she was
lying.
    Not that spending her life among scales and tails held much pleasure
for her. But for the first time since that fateful day Arzhela and her
priestesses came for her had Talaith felt content. Not quite happy, but
she’d never really been a happy person.
    As her mother used to joke—on those rare occasions the woman
joked about anything—”Nolwenn witches and happy…words simply never
used in the same sentence.”
    And she really didn’t mean to hurt Gwenvael, but he’d given her no
choice.
    “Answer me, Talaith.”
    Damn that dragon voice. The way Briec said her name—it curled
around her like a warm blanket. But she didn’t dare look him in the
eyes. Those violet eyes tore right through her.
    “I simply can’t stay, Briec.”


                                        -101-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Does someone wait for you?”
   Exasperated at his persistence, she glared at him and snapped, “Yes.
In fact there’s an entire army waiting for me. I intend to service them all.
Happy now? Now can I go?”
   “Are you incapable of giving me a straight answer?”
   “Are you incapable of hearing me? I want to go. Now.”
   Flames flared around him and then were gone, leaving the man
behind. And oh, what a man…
   She didn’t know which was worse—the dragon Briec who could eat
her in one bite or the human Briec who she wanted to eat her in one bite.
   “Why do you insist on arguing everything with me?”
   She’d angered him. Good. It was much easier dealing with an angry
dragon than a considerate, caring one. “Why do you insist on not
listening to me?”
   “Even if I wanted to let you go, you still can’t leave in this weather.”
   “I’ll do as I like, you oversized, scaly bastard. And that means I’m
leaving.”
   She turned to walk away, but Briec took firm hold of her arm and
swung her back around.
   “Don’t walk away from me!”
   “Get your hands off me before I slice you open like I did your
brother.”
   She still had the blade in her right hand. And that was the hand
Briec gripped and yanked to his throat, pressing the tip of the blade
against the soft spot where his neck met his collarbone. “Then do it, little
witch. Push your dagger home and run.”
   Talaith stared at the tip of her blade pressing against soft flesh. Do it,
Talaith. Do it. She yelled the words at herself over and over. But she
couldn’t. She couldn’t kill him.


                                      -102-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   “You can’t do it, can you?” He didn’t sound smug or arrogantly sure—
he sounded shocked. “Can you?”
   She didn’t answer him. They both knew she didn’t have to. Her
hesitation revealed too much. Gave too much a way.
   “I—” was all she managed before he slapped her hand, and the
dagger it held, away and gripped her face tight between his hands.
   Briec yanked her up seconds before his mouth slammed down over
hers. Not exactly how she imagined their first kiss, but this was so much
better.
   She whimpered and tipped her head to the side, her tongue dipping
into his mouth and sliding across his. She felt his body tense, surprised
by her bold reaction no doubt. Surprised and entertained. He pulled her
tighter against his body and deepened their kiss, ravaging her mouth
with his own.
   Now this…this was a kiss. A kiss of the highest order. The kind of
kiss she’d dreamed about all her life, but never thought she’d experience.
The kind she knew would make her willing to give up everything for a
night in a man’s bed. Except for Briec not exactly being a man, she was
there.
   After a few moments, the kiss gentled and Briec took his time
exploring her mouth. Talaith let him, enjoying this kiss in ways she never
thought she could. Her entire body screamed for his attention. Screamed
to be taken and claimed. She wanted him. Gods did she want him!
   Slowly, he pulled his mouth away from her and murmured, “I knew
you wanted me.”
   Damn him! Talaith brought her booted foot down on his instep.
   “Ow!” He stumbled away from her. “What in holy hell was that for?”
   “For not half being an arrogant bastard.”



                                      -103-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   She retrieved her blade from the floor and headed to the chamber she
used as her bedroom, resigned to staying in this pit of despair at least
until the weather cleared or Arzhela called to her.
   “I hate you, Briec the Arrogant,” she yelled over her shoulder. “You
and all your kind.”
   “Really? It certainly doesn’t smell that way.”
   She didn’t respond. Why bother when he was right?


                                  zzz

   When she didn’t show up for dinner, Éibhear went searching for her,
Gwenvael trailing behind. Briec wouldn’t speak of her and wouldn’t go.
Éibhear didn’t know what happened between them after he and
Gwenvael left, but it made Briec one cranky dragon.
   They finally tracked her down at the springs. She sat on the edge of
one, her small bare feet in the warm water and her hand firmly wrapped
around one of his father’s bottles of Fire Wine…uh-oh.
   Sitting on either side of her, the brothers watched her stare into the
water and sway. Side to side. Side to side. Humming. It was kind of
mesmerizing.
   “Lady Talaith?”
   Big, brown, and rather dazed eyes slowly focused on him. “Éibhear—”
He waited for her to say something more but that seemed to be all she
could manage.
   “What are you doing, m’lady?”
   She held up the bottle. “Drinking tea.”
   He smiled. “That’s not tea, Talaith.”
   “I sensed that when I walked into the wall.” She pointed to the spot,
using the hand holding the bottle and almost slapping Gwenvael on the


                                      -104-
                              The Distressing Damsel



wounded side of his head. Luckily he moved quickly. “The wall over
there.”
   She turned back around and that’s when she saw Gwenvael.
   “Gwenvael.” She leaned against him, surprising both brothers. “I’m so
sorry I almost killed you.”
   What Éibhear admired about Gwenvael was how he never stayed
angry for long. And, unlike their father and Fearghus, he didn’t bother
holding grudges either. He preferred enjoying himself by making other
people miserable. He was very good at it.
   “It’s all right, Talaith. I’m sure you can make it up to me somehow.”
   Gwenvael winked at him over the top of her head and Éibhear rolled
his eyes in disgust. No shame. His brothers simply didn’t possess the
ability to feel shame.
   Talaith waved the bottle of wine in Gwenvael’s face. “Oh no you don’t,
dragon. I may be a little drunk, Handsome the Gwenvael, but I’m not that
drunk.” Handsome the Gwenvael? Oh, she was so very drunk. “You’ll not
defile me with this…” she looked him over carefully, “…gorgeous human
body of yours.”
   “I know. You’ll be defiled by Briec’s gorgeous human body.”
   She punched him in the shoulder and Gwenvael actually winced. “I
will not. He’s such a pushy, arrogant bastard. More than you, believe it
or not.”
   “Oh, I believe it.”
   “But I have no desire to be…” She searched for words and Gwenvael
decided to help her there.
   “Fucked within an inch of your life?”
   “Gwenvael,” Éibhear warned.
   “I’m just helping her.”



                                        -105-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “No.” Talaith shook her head. “You’re being a bastard. But I’m getting
used to that. Besides,” she patted his shoulder, “you’re such a cute
bastard.”
   “Talaith,” Éibhear said softly. “Perhaps we should get you back to
your room.”
   “No. He’ll be there. Lurking outside my chamber like a giant scaly
watchdog.”
   “Briec would never force himself on you,” Éibhear assured her.
Because he knew his brother never would. To be quite blunt, he couldn’t
be bothered.
   “I know. He can be so nice,” she said sadly, “when he’s not being an
arrogant son of a bitch.”
   “If you know that,” Gwenvael cut in, “I’m not sure why it would
concern you where my brother slept. Unless it is your own control that
concerns you, m’lady.”
   Talaith raised her hand and flicked Gwenvael’s still-healing wound.
   “Ow!”
   “Don’t irritate me.” She hugged the bottle to her chest and sighed.
“None of you understand. I’m trapped with no way out. I’ve been trapped
now for sixteen years.”
   Éibhear and Gwenvael exchanged concerned glances. What was she
talking about? At first, he thought she was still talking about Briec, but
she’d only known him a few days. For some other reason she felt the
need to leave. For a reason Éibhear knew she’d never share with them.
Talaith had been keeping secrets for a very long time. He knew that even
drunk, she’d still keep those secrets.
   “I wish you’d let us help you, Talaith.” He gently pushed her curly
hair off her face. “At least let Briec.” Briec would do anything for her,
except neither of them had realized it yet.


                                      -106-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    “No one can help me, Éibhear. I’ve learned that all too well, my
friend.”
    Somehow she pushed herself to her feet, the bottle still gripped in
one hand and pressed to her chest. “I’m going to stagger to my room
now.”
    “Talaith—”
    “No. No. I’ll be fine.” She took several awkward steps, then stopped.
“You. I knew you’d be lurking.”
    Éibhear turned to see Briec leaning against the entrance wall, his
arms crossed over his chest. His human form looked casual enough, but
Éibhear sensed his brother’s concern. Briec would never admit it, but he
cared about this lovely but strange woman who couldn’t hold her drink.
    “Come, Talaith. Let me take you to bed,” Briec offered.
    “I can manage well enough on my own, serpent.” She walked toward
him. “So just keep your claws off me.” She hiccupped once and pitched
forward. Briec caught hold of her before she landed face first in the dirt.
    “Briec?”
    “Don’t worry, Éibhear. I’ll take care of her.” Briec lifted the
unconscious woman up in his arms. “Thanks for finding her before she
drowned herself.”
    Éibhear waited until he was sure Briec was out of hearing range,
then turned to Gwenvael. “You’re right, you know?”
    “About?”
    “She is going to make his life hell.”
    Gwenvael grinned, his wound seemingly forgotten. “I know.”


                                   zzz




                                        -107-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Briec laid his drunken human down on the bed, finally prying the
bottle of Fire Wine from her grasp. Even he didn’t drink his father’s
homemade wine, but he had used it to clean rust off old armor.
   He brushed Talaith’s hair off her face and her brown eyes fluttered
open. “Oh. It’s you.”
   Did she have to sound so disappointed? “Aye. It’s me.”
   “Come to take advantage of me in my inebriated state?”
   “I try not to do that. Nothing worse than the morning-after sobbing.”
   She laughed while struggling to sit up. “I don’t understand you,
dragon.”
   “What don’t you understand?”
   “Sometimes you can be so nice, and I can almost forget how annoying
you are. And then you open your mouth, and I remember exactly how
annoying you are.”
   She finally found a way to sit up and, for a brief moment, he expected
her to pitch forward again, but she managed to keep her seat. He
watched her struggle with the ribbon tying her bodice together, which
she managed to get completely knotted up.
   Sighing, he kneeled in front of her and pushed her hands away. “At
this rate, you’ll be sober before you get your dress off.”
   He worked at untying the knots she created, but he could feel her
eyes on him. Her words still startled him, though. “I like you on your
knees, dragon.”
   Briec dug in and decided not to look at her, instead concentrating on
the knots before him.
   “I don’t think you’re necessarily better looking on your knees,” she
continued, “but I find you almost charming there.”
   “Talaith, I need you to stop talking now.”
   “Why? Am I shocking you?”


                                       -108-
                             The Distressing Damsel



    No. She wasn’t shocking him. But she was making him hard. From
this position, he could do all sorts of things to her and with her. But he
wasn’t about to take advantage of her while she was flying high on his
father’s homemade liquor. He liked his women sober and willing. Not
passing out in the middle of it or, even worse, throwing up on him.
Besides, hadn’t she done enough of that already?
    “Don’t you want to fuck me, dragon?”
    He dropped his head on her still-clothed chest. “Where did a nice
witch like you learn words like that?”
    “Did you forget? Peasant village. I know all sorts of words after living
with those people. Want me to list them?”
    “No!” He cleared his throat. “No,” he said more calmly. “Just stay
quiet…or pass out. Anything that will stop you from talking.”
    She stopped speaking.
    Then she started again. “Does your dragon cock have scales?”
    “That’s it.” He took firm hold of her bodice and ripped it in half. He
pulled the dress down, practically flipping her off the bed in his
desperation to get it off her. Once done, he tossed the ruined dress into
the pitfire.
    “Look!” She stood on the bed, arms over her head. “I’m naked!”
    He grabbed Talaith to him—ignoring how good her warm flesh felt
against his—and lifted her up off her feet with one arm. With the other,
he dragged the fur covers back and dropped her onto the bed. He covered
up her luscious body as quickly as he could manage.
    “Go to sleep, woman.”
    He turned and walked several steps away. Stopped. Turned. And
walked returned to her. She looked up at him and smiled.
    “Big bastard,” she giggled.



                                       -109-
                             Shelly Laurenston



   “Annoying harpie,” he growled back. Then he leaned down and kissed
her mouth hard. She moaned and her hands dug into his hair, clinging
to him.
   Unfortunately, he had to stop. He had to. Or he’d be inside her in
seconds.
   “I want you sleeping in the next two minutes,” he ordered.
   “Or what?”
   He bared fangs, two long ones in the front. He hated doing it, mostly
because they tore up his lip due to their size. But the crazy witch made
him absolutely insane.
   She shrunk away from him. “All right. All right. No need to get mean.”
   Moving toward the exit as fast as the erection pushing against his
breeches would allow, he said, “Sadly, little witch, you seem to
understand nothing else.”
   But by then, he could already hear her light snoring.




                                    -110-
                             The Distressing Damsel




                        Chapter Eight

   For three straight days, the storms raged. Ice-cold rain beating down,
brutal winds blowing, plus powerful lightning ensured Talaith wouldn’t
leave the dragon’s cave.
   And after her first thwarted escape and drunken escapade—did I
really stand on the bed and say “I’m naked”?—Briec wouldn’t let her out
of his sight. So for three solid days she’d been stuck with him and his
kin. Although, she did have to admit it had definitely been an interesting
three days trapped in a cave with three related dragons who seemed hell-
bent on torturing each other.
   She thought for sure Gwenvael would never forgive her for what she
did to him. But he healed fast enough and didn’t seem to care, especially
when irritating the living hell out of his brother clearly took precedence.
   As soon as he realized merely being close to Talaith annoyed Briec,
the gold dragon went out of his way to not only forgive Talaith, but to
show her as much affection as he could manage.
   It seemed Gwenvael enjoyed lounging around or on her. Of course, all
this closeness only seemed to happen when Briec was in the vicinity.
Gwenvael would stretch out beside her, sometimes human and
sometimes dragon. As human, Gwenvael would lay his handsome head
in her lap, ignoring the fact she would be in the middle of reading
something. As dragon, he’d lay his snout. Either way, when Briec found



                                       -111-
                               Shelly Laurenston



him it always turned ugly. She’d gotten to the point that as long as
stones didn’t drop from the ceiling onto her head, she didn’t worry.
   As for Éibhear, he couldn’t seem to do enough for her. He made sure
she ate well, had warm clothes, clean bedding, and books to read. He
had to be the kindest being she’d ever known. Plus, very funny and very
smart. She’d begun to call him Éibhear the Diplomat. He was the only
one who could calm his brothers when they went into one of their
arguments. He seemed to like everything and everyone peaceful.
   Still, he did have his occasional mood changes, but he never directed
those her way. His brothers received the brunt and they didn’t seem to
notice. Gwenvael finally told her that, among his kind, Éibhear was
young. “Not yet a hundred,” Gwenvael would tease, knowing to a
human—even a Nolwenn witch with their long lives—that sounded
strange. In a few more years Éibhear would finally grow into his true
dragon self. She already mourned the loss of the sweet, endearing bear of
a dragon who loved to make her laugh.
   And then there was Briec.
   After her little escape attempt and their kiss, he circled around her
like a bird of prey. If his brothers got too close, he was there to move
them. If she got lost in the enormous caverns and tunnels of Gwenvael’s
home—which, unfortunately, happened more than once—he’d find her
and lead her back.
   When he wasn’t doing all that, he was looking for an argument. He
absolutely loved irritating the hell out of her. He made sure to do it often,
it seemed. Of course it didn’t help that when he would start the fights,
not only would she jump in with much enthusiasm, but the arguments
invariably made her want him. Desperately. They both knew it, too. The
way he’d stare at her. The way his nostrils would flare seconds before



                                      -112-
                              The Distressing Damsel



he’d say something else to aggravate her more, proved to her he knew
exactly what he was doing.
      Yet, she knew deep in her soul, all this did was kill time. Time until
he could get her truly alone. Away from his meddling brothers. Talaith,
however, lived in fear of that day. She didn’t fear Briec. Not anymore. But
she did fear her feelings for him. She’d been so young when she’d met
her first and, up to this point, only love. A young, tall warrior with light
brown eyes who treated her like a princess. They’d given each other
everything, to her mother’s great annoyance. But he’d died in battle and
that’s when her entire world changed.
      But he’d been a mere boy. Barely ten and eight. Briec, however, was
in no way young or inexperienced. Plus the fact he wasn’t human still
bothered her…a lot. Many would consider a mating between the two an
abomination. Actually, Talaith would have felt that way, too—before she
met Briec.
      Now she dreamed every night about the big bastard. And in every
dream they argued. Which normally wouldn’t worry her. What worried
her was waking up a sweating mess with her sex wet and her hand
between her legs. Even in the darkness of the cave, she knew Briec
watched her. He watched her moan and writhe on the bed and not once
did he touch her. Although she sensed he wanted to…very much. She
had to admit, she admired his strength of will. Most men she’d known
wouldn’t wait for her. Ones not remotely as powerful as Briec would have
taken what they wanted from her whether she agreed or not.
      He didn’t. Which just made her like him more. And she hated him for
it.
      Finally, though, the rains and lightning stopped. At least temporarily
since the clouds still hovered near. After much begging—and arguing—
Briec finally agreed to take her down to the closest village. But she had to


                                        -113-
                              Shelly Laurenston



promise she wouldn’t do anything “annoyingly stupid” like yell for help.
She grudgingly promised, because Arzhela still had not called to her.
Once that call came, she would do what she had to, even break her
promise to the dragon.
   The town near Gwenvael’s cave—where every local woman seemed to
know or know of the three brothers—boasted a sizable market, and there
were many items she would have liked to purchase if she had any coin.
But she wouldn’t ask the dragon for any money. Not in this lifetime.
   Gwenvael grabbed her hand and dragged her over to one of the
dressmaker shops. “We should get you something pretty.”
   “We? You actually plan to spend money on me?”
   “No. That’s my dear brother’s job. But I can dress you as the goddess
you are. Especially because I have much better taste than him.”
   Talaith laughed while he looked over the already made gowns and the
available materials. Gwenvael had grown on her. True, she had no doubt
he’d fairly leap between her legs if she even gave him the merest hint she
might welcome him. But they both knew he’d only do it to annoy Briec.
   Which was why she wasn’t surprised when Briec suddenly appeared
behind her, glaring at Gwenvael.
   “What are you doing?”
   “Picking out a dress for you to buy for your lady.”
   His lady?
   “I am not his lady.”
   “She’s not my lady.”
   Talaith glared at Briec over her shoulder. “What do you mean I’m not
your lady?”
   “You just said you’re not my lady.”
   She turned to face him. “I can say what I want. You, however, need to
keep your mouth shut.”


                                     -114-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   “You know as I begin to forget your peasant upbringing, you seem to
delight in reminding me.”
   “As you pointed out before, my upbringing was not that of a peasant.
I am the daughter of a merchant.”
   “A sea merchant?”
   Her eyes narrowed. Sea merchants held extremely bad reputations
throughout Dark Plains and Alsandair. Rumors abounded that most of
them were more pirates than merchants, their boats coming down from
the Northland Sea and raiding seaside towns. “No, you arrogant—” She
stopped speaking and looked down at the big hands holding a lovely
dress up in front of her. Of course, leave it to Gwenvael to hold her dress
up by taking a firm grasp of her breasts.
   Before she could tell him to get his bloody hands off, Briec beat her to
it. “Remove your hands, brother.”
   Gwenvael’s large, strong body pressed against her back while his
golden head leaned over her shoulder and stared down, she assumed, at
the dress. “I wanted to see how this looked on her before you buy it.”
   “Remove your hands…or lose your hands.”
   Keeping his head firmly against her shoulder, Gwenvael lifted only
those big gold eyes of his. “Now, now, brother. Temper, temper.”
   “Oh!” Talaith slammed her foot down into Gwenvael’s instep.
   “Ack!”
   She pulled away from Gwenvael and quickly maneuvered around
Briec before he could grab hold of her either, so her back faced the shop
exit. “Both of you cut it out. I will not be tugged between you two like
a…a…”
   “Fine sweetmeat?”
   “Delicious morsel?”
   “Tasty tidbit?”


                                      -115-
                                   Shelly Laurenston



       “Scrumptious delicacy?”
       “Decadent delight?”
       She held her hands up. “Stop. Stop.”
       “Good gods, brother.” Gwenvael rested his hand on Briec’s shoulder.
“Is that a smile your lady wears?”
       “I think so. But I’m not all that sure. I’ve seen so few on her face.”
       “It’s beautiful, though.”
       “Aye,” Briec answered, his eyes devouring her on the spot. “That it
is.”
       She knew this was moments from getting horribly awkward. So she
did the only thing she could think of. “Both of you are absolutely
impossible. I’m leaving.”
       She rushed out of the shop only to crash into Éibhear.
       “There you are, Talaith. Come. I’ve found a bookseller.”
       She barely managed a light squeal before the young dragon had her
by the hand, and dragged her off across the square.


                                      zzz

       Eavan walked up to his commander. “You’re not going to believe who
I saw being dragged across the town square.”
       His commander turned one cold blue eye his way, the other lost in
battle long ago, but said nothing. He was a man of few words.
       “Our prize.”
       “The dragon?”
       “Nowhere to be seen. She has aligned herself with a knight. Perhaps
more. But no one that’s a real threat to us.”
       His commander grinned. “Seems riches and glory will be ours soon,
my friend.”


                                          -116-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Eavan returned his commander’s smile. Riches and glory. What he’d
always wanted.


                                   zzz

   Briec snatched the dress from Gwenvael’s hands. “Stay away from
her, Gwenvael. Especially her breasts.”
   “But they’re magnificent, brother.”
   Gwenvael grinned and Briec debated ripping the bastard’s head off.
Of course it could make for tense dinner conversation with his mother,
though.
   What annoyed him more than he wanted to admit was the fact
Gwenvael had damn near more physical contact with that impossible
female than he did.
   Gwenvael shook his head. “Get out now, brother. Really. Give her
gold for her trouble and leave her here.”
   “No.” He couldn’t. No matter how much the rational side of him
wanted to. She must have trapped him with, he was fairly convinced, a
spell of some kind.
   “You don’t understand, Briec. You won’t be getting rid of her anytime
soon. You keep her now…you’ll keep her forever.”
   Briec scoffed, “I have no intention of keeping that human harpy
longer than absolutely necessary.”
   Catching the eye of a shop girl, Gwenvael proceeded to follow after
her but not before throwing over his shoulder, “If you think getting your
cock inside that woman will end this—you’re dumber than Fearghus.”
   Briec already knew that, too.


                                   zzz


                                       -117-
                               Shelly Laurenston




   “I’m falling!”
   “Oh.” Éibhear grabbed back half the books he’d piled in her arms.
“Sorry.”
   Talaith smiled, and Éibhear couldn’t help but envy his brother’s
choice of female. He thought Talaith was amazing. So pretty and sweet,
with a wonderful sense of humor. Even drunk she was adorable.
   Of course, she was also hiding something. But, as always, Éibhear’s
only concern was his family. As long as whatever her secret was didn’t
involve his family, he’d leave his brother to it. But if any of his kin were
in danger, he’d smite the beauty where she stood.
   “It’s all right, Éibhear. But you do know I don’t need all these books.”
   “You can never have enough books,” he quoted Annwyl.
   “I see.” Talaith gave him that indulgent smile she seemed to hold just
for him. He wondered if Briec realized how nurturing she was. She’d
make a good mother one day.
   The shopkeeper slipped into the back to find a book Éibhear had
been searching for, leaving them alone in the small, book-filled shop.
“You are going to stay? With Briec.”
   She looked startled, then she looked resigned. “No, Éibhear. I will
not.”
   “Will not or can not?”
   “Both.” She fidgeted and he realized how uncomfortable this
conversation was making her.
   “Besides,” she argued, “your brother only wants me for as long as he
wants me. I’m sure he will bore of me soon. Especially, if…” Her voice
faded out.
   “Especially if he beds you?”



                                       -118-
                               The Distressing Damsel



    She winced and nodded curtly. “It seems males of any species are no
different.”
    He might agree with her if this were Gwenvael they spoke of. But
Briec didn’t waste his time on…well…anything. He bored easily and had
an arrogance rivaled only by their father. If he only wanted to bed a
female, any female, he would have left Talaith outside of her little town
when she asked him to rather than spend a moment longer trying to lure
her to spread her legs. Briec’s determination to have this woman in his
bed and life, however, told Éibhear that bedding Talaith a few times
would not get her out of his system.
    Still, beautiful as this woman was, she continued to remind Éibhear
of a coiled snake ready to strike. As long as you left her alone, she’d leave
you alone. But if you got too close…
    “I’m starving,” he announced, unwilling to obsess over Talaith and
her secrets too much.
    She grinned. “When aren’t you starving?”
    “I’m still a growing boy, you know. I’m barely even ninety winters
old.”
    She stared up at him, horrified. “Good gods, Éibhear, do you mean
you’ll actually get…bigger?”


                                    zzz

    She didn’t even have to turn around to know he stood behind her.
    “You watch me constantly,” she said over her shoulder as she
continued to study the lovely jewelry the vendor sold. Silver remained her
favorite because gold never looked very good against her skin color.
Although she could never afford either.
    “I want to make sure you don’t try to slash any of my other kin.”


                                         -119-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Your brother seems to have forgiven me about that.”
   Briec stepped up beside her. “My brother will forgive any female
anything as long as he can stare at her breasts while doing it.”
   “You’re too hard on him.”
   “And you are like every other female that allows him much leeway.”
   Frowning, Talaith looked up at him, but he would not face her.
Instead he stared down at the jewelry as if considering each piece
carefully. “I give your brother no leeway and never will.”
   “I didn’t see you moving his hands away while he held that dress
against you.”
   “First off, you didn’t give me the chance. And second, you sound
awfully jealous.”
   “Me? Jealous?” Briec finally turned and faced her. “Of him?”
   “Don’t yell at me,” she replied calmly. “And yes, you sound very
jealous of your brother. Like it’s making you insane with rage.”
   “Why you evil little—”
   “You two argue,” Éibhear cut in, “while I starve to death.” His big
hands rested on his lean hips. “If someone doesn’t feed me soon, I will
get cranky.”
   “Can this not wait until we’re done,” Briec snarled.
   “No. You two argue constantly.” Éibhear grabbed her hand and
Briec’s eyes narrowed at where their fingers touched. “Argue later. Feed
me now.”
   Without another word, Éibhear dragged her off yet again, this time
toward the local inn.
   Talaith glanced back at Briec and she immediately understood the
look on his handsome face. His patience waned—greatly. No, Briec the
Arrogant wouldn’t tolerate his brothers’ interference much longer. And



                                      -120-
                            The Distressing Damsel



thoughts of what he might do when that patience ran out had her knees
nearly buckling.


                                  zzz

   Glendower, Son of Glewlwyd stumbled out of the Great Hall of
Garbhán Isle castle and into the arms of Eryi, captain of the guards.
   “Ho, Glendower!” the man laughed. “Too much drink, my old friend?”
   Not bothering to answer, he turned in Eryi’s arms and grabbed the
collar of the man’s chainmail shirt. He yanked him out of the way as
flames burst from inside the Great Hall and out the door, nearly singeing
them both on the spot.
   The two men, now facedown in the dirt, looked up at each other.
   “What in all that’s holy…”
   Glendower, who had stupidly offered to be temporary Garbhán Isle
vassal until the queen and her army returned, shook his head. Who
knew suggesting the rotation of crops over to the south side of the castle
grounds would cause the queen’s consort to get so terse. “I believe our
lord misses the queen…greatly.”
   “That woman,” Eyri panted, “cannot return fast enough.”
   And Glendower most heartily agreed.


                                  zzz

   She’d been nervous since they walked in. Her legs under the table
bounced incessantly. An already annoying habit he was hoping to break
her of, but this was intolerable. And her eyes kept straying across the
room to look at them.




                                      -121-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Finally, Briec couldn’t stand it anymore. “Is there a problem,
Talaith?”
   Her eyes snapped back to the three dragons sitting at the table with
her. “No. Why?”
   “I don’t know. Maybe it’s the way you keep staring at those four men
over there.”
   Gwenvael leaned back as far as he could manage, trying to get his
body comfortable in the tiny table setting. Clearly no one designed these
inns with dragon patrons in mind. “Do you know them?”
   Her hand strayed to the rope burn on her neck. It’d turned into a
lovely shade of purple and green, but at least, according to her, the pain
plagued her no more. “Um…I know of them.” She shrugged. “They’re
soldiers. Lord Hamish’s soldiers.”
   All three of the brothers turned and stared at the men.
   “Don’t stare at them,” she whispered fiercely.
   “They look like travelers or priests,” Éibhear offered.
   But Gwenvael shook his head. “They’re much more than that, little
brother. They’re well-armed under those robes.”
   “Oh.” Éibhear was silent for a moment. Then, in that Éibhear way, he
said, “Let’s kill them then.”
   Now all their attention turned to Éibhear.
   “What? What did I say?”
   Briec caught Talaith’s eyes and they smiled at each other. Every once
in awhile Éibhear reminded them all he was still a young dragon.
   “They haven’t actually done anything, pup,” Briec somehow managed
to say without laughing. “We can’t just kill them.”
   “Clearly Talaith feels threatened. Isn’t that enough?”
   “No,” Gwenvael chuckled. “That’s not enough.”



                                       -122-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    “Well, it should be,” Éibhear grumbled as he took the rest of
Gwenvael’s meal as his own.
    “Have they ever hurt you,” Briec asked. If her answer was “yes”, then
Éibhear would get his wish.
    Talaith shook her head. “No. No. Nothing like that. I’m just wondering
why they’re here. Little far from Madron, wouldn’t you say?”
    She had a valid point.
    “Aye. I know some who wouldn’t like the idea of any of Hamish’s men
this close to Dark Plains.” And Garbhán Isle. Fearghus became awfully
testy when he thought that viper he called mate might be in danger. Of
course, the woman had been out with her army for months. How
Fearghus tolerated that, Briec didn’t know. Simply thinking of Talaith
leaving anytime soon gave him this very odd feeling in his chest. He
didn’t know what it was, but he knew he didn’t enjoy it.
    “I’d like to know how they got this far, in this weather,” Gwenvael
questioned before finishing the last of his ale.
    “That only matters,” Éibhear said while nearly inhaling the food off
his plate as if he hadn’t eaten in years, “if they’re here to find Talaith.
They may have already been traveling before the storms started.”
    “Well, little human,” Briec asked softly. “Are they here for you?”
    Instead of giving him an answer, Talaith said, “Perhaps we should
just leave.” Talaith looked like she’d give anything to be able to disappear
into the dirt floor.
    The three brothers glanced at each other. These men would follow
but, of course, that worked out better for them in the end.
    “Good point. Let’s leave.”
    “No dessert?” Éibhear appeared fairly stricken and Briec couldn’t
help but laugh.



                                        -123-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    “I’m sure we’ll find something back at Gwenvael’s den to help with
that sweet fang of yours.”
    He dropped gold on the table and held his hand out for Talaith. She
stared at it as if she expected it to tear out her throat.
    “Problem?”
    She forced a smile he hoped never to see from her again, it held so
little life, and said, “No. Of course not.” Talaith stood without taking his
hand and headed toward the door, pulling the hood of her cloak over her
head.
    Briec sighed as he followed his brothers out, knowing the men from
the inn would be right behind them.
    Good. He really wouldn’t mind killing something tonight.


                                   zzz

    They’d looped behind the buildings and came at them from the front,
multiplying from four to ten. Briec pushed Talaith behind him, the males
facing off.
    Suddenly she was ever so grateful to have the protection of Briec and
his kin. True, the soldiers wouldn’t kill her. She was too valuable. But
she not only knew the reputation of the Madron soldiers, she’d seen it in
action in her village.
    She knew her trip back to Madron with these men would
be…unpleasant. No. She had no intention of going with them. Her virtue
may not be much but it was hers. And, unlike the dragon, she knew
these men would honor nothing on their way back to Madron. Besides,
Briec wouldn’t let her go, which secretly made her smile.
    Still, there was no way this wouldn’t end without bloodshed.




                                       -124-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    “Hold, knights,” one of them calmly stated to the brothers—no doubt
fooled by their chainmail and surcoats, which they’d dug up in one of
Gwenvael’s caverns while discussing what they’d done to the men who
once wore them. The soldier pushed his robes back so they could see the
hilt of his blade. As Gwenvael noted, they were well armed. “I believe you
have something that belongs to us.”
    Something that belongs to them? Good thing the dragons stood
between them. She’d kill them herself if she could get her hands around
their collective throats.
    “And what would that be, soldier?” Gwenvael asked with a smile. The
brothers itched for this fight, their lust for blood flowing from them like
honey.
    “Give us the woman. We’ll let you live.”
    No, they wouldn’t.
    Gwenvael motioned to Talaith. “This woman? Sorry, my brother got to
her first. She’s his prize. She stays with us.”
    The ten soldiers drew their swords and the three brothers watched
them do it.
    She waited for them to do something. Walking out of the pub, the
brothers had decided that shifting to dragon would be a last resort, since
doing so could wipe out the entire town in the process. Gwenvael
apparently had many barwenches and whores he made use of when he
was bored, and he was unwilling to risk losing them. Which left fighting
the soldiers in human form. Talaith had never seen them fight, so she
had no idea how good or bad they were. Which worried her. She didn’t
want Gwenvael or Éibhear hurt. And, she grudgingly admitted to herself,
she felt even more so about Briec.
    They all wanted this fight, though. Once males got this way, no use
trying to get between them. So she stood and waited.


                                        -125-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



   The one who’d spoken first lunged at Gwenvael, who easily grabbed
hold of his sword arm and snapped it in two. She cringed at the screams
that followed while Gwenvael twisted that broken arm with the sword still
clutched in the hand and impaled the soldier with his own weapon.
   Brutal, but very effective.
   She stopped worrying at that point. She only had to see the fear on
the remaining soldiers’ faces as the three brothers moved forward. The
men stumbled back so quickly, they almost tripped themselves.
   Debating whether to sit down until they finished with their current
prey, she only had time to gasp when a hand slapped over her mouth.
She started to struggle, but an arm around her waist stilled her. Instead,
she went limp and allowed the man holding her to drag her into the
nearby alley.


                                    zzz

   Briec was so bored. He thought he may have a challenge, but how
much of a challenge could ten humans be to three dragons? Even
dragons in human form.
   Éibhear lifted one of the soldiers up in both his hands, then dropped
him onto his knee, snapping the man’s back like kindling.
   Briec rolled his eyes. His baby brother truly liked that move. What
few knew, though, was their mother taught him that.
   The three brothers stepped forward again, and again the remaining
soldiers took several panicked steps back. That’s when Briec stopped. As
they’d advanced, the soldiers continued to move back…and away. He
looked over his shoulder and snarled.




                                        -126-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Where is she?” he yelled. It was a late hour and the streets deserted,
his roar ricocheting off the surrounding buildings. The soldiers stared at
him, unwilling and—at least a little—unable to answer.
   No more games. “Burn them,” he snapped to his brothers.
   He turned and traced his steps back while his brothers lit up the
skies with their flames. He barely heard the screams of the dying men
over the pounding thud of his heart.
   If he’d lost her…if he’d stupidly allowed some trash to run off with his
prize, he’d tear the land apart until he found her. Until he had her back
right where she…
   Briec stopped in his tracks. He watched Talaith walk out of a dark
alley. She finger-combed her hair into place. Smoothed down her dress.
Took a deep breath, and moved toward him.
   In the darkness, it took her a moment to see him. But when she did
he saw a myriad of human emotions pass over face. Relief. Concern.
Annoyance. And panic. Especially when she glanced back at the alley.
But she forced a smile on her face and headed toward him.
   “Done then?”
   “We’ll have to move quickly. The whole town will be out here soon.”
   She nodded and hurried off toward his brothers while he took several
quick steps back to the alley and looked in. He smelled human male.
   He moved forward and found the body lying beside a pile of trash. An
old warrior, with one eye long missing. Briec kneeled down and looked
closely. The corpse’s one eye stared straight up. He appeared startled,
but seemingly unharmed. Leaning closer, Briec stared hard at the man’s
neck. Even in this darkness, his dragon eyes picked up the small
pinholes dotting the soldier’s throat.
   Briec raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Little witch, what skills you
have.”


                                         -127-
                               Shelly Laurenston




                                  zzz

    The town’s residents were so busy trying to put out the soldiers’
remains and to stop the fire that singed a few of their buildings; they
didn’t even notice the four of them leaving. It took her a few moments
once she caught up with Éibhear and Gwenvael to get her harried
emotions under control. But by the time the dragons stopped blasting
those soldiers with white flame, her breathing had returned to normal
and she’d controlled her heart rate.
    Not an easy skill, but one she’d learned well.
    Now, with another storm moving on them quickly, they tromped
through the forest toward a clearing so the brothers could return to their
natural form and fly them back to the safety of Gwenvael’s cave. How she
hated flying.
    They were silent for most of the walk until Briec muttered something
to his brothers. They both nodded and kept moving, but Briec stopped.
She stopped, too. She had to; he stood right in front of her.
    He watched his brothers for a few more moments until they vanished
in the dark of the forest.
    “What are we doing?”
    That’s when he turned and grabbed her arms, forcing her up against
a tree.
    “Tell me what you did!”
    Her eyes narrowed. If he’d asked her nicely she might have answered
him. Not now, though. “There’s nothing to tell.”
    “Don’t lie to me,” he growled low. His hands tightened on her arms
and he pulled her up until she stood on her tiptoes.




                                       -128-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   And this…this was why she hated herself. She wanted him. More
than she’d ever wanted him before. He yelled at her and all she could
think about was having him take her, right there. Up against that tree.
   Exactly what was wrong with her?
   “Answer me, woman. Answer me right now!”
   “Or what?” she snapped. “What exactly will you do to your prize?” she
sneered the last bit and she knew she’d crossed the invisible line they’d
been dancing around for days.
   The black smoke curling from his nostrils really should have scared
her more than it did…but it didn’t. It only managed to make the wetness
between her legs triple in quantity.
   And he knew it, too. Knew she wanted him. His nostrils—the ones
with the black smoke still coming out of them—flared just the tiniest bit.
And she knew he knew.
   She only managed an “eep”, then he was kissing her. His tongue
forcing its way past her lips and claiming her mouth.
   She should cut his throat. She should yank her blade from her boot
and cut his throat from ear to ear.
   Snarling, she snatched her arms out of his grip, but only so she
could wrap them around his neck and bury her hands in his hair. His
big hands now gripped her ass, pulling her tight against him and they
both groaned at the contact. She could feel his erection through her
dress. She’d already seen the size of it, and knew exactly what it looked
like. Her imagination soared with the damage that beauty could do to her
body.
   Their tongues tangled and she was seconds from reaching for his
shaft in the hopes of releasing it out of his leggings and inside her. But
before she could grab hold, he pried her hands off his neck. Then he



                                       -129-
                               Shelly Laurenston



dropped her. She stumbled back, thankful for the tree. It kept her butt
from landing on the hard ground.
   He walked away from her, his back to her, his hands resting on his
hips. Lightning flashed and thunder rumbled around them. Briec took
huge gulps of air as if he’d run for leagues. For a moment, she thought
he’d leave her in this forest—panting from the passion of that kiss. Leave
her and all her damn secrets behind.
   She wouldn’t blame him, it was the smart thing to do.
   “Let us be off, brother,” Gwenvael called from the clearing.
   “Aye,” he called back.
   He still hadn’t turned to face her, but he spoke to her nonetheless.
“When we get back, we’ll finish this discussion.”
   “Is that what dragons call that…a discussion?”
   Violet eyes glared at her over those big shoulders. “Don’t push me,
woman. Not now.”
   But she did want to push him. She wanted to push him until he took
her, until he fucked her raw and left her unable to even beg for more.
   She shook her head as she followed behind him. Nay. That’s not
normal, Talaith.




                                      -130-
                             The Distressing Damsel




                         Chapter Nine

   Briec followed her deep into his brother’s cave. The storms had
started again before they’d barely taken to the air. It had been a hard,
frightening ride as lightning lashed at them and rain poured onto them
from the heavens as if the gods were pushing them back to the safety of
Gwenvael’s cave. Yet he’d barely noticed. Not with Talaith’s thighs
gripping his neck and her hands tangled tight in his hair. As usual, she
squealed all the way back to the cave, but he could barely hear her over
the raging winds.
   Once they’d made it safely inside, she’d slid off his back without
assistance and stormed off. As if she had a reason to be angry. He wasn’t
the one hiding anything. Truly, he’d been honest to the point of blunt.
   “What’s going on with you two?” Gwenvael questioned, sitting back
on his haunches.
   “Nothing.”
   “You’re lying, Briec.”
   He wasn’t lying. As far as he was concerned, until he was balls-deep
inside that woman, nothing was going on. But he was ready to change
that. Right now.
   “I’m not lying. Leave it be.”
   “Oi.” Éibhear stood beside the cave entrance, staring out at the
pouring rain. “Anyone else a little concerned about this weather?”



                                       -131-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    Gwenvael and Briec rolled their eyes together, but Gwenvael said,
“Uh-oh. Baby brother is concerned with the angry weather. It must mean
something dire.”
    Éibhear snarled, his silver eyes glaring at their gold brother. “You can
both rot in hell.”
    Leaving his siblings to their argument, which would probably last a
good while, Briec went in search of Talaith. They had much to discuss.
    He went to the alcove she’d been using as her bedroom. Each night
since they’d been here, she’d gone to bed alone. And each night he’d
slept outside her room, feeling this overwhelming need to keep her safe.
It had been absolute hell, too. The woman moaned in her sleep. At first,
he thought her in pain, so he’d rushed to her side, only to see her hands
beneath the covers. He quickly realized she pleasured herself in her
sleep.
    Not getting into bed and taking up where her hand left off had been
one of the hardest things he’d ever done. Somehow, though, he kept the
promise he made himself to have this woman. But he’d have her awake
and begging.
    Her room now stood empty, so he continued on farther into the cave,
following her scent. As her scent became stronger, his dragon body
tightened in anticipation, realizing where she’d disappeared to.
    He finally stood outside the cavern filled with hot springs. She’d been
using this place every night to bathe. Apparently that was her current
plan. He silently watched her as she untied the bodice of her dress,
sighing as the tight material loosened around her flesh. She’d just
started to peel the dress off her shoulders when she abruptly stopped,
her entire back snapping straight.




                                      -132-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   Holding the dress up in front of her, she slowly turned and glared at
him. “Can I not get five minutes to myself?” she spit out between
clenched teeth.
   “Not when you’re hiding something from me.”
   Briec walked into the cavern and, using an old trick his mother once
taught him, sealed off the cavern entrance. It was a parlor trick. It only
looked as if stone blocked the way, but it was effective and powerful. His
brothers would never be able to find them unless they went to Morfyd for
help. Last he heard, she and his eldest brother’s bitch mate were on
some battlefield somewhere.
   Talaith let out a trembling breath when she realized he’d cut off her
only means of escape. Taking a step back, her hands still holding up her
dress, she demanded, “Why did you do that?”
   “I wanted some time with you alone. So we can talk.”
   “About what?”
   He shifted to human and took a slow step toward her while she took
a slow step back. “About Madron soldiers searching for you. About a
dead soldier in an alley.”
   “Why they want me is none of your business.”
   “It is when they tried to kill me as well.”
   “Then you should have left me there.”
   “Aye. I should have. They would have been dead sooner, I think.” He
dragged his gaze up her body until he reached her eyes. “And the soldier
in the alley?”
   “He grabbed me. I was defending myself.”
   Another step forward. “You could have called for help.”
   Another step back. “He covered my mouth.”




                                        -133-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    “So, you…the merchant’s daughter, living the last sixteen years in a
tiny little peasant village outside Madron as a dutiful wife, easily took
down a well-trained soldier bent on taking you?”
    “Who said it was easy?”
    “You walked from that alley without a hair out of place or sweat on
your brow, little witch.” Another step forward. “You hadn’t even dirtied
your gown.”
    “Wait!” She stumbled back, her entire body trembling. Placing one
hand on a large boulder, she took a deep breath. “Just wait.”
    “I can smell so many emotions swirling around you, little witch. Rage.
Hate. Resentment. Even panic. But you know what I don’t get from you,
sweet Talaith?” He smiled as her dark brown eyes stared at him. “The
scent of fear.”
    That’s when she bolted.


                                  zzz

    Where she thought she might be going, she had no idea. He’d blocked
off the exit with a spell she knew to be as old as time itself and then
proceeded to stalk her around the cavern demanding answers. Answers
she could never give.
    She’d tried once to tell someone what was going on. An old healing
woman in the village she thought might be able to give her some help.
Talaith barely mentioned Arzhela’s name when pain so intense she felt
she’d die on the spot racked her young body. For ten days and nights,
Arzhela kept her like that. Kept her alive but in blinding pain.
    Talaith learned her lesson the first time. She never spoke of Arzhela
again, and that was the day she knew she’d always be alone. She’d




                                      -134-
                             The Distressing Damsel



always fight this battle on her own. That no one would ever be able to
help her.
   Not even handsome dragons who seemed to enjoy snatching human
females from their homes.
   Not surprisingly, Briec caught her easily, pulling her body up against
his. Her back to his chest. Honestly, why couldn’t these dragons shift
into clothes? As it was, she was weak from the long day and frightening
night.
   As soon as the soldier grabbed her, Talaith’s training kicked in with a
vengeance. It hadn’t occurred to her someone might be merely trying to
distract the dragon brothers so they could get hold of her. But by the
time the soldier pulled her into that alley, she’d already retrieved her
dagger from the holster tied to her boot.
   “Scream and it’ll be the last thing you ever do,” he warned her. But
she had no intention of screaming, silence and stealth her weapons as
much as her dagger. He lowered her to the ground and his hands
loosened around her body. That’s when Talaith quickly pulled one of the
small pins she kept nestled in the leather wrapped around the hilt of her
blade. She spun on her heel, slapped her free hand over his mouth, and
stabbed him with the long thin pin. She hit six key points in his throat in
less than four seconds.
   Her trainers would be proud.
   Grabbing his throat, the soldier—who turned out to be older and with
only one eye—stared at her in shock, unable to say a word. The poison
she’d chosen from her collection ensured quick action. She lightly
pushed him on the shoulder once. He fell back like one hard piece of
stone, crashing to the ground as the poison worked its way through his
system. By the time she slipped the pin back into the secret spot on her
dagger and the dagger back into its sheath, he was dead.


                                       -135-
                                    Shelly Laurenston



   Now, her dagger lay off in a corner with her boots. Dammit. Poor
planning, Talaith.
   Especially with Briec’s impossibly warm hands holding her close
against his naked body while she struggled to keep her gown up above
her breasts. It was a battle she was currently losing.
   “Let me go, Briec.”
   “Not until you tell me the truth. Not until you tell me what’s going
on.”
   “Nothing is going on.”
   “You’re lying.”
   “I’m not.” She really wasn’t. No orders sent to her. No demands for
her at all. In fact, the goddess had been frighteningly quiet these days
past. Talaith didn’t know why, but she’d enjoyed the loss of Arzhela’s
presence surrounding her…smothering her. Holding for ransom the only
thing that had ever mattered to Talaith these long, painful years.
   He held Talaith easily, her back against his chest. The bastard was
right—she felt no fear. Not from him. Not anymore.
   “Let me go, Briec.”
   His arms tightened around her the tiniest bit. “I need answers,
Talaith.”
   “There are no answers I can give you.”
   He lowered her to the ground and turned her to face him. His gaze
held such confusion. “That’s a strange thing to say, little witch.”
   “Not really.”
   “Why won’t you trust me?” If she didn’t know better, she’d swear he
sounded hurt. But she did know better. This was Briec the Arrogant. He
felt nothing, especially for her.
   “Trust you? I trust no one. Why would I trust you?”



                                           -136-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   The smallest smile curved those delicious lips. “You do have a point I
suppose.” Violet eyes swept down the length of her and her trembling
started again. A look from this male had her shaking with desire.
   “Fine. I will leave you to your secrets. It’s not like you’ll be staying
forever.” She fought hard not to let him know how much that statement
hurt. “But there is still something I must know, Talaith.” He swept her
hands away from her dress. “And I must know this right now. No more
avoiding.”
   She stared up at him with narrowed eyes. “What?”
   “My kin…family. I need to protect them as they would protect me. So
if they’re in any danger—”
   Startled, she shook her head adamantly. “No, Briec. I’d never hurt
your family. And Gwenvael doesn’t count.”
   Briec finally grinned at that. “You’re actually right.”
   “And Éibhear. I’d never let anything happen to him. He’s so cute and
sweet and—”
   “You can stop now,” he growled. Releasing the material of her gown,
he allowed it to slip down her body and pool at her feet. “I need no more
clarification on that subject. I just needed to be sure.”
   “Well, in case your old age has caught up with you, dragon, I tried to
leave and you wouldn’t let me. You brought me here. You are keeping me
here. I can promise that getting trapped here with you and your brothers
in this lovely cave was not part of any grand scheme of mine.”
   One big hand slid across her shoulder and to the skin above her
breasts. “Thank you for pointing that out.”
   She smiled. “Just trying to help you out, you poor old thing. How old
are you anyway? Two, three thousand years?”
   That’s when he shoved her into one of the bigger hot spring pools.
   Bastard!


                                        -137-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   By the time she’d pulled herself to the surface, he was there. Naked,
hot, and quite determined.
   “Wait-“
   “No.” He pushed her to the pool’s edge, her back against smooth
stone. “We’re done talking. Let’s find other uses for that acid tongue.”
   She braced her hands against his chest, pushing him away while he
grabbed hold of her waist. “Oh, yes, that’s me. She of the acid tongue.
While you, Lord Dragon are rife with charm.”
   “Rude cow,” he snarled.
   “Overbearing bastard,” she snarled back.
   The only warning she got was the narrowing of his eyes, then he was
kissing her.
   She tried to fight him off…in a way. She knew she punched his
shoulder at least once. But as his tongue slid between her lips and he
pulled her body tight against his, she really did lose sight of her ultimate
plan—whatever that ultimate plan might have been. She didn’t know
anymore.
   All she knew was that she was naked. He was naked. They were
alone. The hot water of the spring caressed her body while his strong,
rough hands gripped her tight. And it had been so long since she’d been
with anyone—human or otherwise.
   He released her mouth, only to move down to her throat. Where the
noose had bit into her flesh, he licked the still-healing wound gently,
causing her to pant and whimper. Then, against her ear, he said, “Tell
me to stop, Talaith. Tell me you don’t want this.”
   She frowned in confusion. “Why…oh!” Her eyes crossed as the tip of
his tongue dipped into her ear. “Why are you saying that to me?”




                                      -138-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Because you seem to always do the opposite of what I tell you.” Big
hands gripped her breasts, the thumbs dragging slowly around her
nipples. “I wanted to ensure your silence.”
   She laughed and she could feel his mouth smiling against her neck.
“Cheeky bastard.”
   “Aye. You do bring out the worst in me, little witch.”
   One of his hands released her breasts, but his mouth quickly took
the empty spot. His tongue lapped at her nipple, his teeth gently grazed
it. So lost in the feel of his mouth on her, she didn’t notice where his free
hand was until his middle finger slid into her.
   She gasped, her head thrown back.
   That strong finger moved around inside of her, exploring her. “Gods,
you’re tight. Exactly how long has it been?”
   Longer than she was willing to admit. “None of your business.” She
winced as he pushed two fingers inside her.
   “Well that statement screams years.”
   “You know, you keep talking and annoying the living hell out of me.”
   His fingers never slowed their steady, probing invasion. “You’re right.
We should be like you—Talaith, she of the few words.”
   She had a very rude remark at the ready, but he licked his lips and
again attached them to her breast. Talaith’s head rested against the edge
of the pool as her body arched into him.
   Digging one hand into his long hair and the other gripping his
shoulder, Talaith held him to her. Her hips moved of their own accord,
following the movement of his fingers. Gasps filling the cavern, he played
her body effortlessly, making her lose control. But when his finger slid
across her clit again and again, Talaith couldn’t hold back any longer.
Her mouth opened and a long, drawn-out groan shuddered out of her.
Then her entire body bowed, a brutal climax slamming through her.


                                       -139-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    His fingers pushed back inside her, scissoring open several times.
“Much better.” She didn’t know what he meant until he turned slightly
and his hands gripped the back of her knees, lifting them up and apart.
Horrified at how exposed he’d made her, she tried to pull away from him,
but his erection pushed against her sex, demanding entrance…and
receiving it.


                                  zzz

    His cock slid inside her and wet heat wrapped around him,
welcoming him home. Briec closed his eyes, shocked at exactly how good
being inside this woman felt. So soft. So beautiful. So damn difficult.
    “We…we shouldn’t be doing this,” she panted out desperately.
    Dammit! But that wasn’t a firm “no”—so he needed to distract her
before she said the word he dreaded. The one word that would make him
stop.
    Well, she was human. Didn’t they usually like compliments and
things? It couldn’t hurt.
    Ignoring his body’s demand to pound into Talaith like his life
depended on it, he said, “You have very strong thighs.”
    He felt her entire body tense suddenly. Uh-oh.
    She pulled back a bit to look into his face. He didn’t like the scowl
she suddenly had but she no longer looked panicked either. “Sorry?”
    Briec cleared his throat. He didn’t think she realized it, but she kept
tightening around his cock over and over again. Clench. Unclench.
Clench. Unclench.
    It was driving him absolutely mad.
    “You have strong thighs and are very, um, handsome.”
    There. That should work.


                                      -140-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Handsome?” she hissed. “Are you fucking me, Lord Dragon, or
buying a horse?” Well, he had wanted to distract her.
   “I was trying to compliment you.”
   She sighed. “Here’s a thought, dragon…don’t speak. I believe I can go
a lifetime without your compliments.”
   Smiling, he asked, “Is this one of those times I should say I’m—”
   “Sorry? Yes!”
   He kissed her neck, enjoying the feel of Talaith against him. “I’ll think
about it.”
   “Oh, well, isn’t that—”
   He cut off her, most likely, sarcastic remark by thrusting fully into
her until his balls slapped against her. She groaned, her arms wrapping
around his shoulders.
   “Lovely,” he panted out between hard thrusts, “I’ve actually found a
way to keep you quiet.”
   Her arms tightened their hold as she bit the side of his throat and by
the dark gods did that feel good. “Some moments I absolutely hate you.”
   Briec smiled, enjoying his little witch more than he thought possible.
She never backed off, but he liked that. It made everything a little more
fun.
   “Perhaps,” he groaned out as he thrust into her tight pussy, forcing
her body to accommodate him. Making her breathless. Making her
demand more. “But other moments you’re absolutely mad about me.”
   Her legs, held wide open and tightly in his arms, began shaking. Her
panting turned harsher and more vocal.
   Briec tightened his grip on her, pulling her down hard as he
continued thrusting into her. “That’s it, sweet Talaith,” he ordered, barely
holding his own climax at bay. “Come for me.”



                                       -141-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



   She choked on a sob, while heat and wetness drowned his cock. It
was all he needed. Moaning, he released inside her, enjoying the feel of
her hands tightening in his hair.
   For several minutes the pair stayed locked together—their heavy
breathing and the soft gurgling of the hot springs, the only sound in the
cavern.
   “Talaith?”
   “Hhhmm?”
   He smiled at how sated she sounded. “Are you all right?”
   Lifting her head from his shoulder, she glanced around as if suddenly
remembering where she was.
   “Uh, um, aye.” She leaned back, her hands against his shoulders,
trying to push him away again. “I’m fine.”
   He could see the embarrassment on her face, but he had no idea
why. What exactly could she be embarrassed about?
   “Talaith?”
   “We better get back.”
   “Back where?”
   “Um…to…uh…”         With   a     heavy,    defeated   sigh,   she   shrugged.
“Somewhere.”
   No. No. This wouldn’t do. No regrets for what they had done.
Especially since he planned to keep doing it for quite awhile, over and
over again. He had yet to tire of her.
   Briec wrapped his arms tight around her and pushed his chest into
hers.
   Startled, she looked up at him. “What are you doing?”
   “Getting you used to the way things are going to be for awhile.”
   “What do you—” She gasped when, still brutally hard, he began
fucking her again. Long, slow strokes now he could take his time.


                                         -142-
                         The Distressing Damsel



   Stunned, she said, “How did you…how can you…”
   Briec leaned in and whispered softly in her ear, “Remember, sweet
Talaith? Not human.”
   Her own body now matching him thrust for thrust, she moaned back,
“Clearly.”




                                   -143-
                                    Shelly Laurenston




                           Chapter Ten

    It was the long tongue on the back of her knee that woke her up.
Forcing her eyes open, she looked over her shoulder to see Briec, naked
and beautiful, stretched across the enormous bed. His big arms placed
on either side of her legs, holding his body over her as he leaned forward
and again licked the back of her knee, reveling in it as if someone had
spread the finest honey on her skin.
    “What are you doing?”
    “Waking you up.” His voice sounded raw and husky from sleep and
sex. She liked it.
    Nipping the sensitive flesh, he grinned. “See? You’re awake now.”
    “How long did I sleep?”
    “Too long.”
    It didn’t feel like too long.
    When he’d finally exhausted her in the hot springs, he’d picked her
up and carried her back to her bed. After quickly drying her off, he’d set
her down and got in behind her, muttering something like, “It’s about
time you let me in this bed.” Too tired to ask what the hell he meant, and
enjoying the feel of his strong arm around her as he drifted to sleep, she
instead buried her head in the pillow and quickly dropped off.
    Now here he was, dragging that gorgeous body up and over hers, his
warm, wet tongue leading the way.



                                           -144-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “You taste good.”
   “Coming from a dragon, that compliment can be a little scary.”
   He nipped one butt cheek, then the other. “Be nice, woman.”
   She didn’t want to be nice. She wanted to play. Especially since she
never had before. At least not in bed. “Why should I be nice?” she teased.
“You’re not nice.” And my, but she did enjoy that about him.
   He kissed her lower back, right at the base of her spine, then licked
at it. “I don’t know how,” he murmured against her warm flesh.
   “Perhaps I can show you how easy it is to be nice.”
   Slowly his eyes lifted to look at her face. “Oh, I think I’d like that,” he
breathed out huskily.
   She pulled from his grasp, raising herself on her knees while he
leaned back, his hands flat on the bed, propping him up.
   Turning, she moved to his side and placed her hand on his chest.
She stroked the hard, smooth skin and marveled at how her merest
touch caused ripples across his body. And that was only with her hand.
   Leaning forward, she used the tip of her tongue to tickle one nipple.
He let out a harsh gasp, followed by a moan when she suckled him into
her mouth. She slid her mouth to the other side and did the same. He
shuddered and moaned again, making Talaith smile.
   Who knew she had this kind of power?
   Talaith dragged her hand down his chest and her lips and tongue
followed. Before she even reached his straining erection, he’d lifted his
hips as if expecting her to take him in her mouth. Her arrogant dragon.
   Instead, she licked it from base to tip and back again. Then she
followed the pulsating veins, avoiding the head except to occasionally
tickle it with her nose.
   “Talaith,” he groaned.
   “Aye?” Her tongue slithered up the underside of his shaft.


                                       -145-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    “Don’t torture me, woman.”
    “Torture you? Me? The weak human torturing a dragon of such
awesome power and intellect?”
    He grinned at her teasing. “Yes, evil witch. You’re torturing me. At
least have the decency to admit it.”
    “I’ll admit nothing.”
    “So I noticed,” he muttered while he watched her every move.
    She ignored his comment, unwilling to ruin the good mood with the
reality of her situation. She had no idea how long before the goddess
came for her, and she didn’t want to waste a second thinking about
anything but him and how he made her feel.
    Talaith wrapped her hand around the base of his shaft, marveling at
its length and width while enjoying the taste of it, of him. She licked fluid
off the tip, teasing the slit with the tip of her tongue, forcing another
broken moan from him.
    His hand slid into her hair, massaging the back of her head with his
long fingers. “Talaith…”
    “Mhmm?”
    He growled and she fought her desire to laugh.
    “Stop teasing me, wench. You’re being heartless.”
    “I find using the word ‘please’ quite effective at these moments.” She
nipped the base and his body jerked in response. “Begging would be even
better.”
    When he didn’t answer, she glanced up to find him gazing off,
frowning.
    Leaning back a bit, she stared at him. “Gods, you’ve never said
please, have you?”




                                       -146-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “I’m thinking.” He was silent for a few more seconds, then… “No. I
never have.” He looked down at her, one eyebrow raised. “And I don’t
plan to start now.”
   Anyone else—king or peasant, husband or child—she’d feel insulted.
Yet she wasn’t because she knew he wasn’t being cruel or cold-hearted.
Just a dragon who never had to say “please” and “sorry” before. And if
she thought for one moment she would end up spending the rest of her
life with him, she’d have some real concerns.
   Since that wouldn’t happen, as he’d reminded her the day before, she
wouldn’t worry.
   “That’s a real shame, dragon.” She ran her tongue across the tip,
blew on the wetness she left behind. “Because without it…” Her open
mouth hovered over his shaft for several seconds and she heard him
swallow in desperation, anticipating her sucking him into his next life.
Instead of doing that, she snapped her mouth shut. “I can’t help you.”
   “You evil—”
   “Ah, ah, ah. You be nice.”
   Snarling, his hand still tangled in her hair, he pulled her close then
pushed her onto her back. He lay across her, his mouth claiming hers.
   Wicked, wicked thoughts flowed through her brain while Briec’s
hands moved across her body, his tongue thrusting against hers.
   She moaned and writhed under him, and he pulled back just enough
to say, “We both know I can make you beg long before me, sweet Talaith.”
   “My, my, we are…” she arched into his body as one of his hands slid
between her thighs, “…sure of ourselves.”
   “It’s a gift.”
   “A gift for you. A curse for the rest of us.”




                                        -147-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   He smiled as he teased her hard nipple with his tongue. Digging her
hands into his hair, she silently urged him to take it into his mouth, but
he only chuckled, opting to blow on it instead.
   Bastard.
   Before she could tell him that sentiment out loud, a movement out of
the corner of her eye caught her attention. She turned her head and
Gwenvael, in dragon form, his hair soaked as if he’d been outside in the
rain again, lay there. His head rested in the palm of his claw and when
she looked at him he bared his fangs—a dragon smile.
   She squealed so loud, Briec’s whole body jumped. Then, using the
buried strength of her people, she shoved the big male off her,
scrambling away from him so fast she toppled right off the bed and onto
the hard ground. Thankfully out of Gwenvael’s view.
   She grabbed one of the furs piled on the floor and wrapped it around
her body, making sure to cover her head completely.


                                   zzz

   Éibhear, so deeply absorbed in the third volume on his grandfather’s
life when a very young dragon—Darkness’ Bones, that dragon was a
slag—he didn’t realize Gwenvael had left the room until he returned with
an extremely calm Briec. A little too calm, in fact.
   Naked, with an erection that could knock down the walls of the
Dragon Queen’s mountain home, Briec didn’t even look at Éibhear as he
turned to face his silver-haired brother. “Shift. Now.”
   Uh-oh. Éibhear closed his book. It was a rare moment when a dragon
asked another dragon to shift to human, but apparently Briec didn’t
want to shift back to dragon.




                                       -148-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Gwenvael rolled his eyes but chanted the ancient spell, which quickly
shifted him to human form.
   “Before you say anything, brother, I wasn’t there long.”
   Briec didn’t respond. He simply stared at Gwenvael who seemed hell-
bent on ignoring that which was right in front of him. Like Briec’s
simmering rage.
   “I mean, I could see your little Talaith has a way with her tongue.”
   Éibhear closed his eyes briefly and wondered exactly how such a
brilliant dragon could be such an utter idiot at the most dangerous
times.
   “And a strong, firm grip with that hand of hers.”
   So intent on amusing himself, Gwenvael didn’t even see Briec’s hands
lower to his sides. Or see he’d closed his eyes and begun chanting softly.
   “Although I always thought of you as the kind to literally force a
woman’s head onto that rather healthy-sized cock you’ve got there.”
   Powerful ancient Magicks flowed between Briec’s hands as Gwenvael
kept right on talking.
   “But to each his own, I guess. Oh, and by the way, brother, she has
an amazing body. All lush and curvy. Personally, I could lose hours in
that sweet…aaaaarrrggghhhhhhh!”
   Gwenvael slammed into the cave wall with such force, Éibhear was
sure he heard something break. Although he doubted it was that
ridiculously hard head of his.
   Briec hadn’t even moved from his spot. Although not nearly as
powerful as the Queen or Morfyd, Briec had trained with dragon wizards
in his early days. Interested in Magick, but not enough to stray from his
path of Dragonwarrior, he had developed some powerful Magick skills.
   Clearly, Gwenvael failed to remember that.



                                       -149-
                              Shelly Laurenston



   Éibhear stared at Gwenvael’s prone body, sparks of Magick still
coming off him.
   “When he wakes up,” Briec said, “and that won’t be for quite awhile,
tell him to stay away from me.”
   “Aye.” Éibhear decided against saying much else.
   With a nod, Briec walked back toward where he’d no doubt left
Talaith. Sparing his unconscious older brother one more glance, Éibhear
shrugged and returned to his book.


                                  zzz

   Briec walked back into the chamber, his rage still singing through his
veins. What he didn’t expect to find…Talaith trying to leave wearing only
a fur covering.
   “Where are you going?”
   “Outside.”
   “Outside?”
   “Yes. I’m hoping there’s still a storm. I’ll run in the rain, naked, and
hopefully catch my death. Or, if I’m truly lucky, lightning will strike me
dead.”
   “Why would you…I don’t under…” Briec rubbed his eyes with his
knuckles. His cock hurt from its need to come and she was babbling.
Damn woman. “What are you talking about?”
   “You don’t expect me to live with this embarrassment, do you?”
   “Embarrassment about what?”
   She took a step back, her face a riot of confusion. “About your
brother watching us.”
   Now he was confused. “Why would that embarrass you?”




                                     -150-
                                The Distressing Damsel



    “If you’re not embarrassed why did you take him out of here and, I’m
hoping, gut him like a fish?”
    “Because he interrupted me,” he bit out between severely clenched
teeth. “And I wasn’t done.”
    “Well, we’re done now,” she barked and actually tried to walk around
him. Grabbing hold of the fur, he snatched it off her. Angry, Talaith spun
around but froze when she saw his face. He could imagine how he must
look. Desperate, most likely. Because he was.
    “You’re not going anywhere.” Not now. Not after last night. Now he
knew why Fearghus smiled. If this was normal human fucking, he
couldn’t believe he hadn’t taken a human before. And he wasn’t about to
let that idiot brother of his ruin this.
    “I understand, dragon, that you like to pretend you have some hold
over me, but let me inform you quite clearly—”
    “What has you so upset, Talaith?” He cut her off, stepping in front of
her so she couldn’t leave. “Just my brother walking in on us?”
    “Oh, come on, Briec. He didn’t just walk in on us. I have no idea how
long that big bastard had been standing there watching us, but by the
look on his face, it was for quite a bit.”
    “So what?” He took a step toward her and immediately she took a
step back. “You think my brother, especially Gwenvael, has never seen
two beings fucking before? Do you think he’s never done it?”
    “I don’t care what he’s seen or done. All I care about is—”
    “Yes?” he pushed. Still walking toward her, forcing her back into the
chamber.
    She shook her head. “This was wrong, Briec. I shouldn’t of. We
shouldn’t of…”
    “Why?”
    “What do you mean why?”


                                           -151-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Why shouldn’t we have done what we did? Because I’m dragon?”
   She shrugged. “Well…”
   “Because you have a husband?”
   “But I do have—”
   “Or because knowing someone was watching us—watching you—
made you wet?”
   Talaith slammed into the cave wall behind her. “What?”
   “Or maybe it’s just the fear of being caught, Talaith.” He put his
hands against the wall behind her head, caging her in. Trapping her.
“Knowing someone could walk in on you at anytime. Knowing they might
see you with my cock down your throat or my fingers in your ass?”
   She slapped his arm. “And don’t try that again!”
   “Knowing that no matter what we’re doing, I won’t stop. I won’t stop
until you’re screaming and crying and coming all over me.”
   She crossed her arms in front of her chest and looked away. But he
still saw the heat in her eyes. Could still smell her lust. And he simply
loved how her nipples hardened and he hadn’t even touched them.
   “Is that why you feel ashamed, Talaith? Because you like that bit of
danger sometimes? Because it’s outside what those horrid little peasants
told you was right?”
   “I. Hate. You.”
   He glanced over his shoulder as if he expected to find Gwenvael there
again, although he knew the bastard wouldn’t be moving for the next few
hours. “You know, Gwenvael might come back.” He looked back at her.
“Or Éibhear. You know how he likes to chat with you.”
   “Move, Briec.”
   “As you wish.” He dropped slowly to his knees in front of her, ready to
grab her should she try to bolt again.
   “Wha…what are you doing?”


                                      -152-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   He leaned in, burying his nose in her groin. He took a deep breath,
letting the lust-filled scent of her move through him. She was already so
wet.
   He grabbed hold of her thighs and pried them apart.
   “Wait,” she begged as he wedged one hand against the blazing heat of
her sex.
   “We can’t wait, Talaith. I don’t know when they’ll come back here.” A
flood of warm, fresh juices wet his hand at his words. Oh, yes, he
moaned to himself.
   Taking firm hold of her rear, Briec lifted her and forced her legs onto
his shoulders.
   “Briec,” she whispered desperately.
   “Sssh, little witch.” He nuzzled her pussy, all dripping wet and
perfect. “Get too loud and they’ll be sure to come to see what’s going on.”
   He buried his head between her thighs, hearing her voice catch as
she tried to hold back a cry. Smiling, ridiculously happy with this
strange woman, Briec speared her pussy with his tongue. She gripped
his head while he licked her clean, amazed at how wonderful she tasted.
   Talaith’s legs clamped tight around his neck and he heard her
struggling not to moan out loud. Digging his fingers hard into her
beautiful ass, he pulled her closer to his mouth, mercilessly lashing her
clit with his tongue. Her hips rode his face, her moans getting louder and
louder.
   He loved how he could make her lose control, how he could make her
come apart in his arms like this.
   She gave a startled squeak and then she did just that—she climaxed;
her body tight and hot around him. Before her muscles could stop their
contractions, he dragged her to the floor. Inside her before she could



                                       -153-
                                Shelly Laurenston



even see straight, Briec pounded into her relentlessly, completely lost to
her and what she did to him.
   Her hands, still buried in his hair, pulled him down for a brutal kiss.
As soon as their lips touched and she tasted herself on him, she groaned
and her climax started all over again. Her sex clenching him so hard, she
hauling him over that edge with her.


                                   zzz

   He purred her name as he came, and she never heard it sound so
sweet before. Clinging to her as his hot seed poured inside her waiting
body, Talaith held back tears she’d never allow to come. Too cruel. All of
it. To finally know paradise, only to have the gods snatch it away from
her whenever they chose was too cruel for words.
   Briec kissed her shoulder, her neck, her chin. Then he was over her,
staring down at her. Smiling and never judging her. She truly hadn’t
seen anything so beautiful before.
   “You never fail to amaze me, sweet Talaith.” A big palm cupped her
cheek gently. “I chose very well, my little witch.”
   Perhaps. Shame he didn’t choose first.




                                       -154-
                               The Distressing Damsel




                     Chapter Eleven

    Gwenvael held his head in his hands and prayed for death. This was
worse than any night after hard drinking he’d ever had. Why didn’t Briec
merely kill him?
    Damn spellcasting dragon.
    He didn’t know what the bastard had done to him, but it took him
the rest of the day and night to recover enough to make it to the next
day’s morning meal. Talaith sat at one end of the table, reading. Briec sat
at the other, reading. Neither spoke to each other and, if Gwenvael didn’t
know better, he might have thought he’d imagined the little festival of
fucking he’d witnessed between the two.
    Even Éibhear looked confused and refused to speak.
    When Briec did finally say something, it startled them both—but not
Talaith.
    “Where’s the bread?”
    Turning the page of her book, but not looking at him, she said, “I
finished it.”
    “You didn’t save me any?”
    “Is that my role now? I’m supposed to save you food? If you wanted it
you should have claimed it.”
    Gwenvael looked at Éibhear and his brother shrugged helplessly. He
remembered quite clearly after Annwyl and Fearghus’ first time together,



                                         -155-
                                Shelly Laurenston



how the two of them fucked constantly and anywhere convenient. Going
at it relentlessly.
    Perhaps the bedding between these two hadn’t been as amazing as
Gwenvael first thought.
    “Would it kill you to not keep the food all to yourself, like a rat storing
for winter?”
    “Would it kill you not to eat as if it’s your last meal? Is sharing with
others so inconceivable to you? Should I add that to the list with ‘please’
and ‘I’m sorry’?”
    “Only if you add ‘glutton’ to your list of ‘never shuts up’.”
    Talaith gave an almost royal wave of her hand. “I’m done with this
conversation.” She shoved her chair back and stood. “And I’m done with
you.”
    “Conversation too much of a challenge, m’lady?”
    “More like too boring. Kind of like you.”
    “Now if you gentlemen,” she looked at Briec, “and whatever you are,
will excuse me.”
    She turned and walked out.
    “What is wrong with you?” Éibhear snapped.
    Briec looked truly confused. “What are you talking about?”
    “Why were you so mean to her?”
    Briec stood. “I wasn’t mean to her. I was arguing with her. Now if
you’ll excuse me, I need to go discover—to my horror—that the little
witch hasn’t made the bed.”
    He grinned and Gwenvael knew exactly what was going on. He shook
his head in disgust. Never. He would never get this way over any
female—ever.
    Unfortunately, Éibhear was still confused. “You never make your bed,
Briec. Mostly because we rarely sleep in beds.”


                                       -156-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   Briec sighed and shook his head. As he walked out, the mighty
erection straining the front of his black breeches leading the way no
doubt, he tossed over his shoulder to Gwenvael, “Explain it to the pup,
would you? I’m busy.”
   Éibhear frowned. “Explain what to me?”


                                  zzz

   She squealed as he threw her back on the bed. “Didn’t I say I wanted
this bed made?”
   Lifting herself up on her elbows, “You most certainly did not. And I’m
not a servant. You want the bed made…make it yourself!”
   The dragon growled at her and Talaith squealed again, trying to
scramble away. He grabbed hold of her ankles and yanked her to the foot
of the bed.
   “Get off me.”
   “No. You need a good lesson, I think. Saucy wench.”
   He flipped her onto her stomach and dragged her back until only her
chest rested on the bed and both of them kneeled on the floor.
   She tried to look over her shoulder to find out what he might be up
to, but he tossed the end of her dress over her head.
   “Och! Briec, you arrogant bastard! Let me go!”
   He didn’t answer her, but he did pry her legs apart.
   Talaith gripped the fur coverings in her hands and bit her lip.
   “What are you going to do?” she whispered, working hard to keep the
giggle out of her voice.
   “Nothing you don’t deserve.” She felt the head of his erection pushing
against her sex. “And definitely nothing you don’t want.”
   “That sure are you, dragon?”


                                      -157-
                              Shelly Laurenston



   He pushed his cock home with one thrust and she cried out. His big
hands ripped the dress open from the back, then deftly stripped it from
her body. When he gripped her breasts tight, she moaned and slammed
back against him.
   “I’m very sure, little witch,” he whispered against her ear. “Now tell
me how much you want me.”
   His thrusts started off slow but powerful, forcing her into the bed.
   Panting, her body delirious with lust, she said, “I’ll tell you anything
you want, dragon.”
   “Mmmhhm. Good.”
   “As soon as you beg me for it.”
   He bit the back of her neck, making her wince at the slight sting then
moan when he licked the wound. “Evil wench,” he muttered against her
sweating flesh.
   “Presumptuous snake.”
   Then they stopped talking all together.


                                 zzz

   Briec intertwined his fingers with Talaith’s and pushed her arms over
her head. Her eyelids fluttered open and she smiled up at him. “You
never let me sleep.”
   “Why sleep when there are more interesting things to do?” He kissed
her neck and nuzzled under her chin. “You’re a Nolwenn witch, you have
centuries for sleeping.”
   “In other words I should enjoy you while I have you?”
   His grip on her hands tightened and he kissed her chest. “Exactly.”
He didn’t want to give her false hope. In another hundred or two hundred
years, he’d be done with her. Or three hundred. He hadn’t made up his


                                     -158-
                             The Distressing Damsel



mind yet. Maybe even four if her already brilliant oral skills continued to
improve. Or five if she continued to scream his name at the best times.
But no more than that. And to promise more would be wrong.
   Briec groaned as Talaith’s leg slid up his thigh to wrap around his
waist. The sheath holding her knife scraping against his skin.
   “Good. I hate to think I’d be stuck with your arrogance for longer
than was necessary.”
   “You’re the only one who says I’m arrogant. Most say I’m honest.”
   “They’re afraid to tell you the truth. Afraid to tell you you’re difficult
and annoying.”
   “And why aren’t you afraid, little witch?” he asked seconds before
sucking one of her nipples into his mouth. Her back arched and she
moaned, her hands fighting to pull from his grasp.
   Briec rocked against her, his cock teasing the soft skin of her thighs
but he didn’t enter her. Not yet.
   Her body picked up his rhythm, her hips pushing back.
   “I don’t know. I should be afraid. You’re a fire-breathing dragon. Your
kind hunts my kind for sport.”
   “Aye, but it’s not much of a challenge unless you’re in a pack,” he
mumbled against her breast, unwilling to release it.
   She stifled a laugh and Briec grinned. He did enjoy making this
woman smile.
   “How do you live with yourself, Lord Arrogant?”
   In between using the tip of his tongue to toy with her hard nipples,
he answered, “Very easily, Lady Difficult. I find myself quite charming.”
   “All that gives me ease is to know you’ll be done with me soon. I’ll
simply leave when the rains end—”
   Briec brought his head up so quickly she gasped in surprise.
   “You’ll leave when I’m done, little witch. Not before.”


                                       -159-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Her brown eyes narrowed. “You insist on pushing me, dragon.”
   “There is no pushing. Merely fact. I will tell you when your blood debt
to me has been paid.”
   “Gods damn you, Briec.” She tried to pull away from him, but he held
tight to her hands. “Why do you have to be such an ass?”
   “And why must you fight me all the time?” He rested his lips against
her ear. “Why can’t you just come when I tell you and be done with it?”
   Talaith shook her head. “Briec…” She let out on an exasperated sigh.
“Be grateful for that blood debt, dragon, because I truly believe I would
have killed you long ago.”
   “Now you sound like my mother.”
   She opened her mouth, he assumed to say something but nothing
came out. And was her eye twitching? After several seconds, when she
still said nothing, he kissed her.
   Talaith’s fingers gripped him tight while the rest of her body melted
beneath his.
   He liked that his mere kiss could do this to her. Make her this wet
and ready.
   He sunk his cock deep into her drenched sex and shuddered at the
feel of her. Of the absolute rightness of his body inside hers. With each
powerful stroke, he added more time on how long she’d stay with him.
The first stroke led to another ten years. By the tenth stroke, another
hundred.
   When he finally climaxed and came deep inside her soft body, losing
himself to her completely, the word “forever” crossed his mind.


                                     zzz




                                       -160-
                           The Distressing Damsel



   Briec blinked, then stepped back from the cave entrance. His
brothers stared, too.
   “What the hell just happened?”
   Shrugging at Gwenvael’s question, Briec took a careful step outside.
The two suns shined brightly, no clouds to mar the beauty of the day.
Normally not a strange occurrence…except for the fact that less than a
mere second before, the storm had still been going full blast and had
been for days. Black clouds roiled, rain came down in thick sheets to
drench the land. And now—nothing.
   “Anyone talk to Morfyd?” Briec asked softly.
   “No. She’s been off with Annwyl.”
   “You’d best track her down then.”
   “What about you?”
   He scratched the back of his neck with the point of his tail. “I’m
taking Talaith home.”
   From the corner of his eye, he saw his brothers glance at each other.
“What?” He whipped his head around, nailing both dragons with one
look. “What’s going on?”
   Gwenvael rested back on his haunches. “You’re not going to toss her
away when you’re done, are you?”
   “What?”
   “You’ll keep her, won’t you?” Éibhear asked. Well, it was more like a
demand.
   “What are you two idiots going on about?”
   “We like her.”
   “A lot.”
   “And?”




                                     -161-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



   “And, she’s not like other women,” Éibhear nearly snarled, but Briec
already knew that. “Don’t simply toss her aside because you allow
yourself to become bored.”
   Briec didn’t think he could become bored with Talaith. Not ever.
Since the rains hadn’t stopped for days, neither had they. Spending most
of the day in bed or the hot springs. Only peeking out to get
nourishment…or argue, which always led back to bed or the hot springs.
   It had been amazing. Perhaps the best days of his already long life.
   “What I do or won’t do, will be my business, brothers. Not yours.”
   Éibhear, the youngest and most passionate of them all, pointed one
black talon at his older kin. “Hurt her, Briec, and it will quickly become
my business.”
   Briec looked at Gwenvael. “Any threats from you?”
   Gwenvael shrugged, his smirk well in place. “Just this—get bored
with her brother, and feel free to send her my way. I’ll gladly take her in.
And give her everything she needs.”
   If Éibhear hadn’t jumped between them, Briec would have snapped
Gwenvael’s neck like a twig.


                                    zzz

   “Not on your life, dragon!”
   Talaith hid behind Éibhear, which seemed to anger Briec even more.
   “You’re not being rational.”
   “If rational means any more flying—then you’re damn right.”
   Gwenvael laughed, but it turned into a cough as Briec’s violet eyes
swung his way.
   “You almost got me killed the other night. Can’t we walk? Or get a
carriage with horses?”


                                        -162-
                               The Distressing Damsel



   Snorting out another laugh, Gwenvael quickly turned away.
   “Talaith…come here.”
   Wrapping the fur-lined cape Éibhear gave her tighter around her
shoulders, she shook her head. “No.”
   “If we leave now, we’ll be there in two hours. If we walk, we’re looking
at days. In this unpredictable weather.”
   Well, that didn’t sound much better. But the thought of flying turned
her stomach.
   “Can’t we stay here?”
   Gwenvael smiled. This cave was his. “Why, of course you…ow!”
   His claw covering where Briec’s tail had slashed his snout, he yelled,
“What was that for?”
   “Accident.”
   “Wait, wait, wait.” Talaith stepped out from behind Éibhear, who
looked ready to blast his brother out of the bloody cave. “Don’t fight.”
   “Then we best leave.”
   Talaith scratched her head and wished she hadn’t had all those
sausages for breakfast. “Fine.”
   “Talaith…” Éibhear moved toward her, but she immediately saw Briec
wouldn’t stand for that.
   “It’s all right, Éibhear. I’m sure I’ll be fine. If I don’t fall to my death.”
   Sighing in exasperation, Briec barked, “Woman, you test my
patience.”
   “And you push mine,” she snapped back.
   She smiled at Éibhear. “It was lovely meeting you, Éibhear.”
   “Well, I hope we see each other again.”
   He could hope, but she knew better. Instead of lying, she reached up,
wrapping her arms around his neck…or, at least trying. Dragons were so
big. “And thank you for all the books.”


                                         -163-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



    “I’ll send you more,” he promised.
    She nodded and stepped away. “Now please take care of yourself.
Especially in this weather.”
    “I will.”
    “And don’t let Gwenvael goad you into a fight.”
    “I won’t.”
    Briec let out a big sigh behind her, but she ignored him. “And be
good, Éibhear the Blue.” She rubbed his snout with her hand.
    “Are you going to tell me to be good as well,” Gwenvael asked.
    Talaith rolled her eyes. “Oh, why bother?”
    “It’s polite.”
    She turned from Éibhear and walked up to Gwenvael. “Perhaps. But
you are not. Polite, that is.”
    “This is true.” He lowered his snout close to her. “Can I get a rub as
well?”
    Laughing, Talaith reached up and rubbed her hand against the scale-
covered flesh between his nostrils, successfully avoiding the fresh
wound. “You are a beast, Gwenvael the Handsome. And I can’t wait until
some female comes along who will make your life absolutely intolerable.”
    “That’s a lovely sentiment. Could you put that into verse for me?”
    “I’m waiting,” Briec bellowed.
    With a resigned sigh, Talaith walked over to Briec. “Perhaps we
could—”
    “Get on or I’ll take you there in my claw.”
    “You are not a nice dragon at all.”
    She grabbed hold of his hair and awkwardly hauled herself onto his
back.
    “Comfortable?”



                                        -164-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “I’d      be       much         more         comfortable   back       in
my…aaayieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!”
   And she screamed like that all the way to Briec’s den.


                                   zzz

   “How bad is it?”
   Brastias shrugged at Morfyd’s question. “It’s slowed us down. The
mud will make it slow going. Why?”
   “Only wondering when we’ll get back to Dark Plains.” He didn’t like
the frown of worry marring that beautiful face. He adored everything
about that face, but especially the female beneath it. He didn’t like to see
her upset.
   “Before the storms I would have told you not long. I mean, we
separated from the other troops to get back quicker. But when Annwyl
began circling this general area—”
   “We’ve been going in circles?”
   Her angry exclamation startled him. “I thought you knew.”
   “I’ve had so much on my mind.” She rubbed her forehead. “Where’s
Annwyl?”
   “Sleeping. And please don’t wake her up.”
   “Yes, but—”
   “You know how she is when she hasn’t seen Fearghus for a long time.
And she hasn’t seen Fearghus for a very long time.”
   In battle, the queen’s forced separation from her mate made Annwyl a
formidable foe. But when the battles were over, the men avoided the
woman like she bore the plague. Unless Fearghus was near to keep
her…uh…occupied.
   “All right. I’ll wait until she wakes.”


                                        -165-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Is it something you can tell me about?”
   Those blue eyes he dreamed of almost every night turned toward him.
“It’s nothing to worry about, Brastias.” She patted his shoulder and his
entire body tightened. She had to stop doing that. She kept touching him
like a friend or one of her brothers. The last thing he felt for Morfyd the
White Dragonwitch of Dark Plains was brotherly.
   “You sure? I can be quite helpful.”
   Finally, she smiled. Good. He loved seeing her smile. “I know you are,
my friend.”
   Friend? “Morfyd, I—”
   Lightning flashed and storm clouds suddenly appeared. Morfyd
looked up at the sky. “Dammit.”
   Brastias sensed her concern went beyond getting Annwyl back to
Fearghus. “What is it, Morfyd? What aren’t you telling me?”
   Shaking her head, the woman turned from him and walked off. He
watched her until she disappeared into her tent, then the skies opened
up and rain poured down on him.


                                  zzz

   “Hold on.”
   “Hold on? Why?” Talaith finally lifted her head from where she had it
buried in Briec’s mane of silver hair. She should have never looked. The
dragon was heading right for a waterfall…and he wasn’t stopping.
   “What are you doing? Have you gone mad?” she yelled over the brutal
storm. It had plagued them all the way from Gwenvael’s den to Briec’s.
The dragon had been able to keep ahead of it until a bit ago.
   “Don’t you trust me, sweet Talaith?”
   “No!”


                                      -166-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    He chuckled as the waterfall—and the stone wall behind it—came
closer and closer.
    With a screech, Talaith buried her face into Briec’s neck, her hands
gripping his mane. She knew the moment they hit the waterfall as even
more water drenched her and a roaring sound assaulted her ears, then it
stopped and she was in complete darkness. She thought it was over,
until the dragon went free-falling into the blackness.
    His humming during all this didn’t help either. It competed with her
screams.
    When the dragon suddenly stopped, she thought for sure whatever
remained in her stomach would come flying back up. He spoke a charm
and torches lining the cave walls burst with light.
    “Finally. Home.”
    Without releasing the beast, Talaith looked up and saw the enormous
cavern the dragon had dropped down to get to this level. Bastard. He
could have warned her he wasn’t planning on some kind of poetic
suicide.
    Briec flew slowly down the cavern and Talaith marveled at the size of
Briec’s cave. Gwenvael’s hadn’t been this large.
    The deeper they went, the brighter it became with more and more
torches lighting the way.
    After a good fifteen minutes, the dragon pulled to a stop, gently
landing.
    “You all right?”
    She yanked his hair and he rewarded her with a short grunt of pain.
“No. I’m not all right.”
    He began walking, heading deeper into his cave. “You really need to
get used to flying. And stop pulling my hair. It’s irritating.”
    “Why?”


                                        -167-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “Because it’s attached to my head.”
   “Not why should I stop pulling your hair, dragon. Why should I get
used to flying?”
   “Because, it’s the easiest way to get out of here. Unless, of course,
you’d prefer the long walk out.”
   Knowing there was another way out, even one, gave her much ease.
She’d have to find it later when the dragon slept.
   “Do I have to ride bareback all the time? Can’t you wear a saddle or
something?”
   Briec abruptly stopped walking. “Don’t ever say that to me again.”
   She didn’t know he’d be so sensitive about it. “Sorry.”
   He nodded his enormous horned head and walked on. After another
ten minutes, Talaith noticed large caverns filled with treasure. Also like
Gwenvael’s cave. Eventually, he entered an enormous chamber and
that’s when he finally stopped walking. Briec lowered himself to the
ground and Talaith slid off his back. She leaned against him as her legs
took a moment getting steady again.
   Once she had some control, she pushed away from his body and
slowly   made      her   way   deep   inside.       She   gasped   in   surprise.
“Briec…it’s…um…”
   “Yes?”
   “It’s beautiful.” She stared at the tapestries covering the walls.
Beautiful ones that told stories of dragon heroes from long ago. He also
had an immense dining table, silver-accented chairs surrounding it;
couches for lounging, and one of the alcoves from the main chamber held
the biggest bookshelf she’d ever seen, filled from top to bottom with
books. More couches and chairs littered the alcove as well so one could
rest and read.



                                       -168-
                               The Distressing Damsel



      It was warm. Cozy. And she’d never felt safer in her life. She fell in
love with all of it immediately.
      “I thought it would be like Gwenvael’s. Maybe even a little worse.”
      Briec moved up beside her, his tail encircling her feet but not
touching her. “Gwenvael doesn’t stay in his home much.”
      She could believe that. The few days they all stayed in due to the
storms, Gwenvael kept leaving and risking the weather so he could get a
few minutes outside. He was not a dragon who liked being away from
other beings for too long, unlike his brothers.
      “So you do like it?”
      “Yes. I love it.” She stepped away from him, pulling off her wet cape,
and glanced into the different alcoves.
      Briec cleared his throat. “If there’s something you don’t like, we can
change it. Get you something nicer.”
      “Nicer than what?” Everything before her was of the finest quality.
Briec was definitely a dragon who liked his comforts expensive. “All of it
is beautiful, Briec. Truly.”
      She stopped at one of the alcoves only to find the largest bed she’d
ever seen.
      And, for some unknown reason, she felt bitter jealousy at the sight of
it.
      “What’s wrong?”
      She shook her head. “Nothing.”
      She felt heat at her back and knew he’d shifted. So when his big
arms wrapped around her shoulders, his hard body pushed up against
her back, she wasn’t surprised. Although the extremely affectionate
gesture confused her to no end.
      “You don’t sound like it’s nothing.”
      “You can’t expect me to sleep there.”


                                         -169-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   His head leaned over her shoulder, staring at the bed. “Why not? I
know you wouldn’t prefer the floor.”
   “I simply don’t want to.”
   “I need something better than that, Talaith. What is it?”
   She sighed. Might as well be honest. Couldn’t hurt. “I won’t stay in
the same bed with you…”
   “Why the hell not?” he demanded, suddenly angry, but unaware she
wasn’t done.
   “…that you’ve stayed in with other females.”
   Talaith felt Briec’s body relax behind her as his anger receded quickly
at her words.
   Nuzzling his head against hers, he said, “You have nothing to fear,
Talaith. I’ve never even used that bed. My brothers insisted I had to have
one. Plus, I’ve never brought another female here.”
   She snorted in disbelief. “You’re trying to tell me that you’ve never
had another female here—ever?”
   “Aye.”
   His tongue traced the line of her ear. She worked hard to ignore it,
unwilling to let him distract her. “How old are you?”
   “Two hundred and sixty two winters last moon.”
   “And in all that time you’ve never brought a woman back to your
home?”
   One of his hands slid across her collarbone, across her chest, settling
comfortably on her breast. “Not this home. I won’t promise my parents’
den faired as well. I didn’t want any female here, thinking they could
take over…move in. So I met them in their own lairs.”
   Yet he was willing to let her make changes if she found anything
displeasing. No, no. She wouldn’t think too much on what that could
possibly mean and instead she focused on trying to control her


                                       -170-
                             The Distressing Damsel



breathing. Not easy when he squeezed her breast while his fingers
tweaked her nipple through the material of her gown. “Well…I…I guess
that’s all right then.”
    His tongue dipped into her ear and her entire body trembled. “Are
you sure, little witch? I want to make sure you’re comfortable. That you’ll
be happy here.”
    “I am.” She gripped the arm still wrapped around her shoulder,
holding her close, unwilling to let her go.
    “We can wait to get a new bed here. It will take some time. I’ll have to
raid another village to get it. After the storms, of course.” His teeth
tugged her earlobe and she marveled at how easily this dragon played
her body. Like he’d been handling it all her adult life as opposed to just a
few days.
    “I don’t want to wait for a new bed.”
    “Really? You’re sure?”
    She wanted to cry in frustration as every tug of her earlobe leapt right
to her sex and stayed there. Talaith didn’t even know when she’d begun
squirming, desperate to feel the arrogant dragon inside her again.
    “Yes. I’m sure.”
    “You don’t sound like you’re truly convinced.”
    “You are such a bastard, Briec,” she panted.
    He chuckled in her ear. “I know. So you do like it?”
    She bent her head to the side, hoping he’d kiss her neck. He did. “I
thought we already had this conversation. I love it.”
    “More than Gwenvael’s?”
    “Well…”
    He released her and spun her around to face him. “I expected an
immediate yes.”



                                       -171-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   She shrugged. Playing with fire, she knew. But she couldn’t help it.
“But he has the hot springs.”
   “Is that it?”
   “That’s very important.”
   He grabbed her hand. “Come.”
   “That’s what I was hoping for, but you stopped.”
   He pulled her, leading through the cave. Down into an alcove with a
path leading below.
   “Where are we going?” She heard noise, but from where she now
stood, she couldn’t quite make it out.
   “You really need to learn to trust me. You act like I’m dragging you off
to your execution.”
   The deeper they want, the darker it became and the louder the sound
grew. Finally Briec stopped. “What about this, Lady Demanding?” He
said a word and flame lit torches.
   Talaith sat down hard right where she stood. “Briec…” she breathed
out, unable to find words to describe what she saw.
   It was a waterfall. Here, inside the dragon’s cave. It was enormous,
dropping right into a river that snaked and disappeared under rock.
   “Briec, it’s beautiful.” She looked up and saw the pride on his face.
Her words pleased him. Greatly.
   He tugged her back to her feet. “That’s not all.” He took her all the
way down until they stood right beside it. Their hands still clasped, he
held them under the rushing water.
   “It’s warm!”
   “Aye. The waterfall is heated from under the ground and it warms up
the river water.”
   She grinned. “This is amazing.”



                                       -172-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “My brothers don’t know it’s here,” he remarked offhandedly.
“Actually, no one in my family does. They all think I use the lakes
outside.”
   But he’d told her. She now knew more about his home than his
brothers did. The home where no other female, not a relation, had been
inside.
   “What do they do when they stay?” she asked, working hard to
control her pounding heart.
   “They use the lakes. If they knew about this, I’d never get rid of
them.”
   He turned to her and smiled, and her heart went back to full gallop.
   “Aren’t you uncomfortable in that dress, little witch?”
   She glanced down at it, grateful for the distraction. “No. It’s quite
comfortable. That’s why I wore it for—” She lifted her eyes and saw him
staring at her with one eyebrow raised. “Oh. Uh, I hate it. I feel
completely trapped in this dress.”
   “Then we best get it off you, eh?”
   “All right then.”
   Silently, she watched his hands slowly untie the ribbon holding the
front of her dress together. The dragon took his time removing the ribbon
and pulling the tight bodice apart, exposing her breasts.
   He stared at them for what felt like forever. Merely stared. Finally,
she couldn’t stand it anymore.
   “Perhaps—”
   “Sssh. Quiet. I’m concentrating.”
   She didn’t know which took precedence. Yelling at him for shushing
her—she really hated that—or asking him why he was concentrating.
   Curiosity won out.
   “Concentrating on what?”


                                        -173-
                              Shelly Laurenston



    “You’re still talking.”
    “Briec.”
    With an exaggerated sigh, he said, “Fine. Once again I have to find
ways to silence you.”
    She gasped as he leaned forward and his warm mouth closed over
her nipple. He sucked on it gently, driving her insane. She wanted more.
    Talaith slid her hand into his silver hair, pushing him closer to her.
“Harder,” she gasped. He chuckled, but obliged.
    Eyes closing, she leaned back. One of his big arms wrapped around
her waist and held her. With his free hand he took hold of her other
breast and squeezed the nipple between his fingers. “Gods, Briec.
That…that feels so good.”
    He didn’t let up, keeping the pressure relentless on both breasts. She
felt every suck, every pull down to her sex. Her panting grew worse. Her
small cries more intense.
    “Briec…I…I think I’m…” At her nonsensical words, he sucked and
squeezed harder, and suddenly a climax was coursing up her back,
through her groin, out her fingers and toes. She’d never felt anything
quite like it.
    She gasped and shuddered in his arms as the climax overtook her. In
those seconds, everything held still. All she could feel was Briec holding
her and his mouth and hands on her body. The cave walls could crumble
around them, and she was relatively certain she’d never even notice.


                                 zzz

    When she came, he almost came with her. It took years of hard-
learned self-control to keep his climax at bay. But as soon as her body
settled down, he stripped her dress the rest of the way off and tossed it


                                     -174-
                              The Distressing Damsel



somewhere. He’d have to find her another because he had no idea where
he threw it. He picked her up in his arms, her legs wrapped around his
waist, her face buried in his shoulder, and walked into the water.
   As soon as he had her under the waterfall, her head snapped up and
she laughed like a child. Nothing had ever sounded sweeter.
   “So, tell me now, little witch. Is my den better than Gwenvael’s?”
   Arms thrown over his shoulders, legs high on his waist, Talaith was
actually able to look down at him for once. Her hand caressed his jaw,
pushing his wet hair off his face. “Oh, aye, Briec. It is.”
   He smiled and held her tighter until she said, “Of course, I haven’t
seen Éibhear’s den yet. It could be amazing for all I know.”
   “Treacherous female,” he accused and dropped her. She briefly
disappeared under the waist-high water, but as soon as he saw her
flailing arms he grabbed her and picked her back up.
   “That wasn’t funny!” she yelled, clawing wet strands of hair from her
eyes.
   “Oh, come on. It was a little funny.”
   “No it was not. You vindictive—” he cut off her words with a kiss.
Immediately, she melted into him. It didn’t take much to distract Talaith
from her anger. One of the many things he enjoyed about her.
   When he finally stopped kissing her, she finished, “Bastard.”
   “Such cruel words from such a beautiful mouth.”
   She blushed and looked away, always a bit uncomfortable when he
complimented her. He’d have to get her over that. He loved a good
compliment. And there were few beings he felt worthy of receiving them.
   Unwilling to wait a moment more, Briec placed her on the rocky
ledge. She watched him quietly as he pulled himself out of the water.
Grabbing her hand, he leaned back against the ground, positioning her
until she was over him.


                                        -175-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “Ride me, little witch.”
   Without an argument—for once—she straddled his hips. Grasping his
already hard cock, she stroked it a few times. Briec arched into her
hand. “What are you doing?” he choked out.
   “I like how it feels in my hand,” she replied. “I like how it’s soft and
hard all at the same time.”
   “Is that all you like about it?”
   Shyly, she shook her head. “I like how it feels when it’s inside me.”
   “Then put it inside you, little witch. Don’t torture me.”
   “Not even a little?” she asked.
   “Later. Not now. My patience wanes.”
   “Fair enough.” She lifted her hips, placing the tip of his cock against
her pussy. Her juices already ran down her thighs, betraying exactly how
wet she was for him. How ready.
   Slowly, so damn slowly, she impaled herself with his cock. While her
body stretched to accommodate him, she moaned and gasped. When
she’d finally taken all of his cock inside her, she looked down at him.
   “You feel good.”
   He groaned. “You’re killing me, little witch.”
   “I don’t mean to.”
   “Yes. You do.” But he didn’t care. He wanted…no…he needed her to
move. “Fuck me, sweet Talaith.”
   She grinned and he didn’t like it one bit. “Say please.”
   Evil wench! “No.”
   “Fine. Don’t say it.” She clenched her pussy—once.
   “You evil cow.”
   “That didn’t sound like please to me.”
   “Fine.” He glared at her. “Please.”
   She stared at him and he snapped, “What?”


                                       -176-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “Well, the way you were acting about saying that word, I thought you
might burst into flame.”
   “Talaith…”
   “Calm down, O’ Scaly One.” She leaned over, her hands resting on his
shoulders.
   “Tell me if this feels good.” Her husky whisper had him arching into
her before she even started the first stroke.
   Her hips rose and fell, the walls of her pussy clenching tight on each
upstroke. She was milking him, pushing him to come.
   She leaned down and kissed him, her tongue sliding inside his
mouth.
   Gods, she did feel good. All of her. Briec was relieved she did like his
cave, because she wasn’t going anywhere. She wasn’t leaving. Not now.
   She dragged her mouth away from his and gasped, “Come for me,
Lord Arrogance. I want to feel you come inside me.”
   Briec grabbed Talaith’s hips and drove himself up into her, holding
her steady for his pounding thrusts.
   She panted and writhed on top of him, saying his name over and
over. When he felt the walls of her pussy spasm around his cock, he let
go and his whole body arched up as he came.
   Finally, Talaith collapsed on top of him. Her entire body limp, her
pussy still throbbing in time to her heartbeats.
   He pulled her wet hair off her face. “You all right?”
   She patted his forehead, which he found annoying. “Don’t ask me
stupid questions, Briec.”
   “As you wish, little witch.” He wrapped his arms around her, holding
her tight against him.
   They stayed like that, in comfortable silence, until she said, “Why
haven’t you gone down yet?”


                                        -177-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him yourself.”
   She sat up enough to look him in the eye. “I am not talking to
your…your…”
   “Mighty throbbing manhood?”
   “Briec.”
   “That which brings you much delirious pleasure?”
   “Briec.”
   “That which makes you whole?”
   “Stop it, dragon. You’re making me physically ill.”
   He cupped her face between his hands. “You like it here enough to
stay? Yes?”
   She stared at him with wide eyes.
   “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”
   “Usually you’d say something like that as a statement. But that
sounded suspiciously like a question. Are you asking me something?”
   He reached down and swatted her bare ass with the palm of his
hand.
   “Ow!”
   “Be nice, woman. I’m not used to this.”
   She rubbed her ass and glared at him. “Do that again and you’ll lose
that which you believe makes me whole.”
   Briec grinned. “Should I kiss it and make it feel better?”
   “No. Just keep that face of yours where I can see it. Cheeky bastard.”
   “Such a way with words, little witch. I can’t believe the men haven’t
flocked to you.”
   Her eyes narrowed, but she couldn’t hide her grin. “And you with
your humble, caring nature. A line of females should be forming outside
your cave door as we speak.”
   “Is this your way of saying no one will put up with us?”


                                      -178-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “My husband tried to have me burned at the stake and you brutalize
your brothers on an hourly basis, which makes them not want to be too
close to you for very long. What does that tell you, Briec the Arrogant?”
   “That they’re jealous of our greatness.”
   Talaith laughed hard, her face buried against his neck and her entire
body shaking.
   “What?” Briec asked in all sincerity. “What’s so funny?”




                                       -179-
                               Shelly Laurenston




                      Chapter Twelve

   The storms continued relentlessly. Although there would be moments
of sunshine, moments of frightening calm, a few hours or sometimes
even minutes later, it would all start over again.
   Talaith barely even noticed or cared. For weeks now, there had been
no sign of Arzhela. And after so many years of living in fear, she felt
peaceful. She knew it wouldn’t last. She knew Arzhela would call her to
perform her task, and she would go. Until then, Talaith spent her time
enjoying Briec and not having that evil heifer in her mind for even a little
while.
   Briec seemed to enjoy their time together as well. If he wasn’t reading
or sneaking out to find a cow or lamb, he was with Talaith. True, there
were a few times he’d ask her, “Please by the love of all that is holy…stop
talking!” Which, of course, she completely ignored. Leading them into one
of their many arguments. They didn’t argue because they were angry,
they argued because it drove them both wild.
   It had become quite the joke. They’d find the most ridiculous things
to argue over. One day, she yelled at him because the butter for her toast
had gone bad. Another time he growled at her because she left a wet
cloth on his cave floor. But no matter what they argued about, they
always ended up the same way—fucking. Like two wild beasts in heat.




                                      -180-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Talaith felt as if she were making up for the last sixteen years of her
life where her husband would lay on top of her, bounce around a bit, roll
off and go to sleep. True, it didn’t start out that way, but within the year
that was the best she could hope for. Shutting off his desire for her with
a spell turned out to be absolutely no loss.
   Ah, but Briec. For a being not human, he truly understood a
woman’s body. And he worked hers in a way even thinking about it in
passing made her knees weak. Some days, after a particularly hearty
argument, they’d couple fast and furiously. Each taking what they
wanted and giving back only what was necessary. It was selfish and
deliriously fun.
   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



                                       -181-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



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.”


                                    zzz

   “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.”


                                        -182-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “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.”



                                        -183-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   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


                                       -184-
                                The Distressing Damsel



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.


                                       zzz

    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!


                                          -185-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “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.”
   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.



                                       -186-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “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


                                       -187-
                               Shelly Laurenston



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.




                                      -188-
                             The Distressing Damsel




                    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




                                       -189-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



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.”


                                         -190-
                               The Distressing Damsel



   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.


                                    zzz

   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.”


                                         -191-
                              Shelly Laurenston



   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.




                                     -192-
                             The Distressing Damsel




                    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.




                                       -193-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    Morfyd stormed from the queen’s tent, but she stopped when a
book—thankfully soft of cover—hit her in the back of the head. Swinging
around, the dragon in human form yelled, “You are the most insufferable,
difficult bitch I’ve ever had the displeasure of knowing and I can’t wait to
be rid of you!”
    Danelin glanced up at his commander and Brastias sighed. With a
shake of his head, he stepped in front of Morfyd before she could stomp
away. “What is going on with you two?”
    Morfyd looked at Brastias, then at the men watching her. After taking
a deep, calming breath she shrugged. “Nothing. Why?”


                                   zzz

    Briec, smiling while still half asleep, reached for Talaith. His hand
grasped nothing but bedding and he pulled himself fully awake.
    “Talaith?”
    He’d been hoping to find her still lying next to him. He had plans for
her this morning, and they all involved her legs resting on his shoulders.
So finding her already up and about did nothing but irritate him. Plus,
he still had many questions to ask the wench. Her sudden mood swings
the previous night did nothing but confuse him, and he realized he didn’t
enjoy that confusion one damn bit.
    Briec looked around the chamber and frowned when he didn’t find
her in one of the chairs reading as he usually did. He sat up, pushing his
hair off his face. “Talaith?”
    He slid out of bed and left the chamber, heading toward the main
area where they ate. She wasn’t there and no fire burned in the pitfire
since the previous eve.




                                       -194-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   Sniffing the air, Briec tried to track her somewhere in his home, but
there was nothing but her lingering essence.
   “No!”
   Briec shifted to dragon with a thought and stormed through his cave
looking for her, barking her name.
   “Talaith, answer me!”
   She didn’t and he knew. He knew she’d left him. And another, less
used emotion reared its very ugly head…rage.
   Briec made it topside, bursting from his cave entrance with a trail of
fire in his wake. He tore through the countryside searching for her. She
couldn’t have gotten far. He’d find her and bring her back. Even if she
kicked and screamed the entire way, he’d bring her back.
   He’d bring her home.


                                 zzz

   Talaith watched the dragon fly overhead. He didn’t see her. He
wouldn’t. True to her word, Arzhela had given her back her powers with a
vengeance. Talaith almost woke Briec up as she stumbled from her early-
morning bed, her entire body screaming in pain as the Magick was
unleashed within her.
   Now she used that same Magick to block her presence from the
dragon’s keen senses, something she hadn’t been able to do before.
Hearing him call her name, knowing he at least cared enough to search
for her, almost sent her back to him.
   But her daughter—the most important thing right now.
   Besides, why bother going back to him even if she did survive this? If
he wasn’t tired of her now, he would be one day.




                                      -195-
                             Shelly Laurenston



   Closing her eyes, and heart, to the sight of him, Talaith turned and
headed in the direction of the two suns. Headed toward her destiny and,
most likely, her death.




                                    -196-
                                The Distressing Damsel




                      Chapter Fifteen

    They’d tracked her for hours, thinking they were being stealthy. Not
really. About an hour after they started, she led them where she wanted
them to go while watching from a safe distance. She’d take them to a
lake she knew of in these parts—her teachers made her learn every map
available—and destroy them there. She had no time for games at this
point. Besides, after leaving Briec, she had a great desire to hurt
something deserving to be hurt.
    Perched safely in a tree, Talaith stared down at the lake and cursed.
There were two women, alone, naked, and bathing in the lake. She
needed them to run. Now.
    Using the sturdy branches of the old tree, she quickly climbed down,
jumping the last few feet to the ground.
    Immediately, the two women turned toward her. They looked so
different from each other. One had golden brown hair, green eyes, and a
very recent knife slash across her face. The other had white hair, blue
eyes shaped like a cat’s, and the mark of a witch on one cheek. The witch
blocked her, so Talaith had no idea how powerful her Magick. And she
had no time to figure it out.
    “You must leave. Now.”
    They didn’t. Instead they stared at her. Not in fear or confusion, but
in curiosity.



                                          -197-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Did you not hear me?”
   “We heard you,” the brown-haired one said before dropping her head
back into the water.
   And that was all either one of them said.
   “Unbelievable,” Talaith muttered. “Now I have to protect their stupid
hides as well as my own.” And she was stupid. She could run, in theory.
The men would find enough sport with these two so chances were high
they wouldn’t bother coming for her. But she couldn’t do that to any
woman.
   She heard the men stomping through the trees toward them. She
knew a fire spell that should handle them pretty well. And possibly
destroy the entire forest. Oh, well. Can’t be helped.
   The men stepped past the line of the trees, but looked past her.
Quickly glancing behind her, she realized that both women had gotten
out of the lake. By the gods. Those bitches are huge!
   “Focus, Talaith,” she chastised herself.
   At least they’d thrown on some clothes. One had on her witch’s robes.
The other simple leggings, cotton shirt and leather boots. They didn’t
appear worried, though. They should. Unless the witch had great power.
That would definitely help at the moment.
   “Well, well. Look what we have here, lads.”
   Talaith rolled her eyes. Why these idiots never came up with anything
more original before the raping and pillaging, she’d never know.
   She counted. Fifteen men. Fifteen to their three. Eesh. She would
have preferred better odds than that, but nothing she could do about it
now.
   Her attention on the men in front of her and the chant on her lips,
Talaith readied herself to destroy an entire forest—or start a small



                                      -198-
                                The Distressing Damsel



bonfire, she wasn’t quite sure which—when the brown-haired woman
walked past her.
    “You know what I love, gentlemen?” the woman asked with a big
smile. Good gods, why is she talking to them? Talaith glanced back at the
witch, who gave a helpless shrug. As if this were an unruly puppy rather
than a woman who would get them all raped and killed.
    “And what would that be, luv?” one of the men in front asked with a
knowing smile.
    “When the gods throw sport my way.”
    She moved so fast, if Talaith blinked she would have missed it.
Missed the woman ripping the man’s sword from his scabbard, expertly
hefting the blade, and swinging.
    Talaith watched the man’s head roll away. It would have been
comical if it weren’t a bit vile.
    Taking a step back, the woman watched the other men, her newly
obtained sword raised.
    “Come on then, you lot,” she encouraged. “You’re not going to leave
me standing here, are ya?” She looked over the men before her. “Which
one of you is man enough to fight me?”
    Man enough? Try stupid enough.
    That’s when other men stepped from the trees. Based on their ages
and a distinct lack of bitterness on their faces, Talaith knew these men
were not with the ones who had been tracking her. They were with this
woman. They wore dark red surcoats over chainmail shirts and leggings.
The crests on their surcoats were of a black dragon with two swords
crossed behind it.
    Well, there went Talaith’s brief theory the brown-haired woman was a
poor, sole mercenary.



                                          -199-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   One of the woman’s warriors, a tall handsome man who couldn’t
seem to stop grinning, glanced at her. “Do we really have time for this?”
   “Don’t rush me, Brastias. You bastards want me relaxed. This will
relax me.” She turned back to the confused men. “Well?” the woman
challenged again. “Anyone?”
   The cornered men glanced around and realized the warriors with the
dark red surcoats surrounded the entire lake—and them. They had no
choice but to fight her.
   Two men charged her at the same time. She blocked both their
blades with her own, kicked one, knocking him to the ground and gutted
the other. She took his sword as her own and finished off the man still
on the ground at her feet.
   That’s when the rest decided to attack the woman as one.
   Talaith looked to the warriors to see if they would help. They didn’t.
Their swords remained sheathed, their sighs indicated boredom. The
witch moved up to stand beside her. “This won’t take long.”
   She had a distinct feeling the witch was right.
   A grin spread across the warrior woman’s face as she blocked a blow
with one sword while slashing at another attacker with the other. Blood
flew, splattering across her shirt, but she didn’t even notice it, instead
turning to another man and gutting him from stomach to throat. She
took his head, turned, cut another man in half; crouched, slashed, took
another man’s legs. She moved so fast, Talaith found it hard to follow
her. But within seconds, she’d killed them all…except one.
   The warrior woman cracked her neck as her green eyes locked onto
the last man. He raised his sword, but she knocked it out of his hand
with one blow from her own. She kicked him in the chest, sending him
crashing to his back.



                                      -200-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Then she placed one extremely large foot onto his chest and crouched
down, pinning him to the ground with her weight.
   “So tell me, what were you planning to do with us? Eh? Going to
make us scream? Beg for mercy?” She leaned in, forcing her foot into the
man’s chest, her face filled with utter disgust and contempt. “Should I do
that to you? Should I make you cry? Should I make you beg?”
   She took a deep breath, and Talaith could see how hard it was for
this woman to keep her anger under control. A battle written all over her
bruised and damaged face.
   “No. I’ll not waste my time on the likes of you,” she sneered. Slowly
standing, she left her foot on his chest while tossing one of the swords
she held into the lake. “A true and honorable warrior loses his head in
battle and goes home to his ancestors with pride. But that won’t be for
you. I curse you, scum. I curse you and your brethren to the never-
ending pits of despair and suffering where you’ll spend your eternity.”
   Two hands clasping the hilt, she raised her sword above the man’s
chest. “I do wish you luck, though,” she uttered, almost kindly. Then
that rage returned, so fierce it nearly stole Talaith’s breath. “For you will
surely need it.”
   With that, she brought the sword down, it seemed, with all the force
she could possibly muster. The blade slammed through the man’s chest,
tearing through cheap armor, and hard bone until it embedded itself in
the rocky ground beneath. The man’s screams made Talaith wince, but
she couldn’t look away, even as the woman twisted the blade this way
and that to quicken his death.
   He made another gasp, blood pouring from his open mouth, then
went silent.
   The woman stood, leaving the blade in his chest. She examined
herself.


                                       -201-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    “I swear. I clean off one coat of blood, only to have it replaced by
another. I wonder why I bathe at all while on campaign.”
    “Because you don’t want to wake to find a pack of wolves licking
blood off you…again,” the witch offered sweetly.
    Grimacing, “I thought we swore never to speak of that.”
    With a laugh, the witch replied, “I don’t remember that agreement at
all.”
    “Callous cow.”
    And that’s when they all turned to Talaith.
    Uh-oh.
    How she could actually find this woman more frightening than the
three dragons she’d stayed with for days, she’d never know. But now that
her Magick was back, her sense of this woman’s barely contained rage
was almost palpable. It slid under her skin like a living thing.
    “You all right?” It took Talaith a moment to realize the warrior woman
had spoken to her.
    “Oh.” She cleared her throat. “Yes. Thank you.”
    The woman’s cold green eyes examined Talaith from feet to head as
she held her hand out and one of the warriors handed her two swords in
their scabbards. Walking calmly toward Talaith, she tied them to her
back.
    “Thank you for warning us.”
    Never before had Talaith had such an overwhelming desire to run.
This was not like the dragonfear. This was much worse. “You’re
welcome.”
    Standing before her, the woman bent her neck to the side. Talaith
winced as she heard every bone in the woman’s neck and shoulder crack
into place. Ack!
    “Your name?”


                                      -202-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Answer her, you idiot. “Talaith.”
   The woman nodded. “I am Annwyl.”
   Without thinking, Talaith stumbled back from her. “The Blood
Queen?”
   Blinking, the woman looked startled, then…well…then she looked
hurt.
   “Oh, shit,” the witch mumbled beside her. Then she and the good-
looking warrior passed annoyed glances.
   “Is that what they call me?” Annwyl threw her hands up. “That is so
unfair!”
   The witch shook her head, “Annwyl…”
   “I work hard to protect the land—”
   “Annwyl.”
   “—to keep them all safe—”
   “Annwyl.”
   “—and this is how they repay me?”
   “Annwyl!”
   “What?”
   “Let it go. We need to get back. Or do you wish to keep your mate
waiting any longer?”
   Good God. This big bitch has a mate? That had to be one brave man.
   Annwyl growled. Literally. Then turned on her heel. “Fine.” She
looked over her shoulder at Talaith. “But don’t call me that again.”
   “Uh…” Talaith glanced around at the other warriors and realized they
were working hard not to laugh. Some had to turn away. “Of course, my,
uh, queen.”
   She saw the men wince as Annwyl stopped in her tracks. Without
bothering to turn around, she barked, “Don’t call me that either.”
   “My liege?”


                                       -203-
                              Shelly Laurenston



   “Not even close.”
   Talaith had grown tired of this big bitch barking at her like she were
a small child and, as usual, Talaith’s mouth ran much faster than her
sense. “Is there anything I should call you? Or should I just grunt and
point in your direction?”
   When the men and witch all stared at her, she had a feeling she
might have gone too far—again.
   Slowly, Annwyl turned back to her. Talaith had a feeling very few
people said much to the Blood Queen of Garbhán Isle.
   But, instead of taking her head or cursing her to those nasty pits she
seemed so fond of sending people to, the queen smiled. A really sweet
smile, taking Talaith completely by surprise. “I think Annwyl will do,
don’t you?”
   “Uh…” Talaith shrugged “Yes?”
   Her smile broadened. “Yes. And you best come with us.”
   “What? Why?” Well that was definitely not the right response, but
Annwyl—nor Arzhela—appeared to notice.
   “Annwyl,” the witch murmured. “I’m sure that Talaith has somewhere
else to—”
   “You think this was the only band of scavengers roaming these
forests, sister?” Annwyl cut in quickly. “They’re one of many. You know
that better than most.” To Talaith she said, “Come with us now. We’ll get
you some food and some safety. You can decide what you want to do
from there. All right?”
   She made it sound like a request, but Talaith knew better. Dread
filled Talaith’s being. Most of the gods knew she shouldn’t go. But she
had no choice.
   She had absolutely no choice.



                                     -204-
                              The Distressing Damsel



                                   zzz

    Briec stared out over his land. As human he sat at the very edge of
the highest entrance to his cave. He knew eventually his brothers would
arrive, and when they sat next to him, one on either side, he wasn’t
surprised. And, he had to admit at least to himself, he was quite grateful.
    “What happened?” Éibhear asked.
    “What does it look like? She left me.”
    Gwenvael leaned over to stare down at the sheer drop to ground level.
“Planning to throw yourself from here as human and end it all?”
    “Of course not.” He let out a deep sigh. “I just got home, truth be told.
I’ve been looking for her for days.”
    Éibhear raised one leg and rested his arm on it. “Why did she leave?”
    Briec’s head dropped forward in abject misery. “I don’t know.”
    He sensed more than saw Gwenvael lean down a bit to get a good
look at his face. “Are you really that upset?”
    Bellowing in fury, he turned on his brother, “Do I look happy to you?”
    His brother held his hands up. “Calm down. I was just asking. I
didn’t realize you’d become that attached.”
    “How could you not see that?” Éibhear asked. “Lofal the Blind One
could have seen that.”
    “When has Briec ever cared about a female beyond the bedding?”
    “Talaith was different,” Briec seethed.
    “Ah, yes. The woman whose name you didn’t even care to know at
first.”
    “Shut up, Gwenvael. Or you’ll quickly find out if your human body
can fly.”
    “You sure you’re just not mad because she had the audacity to leave
you—Briec the Mighty?”


                                        -205-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Normally Briec would shove his brother’s face into the dirt, but he
didn’t even feel like doing that. For four days he searched everywhere he
could think of for her and nothing. Not even a trace of her. Finally, he
gave up and returned back to his lair, which suddenly seemed way too
big and extremely lonely. He didn’t realize how much he’d come to enjoy
her very presence. The scent of her. Her voice. Her extremely acid tongue.
The way she kept tripping on his tail.
   But, he kept reminding himself, she left him. She left him when he
hadn’t done anything wrong. And she’d actually seemed damn happy
when with him. If she hadn’t been, she should have told him in that rude
way she had.
   “Aren’t you going to hit him?” Éibhear asked.
   “I don’t feel like it.”
   “Good gods.” Gwenvael stood. “This is worse than we thought,
Éibhear. Up, brother.” Gwenvael grabbed Briec’s arm and pulled him to
his feet. “There is only one answer for this.”
   “Which is?”
   “Drinking and eating. The whoring will keep until we get you good
and drunk. By the time we’re done, brother, you won’t even remember
her name that you didn’t even care to know in the first place.”
   Now, why did he doubt that?


                                   zzz

   This wasn’t what she expected. Never, in her wildest dreams.
   This…this was the Blood Queen of Garbhán Isle? Scourge of the
Madron lands? Destroyer of Villages? Demon Killer of Women and
Children? She who had blood pacts with the darkest of gods?
   This was Annwyl the Bloody?


                                       -206-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Talaith watched, fascinated, as Annwyl held onto Morfyd the Witch’s
wrists. Morfyd—the Black Witch of Despair, Killer of the Innocent,
Annihilator of Souls, and all around Mad Witch of Garbhán Isle or so she
was called on the Madron lands—had actually tried to sneak up on
Annwyl to put ointment on the nasty wound the queen had across her
face. But as soon as the warrior saw her, she squealed and grabbed hold
of her. Now Annwyl lay on her back, Morfyd over her, trying her best to
get Annwyl to stop being a ten year old.
   “If you just let me—”
   “No! Get that centaur shit away from me, you demon bitch!”
   “Annwyl, I’m not letting you go home to my brother looking like that.
You look horrific.”
   “He’ll have to love me in spite of it. Now get off!” She shoved and
Morfyd tumbled back right into Brastias’ arms. And he looked damn
pleased to have her right there.
   “That’s it.” Morfyd stood, straightened her robes and glared at
Annwyl. “You’ve asked for this.”
   “Don’t you dare-“
   But the spell was unleashed, flying across the small campsite, lifting
Annwyl and slamming her back against the tree behind her. Then it
pinned her there.
   Now Morfyd sauntered over to her. “If you’d given me two seconds, we
could have been done with this, but you had to be difficult.”
   “I hate you.”
   “Join the queue.”
   “Vicious cow.”
   “Argumentative harpy.”
   Morfyd carefully rubbed the cream over Annwyl’s fresh scar. Once
done, she spit a counter-spell and Annwyl hit the ground.


                                       -207-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    “Ow!”
    “Crybaby.”
    No, this isn’t what Talaith expected. Annwyl the Blood Queen was
supposed to be a vicious, uncaring warrior bent on revenge and power.
She let her elite guard rape and pillage wherever they went, and she used
babies as target practice while their mothers watched in horror.
    That’s what she was supposed to be and that’s what Talaith expected
to find. Instead, she found Annwyl. Just Annwyl. A warrior who spent
most of her resting time reading or mooning over her consort. She was
silly, charming, very funny, and fiercely protective of everyone. Her elite
guard, all handpicked by Annwyl, were sweet, vicious fighters and
blindingly loyal to their queen.
    And then there was Morfyd. A taller woman she’d never met, with a
power Talaith envied. She had monumental control, the kind Talaith had
only seen with the older, more powerful Nolwenn witches. Morfyd’s
beautiful face spoke of many young years. Perhaps no more than thirty
winters. If that.
    With a sigh, Morfyd sat beside her on the tree stump. “She makes me
insane.”
    “Like family.”
    Morfyd smiled. “Exactly.”
    Wiping off the ointment she’d used on Annwyl with a dry cloth,
Morfyd asked, “Are you cold, sister?” Morfyd had been calling her sister
since she met her. She seemed to know she was a witch. Though not a
very powerful one.
    “Why do you ask?”
    “Because you haven’t taken off those gloves in two days.”
    Of course she hadn’t. A witch of Morfyd’s power only need take her
bare hand and she’d know all there was to know about Talaith’s past,


                                       -208-
                                The Distressing Damsel



from her first breath at birth to her last gasp with Briec. Because she
hadn’t had any training in the witch arts for the last sixteen years,
Talaith had no idea how to keep her out.
    “I am very chilled, sister,” she lied.
    “Oh, I’m sorry.”
    “No worries.”
    “No worries about what?” Annwyl sat on the other side of Talaith,
handing each some dried beef and a large chunk of bread. The battle
she’d just waged with Morfyd already forgotten.
    “Talaith is chilled.”
    Annwyl sighed. “I’m sorry, Talaith. I know we’ve been living rough
these few days, but we’ll be home soon enough. All the rooms in the
castle have a built-in pitfire. It’s nice.”
    Good gods. The woman wasn’t merely taking her back to Dark Plains,
she was planning to put her up at Garbhán Isle as well.
    “I’m fine, Annwyl. Really.”
    “When we stop for the night, you can sleep in my tent.”
    Panic swept through Talaith like wildfire. “That’s not nec—”
    Annwyl waved her argument away with a scarred hand. The woman
had many scars. “It’s nothing, Talaith. Really. But, of course, it’s up to
you.”
    “She snores,” Morfyd warned.
    “I do no such thing!” Annwyl yelled back.
    “Like a bull in rutting season.”
    “When we get back to Garbhán Isle…don’t speak to me.”
    “Trust me, Annwyl, that will be a pleasure.”
    Talaith would have loved to enjoy their argument, but she couldn’t.
Not when it took all her strength not to start shaking.



                                          -209-
                                Shelly Laurenston



                                   zzz

   Talaith stood outside the back of Annwyl’s tent. Again, she swallowed
down her nausea and thought only of her daughter. At the moment, that
was all that kept her moving forward. With another quick glance around,
Talaith crouched low and burrowed her way between the tent and the
ground until she was inside.
   She stood and walked over to Annwyl. The woman slept soundly. One
arm thrown over her head, the other laying near the floor. Barefoot, she
still wore her leggings. And her bindings all she wore on top. Several
large blade wounds covered her upper torso and lots of tiny ones covered
those. All old and long-ago healed.
   The strangest thing was the markings over her collarbone. These
marks were of an ancient and intricate design and were light brown
against her sun-darkened skin. They resembled a faint tattoo or old
brand and Magick radiated off it. Some kind of protection. Perfect.
   Her long brown hair lay loose around her and she’d kicked the covers
off so that they rested on the floor.
   She looked peaceful.
   Again Talaith closed her eyes, shutting out everything but the
thought of her daughter. This sacrifice would save her daughter and
that’s all that mattered.
   Keeping that in her mind, she raised the dagger—tightly gripped in
both her hands—over Annwyl’s chest. Right over the protective brand on
her chest. With a prayer to any god but Arzhela to save whatever may be
left of her soul, she brought it down with all the force she could muster.
   When it stopped short of its mark, she realized she’d closed her eyes.
Otherwise, she would have seen Annwyl’s arms come up, crossed,




                                        -210-
                              The Distressing Damsel



blocking her from completing the move. Talaith let out a relieved breath
and that’s when those cold green eyes snapped open to focus on her.
   “I have to admit, I thought you’d be a tad stealthier than this.”
Annwyl gripped her hands and turned the blade toward Talaith’s throat.


                                   zzz

   Annwyl watched closely as the blade inched closer and closer to
Talaith’s throat…and Talaith let it. In fact, she lifted her chin in
preparation for the cut. Annwyl pushed it so far, the blade actually
pierced the skin and all Talaith did was wince a bit. Then nothing. She’d
already resigned herself to it; she could see it in the woman’s eyes. She’d
seen it before during her brother’s reign, when Annwyl still lived with
him. That resignation when you knew death was imminent and there
was no way out. She witnessed it often with those condemned to his
dungeons.
   Worse, she’d seen it in Talaith’s eyes from when they first met her at
that lake. So it wasn’t that she’d given up because Annwyl had a blade to
her throat. The woman was dead when she’d walked into the tent.
   With an annoyed sniff, Annwyl pushed the woman away and stood,
pacing beside her.
   “What…what are you doing?”
   “Not what you want me to.”
   “Dammit.” Talaith grabbed her arm in a vicious grip. Vicious enough
to hold its own in a fight and yet hadn’t. “Finish it, Annwyl. Finish it
now!”
   Annwyl saw the desperation in those dark brown eyes. Knew no
amount of rationalizing would help. So Annwyl backhanded her, sending
her flying across the tent.


                                        -211-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   Without another word, Annwyl calmly walked to the tent flap, pulling
it back a bit. “Brastias,” she called out. “Fetch me Morfyd, would you?”
   “Aye.”
   Annwyl stepped back inside, studying the dagger in her hands. It was
plain but sturdy and sharp.
   Talaith was just rousing herself from the floor when Morfyd walked
in. She frowned at Talaith and turned to Annwyl, but her confusion
stopped and she stared at the dagger in her hand. “Where did you get
that?”
   “What? This?” Annwyl waved it at her battle mage and Morfyd
jumped back from her.
   “Keep that thing away from me.”
   “Has everyone lost their mind? I’ve got her trying to kill me in my
sleep and you’re suddenly frightened of daggers.”
   The dagger quickly forgotten, Morfyd placed her hands on her hips. “I
told you it was her.”
   “Yes, but you didn’t tell me she’d practically beg me to kill her, now
did you?”
   Morfyd glanced at Talaith still pulling herself up off the floor. “I’m
surprised you didn’t.”
   “Does she look insane to you, Morfyd?” Annwyl asked calmly. “Does
she look like she doesn’t have control of all her senses?”
   “No, but—”
   “Then why would she come at me with a blade? She’s not a fool. And
only a fool would risk facing me in hand-to-hand combat. We’ve both
watched her—she’s a well-trained assassin. She could have poisoned my
food or water. She could have killed us all and then slipped away without
anyone ever knowing. She could have used the poison-covered pins she
has stuck in this hilt.” Annwyl was pretty impressed with herself for


                                      -212-
                              The Distressing Damsel



catching sight of the extra dangers that lay in the simple and plain
dagger. “Instead she puts a dagger to my throat.”
    Annwyl shook her head. “No. She’s merely the sword, Morfyd. I want
the hand that wields her.”
    “Easy enough.”
    Morfyd walked over to the woman who still looked a little dazed. Of
course, Annwyl had made sure to hit her hard. Taking firm hold of her
hand, Morfyd ripped off the leather glove Talaith had been wearing since
they met her and took the woman’s hand in her own.
    “No!” Talaith, suddenly quite alert, tried to pull her hand from
Morfyd’s grasp, but the dragonwitch merely gripped Talaith’s throat with
her free hand and squeezed.
    “Fight me, sister, and I’ll tear your throat out.”
    Morfyd closed her eyes and everything became quiet. Annwyl knew if
she were dragon or had any Magick skill whatsoever, she’d be able to see
all the colors and flames and whatever else those magically inclined
could see. But Annwyl was just a warrior with a dragon for a consort. All
she could see were two women standing there like two statues. She
found it a little odd.
    Sighing from boredom, she walked over to her saddlebags and pulled
out a flask of water. She took a long drink, but was startled when Morfyd
suddenly said, “Oh. Oh.”
    She turned to look at her and Morfyd was absolutely beaming while
Talaith scowled at her intently. Morfyd always wore that expression when
she knew an absolutely divine piece of gossip.
    “What?”
    Clearly trying not to laugh, Morfyd shook her head. “Nothing.”
    “You lying cow. What’s going on?”



                                        -213-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Nothing.” She coughed, and released Talaith’s hand. “Except you
have some powerful enemies.”
   “Tell me what I don’t know, witch.”
   “Powerful enemies who are gods.”
   For a moment, Annwyl was shocked beyond all reason…then she
shrugged. “Now that I think of it—I don’t know why I would be
surprised.”


                                  zzz

   Talaith sat impassively on Annwyl’s bed while Morfyd told of all she’d
seen. She spoke of Talaith’s first love and how she lost the young soldier
before their child had even been born. She told of how her mother and
the other Nolwenn witches, blindingly angry at her relationship with the
soldier and her soon-to-be-born child, tossed her out of the temple so
she would learn a lesson. She knew they’d take her back as soon as the
baby was born. What none of them saw was Arzhela. Her priestesses
came for her the night of Talaith’s daughter’s birth. They tore the child
from her arms and then dragged Talaith, bleeding and cursing, to their
temple. Because Arzhela, goddess of light, love and fertility was their
patron, most of the priestesses were midwives. They cleaned off the
blood, healed her, and then told her quite plainly she’d never see her
daughter again unless she did what they told her.
   Three months later, they took her to the little village outside of
Madron and handed her over to a man, telling her he would now be her
husband. She would take care of his house, clean his clothes, feed him
well and, in return, he wouldn’t question where she went every day.
Because at those times, she would be in the local temple dedicated to
Arzhela. There the head priestess would bring in the best of the best


                                      -214-
                              The Distressing Damsel



among the local assassins. For sixteen years they’d trained her until the
moment when she would have to face a monarch so demonic, so evil, so
contemptible in every sense of the word, she would thank the goddess for
the chance to be the one to destroy her.
   Talaith looked over at that “demonic, evil, contemptible” monarch
who, at the moment, was busy blowing her nose into a cloth she’d picked
up off the floor. Seemed the constant change in weather was making the
evil demoness sneeze.
   “So what do you want to do?”
   The two women looked at her and Annwyl shrugged. “Well I can’t kill
her now. I’m not that big a bitch.”
   Morfyd raised an eyebrow. “It really depends on who you ask.”
   “I hate you.”
   The two women smiled at each other and Talaith briefly hated them
for having such a close relationship. For having each other for friends.
   Annwyl stared at Talaith for a moment, then asked, “You wanted me
to kill you. Why?”
   Talaith looked away from Annwyl’s direct, steady gaze. She heard
Annwyl’s strong voice. “She won’t answer me.”
   “She thinks she can’t. Because of Arzhela.”
   She thinks she can’t? Talaith repeated in her head. What did this
heifer know anyway?
   “She can’t touch you here, you know.” Morfyd walked over and sat
beside Talaith on the bed. “She’ll never get past me. Past my defenses.”
   Talaith snorted in disbelief.
   “It’s true. Stretch out for her. Feel for her.”
   So Talaith did, and the witch spoke true. She couldn’t feel Arzhela
within a league. It was like they were in a protective bubble. She hadn’t
felt like this since she’d left the dragon’s protection.


                                        -215-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Arzhela hurt her before,” Morfyd explained to Annwyl. “When she
tried to tell. But now…now Talaith only fears for her daughter. That’s
why she wanted you to kill her. If she was killed in battle or while trying
to kill you, her daughter would be taken to safety. But if she killed
herself or told someone to kill her, Arzhela would make the girl pay.”
   Annwyl sighed as she sat on the other side of her. Two tall, scary
bitches surrounding her. Hell, Talaith, it could be so much worse. “I’m
concerned for her daughter. Especially if she’s with Hamish.”
   “Well, we all know your feelings on that man.”
   “And you all forget I do know the man. I know what he can do. What
he’s willing to do. And if he thinks Arzhela will bring him power—”
   “Which is exactly what I’m sure she’s promised him.”
   “Then we can’t leave her there. Not for another second.”
   Talaith sat between the two women completely confused. Were they
talking about getting her daughter back? Why?
   “Well, I’m sure Brastias and a few of the—” Morfyd began.
   “No.” Annwyl stood. “We’ll go.”
   Talaith and Morfyd froze. They immediately looked at each other,
then turned back to Annwyl.
   “What?” Morfyd asked.
   “You heard me. Get off your asses.”
   “Annwyl, have you lost your mind?”
   “Hardly.” She walked to the tent flap and motioned to someone. A
young boy, her squire perhaps, ran to her. She spoke to him briefly and
he ran off.
   “You want us to go into Madron territory to retrieve a girl we’ve never
met and have no idea what she looks like?”
   “Well, I’m assuming she looks like her.” She pointed at Talaith.
“Exactly how many desert people do you think Hamish has in his


                                      -216-
                             The Distressing Damsel



kingdom? It’s doubtful there are many because they usually have more
sense than to go there.”
   “Oi,” Talaith finally objected.
   “You don’t count. You didn’t have a choice.”
   Annwyl pulled on a sleeveless chainmail shirt. “Morfyd, you’ll need to
wear something other than your witch’s robes. Leggings would be good.”
   “Annwyl, wait—”
   “What?” Annwyl turned on them both so fast, the witches leaned
back a bit. “What are you going to say, Morfyd? That we should leave
that girl there? That girl who had nothing to do with this and was merely
a pawn? Leave her there for Hamish?” The queen’s obvious horror at
Morfyd’s suggestion spoke volumes. “You know I won’t let that happen.
So get off your asses, you lazy sows, we leave in quarter hour.”
   She handed the dagger to a stunned Talaith, grabbed her own two
swords, and stormed out. Confused, Talaith looked at Morfyd, who
merely shrugged. “Her brother handed her off to Hamish years ago. As a
bride, no less. If it hadn’t been for Brastias and the others, she’d be his
wife instead of queen. Although knowing Annwyl as I do now, more likely
she’d be dead after taking half the wedding party with her.”
   “So she really plans to—”
   Morfyd placed her hand on Talaith’s shoulder and that’s when
Talaith felt burning tears flowing down her cheeks. She had no idea
when she started crying or why she couldn’t stop. “If you were looking for
a mindless killer, only concerned with blood and pain, you’ll be sorely
disappointed. I know that’s what they told you. But they lied Talaith. She
lied.” Long fingers wiped the tears from Talaith’s cheeks. “Now, no more
crying. We’ll need you armed and ready. You’ll finally get to properly use
those skills of yours.”
   Talaith nodded. “I understand.”


                                       -217-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Good.” Morfyd stood. “Now I have to go find leggings.” She winced.
“Och. That sounds so unattractive.”
   “You didn’t tell her.” Talaith stood and tilted her head back to look
Morfyd in the eye. “About—”
   “Your dragon?” That should sound stranger than it did. But it felt
right to Talaith, which concerned her even more. “Are you ashamed?”
   Talaith thought on that for a moment, but only a moment. “No. I feel
no shame. And I won’t start now.”
   “As you like.” Morfyd smirked. “And no. I won’t tell Annwyl about
your dragon.”
   “I see she wears their image all over her armor and branded on her
arms. Has she actually killed one in battle?”
   The witch began coughing and Talaith felt sure she only did it to
cover up her laughter.
   After clearing her throat, she said, “You might say she’s faced down
one or two during her reign. One of them, she ripped his heart right out
of his chest.”
   Talaith winced. Lovely, Talaith. A dragonslayer. Perhaps next you
could align yourself with a witchhunter. “Should I be concerned if she
finds out?” She at least wanted to find and save her daughter first before
the queen turned on her.
   The witch smiled and Talaith felt no comfort from it.
   “Concern yourself with your daughter for now Talaith, Daughter of
Haldane. The rest will work itself out…in time.”




                                      -218-
                             The Distressing Damsel




                     Chapter Sixteen

   “Wake up, Briec.”
   Throwing one arm over his head to block out the glare of light, Briec
ignored the voice calling him to get up. He didn’t want to get up. In fact,
the way he felt at the moment, he planned to never get up ever again.
   “Briec. Up. Now!”
   Groaning, his head moments from splitting completely in half, Briec
forced his eyes open and stared into the beautiful face of his baby sister.
   “Keita?”
   She smiled. “I was starting to worry you’d never wake.”
   “I don’t want to be awake. So why are you waking me?”
   “Fearghus sent me for you. He needs you and Gwenvael and Éibhear
to do something for him.”
   Briec rolled over, resting his dragon head on his scaled forearms. “I’m
not his errand boy. Nor am I the errand boy to his bitch.”
   His sister, still in human form, crouched beside him. He knew why
Fearghus sent her instead of coming himself—Briec had a harder time
saying “no” to his little Keita. Especially when she said, “What’s wrong,
brother? You’re never this surly to me.”
   He sighed. A big, long sigh. “She left me, sister.”
   “The female you had here? Why? Was she unhappy?”




                                       -219-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “I didn’t think so. But I guess she was.” Briec sat up a bit, his claw to
his chest. “What is this unbearable feeling in my chest? It’s driving me
mad!”
   Fighting her smile, his sister reached over and ran her hand through
his hair. “That, my sweet brother, is called heartbreak.”
   He glanced down at his chest. “Will that be a physical deformity?”
   Now his baby sister punched his shoulder. “Briec, you fool. I mean
she broke your heart. You cared for her.”
   “A human? Broke my heart?”
   “Deny it if you want, but I can see it in your eyes.”
   Briec pushed himself up. Even still sitting he towered over his sister’s
human form. “Good gods, the witch has hexed me!”
   “No, brother. You simply fell in love with her.”
   He glared down at her. “Now you’re just pissing me off.”
   Sighing deeply, she said, “As you wish, brother. I’m in no mood to
fight you.” She stood in front of him. “Now, Fearghus needs you.”
   “To run errands.”
   “No. He found one of Lord Hamish’s spies at Garbhán Isle. He was
planning to kill Annwyl upon her return.”
   For a moment, he did not forget Talaith, but he pushed thoughts of
her back for something a bit more urgent.
   “When is her return?”
   “She actually should have been there by now, but a messenger came
and told Fearghus she and her guard were delayed. Although her army
finally made it back about three days ago.”
   “The spy?”
   “Fearghus killed him…when he was done.”
   “And we know it’s Lord Hamish?”



                                      -220-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Aye. He’s always hated her, but no one ever thought he’d be stupid
enough to go this far.”
   “So what does Fearghus need of me?”
   “He wants you three to go into Lord Hamish’s lands. Find out
anything you can. Especially if his troops are moving out.”
   Briec nodded. “Aye. I’ll go.” Annwyl was hardly his favorite human,
but once she’d mated with Fearghus, she became kin. Which meant, if
one chose to be her enemy, they brought the wrath of the House of
Gwalchmai fab Gwyar down on their head. “But I’ve already been there. I
found nothing.”
   Nothing but the woman who made him insane with lust.
   “Look deeper. That’s why Fearghus wants Gwenvael to go with you. If
there’s one thing our brother does well, it’s get information.”
   “True. I’ll see what we can find out.”
   “Good.” She pointed to her passed out brothers lying across his cave
floor. “Now help me wake these two idiots.”


                                  zzz

   “Perhaps you can poison him. Something that will make his eyes pop
out and his tongue grow too large for his mouth.”
   Talaith again looked at Morfyd. She’d been doing that the last two
hours they’d been riding toward Madron. Annwyl would say something
particularly odd, and Talaith would look to see if Morfyd found it odd as
well. Clearly the witch did, but it seemed she’d gotten used to it.
   For once, Talaith found someone who made her speechless.
   “I can poison him, if you wish. I’ve been trained to handle all sorts of
poisons.”
   “I want to see him suffer before he dies.”


                                       -221-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Annwyl,” Morfyd sighed out. “Seeing him die rather defeats the
purpose of getting in, taking the girl, and getting out. I think our goal
should simply be that we are not seen. Not how much more violent we
can make the man’s death.”
   “Morfyd’s right. Hamish has been shoring up his army for quite
awhile now. With only three of us, we should err on the side of stealth.”
   “Shoring up his army? For how long?”
   Talaith reached back in her memory to when she began seeing more
and more young recruits traipsing through the village on their way to
Hamish’s castle. “Two years. Maybe a little more.”
   “Interesting.”
   “Well, what did you expect him to do, Annwyl?” Morfyd asked. “Wait
for you to come and kill him? He knows you hate him.”
   “I know. I’m just tired of waiting. I still say we should strike now.”
   “You need more reason than theory.”
   Annwyl rolled her eyes. “You and your bloody logic.”
   “It’s why you have me around. That and no one else will put up with
you.”
   Pulling tight on her reins, Annwyl suddenly dragged her horse to a
stop. She cocked her head to the side. “Do you hear it?”
   Morfyd, briefly silent, nodded. “Aye. I do.”
   “Where?”
   “Annwyl, maybe we should—”
   “Where?”
   With a sigh, “There.” Morfyd pointed into the trees. “I think there’s a
clearing on the other side.”
   Annwyl turned her horse toward the forest and charged in.
   “Damn her!”
   “What is it?”


                                      -222-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    “A battle.”
    Talaith blinked in surprise. “And she’s just going to—”
    “Now you know my daily nightmare.”
    “Well we can’t let her fight alone.”
    “Not you too,” Morfyd groaned.
    Talaith snorted. “If she’d asked, I would have suggested we ride on
by. But since she’s already galloped in head first…”
    “Aye.” Morfyd nodded. “You’re right.”
    The two women turned their horses and followed the Blood Queen
into battle.


                                   zzz

    “Stay!” Achaius pushed her back, forcing her behind a tree. It
wouldn’t do much good. They were horribly outnumbered by the men
who attacked their small party. Only her and the three men who gave up
their homes and army life to protect her. It wasn’t the first time her
Protectors had battled others in order to keep her safe. But this was the
first time they’d come face to face with those they’d once called
comrades.
    Crouching low, she looked out over the field of battle and winced as
her Protectors barely blocked blows aimed for their head or hearts. But
as she began to fear all was lost and her friends doomed to a bloody
death, she saw her.
    A beautiful and scarred warrior woman rode on an enormous black
stallion, two swords strapped to her back. She stopped at the edge of the
clearing and stared out over the battle. She didn’t move until she saw the
crest on the enemy soldiers’ surcoats. Then with a blood-chilling scowl,
she tied the reins to her saddle, ripped the two swords out of their


                                        -223-
                                Shelly Laurenston



scabbards and kicked her horse into a fierce gallop. As she rode, she
steered only with her knees and took heads as she went. One after
another after another after another.
   While her Protectors stayed out of the warrior woman’s way, the
soldiers screamed warnings at each other and that’s when they focused
their attack directly on the warrior woman. Foolish move. She wasn’t
alone. Two other women rode to the edge of the clearing. Unlike the first,
these two wore capes, their faces and bodies hidden. The taller one
stayed on her mare. A witch, that one, as she raised her hands and
white-hot flames flew from her palms. The men charging the witch
turned into a writhing ball of fire.
   The other, smaller one, slipped off her horse and silently moved up
behind one of the soldiers. One hand under his chin, his head lifted, a
blade across his throat. She went from soldier to soldier doing that until
seven of them lay at her feet. By then, the others had noticed her too, so
she crouched low as two soldiers charged her. One she sliced his inner
thighs open. He screamed hysterically as blood flowed. With the other,
the small woman removed another blade from the belt around her hips
and threw it, lancing his eye like an egg. He dropped his weapon and
screamed while covering his face. She cut his throat as she passed him.
   So fascinated by the three women fighting on their side, clearly sent
by her god, she didn’t realize anyone was behind her until the smaller
female yelled, “Down!”
   She dropped to her knees, her arms covering her head. She heard the
soldier above her garble a parody of a pain-filled scream, then fall next to
her. Slowly, she looked over. A dagger with a plain, leather-wrapped hilt
stuck from his mouth.
   “Stay in that position and I’m sure those soldiers will find many uses
for your ass.”


                                       -224-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   A brown hand appeared before her, the fingers slender and delicate.
A few calluses from hard work. She recognized those hands. She’d seen
them in visions.
   “You going to stare at it or are you going to take my hand?”
   Shaking, she removed her glove and put her hand in the woman’s
outstretched palm. Her fingers were longer than the woman’s, her hand
stronger. She had her father’s hands and his eyes. She got her mother’s
face and, supposedly, her acid tongue.
   Taking a deep breath, she gripped the woman’s smaller hand and let
her see everything.


                                  zzz

   Talaith impatiently waited for the girl—at least, she guessed she was
a girl, hard to tell under that cape—to take her hand. Annwyl and Morfyd
seemed to have the rest of the battle under control, killing off Hamish’s
remaining men. They must have still been looking for her and these poor
wretched men and this girl got in the middle of it.
   As soon as Talaith and Morfyd rode up, they knew why Annwyl
hadn’t waited for them, but eagerly threw herself into the fray. Annwyl
recognized the Madron crest.
   “You going to stare at it or you going to take my hand?” she half
teased, half demanded.
   After a few more intolerable seconds, the girl took off her leather glove
and reached for Talaith’s hand. Fascinated, Talaith stared at the brown
hand slipping into hers. Someone from Alsandair this far north? But
before she could say anything, the girl gripped her tight and images
flooded through Talaith.




                                       -225-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   She could see her own face screaming and crying while being held
back by Arzhela’s priestesses as she reached out in desperation; she saw
the gold gates of the Madron castle; the kind face and warm feelings of a
maid caring for a child not her own. The images sped up and things
quickly turned dark as a large man, a soldier or guard, pulled his hand
back to slap, but other soldiers intervened. A fight ensued, lives lost.
Then the men—the Protectors—were traveling, from town to town, village
to village, city to city. Never staying in one place longer than necessary.
Resting briefly. Feeling safe with these men but lost. Protected but lonely.
   Instinctually, Talaith snatched her hand back, dropping hard on her
ass. Through wide eyes, she watched the girl pull her hood off her face
and those eyes…the eyes of Talaith’s first love and lover looked at her.
   “He promised you’d find me,” the girl whispered. And Talaith saw all
her hopes of the last sixteen years reflected back to her from that face.
“He promised you’d never stop until you had me back.”
   With that, the girl threw herself at Talaith, wrapping her long, strong,
warm arms around her.
   At first, Talaith had no idea what to do. Not merely because her
mother had never been affectionate, nor any of the Nolwenn witches who
helped raise her, but because this wasn’t how it was supposed to
happen. Not in a million lifetimes.
   “I’d really like it if you hugged me back.”
   It was such an innocent statement. And an honest one. Tears welling
in Talaith’s eyes, she wrapped her arms around her daughter and
hugged her so tight she feared she may break her in half. But the girl
didn’t complain. She said nothing, actually, but the tears falling against
Talaith’s neck told her all she needed to know.


                                  zzz

                                      -226-
                             The Distressing Damsel




    The brothers landed outside of Madron, their baby sister right behind
them. She’d already arranged to have clothes and supplies awaiting
them. They would travel into Madron human, hiding who they really were
until necessary.
    “Are you coming with us?”
    Since she had yet to shift, Briec somehow doubted it. “No.” Her lip
turned into a nasty snarl, which meant only one thing. “Her Majesty has
summoned me.” Ah, yes. Only the Dragon Queen could annoy Keita this
much. Mother and daughter did not get along like father and daughter.
    Briec, still recovering from his nights of excessive drinking, tried to
figure out how to put the blue surcoat on over his chainmail shirt and
leggings. “What happened to those knights you were with?”
    Keita burped and all the brothers quickly turned to her in surprise.
    “Oh, Keita…you didn’t.” Briec charged.
    “You know the rules, Keita. You either eat them or fuck them…you
don’t do both,” Éibhear added.
    “Not unless you do it right.”
    Keita and Gwenvael laughed but when Briec and Éibhear merely
stared at them, they stopped.
    Keita shook her head. “Of course I didn’t eat them. I sent them on
their way. Sadder but satisfied.”
    “I don’t need to hear this about my baby sister,” Briec muttered.
    Even as dragon, he could see his sister giving him her adorable little
pout. “You’re still sad.”
    “He’s miserable,” Gwenvael offered as he struggled into his chainmail
shirt. “He’s starting to remind me of Fearghus before Annwyl.”




                                       -227-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    “None of us are having this conversation.” Briec wrapped a cape
around his clothes, pulling the hood over his head to hide his silver hair.
“She left me. It’s over.”
    Because it was over. Even if he wanted to find her, he had no idea
where to start. But he didn’t want to find her. She’d left him. Without a
word. Without a thought. She’d left him and now he had feelings.
    For that alone, he’d never forgive her.




                                      -228-
                              The Distressing Damsel




                   Chapter Seventeen

   Talaith opened her mouth again to answer her daughter’s question,
and again the girl cut her off.
   “Because as I see it, the gods brought us together. I knew you’d find
me. I always knew. I never knew you’d be so pretty, though. I wish I was
as pretty as you. But, I’m not. I’ve had to face that fact and move on with
my life. It hasn’t been easy. Of course, nothing the past nine years has
been easy, but it has been interesting. We’ve been everywhere, we have.
The mountains of Brandgaine and the mines of Maledisant. You see,
we’ve always kept moving. Always on the go. Never stopping except for a
few weeks at a time. Except for my Protectors, I’ve had no friends.
Although I think I see them more as uncles as opposed to friends. I think
I need friends. Now that we’ve found each other perhaps I can actually
have friends.”
   Talaith became tired just listening to the girl. All these years, they’d
accused Talaith of being too talkative, too chatty. But this…this was
amazing.
   From what she’d been able to glean, her daughter’s name was
Iseabail. And she intended to keep it and she hoped that was all right.
True, Talaith didn’t give her that name but she was used to it now and
didn’t want to give it up. Her Protectors—and that’s exactly what she
called them—referred to her as Izzy the Dangerous. Apparently while



                                        -229-
                               Shelly Laurenston



growing into her tall body, she had a tendency to be awkward and
clumsy. And there was an incident with a horse she suddenly refused to
finish telling.
    Talaith still didn’t know how these men came to protect her daughter
because Izzy hadn’t taken a breath long enough to allow Talaith to ask.
Glancing at Morfyd and Annwyl, who led them back to Annwyl’s elite
guard, she could see them looking back at her and laughing hysterically.
Evil cows.
    “How did you learn to fight like that, anyway?”
    “Well—”
    “You see, I want to learn to fight like that. Achaius has taught me a
bit, haven’t you, Achaius, but mostly they tell me to run and hide when
danger is near. But I’m sixteen winters now and running and hiding
seems awfully unseemly, don’t you think?”
    “Um—”
    “It was like I told Achaius, he can’t protect me forever. Didn’t I say
that Achaius? And what happens if, the gods forbid, he and the others
get too hurt to protect me? Then what will I do?”
    It took Talaith a moment to realize Izzy actually waited for an answer.
“Oh, well, that’s a very good point. It’s a hard world and you have to
learn how to—”
    “Survive. Exactly. That’s exactly what I was telling them. But do you
think they listen to me? Of course not. I’m just She Who Shall Be
Protected. As if that’s the name I was born with.
    “Anyway, I’m just glad to finally know you and meet you, like he
promised I would.” Talaith wanted to ask “like who promised” but there
was no chance as her daughter barreled ahead. “My heart would break if
I never met you. You are my mother after all and we should have never
been separated. At least that’s how I feel and although I will admit, I’ve


                                      -230-
                              The Distressing Damsel



been wrong on more than one occasion, it is rare. And I absolutely think
I’m right here. You see, it all comes down to…”
   On and on she went—and Talaith had never been happier.


                                     zzz

   “Explain to me again why we’re at a whorehouse?”
   Gwenvael sighed around his ale. “Because, my thick-headed brother,
if you want information about human men then you go to the one place
all human men come to eventually.”
   Briec glanced over at Éibhear, but baby brother was too busy
watching every woman in the room to notice.
   “You sure you’re just not hoping to get—”
   “Gwenvael!”
   Briec leaned back as a round, extremely large-breasted woman threw
herself into Gwenvael’s waiting arms.
   “You’ve been gone ages.”
   Gwenvael pulled the woman onto his lap and nuzzled breasts fairly
exploding from her bodice.
   “Sorry, my sweet. I’ve had so much to do lately. Couldn’t be helped.”
   “Well, you’re here now. And you’ve brought friends, I see.”
   “Family, actually. These are my brothers, Briec and Éibhear. This, my
brothers, is the fair lady Antha.”
   “Lords.” She dipped her head a bit, but refused to release her hold on
Gwenvael’s neck. “So, old friend, anyone here that garners your interest
this eve?”
   Gwenvael pulled the woman close and whispered into her ear.
“Anyone who has entertained those of Lord Hamish’s court.”




                                        -231-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    Eyes that were once warm and friendly, turned calculating in
seconds. “Ah. That would be many, but he and his men do have their
favorites. Of course, they are in much demand. Securing their time won’t
be cheap.”
    “Good thing I have so much gold to share.”
    Beaming, the woman slipped off his lap. “Then I shall get them ready
for your pleasure, lord.” She glanced at Briec and Éibhear. “And for your
brothers as well?”
    Éibhear eagerly leaned forward, but Briec pushed him back. “No.
Just food and wine.”
    “As you wish.” She turned and flounced off.
    “Why must I wait down here with you?” Éibhear sounded as if he’d
rather chew tree bark.
    “This trip isn’t about bedding wenches, little brother.” Briec turned to
Gwenvael. “Get what we need and then let’s go.”
    For more than a week he’d had to put up with his two younger
brothers. For more than a week he’d listened to constant arguing,
complaining, debating and whining. More than any one dragon should
ever have to endure. True, they’d gotten much information, enough to
satisfy Fearghus’ needs he was sure. But Briec wanted to return to his
den. He had much sulking left to do, and his idiot kin wouldn’t give him
a moment’s peace to get on with it. The sooner he handed off the
information and left these treacherous humans to their petty little lives,
the better he’d feel.
    “I want to give Fearghus what we have and then be on our way,” he
continued. “I grow tired of both of you.”
    “Of course, brother.” Gwenvael, grinning as always, walked off.
    Angry and more than a little frustrated, Éibhear crossed his arms in
front of his chest. “He’ll be gone hours. You do realize that?”


                                      -232-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Stop whining, baby brother. You’ll have more than enough time in
this life to find females who will eventually make you miserable.”


                                  zzz

   Staring into the campfire, Talaith sighed softly. She’d tried for ages to
get back to sleep, but couldn’t. Not with her daughter leaning against
her. Not with her daughter right beside her.
   “You can’t sleep, sister?” Morfyd whispered, sitting beside Talaith.
   Talaith glanced down at a sleeping Izzy, whose head rested
comfortably in her lap. “Could you?”
   The witch grinned. “Good point.”
   Morfyd tore a loaf of bread in half and handed one side to Talaith who
took it gratefully, seeing as she was unable to eat earlier. Her excitement
over Izzy too great.
   “Tell me, Morfyd,” Talaith whispered around a bite of bread. “How did
you know I was coming?”
   Morfyd almost choked on her bread and Talaith knew she’d been
right. Annwyl had been waiting for her. That was why she sent her army
back to Garbhán Isle while she, Morfyd, and her elite guard remained.
Waiting for her.
   “That’s what I thought, sister. When you walked into the tent this
morning you said to Annwyl, ‘I told you it was her.’ How did you know?”
   Morfyd swallowed her bread and thought carefully on her answer.
Talaith knew the witch would only tell her so much. But anything was
better than nothing.
   “I’ve committed myself and my Magick to powerful gods. They warn
me of danger.” That couldn’t have been vaguer if she said, “I know some
people.”


                                       -233-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Which gods?”
   The witch smiled and put her finger over her own lips. “Dare to be
silent,” she whispered to her and Talaith couldn’t help but smile back.
During the dark days of Lorcan the Butcher’s reign, before Annwyl killed
him, witches lived by that code. It was all that kept them alive.
   “Perhaps you’ll find out in due time,” Morfyd stated in a low voice.
“The way you found your daughter.”
   Find her? Talaith had found nothing. Someone or something had
thrown Izzy in her path as certainly as Talaith’s hair was curly and Izzy
talked too much. True, she’d gotten what she wanted without having to
kill the Queen of Garbhán Isle or rush headlong into suicide, but that
also meant someone else cared about all this. Someone other than
Arzhela.
   Realizing she’d get no answers from Morfyd this eve, she let it go. At
the moment, at least, she was safe. But, more importantly, her daughter
was safe. Nothing could make her happier.
   Although, she knew, there was one other thing that would make this
perfect. But she’d lost him forever.
   Brushing painful thoughts of Briec from her mind, she lightly combed
Izzy’s short, wavy hair with her fingers and, to her utter delight, Izzy
giggled in her sleep.
   She’d make the worst Nolwenn witch. She’s too bloody happy.
   Talaith smiled, knowing how that would irritate the very life from her
mother. Enjoying the thought much more than she should, she went
back to eating her bread, enjoying cautious but sane conversation with
her first female friend, and loving the feel of her beautiful daughter
tucked in safely beside her.


                                  zzz

                                       -234-
                             The Distressing Damsel




   Arzhela screamed and the priestess who’d approached with the
oracle’s news dropped to the floor, blood streaming from her eyes, ears
and mouth.
   She didn’t mean to kill her, but Arzhela’s rage knew no bounds now.
   That bastard had led the bitch child straight to Talaith. Now they
were all one big, happy family under the protection of that dragonwitch.
And that dragon was powerful, only rivaled by her evil mother. Arzhela
would never be able to break through the dragonwitch’s defenses without
years and years of work—and she no longer had that kind of time.
   For centuries, her oracles had predicted the birth of a blood-drenched
queen who would change everything. That queen was Annwyl. But with
dragons surrounding her at every turn, Arzhela’s only hope was to get a
human close enough to cut that scar-covered throat.
   Arzhela had chosen Talaith carefully. A human witch of considerable
power, but who was still too young to have harnessed it. While the other
Nolwenn witches would never bend under Arzhela’s will, Talaith’s
inexperience made her a convenient target.
   The constant arguments with her mother and her love affair with the
soldier made it almost too easy. Alone, Talaith had given birth to her
daughter. By the time her priestesses arrived, the girl had nearly bled to
death. Still, she put up quite a fight when they claimed her child.
   That child turned out to be Arzhela’s only bargaining chip where
Talaith was concerned. The only way she could keep any control over this
uncontrollable human.
   When the child disappeared from Hamish’s care, she thought for sure
she’d lose her hold over Talaith, but the child never resurfaced. She
disappeared with the men who had stolen her; and Arzhela, nor the other



                                       -235-
                               Shelly Laurenston



gods, could track the little beast down. Eventually she gave up looking
for her and continued her focus on Talaith.
   At the time, she thought perhaps the child died. Arzhela didn’t know
or care. All she knew was that Talaith didn’t know the girl was gone.
Which meant Arzhela still controlled her.
   When Annwyl took over her brother’s throne and aligned herself with
that black dragon, Arzhela knew her time had grown short. With
Hamish’s help, she cut off all information in and out of the tiny village
Talaith lived in. That way Talaith continued to hear only about the evils
of Annwyl, a necessity since she insisted on having this sense of honor
her trainers had been unable to beat out of her. Arzhela knew she’d have
a near-impossible time killing a woman she considered innocent.
   Still, all she needed was for Talaith to get one chance at Annwyl the
Bloody. The witch would never survive the battle. Either Annwyl, a
mighty warrior, would kill her as her last act or Annwyl’s blindingly loyal
elite guard would destroy Talaith in retaliation. It didn’t matter. As it
didn’t matter what happened to Talaith’s daughter. All that mattered was
that Annwyl must die before the next full moon.
   And everything was moving along perfectly. All would happen as
Arzhela had anticipated.
   Then that bastard silver dragon came along, destroying all her plans.
   Now Talaith had her daughter back and the protection of the
dragonwitch and the Blood Queen.
   Still. Arzhela had other options. Another plan that Hamish was
already moving on. It wasn’t what she wanted. It was messier. But now
she had no choice.
   And she blamed Talaith and her little bitch whelp for all of it.


                                  zzz

                                      -236-
                             The Distressing Damsel




   The barwench slammed another pint of ale down in front of Briec.
She’d been slamming everything in front of him since he told her to leave
him alone. She’d not taken it well, but he didn’t care. She annoyed him.
Everything annoyed him.
   Gwenvael had been gone for quite a bit, giving Briec more than
enough time to obsess and be miserable about Talaith.
   Éibhear sat next to him, equally as miserable for a completely
different reason.
   “Come on, Briec—”
   “If you ask me about getting a woman one more time, I’ll tear off all
your scales…again.”
   His baby brother slumped back in his seat, but as quickly sat back
up. “Gwenvael.”
   Briec looked up, shocked to see a serious and still fully dressed
Gwenvael coming back into the main dining area. He dropped gold on the
table and motioned to his brothers.
   They glanced at each other before following him out.
   “What’s wrong?” Éibhear asked as they headed out of town.
   “Our paranoid older brother may be right,” Gwenvael remarked, his
face tense. “We need to get to Hamish’s lands.”
   “We’re no more than a day’s flight from there. If that much.” Briec
remembered well the last time he was near Hamish’s lands—when he
found Talaith. The treacherous, deceiving Talaith.
   “Good. I fear there’s little time to waste.”
   There were things about his kin Briec knew. Fearghus was mostly
unpleasant unless he was alone. Humans were lucky Morfyd cared about
them because with her power she could destroy an entire kingdom
without much effort. Keita would never sleep alone if she could help it.


                                       -237-
                               Shelly Laurenston



Éibhear would always be the nicest among them. And Gwenvael the
Handsome only feared an angry female—or angry father of a female—
cutting off his cock while he slept…until now.
   Suddenly the brother who never took anything seriously moved with
a purpose Briec had never seen before unless a warm, wet pussy waited
at the end of his journey.
   “You going to tell us what happened, brother?”
   “Aye. When we take to the skies.” He glanced at Briec. “Once we’re
done in these lands, Briec, we head to Garbhán Isle.”
   “You can head to Garbhán Isle. I’ll head home.”
   “That’s your decision, Briec. But if what I found out is right,
Fearghus will need all his kin.”
   The dragon who needed no one suddenly needed all his kin around
him?
   This was much worse than Briec feared.




                                      -238-
                            The Distressing Damsel




                   Chapter Eighteen

   Talaith pulled up on the reins of her horse, stopping the giant beast
in its tracks. She stared, unable to do much else.
   “What is it?” Izzy asked, leaning around her mother to see why they’d
stopped. They didn’t have enough horses for everyone, so a few of them
doubled up. Talaith didn’t mind, though. For five days she’d had her
daughter right where she’d always wanted her…by her side.
   “Look. Garbhán Isle.”
   “Oh.” Her daughter stared. “I guess it’s nice”
   Talaith smiled. “Seen many castles have you?”
   “A few.” Izzy shrugged. “Brick and stone aren’t what impress me, but
the people inside them.”
   “You’re awfully…thoughtful, for a girl barely ten and six.”
   “Not much else to do but think and read these last few years.”
   “Well, there are worse ways you could have spent your time.”
Especially for one who barely takes a breath that doesn’t include words.
“We’re here because of Annwyl’s good will.”
   “In other words lie and tell her the castle looks fabulous.”
   “Exactly.”
   With that, the pair moved on, and Talaith fell in line with the rest of
the elite guard. They all looked worn and tired from their journey, and
Talaith knew they longed to be home.



                                      -239-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    It had been a hard five days of constant riding, and nights of sleeping
on the cold, hard ground. Annwyl no longer bothered having her tent
pitched. Instead, as soon as the suns rose they were up and riding again.
    Now that they were close, though, their spirits grew. Within two
hours, they entered the town and as soon as the locals spotted Annwyl
and her men, cheers arose as the people came out to greet her.
    Blushing a bright shade of red, Annwyl took the flowers offered,
shook a few hands and smiled at the babies. But she never stopped
moving. Soon, they worked through the throng of people and arrived at
the massive gates of the castle of Garbhán Isles.
    When Annwyl’s brother reigned, Garbhán Isles was a place of horror.
Those taken there, not of royal blood, never heard from again.
    It didn’t look that way now. The castle itself was bright white with
silver accents all around the moldings. The grounds of the courtyard
were clean, with flowers and trees planted all around the outer edge.
    Annwyl pulled her steed to a halt inside the courtyard. Frowning, she
looked around. Talaith couldn’t tell if she found something to cause her
displeasure or if she searched for something.
    Shaking her head and sighing, Annwyl dismounted. “Talaith, I sent
my squire ahead yesterday and had rooms made ready for you, Izzy and
her Protectors.”
    Surprised, Talaith and the men glanced at each other. Achaius, as
always, spoke for all three men. “Quee—” At Morfyd’s quick head shake,
he corrected himself, “M’lady, stables will work well enough for the likes
of us.”
    Annwyl snorted. It seemed to be her version of a laugh. “That’s
unacceptable, gentlemen. You’ll all have your own rooms and fresh
clothes.” She turned and faced Achaius and the others. “You’ve done



                                      -240-
                             The Distressing Damsel



your duty, men. And you’ve done it well. You deserve peace and quiet
now.”
   She pulled her saddlebags off her horse. “Besides, I need loyal men
like you by my side, if you’re interested.” Stuttering, Achaius tried to
answer but Annwyl cut him off by holding her hand up. “You don’t have
to answer me now. I don’t know what you men left behind. But if you’d
like to stay, there will be a place for you here. If not, you will not leave
empty handed.”
   Too stunned to say anything further, the Protectors dismounted their
horses and began to unpack them.
   Annwyl looked at Talaith. “And as for you two—”
   “Annwyl, I—”
   “I’m sorry. Was I done speaking?”
   Talaith sighed in mock exasperation while Morfyd chuckled.
   “No, my liege. Please. Go on.”
   Not bothering to hold back her smile, Annwyl continued. “I want you
both to stay here, under my protection, until you know what you want to
do.”
   “I was thinking,” Izzy volunteered, “that maybe I could—”
   Annwyl placed her hand over Izzy’s mouth and kept right on talking
to Talaith. “There’s no rush, Talaith. Take as much time as you need.”
   “Thank you, Annwyl. I really do appreciate that.” She did, too,
because she really had no idea what she would do. She and Izzy had
their whole lives ahead of them. For once, Talaith felt hope rather than
despair. It was a new and heady feeling Talaith was simply unused to.
   “Now, Iseabail the Dangerous,” Annwyl took her hand away from
Izzy’s mouth, “you were saying?”
   But Izzy was no longer looking at Annwyl and for once she had
nothing to say.


                                       -241-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Izzy?”
   The loud sound of a big hand making contact with Annwyl’s
chainmail-covered ass startled both women away from Izzy’s captivated
face.
   “And where the hell have you been?”
   Annwyl turned, her gaze moving up and up and up some more into
the handsome face of an absolute bear of a man. “Where have I been?”
she snapped back. And Talaith wondered if Annwyl had lost all reason,
challenging this man. Then she remembered Annwyl had lost her reason
long ago. “I’ve been securing our lands. That’s where I’ve been.”
   One very dark eyebrow raised over even darker eyes, a smirk on the
handsome man’s face. “You were supposed to be back weeks ago.”
   “Sorry if the war isn’t running to your timetable, lord.”
   “I see,” he said, a lock of coal-black hair slipping from under the hood
of his cape and across his eyes. “Someone’s begging for me to—”
   “All right then,” Morfyd cut in, taking firm hold of Izzy’s shoulders
and pushing her in the direction of the Protectors. The girl went, but her
eyes stayed glued on what Talaith could only assume was Annwyl’s
husband.
   Looking back at the huge man, Morfyd shook her head. “Hello,
Fearghus.”
   Without turning away from Annwyl’s face, the man motioned at the
witch. “Morfyd.”
   Morfyd crooked a finger at Talaith. “Come, sister. Let’s get you
settled. I fear you and I are much too young for such a display.”
   The couple hadn’t moved any closer to each other, but they didn’t
need to be any closer. The way they stared at each other was enough to
make anyone feel like intruders.
   “No need. We’re leaving.”


                                      -242-
                             The Distressing Damsel



    Annwyl grinned at Fearghus’ words. “Oh? Are we?”
    “Aye.” He took firm hold of Annwyl’s hand. “To Dark Glen with you,
wench.”
    Morfyd turned. “Fearghus, wait. There is much to discuss.”
    “Later, sister.”
    “Much later,” Annwyl added with a very girlish giggle, Fearghus
dragging her behind him.
    Morfyd sighed in exasperation and walked toward the castle steps,
leading Achaius, Izzy and the other men into the building and to their
rooms.
    But Talaith didn’t follow; too busy staring at the retreating form of
Annwyl’s husband. Fearghus. The way he moved seemed familiar.
Extremely familiar. She watched him until the couple disappeared
around the corner of the castle.
    “No. No,” she muttered to herself. If she kept this up, she’d see Briec
everywhere. In every man she met until the end of her days. She couldn’t
live like that.
    No. Fearghus was merely a very large man. Perhaps a tad
unnaturally large but a mother could achieve that with the proper spells
and sacrifices. Besides, that behemoth was what someone like Annwyl
needed.
    Exactly someone like Annwyl would need.
    Convinced she was right, Talaith let out a deep sigh of relief, only to
choke on it as a black horned head appeared from around the corner
Annwyl and Fearghus had only moments before disappeared behind.
Long, long black hair brushed the ground. So as not to damage the
surrounding buildings, he kept his black wings tucked tight against his
body. His dragon body. And on that dragon sat an extremely happy and
content Annwyl.


                                       -243-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Panic and excitement vying for possession of her lungs, Talaith
watched silently as Fearghus—and she knew it was Fearghus—took to
the air. Her eyes tracked the couple—and they were a couple—until they
passed another dragon.
   “No, no, no. This isn’t happening.” Stepping away from her horse,
Talaith stared up at the sky. There were so many! Dragons of every color
flew above her. Some sat patiently on the silver-tipped spires of the castle
chatting with other dragons flying around them.
   From a distance, she hadn’t seen the dragons because they didn’t
want to be. Most likely for defense of Garbhán Isle.
   Placing her hand over her chest, she realized that yes, her heart did
just stop in her chest. Didn’t she actually need that to beat? “This can’t
be happening.”
   Talaith needed answers. And she needed them now. She sprinted into
the castle, pushing past soldiers and guards, through the Great Hall
where they were already setting up for the evening’s feast, and up the
stone steps. She found Morfyd and the others on the second floor.
   “Oh, Talaith. Good. This will be your room.”
   “Good.” Talaith grabbed Morfyd’s arm and shoved her into the
bedroom. “Give us a moment, Iseabail,” she said to her daughter’s
surprised face before slamming the door shut.
   “What’s wrong with—”
   “Fearghus just flew away.”
   “Oh.” And she watched Morfyd try to hide that smile. Conniving,
betraying bitch!
   “That’s all you have to say?”
   “Don’t yell at me, witch,” Morfyd snapped back.
   “What do you expect me to do? You lied to me.”
   “No. I didn’t.”


                                       -244-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “You saw everything, Morfyd. You were in my mind. Uninvited if you
remember. You knew about Briec.”
   That damn smirk returned. “Aye. I did.”
   “Then how could you not tell me?”
   Morfyd’s eyes narrowed. “There’s that yelling again.”
   Talaith’s eyes closed as she realized something. “Fearghus called you
‘sister’.” And not like witches called each other “sister”. But as annoyed
siblings.
   “Aye.”
   Which means…
   Talaith headed back toward the door. “We’re leaving.” She’d take her
daughter and go. She couldn’t stay here. Not now.
   She had her hand on the metal door handle when Morfyd’s voice
stopped her. “And where will you go, Talaith, Daughter of Haldane?
Where will you take Izzy and think you will be safe? Annwyl seems to
think it’s over, but we both know it won’t be over. Not until Arzhela is
somehow dealt with.”
   Morfyd now stood next to her. “But you’ll be safe here. Under my
protection and the protection of my people. If you run now—”
   “I’ll run forever,” Talaith finished for her.
   “You both will. And hasn’t Izzy run enough?”
   Talaith laid her head against the door. “But Briec—”
   “Briec never comes here.” Morfyd stroked Talaith’s hair from her face.
No one but Briec had ever touched her merely out of kindness. “He hates
this castle. Detests Annwyl. And barely tolerates the rest of us. The
farthest he’ll go is Dark Plains. Fearghus’ den. He won’t be here. And, if
you wish, I won’t tell him you’re here. If that’s truly what you wish.”
   She didn’t hesitate. “No. I don’t want him to know I’m here.” She’d
worked hard the last few days to push him from her mind and her heart.


                                        -245-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



To let him back in now would only lead to her broken heart when he was
finally done with her.
   “Then I’ll never tell him.”
   Talaith, suddenly drained beyond all reckoning, pulled her door open.
“Thank you, Morfyd.”
   The one she now knew to be one of the rare dragonwitches her
mother and the sisterhood spoke of in reverent tones—when they spoke
of few beings that way—nodded and walked out. Talaith could hear her
showing the men their rooms. But Izzy stepped in before she could close
the door.
   “Is everything all right?”
   Talaith nodded, fairly dragging herself across the room to the big bed
in the middle of it. She dropped back on it, ignoring her dirty, travel-
worn clothes. “Everything’s fine, Izzy.”
   The door closed, but Talaith knew Izzy hadn’t left. The bed dipped as
Izzy stretched out beside her.
   “I talk too much, don’t I?”
   Talaith, grateful for the distraction, laughed. “We both do, I think.”
   “Were you disappointed when you finally met me?”
   Talaith turned on her side, propping her head up with her hand. “Of
course not.” She reached out and took gentle hold of Izzy’s hair, running
her fingers through the wavy, light brown strands. Her daughter never let
her soft hair get too long. It barely touched her shoulders and already
she complained it was getting “unruly”.
   “You remind me so much of your father.”
   “Is that good or bad?”
   “It’s the best. I loved him. He was handsome and brave and very tall.
Spoke his mind, too.”



                                        -246-
                                The Distressing Damsel



   Izzy, a naturally affectionate girl, reached out and took hold of
Talaith’s     free   hand.   “You   should    know,”     she   intoned   in   mock
seriousness, “I have a real problem with speaking my mind.”
   “Yes. I’ve noticed you’re a shy, retiring girl.”
   “And coquettish.”
   Laughing, Talaith reveled in her daughter’s good humor. Considering
what Iseabail had been through, she admired that.
   Still, she didn’t want the poor girl shocked to death when she went
outside.
   “Izzy, there is something I should tell you—”
   “By the gods!” Izzy scrambled off the bed and dashed to the large
windows. She pushed open the enormous and heavy glass—no arrows
would be getting through that thick material—and leaned out. “Look!”
   Terrified she’d lure them over, Talaith quickly moved to her
daughter’s side. “Get inside, Izzy,” she ordered while pulling the windows
closed.
   Izzy stared at her. “You’re not scared of them, are you?”
   The way her daughter asked that made Talaith extremely nervous,
she simply didn’t know why. “Aren’t you?”
   “Why would I be? He who protects me is…uh…hmmm…” Izzy
suddenly found interest in the molding around the window.
   Grabbing hold of her daughter’s arms, she turned Izzy to face her.
“Iseabail?”
   “Yes?”
   “The god who protects you…”
   “He’s ever so nice,” she rushed to explain. “And, as you see, he picked
only the finest men to protect me and—”
   “Your god is a dragon?”



                                          -247-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



   “There’s no reason to yell,” Izzy mumbled. “He’s protected me for
years. He’s never hurt me or asked anything of me. Except not to say
who he was. He said people wouldn’t understand. Guess I mucked that
up, eh?”
   “Dammit, Izzy.”
   “You don’t understand. He’s taken such good care of me. He’s taught
me to read and write. Some math and science, although I’m not very
good at it. As well as history, which I’m excellent at.”
   “And he wants nothing in return for all that care? All that
protection?”
   “He doesn’t. He’s never asked me for anything.”
   “Do your Protectors know?”
   She shook her head. “He was only a voice to them. Figured it was less
scary.”
   “But you…”
   She shrugged. “Always dragon. Came to me in my dreams. I never
minded. I found him comforting.”
   “Who, Izzy?”
   Frowning in confusion, “Who what?”
   “Who’s this dragon god that protects you?”
   She smiled. “Well, Rhydderch Hael, of course. Who else would be
powerful enough to protect me from the human gods?”
   Talaith     closed   her   eyes,   her   stomach   dropping   with   dread.
“Rhydderch Hael? He’s your protector?”
   “Aye.”
   “The father of all dragons is your protector? That’s what you’re telling
me?”
   “He’s oh so very nice,” she insisted.



                                        -248-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   Talaith racked her brain, trying to remember what the teachings of
the Nolwenn witches said about Rhydderch Hael. She knew him to be
one of the oldest gods on this world and many others. He had a loyal
mate. A dragon goddess of equally awesome power who many feared.
   Dragons were his domain. He protected them, gave them Magick and
skills, and he merely asked they take care of the world they inhabited.
For centuries, eons even, it worked. But new gods appeared. Fickle gods
hungry for power who brought the humans with them. It changed
everything. Especially when the humans insisted on hunting dragons
and dragons found humans so very tasty.
   Many believed some of the humans’ gods, including Arzhela, decided
to destroy Rhydderch Hael, hoping they would assume his power and
take control of this world, as well as many others. But, as always, they
underestimated the rage of a female. Rhydderch Hael’s mate fought by
his side and rallied the other dragon gods to his cause. They pushed
Arzhela and her god kin back into their realm, creating a seal that would
keep them out forever while the humans’ gods did the same.
   Since then, both sides used the humans and dragons as their
warriors or pawns in the hopes of obtaining more and more power. So
far, the balance remained.
   But Talaith knew well that the slightest shift could change everything
forever.
   “Izzy,” she sighed because she didn’t know what else to say.
   Izzy perked up. “But don’t you find dragons fascinating?”
   Talaith   rolled   her   eyes.   “No.”    Arrogant   and   annoying,   yes.
Fascinating—never.
   Izzy stared out the closed window. “Think one of them will take me
flying?”



                                        -249-
                              Shelly Laurenston



   Walking back to her bed, Talaith dropped on it face first and
pretended she didn’t just hear that.




                                       -250-
                             The Distressing Damsel




                    Chapter Nineteen

   “Stop fidgeting.”
   “Sorry.” Iseabail held still for about thirty seconds…then began again.
   “Izzy.”
   “I’m sorry. I’ve never been to a party before.”
   “Keep this up and you won’t go to this one because you won’t be
dressed.”
   Izzy the Dangerous stared in the full-length mirror at the reflection of
the woman who gave birth to her. She was busy tying up the back of
Izzy’s dress. It was Izzy’s first dress since she was seven. And definitely
her first grown-up gown.
   She still couldn’t believe it had only been two weeks since her life
completely changed. She went from homeless, motherless bastard
wandering the land with three very poor soldiers to merely a bastard. But
she had a home now. And a mother. A mother she loved. She’d loved her
before she knew her, but the risk still remained her mother could have
turned out to be a horrible, beastly woman. She wasn’t. She was
amazing. And so funny. If there was one thing Izzy loved to do, it was
laugh. Her mother kept her laughing—constantly.
   “Finally.” Talaith, who told her it was up to her if she wanted to call
her mother, gripped her hips and turned her around so that mother and




                                       -251-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



daughter faced each other. She frowned deeply at Izzy’s chest. “I don’t
much like how low-cut this is.”
    Izzy glanced down. “Why? It’s not like I have anything to speak of.”
    “Yet. If you’re anything like me, you’re a late bloomer. Still, this is cut
awfully low.” Suddenly her mother’s hands gripped the bodice of her
dress and pulled up.
    Rolling her eyes in exasperation and batting at her mother’s hands,
“There will be other girls there my age and they will have similar gowns.”
    “Don’t care. It’s up to their mothers if they want them seen as
whores.”
    The two looked at each other. It was Izzy’s snort that forced them into
a fit of giggles.
    “That’s a horrible thing to say!”
    “Perhaps.” Talaith picked up a rose garland from off the bed. Izzy
wasn’t old enough yet to have flowers threaded through her hair like her
mother’s. But the garland was beautiful and smelled wonderful. “But just
you remember, daughter. Achaius will be watching out for you tonight.”
Achaius had taken Annwyl’s offer of staying, while her two other
Protectors planned to return to their homes and families after the feast.
    “Any of these lusty soldiers get within five feet and they’ll regret it.”
    “You and Achaius have been strategizing again,” Izzy complained.
They did that a lot, it seemed.
    Talaith placed the garland on Izzy’s head and adjusted it until she
gave a satisfied sniff. “That’ll do.”
    She stepped back and looked her daughter over. She smiled, but it
quickly turned into another frown. Crouching, Talaith lifted the hem of
Izzy’s dress a bit. “What are these on your feet? Where are the slippers I
gave you?”



                                         -252-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Izzy looked down at the leather boots she wore, fitted with blades on
both sides. Annwyl lent them to her. They both had equally huge feet.
“Slippers? What if I have to run for my life or fight an animal to the
death? Can’t do that in those girly slippers now can I?”
   Turning, Izzy headed toward the door, but she could hear her mother
mumbling under her breath, “Yes, you’re my daughter all right.”


                                  zzz

   Fearghus sighed. “Move your ass, woman.”
   “Control yourself, dragon,” Annwyl called back from the connecting
room she kept as her own. She filled it with her clothes, armor, weapons
and books. Always books for his Annwyl. But when they were together,
they shared the same bed.
   “Explain to me again why we’re having this party.” He’d much prefer
spending the evening eating something hearty and then burying himself
balls-deep in his woman until morning. Parties, like most things besides
Annwyl, bored him.
   “It’s not a party. It’s a feast. And it’s in honor of my men, their
families and whatever else you want to think of.”
   Stretched out on the bed, Fearghus threw one arm over his eyes.
“Can’t they have their feast without us?”
   “You’re whining, Fearghus. Don’t whine. Now, how do I look?”
   He lowered his arm, his breath catching at the sight of her. Annwyl
hadn’t even worn a dress at her coronation. Why she decided to wear one
tonight, he had no idea, but he’d be eternally grateful. A deep, dark forest
green, the dress molded to her every curve, hugging tight across her large
breasts. The tight sleeves reached to the middle of her hands, covering
his markings, and a piece of velvet looped around the middle finger on


                                       -253-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



each hand, holding the sleeves in place. Her golden brown hair, threaded
through with green flowers, reached below her waist.
   But leave it to his Annwyl—she still had two swords tied to her back.
Of course, they weren’t her big battle swords, but a pair he’d had made
for her with jeweled hilts—the blades still sharp as sin, though.
   “You look beautiful.”
   After everything they’d done together, everything they’d been through,
he still had the ability to make her blush.
   “Um…thank you.”
   He held his hand out to her. “Come here, Queen Annwyl.”
   She took a step toward him, then stopped. “Oh, no. You’ll not get me
that easy, knight.” She still hadn’t realized that when she desired him,
she always went back to what she originally used to call his human form
before she knew the dragon and the man were all the same being.
“They’re expecting us. We have guests to greet.”
   Fearghus growled. “I said come here.”
   With a less than queen-like squeal, Annwyl dashed back into her
room. Before she disappeared, Fearghus saw she wore leather boots,
blades shoved into the sides. My Annwyl. He’d have her no other
way…except on her back.
   He charged off the bed and snatched the door leading from their room
to the hall open. She’d just come out of the other room. When she saw
him, she squealed again and ran toward the stairs. He followed, both of
them pushing past some of the highest human and dragon royalty in the
land. A few they knocked into the wall. Neither cared.
   “Come here, wench.”
   “Not on your life, dragon.”




                                        -254-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   She made it downstairs, barely dodging Fearghus’ outstretched hand.
But his other arm looped around her waist, lifting her completely off the
ground.
   “Let me go!”
   “I’ve got you now, my queen. The question is what will I do with you?”
   “Bastard!”
   “Sweet talk will get you everywhere.”
   The two laughed and struggled until they looked up and found both
Brastias and Morfyd staring at them.
   “Must you two do that?” Morfyd demanded in a harsh whisper. “In
front of everyone?”
   “Well, actually—” Annwyl began, but Fearghus feared what she’d say,
so he covered her mouth with his hand.
   “Sorry, sister. We’ll stop.”
   “Good.”
   She and Brastias walked off, but as soon as Fearghus released
Annwyl she yelled after them, “We’ll do our best to be good little
monarchs.”
   Morfyd swung around so fast, fangs showing, that Annwyl stumbled
back and then dodged behind Fearghus.
   “My, aren’t we the brave queen, my love.”
   “Shut up, mate.”


                                   zzz

   He was one of the young soldiers in training. He’d bragged about it
for the last five minutes while he continually tossed his white blond locks
over his shoulder.




                                        -255-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Izzy didn’t like him. And she had the almost overwhelming desire to
shave his blasted head and then stuff her pillow with all that blond hair.
   Music suddenly flowed through the hall and dancing started. Izzy
longed to dance because she never had before.
   Turning from the boy—she’d never consider him a man—in the hopes
of finding a dance partner who didn’t make her skin crawl, she froze
when his hand grabbed firm hold of her arm.
   She looked down at the hand holding her and then up at the boy
attached to that hand.
   “Let me go.”
   “We weren’t done talking.”
   “We are now.”
   He gave her an indulgent smile she longed to punch off his face.
   “Come. Dance with me.” Ignoring her attempt to get him to release
her, he headed toward the dance floor. But three large men blocked his
path.
   “Problem, Izzy?” Achaius asked calmly, but Izzy had lived with the
man for nine years. She knew when he might snap and crack open a few
heads in the process.
   “No. No problem.”
   The boy was a fool but nothing she couldn’t handle.
   Her Protectors, in unison, looked down at the hand holding onto her
arm and back at her.
   “Doesn’t look that way to us,” Achaius observed.
   “Achaius—”
   “Perhaps you better get out of my way, old man.”
   Izzy winced and resigned herself to the boy’s fate.




                                       -256-
                                The Distressing Damsel



    Achaius ignored the boy and focused on Izzy. “What did we teach
you, Izzy, when someone placed his hands on you without your
permission?”
    “But—”
    “Izzy?”
    With a sigh, Izzy moved around to face the boy, his hand still holding
onto her arm. She used her free one to slam her fist into his throat.
    Startled and unable to breathe, most likely, he stumbled back.
    “Good lass.” Achaius patted her on the back. “Now off with you. We’ll
take it from here.”
    “Achaius, it really wasn’t—”
    “Don’t make me get your mother over here, Iseabail.”
    “No, no. Not necessary,” she replied hastily.
    The boy may not realize it, but he’d be better off taking a beating
from these three men in a dark corner than facing off against her mother.
She’d seen the damage that woman could do, remembered the bodies
lying on the field of battle.
    No, it was best not to get her mother involved.
    “Then go and enjoy yourself,” Achaius said as he gently pushed her
toward the dance floor. “We’ll join you in a few minutes.”
    She glanced at the boy and felt a small pang of regret for him, but he
really did bring this on himself.


                                     zzz

    Talaith barely managed a yelp before a strong hand dragged her off
into a deserted hallway. She went for her concealed dagger but quickly
realized it was only Morfyd.




                                          -257-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    “Grabbing trained assassins and hauling them into dark corners is
always a bad idea, Morfyd.”
    Morfyd dismissed Talaith’s words with a wave of her hand. “Forget all
that. I have something much more interesting.”
    The two women stopped as a young man with white blond hair
dashed by them. He’d been badly beaten, his face a bit of a bloody mess.
    Talaith watched him disappear around a corner. “Should I ask—”
    “No,” Morfyd cut in. “Probably not.”
    The dragonwitch most likely spoke true. It was much better Talaith
not know what was going on.
    “So, what’s so interesting?”
    “The captain of the guards finds you quite attractive.”
    Talaith stared at the dragoness currently in human form—and she
kept staring.
    “Well?” Morfyd pushed, her excitement evident as she bounced on the
tips of her toes.
    “Well what?”
    “Go dance with him.”
    By the gods, she’s matchmaking.
    “Absolutely not.” Talaith turned and headed back to the party when
Morfyd’s words stopped her in her tracks.
    “I thought you were over him.”
    Talaith swung around to face her new friend and current royal pain.
“We are never to discuss him. Ever.”
    “Why, if you no longer care for him?”
    Talaith shoved the female farther into the dark alcove. “Would you
keep your voice down. Honestly, I don’t know why you keep on about it.”
    “I want you to be happy.”
    “I am happy. With my daughter.”


                                       -258-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “And that’s all you want?”
   “That’s all I’ve ever wanted. So leave it be, Morfyd.”
   Talaith walked off and kept walking even when Morfyd whispered
much too loudly, “What about the Duke of Winsley? He’s quite cute and
has loads of riches.”


                                  zzz

   Annwyl thought about setting herself on fire. Anything had to be
better than listening to this man go on and on. Who was he again? Lord
Winsley? Duke Winsley? Whatever. He was boring and his nose was
excessively long. She desired to break it. Would he cry like a babe? Or
take it like a man? She’d wager on the crying. He looked weak. She hated
weak men. She hated weak women. She hated weak in general.
   Besides, he kept referring to her as queen. True, Morfyd said no head
taking during the feast. But what about an arm? Or a leg? Of course, the
screaming would start, but she’d prefer the man screaming rather than
boring her to death.
   Annwyl looked over the man’s head—she would tower over him even
in her bare feet—and saw Fearghus standing by the entrance to an
alcove. When he realized he had her attention, he smiled and motioned
to the alcove with his head. Then he disappeared inside.
   Knowing what awaited her, she glanced down at the duke or earl or
whatever he was and said, “That’s fascinating, but I have to go.”
   Without waiting for him to say another painfully boring word, she
slipped through the crowd and went into the dark alcove. As soon as she
walked in, Fearghus’ hands slipped around her waist and dragged her
deeper inside. He pushed her up against the wall, his lips against her
throat and his hands pulling up her dress.


                                       -259-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   She dug her fingers into his hair and bit her lip to keep from crying
out. Didn’t help, though. Not with Morfyd’s personal “battle dog” stalking
her every move.
   “My liege?”
   Fearghus’ hands stopped moving and Annwyl felt her rage slowly
simmer to the surface.
   Through gritted teeth, she snarled, “What, Brastias?”
   “Your humble servants await, m’lady.”
   “And they can keep waiting,” she growled back.
   “No, my queen, I don’t think they can.”
   “Brastias—”
   “Don’t make me get Morfyd, my ladyship.”
   Damn him. He called her those names to irritate her. And irritate it
did.
   “Fine!”
   Annwyl pulled away from Fearghus, ignoring her mate’s growl of
warning, and stalked out of the alcove.
   “Happy now?”
   “Aye. I truly am, my—”
   “If you give me one more title, I promise I’ll cut your throat.”
   Brastias grinned. The bastard. “As you wish, Annwyl.”
   “Not really. Otherwise I’d be back in there.”
   Brastias laughed and glanced into the dark alcove. “And you, my lord
Fearghus? Will you be joining us as well?”
   A deep sigh came from the darkness and then Fearghus’ tense voice
replied, “Not at the moment, no.”
   Annwyl winced. She may be a little slippery between her legs, but her
long dress hid it well. But she knew poor Fearghus’ chainmail leggings



                                      -260-
                              The Distressing Damsel



could never hide the erection she’d felt pushing against her stomach only
moments before.


                                   zzz

    “You know, you really don’t look that old.”
    Talaith slapped her hand over her daughter’s mouth. Forcing a smile
at the duke her kin had just insulted, she dragged the girl away.
    “All right, little miss, I need you to get control of that tongue.”
    Izzy frowned at her mother and nodded. She pulled the hand off her
mouth. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to insult him. It was only, I couldn’t
believe how old he was.”
    “And how did you find out his age?”
    “I asked him.”
    Talaith sighed. “You can’t do that, Izzy.”
    “Why?”
    Clearly her daughter’s dragon protector hadn’t taught her much in
the way of manners. But now that Talaith thought about it, dragons and
manners were not synonymous. Brutal honesty and directness—that was
where their strengths lay.
    “Because it’s considered rude.”
    “I’m sorry.” She appeared horrified she may have insulted the man.
“I’ll go apologize.”
    “No.” Talaith grabbed her daughter’s arm before she could move
away—the girl moved like lightning. “I’m sure he won’t give it another
thought. But point it out to him…”
    Izzy closed her eyes. “I’m not good at this, am I?”
    “Izzy, you’ve been living with three hard soldiers for the past nine
years. You’re doing fine.” It was merely her eagerness that continually got


                                        -261-
                               Shelly Laurenston



away from her. “Just watch your tongue and remember to think before
you speak.”
   Izzy nodded. Suddenly, she leaned over and embraced Talaith,
pulling away only after she’d kissed her cheek.
   Mother and daughter smiled at each other before Izzy bounced off in
search of more people to accidentally insult.


                                  zzz

   Brastias watched the partygoers carefully. True, he was supposed to
be a party guest as much as any of the others, but the two assassins
sent to kill his queen had made him excessively wary.
   It surprised him Talaith, one of those assassins according to Morfyd
who’d asked for his silence, not only lived but seemed to have become
the best friend of the queen and her Battle Mage. He had no idea why.
Both Annwyl and Morfyd insisted she’d been the victim of circumstance.
Perhaps. Brastias didn’t rightly know. But, he grudgingly admitted, he’d
grown fond of Talaith, too. He’d especially grown fond of her loud, chatty
daughter.
   Still, no one had told Fearghus about how Talaith came to join their
little party, and so happy to have Annwyl back, he didn’t question it.
   It won’t be fun when he finds out.
   He would find out, too. He always did.
   “You want to take a bit of a break, General?”
   Brastias looked at Danelin. “What do you mean?”
   “If you studied the guests any more, sir, you’d be forcing them to
strip and bend over.”
   Brastias chuckled. “That obvious, am I?”




                                      -262-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Aye, sir. Besides,” he motioned across the room, “there is someone
I’m sure wouldn’t mind if you asked her for a dance.”
   Following his second-in-command’s line of sight, his eyes settled on
Morfyd. Tonight she didn’t wear her usual witch’s robes. Instead, she
wore a sparkling white gown, cut low in the front, and her white hair
curled and hanging loose around her shoulders and down her back, with
white and silver flowers threaded throughout.
   Definitely the most beautiful thing he’d seen in his entire existence.
   “Go on, sir.” Danelin pushed Brastias with his shoulder and Brastias
almost struck him down with his sword.
   Instead, he gritted his teeth. “I’m going. I’m going. Don’t push.”
   Taking a deep breath, Brastias moved across the floor toward Morfyd.
Tonight he would ask her to dance. The worst she could say was “no”.
But he would think positively for the moment. She’d say “yes” because he
wanted her to say “yes”.
   He stepped in front of her. “Lady Morfyd.”
   She grinned. “Lady Morfyd? Isn’t that a bit formal between old
friends?”
   Friends? He didn’t want to be friends. In fact, he was tired of being
friends.
   “Well, that’s the thing—” But before he could finish a large hand
slapped him on the back, almost sending him flying into Morfyd.
   “Brastias, old friend.”
   Scowling, Brastias turned and faced Gwenvael. Bundled up in a cape
and furs, his face nearly hidden by the hood, he’d clearly only arrived. “I
had no idea there was a party this eve. Good thing we washed before
changing and coming here.”
   Gwenvael, typically unaware of what he’d interrupted, pushed
Brastias out of the way so he could kiss his sister on the cheek.


                                       -263-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “You look lovely this evening, sister.”
   Morfyd, always so self-contained and in complete control, practically
fell over herself as she grabbed her brother’s arm. “Are you alone?” she
demanded frantically.
   Frowning, he said, “No. I’ve got Briec and Éibhear with me. Why?”
   She bounced on her toes. “Where? Where are they?”
   He pointed to a spot across the floor. Éibhear, happy and good
natured as always. And Briec, looking as if he wished he were anywhere
but here—as always. They both had the hoods of their capes up over
their heads, nearly obscuring their faces. But Brastias knew them well
enough to see who was who. And, based on past experience, Brastias
knew as soon as Briec spoke to Fearghus, he’d leave. Now that he
thought about it, Briec had only been there one time before. When he
and his kin came to convince Annwyl to return to her mate after their
year-long separation. Any other time the brothers met, it was at Dark
Plains. Strange having him here now. The information they possessed
must be extremely important for him to make the trip.
   The music changed tempo to a fast jig and one of Iseabail’s Protectors
lifted her up and swung her around the floor. She squealed excitedly as
he passed her off to one of her other Protectors who passed her off to the
next.
   He admired those men. They’d taken good care of that girl for nine
years. While they may go hungry, they made sure she ate. While their
clothes and armor may need repair, her clothes were always clean and
cared for. And from what he heard, woe to the man who came near her,
much less hurt her. No, the lass couldn’t have been in better hands until
she could return to her mother.




                                      -264-
                               The Distressing Damsel



    One of the Protectors reached into the crowd and dragged a shy and
extremely embarrassed Talaith out to join the dance. At that moment, he
heard Gwenvael gasp in surprise.
    “But, wait…that’s…”
    His sister gripped his arm tighter, causing him to wince in pain. “I
know. I know!” The toe bouncing became decidedly worse. Morfyd’s one
weakness—gossip.
    Brastias turned back to watch Talaith. Although they didn’t lift her
up like her daughter, the Protectors swung her once and passed her
among each of them. She laughed even as her face turned dark red in
embarrassment,       knowing    everyone     watched    her.   Although   some
decidedly with more intensity than others.
    Especially Briec. He stepped forward out of the crowd, staring so
intently at her Brastias found himself holding his breath, waiting for
Talaith to notice him.
    She did…at the moment she slipped and slammed face first into his
chest. Laughing, she gripped his arms and pushed herself away. Most
likely with an apology on her lips as was her way. But when she looked
into the face of the man—or, in this case, dragon—who held her, she
froze.
    Staring at each other, the pair stayed stuck to that particular spot.
Until, finally, Briec spoke.
    “You left me!”
    No angry bark that. Nor a yell. Or even a shout. It was a roar. So
much so, it shook the very foundation of the castle. The music stopped.
The dancing stopped. Even Fearghus stood in surprise, dropping Annwyl
on her ass since she’d been happily sitting in his lap at the time.
    “Well?” Again that roar.



                                         -265-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Recovering quickly and clearly livid, Talaith snatched her arms away
from Briec’s grasp. “Don’t you dare yell at me!
   “No word from you. You just left!”
   “I had a previous engagement that didn’t involve you!”
   She turned away, but Briec took firm hold of her arm. “So you say
nothing? You simply sneak out?”
   “Why don’t you just say what you mean? It isn’t that I left that
bothers you. It’s that I left you. The wondrous Briec the Arrogant. Left by
some peasant no less.” She snatched her arm back. “How humiliating for
you,” she sneered with enough venom to wipe out a small town.
   “You seem to forget, m’lady…you belong to me.”
   Fairly growling, “I belong to no one. Especially you.”
   Pitch black smoke snaked from Briec’s nostrils and then his brothers
were there. Fearghus took firm hold of the back of his neck. “Let’s go
somewhere and talk, brother.”
   “We’re not done,” he snarled, his eyes never leaving Talaith’s face.
   “Oh, we are,” Fearghus insisted, pushing Briec toward the great
doors; Gwenvael and Éibhear following their kin out.
   Annwyl motioned to the musicians to begin playing. Then she
crooked her finger at Talaith and Morfyd.
   Watching Morfyd and Talaith disappear with Annwyl, Brastias sighed
heavily.
   Will I ever get a moment alone with that woman?


                                   zzz

   They walked past the gates of the castle, stopping when they finally
hit the forest, and that’s when Briec punched Fearghus’ hand off his
neck. The last thing he wanted right now was for anyone to touch him.


                                       -266-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   “You need to calm down, brother,” Fearghus warned softly.
   “And you need to go to hell.”
   Éibhear, always the peacemaker, stepped between the two. “Everyone
calm down. I’m sure there’s a logical explanation to all this. Right,
Fearghus?”
   Fearghus, ever the “calm one” stared at their baby brother as if he
were simple. “How the hell would I know that? I don’t know what’s going
on.”
   Gwenvael leaned against a tree, looking smug. Briec wanted to rip his
face off. “Brother has Claimed a woman.”
   “Talaith?” Fearghus asked, confused. “The human?”
   “I didn’t Claim her.”
   Gwenvael crouched beside the tree, picking up blades of grass and
ripping them with the tips of his fingers. “You certainly are acting like
you did.”
   The bastard was right. But he couldn’t help it. He’d walked into his
brother’s hall expecting to give him news and go. He’d been in no mood
for a party, so he’d had no intention of staying. But there she’d been.
Right in front of him—in another man’s arms. Several other men, in fact,
dancing her around the floor. She wore a dark blue velvet dress clearly
fitted to her frame. Her black, curly hair threaded through with flowers
the same color of her gown. She looked so beautiful. She looked…happy,
like she didn’t have a care in the world. All the time they’d spent
together, she’d never looked that relaxed except when she slept in his
arms.
   What did he do wrong that some other male did right?
   Fearghus crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Who is she
anyway?”



                                      -267-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “Don’t you know?” Didn’t seem like his brother not to know who’d
come into his den.
   “I’ve asked Annwyl about her, but suddenly the most direct female
I’ve ever known turns surprisingly vague. As does Morfyd. And I haven’t
had much time to get any details.” Most likely because Fearghus had
been busy fucking Annwyl blind.
   “Briec found her in a little village outside of Madron.” Éibhear pulled
the hood of his cape back. “He took her.”
   “I rescued her. Get it right at least.”
   “Why did she leave you?”
   “Do you think I know that? Do you think I have any idea why I woke
up and found her gone?”
   “Perhaps she had another man all along.” True, he could kill
Gwenvael, but their mother would never forgive him. “Perhaps she left
simply to get back to him and she merely waited until you trusted her
enough.”
   “She left for no man,” a female voice said from the safety of the trees.
“She left for me.”
   Gwenvael grinned. “This just got interesting.”
   “I will kill you where you stand, brother.”
   “Don’t yell at me because your woman…has a woman.”
   “I want you two to stop this conversation right now,” Fearghus
ordered softly. “I mean it.”
   The trees rustled a bit and a tall, but extremely young, brown-
skinned girl stepped forward. Even in the dark night, the nearly full
moon blocked by the forest trees, Briec could still see the girl clearly. He
sucked in a startled breath.
   “By the gods…”



                                       -268-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   Fearghus motioned to the girl. “It’s all right, Izzy. They’re harmless.”
The girl moved closer and Fearghus introduced her. “You degenerate lot,
this is Iseabail…Daughter of Talaith.”
   How could she not be? She looked exactly like her. Except her eyes
were a much lighter brown as was her hair and she was a good bit taller.
Other than that, they were mother and daughter.
   “She never told me of a daughter.”
   Gwenvael snorted. “I see you built up a wonderful level of trust there,
brother.”
   “That’s not fair,” the girl snapped. She looked at Briec. “She couldn’t
tell you. She really couldn’t tell you.”
   “Why?”
   She moved closer and Briec saw exactly how young she was. “She
was protecting me. And, to a degree, herself. She would have hurt her if
she told you anything.”
   “Who would have?”
   “Arzhela.”
   Gwenvael stood. “The goddess?”
   She nodded. “It’s complicated.”
   “It’s not like we had any plans this eve,” Éibhear teased. Iseabail
smiled but her eyes grew wide as the moonlight suddenly peeked out and
spilled across Éibhear.
   “Is your hair blue?”
   “Uh…”
   “Can I braid it?”
   “No!”
   “Izzy.” Fearghus easily drew her attention back to him. “Focus, girl.”




                                        -269-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    She sighed. “Do you really want me to tell you?” The dragons nodded.
“You won’t like it.” Her light eyes flickered to Fearghus. “You especially
won’t like it.”
    “Why especially me?”
    “Because it was your mate she was sent to kill.”


                                  zzz

    “You…and Briec?”
    “That’s the eighth time you’ve said that.”
    “But it’s just…” Annwyl stared at her with her mouth open.
“You…and Briec?”
    Talaith, shaking her head, stalked over to the window of Annwyl’s
bedroom. It had to be the most enormous bedroom she’d ever seen.
Obviously it took much to get Fearghus the Destroyer to spend time at
Garbhán Isle.
    “Well, what’s he like?”
    “Don’t you know? He is your family.” Plainly there was much more to
Briec than she knew. She thought Morfyd, Fearghus and Briec were
merely all dragons. The same breed. It never occurred to her they were
all family. Kin, as Briec would say.
    Annwyl laughed. “You must be joking. He hates me.”
    “You did hit him,” Morfyd chastised.
    “He was in my way.”
    “No, he wasn’t.”
    “Close enough.”
    Talaith buried her face in her hands. “This is a nightmare.” She
turned accusing eyes on Morfyd. “You said he never comes here!”
    “Normally, he doesn’t. And don’t yell at me.”


                                       -270-
                               The Distressing Damsel



   “So you hate him?”
   Affronted, Talaith whirled on Annwyl. “I do not hate him.”
   Confused, Annwyl scratched her head. “Then what’s the problem?”
   “Everything.”
   “Why are you making this so complicated, Talaith? If you still want
him, be with him.”
   “I can’t. I have to think of Izzy.”
   “Exactly how much longer are you going to use her as your excuse?”
   Talaith turned away from the window to face Morfyd. “Pardon?”
   “She’s sixteen winters, Talaith. Soon she’ll be trying to figure out
what she wants to do. Maybe help here or she’ll meet someone and want
to start a family. Let’s face it, even with her Nolwenn blood, she’ll never
be a witch. She has absolutely no powers.”
   “That’s my fault,” Talaith sighed. “There were spells I should have
cast. Sacrifices I should have made.”
   “Haven’t you sacrificed enough?” Annwyl asked, silencing Talaith.
   “Well,” Morfyd continued, “she doesn’t seem to miss it, so I wouldn’t
concern myself too much. But you can’t build your life around hers
because she’ll be starting her own life soon. Then what will you do? Stay
here and be lonely? Perhaps become the wife of one of the knights? Is
that what you really want?”
   What she wanted was Briec. She’d always want Briec.
   “Briec is not an option.”
   “Why not?”
   She glared at Morfyd. “Because he made it clear I was only
temporary. Something to pass his time with.”
   Annwyl threw herself into a large, winged-back chair. “He didn’t act
like you were temporary. He acted like you broke his heart.”
   Talaith shook her head. “That’s not possible.”


                                         -271-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



    “He looked like you ripped his heart out of his chest, threw it to the
ground, and stomped all over it while singing a jaunty tune.” Annwyl
shrugged at Morfyd’s bemused expression. “I might have seen that look
before on his brother.”
    “Perhaps when you stabbed our father?”
    Annwyl laughed. “No. Then he just looked proud.”
    “He’ll never understand,” Talaith sighed out. “He’ll hate me for what I
was sent to do to you.”
    “I’m fairly certain he honestly won’t care. The only one who’ll care is
Fearghus. And I have no intention of telling him anything, so—”
    The three females jumped, Annwyl’s words cut off, as Fearghus
kicked the door in.
    Annwyl stood. “What the hell is wrong with—”
    “Everyone out! Now!”
    Morfyd didn’t hesitate. “Night, all.” Then she was out the damaged
door like a lightning strike.
    Talaith could guess what Fearghus now knew and she wasn’t about
to stand there waiting for him to focus his rage on her. With a nod to
both, she hurried past them and out the door. But as soon as she
stepped into the hallway, Briec took her arm and dragged her off. The
last thing she saw was her daughter—good gods, what could she have
told them?—waving at her with one hand while making a grab for
Éibhear’s blue hair with the other. Startled, Éibhear slapped her
daughter’s hand away before practically running down the hall.
    Then Briec pushed open a door and shoved her into a bedroom. By
the time she turned around, he’d locked the door and thrown the key
into the fire blazing in the small pit built into the wall.
    Bastard.



                                        -272-
                              The Distressing Damsel




                      Chapter Twenty

   “You open that door right now.” She wasn’t going to panic. She
wouldn’t allow him to make her panic.
   “Not until we talk.”
   Talk? Ack! Panic! “Talk? About what?”
   “About why you left me. About your daughter. And about all
these…these…”
   “These what?”
   “Feelings! I never had them before until you. And now I’ve got them.
What exactly did you do to me, little witch?”
   “Me? I didn’t do anything to you. I told you to let me go.”
   “And because I didn’t let you go, you hexed me with these feelings?”
He said his accusation like she’d gutted him while he slept.
   “I didn’t hex you with anything, you idiot.” She walked to the large
window and stared out over the now-deserted courtyard. One look at the
dragon lord’s face must have sent all scurrying for cover from his rage—
even his family.
   “Then why do I feel like this?”
   “Feel like what,” she asked absently.
   “Like you ripped my heart out, threw it to the ground, and stomped
all over it while singing?”
   Eyes wide, Talaith turned to face Briec. “What?”



                                        -273-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



   “My chest hurts. It’s never hurt before—until you. Make it stop,” he
begged. “I can’t stand it.”
   Unable to form words, much less coherent thoughts, Talaith slid
down the wall, sitting hard on the floor.
   She closed her eyes, fighting her desire to sob. “I didn’t want to hurt
you, Briec. I swear.” She pulled her legs up tight and dropped her head
onto her raised knees. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone. I just wanted my
daughter back.” Finally, tears flowed. “I had to get her back.”
   After a painfully long silence, Briec sat on the floor beside her. She
had the castle wall at her side and back, and Briec on her other side. She
should feel trapped, smothered, but she didn’t. Not with him.
   “Your daughter is beautiful,” he said softly. “Just like her mother.”
   Wiping her tears, desperate not to look as pathetic as she felt, she
asked, “What did she tell you?” Knowing Izzy as well as she did now,
probably everything.
   “Everything.”
   “Of course, she did.” After several shaky deep breaths, Talaith once
again had control. “So I guess you feel pity for me now.” Which would
explain why he was suddenly being so nice. “The poor peasant used by a
goddess.”
   “Maybe I should feel sorry for you, but I don’t. You’re too much of a
pain in the ass to be pitied.”
   Against her desire to feel morbidly depressed, Talaith chuckled.
“That’s very kind of you.”
   Briec moved a bit, and the material of his wool cape rubbed against
her arm. “Why didn’t you trust me, Talaith?”
   “It had nothing to do with trust. Whether I trusted you or not, I
couldn’t risk Izzy.” And she couldn’t risk him. Although Arzhela may not
have been able to use her Magicks on Briec, that didn’t mean she


                                        -274-
                              The Distressing Damsel



wouldn’t send men to kill him. To sneak into his lair and destroy him
while he slept. “I wasn’t willing to risk anyone I cared about.”
   “Am I someone you care about?”
   Talaith didn’t answer. She didn’t dare.
   Briec rested his head on her shoulder, his silky hair rubbing against
her neck and jaw. “Answer me, Talaith.” She didn’t. Instead, she turned
her head away from his.
   “Then tell me to go.”
   “And you would?”
   “If that’s what you want. But you have to say the words, Talaith.” His
gloved hand slid over her leg, resting on her knee. “Tell me to go.”
   Say the words, Talaith. Say them before he breaks your heart. But the
words…she couldn’t force them out. And she tried. She really did. But it
felt so good having him by her side again. She’d missed him so much.
Annoying, rude, bastard dragon that he was.
   When she said nothing, Briec let out a barely audible sigh. Briec the
Arrogant had actually been worried she’d send him away. Well, that felt
nice.
   “You look beautiful tonight.”
   Talaith cleared her throat. “Thank you.”
   “And your daughter is very brave. Just like her mother.”
   “Brave? Is that what they call it? Or blindingly stupid?”
   “Brave seems much more fitting.” Briec turned his head, his lips
brushing her bare shoulder where her dress tugged down a bit. “I missed
you, Talaith. And I don’t like that feeling. I hate it when I’m miserable.”
   Giggling—to her horror—Talaith pulled back to look in Briec’s face.
“Oh, no. You being unhappy. Can’t have that, now can we?”
   “You’re right. We can’t,” he responded in serious tones. “An unhappy
Briec is an unhappy universe.”


                                        -275-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



       The giggling became decidedly worse, because she knew Briec was
actually serious.
       “You think it’s funny? My misery?”
       “You needed to be a little miserable. To know how the rest of us feel
most days.”
       He shuddered. “The nightmare of being human.” Sitting up straight,
he adjusted his body so that he faced her side, his powerful legs on
either side of her body. Then, he began slowly removing the flowers
threaded through her hair. She let him. It felt nice.
       “So you’re a trained assassin.”
       She bet other people at this moment weren’t having this odd a
conversation. “Um, yes.”
       “Are you good at it? When you actually try to kill your prey as
opposed to taunting them into killing you?”
       “Aye.”
       “Do you enjoy it?”
       “No. Not at all. Because I can kill people doesn’t mean I enjoy doing
it.”
       “I see.” He took his time, slowly removing each flower and letting
them drop to the floor, making sure to constantly touch the skin on the
back of her neck or her shoulders. Carefully, he moved her where he
wanted her, so that he could remove all the flowers from her hair. It felt
so good having him care for her. Eventually, dark blue flowers covered
the floor around them and her body trembled at every sweep of his hand.
       Briec leaned in close, his lips brushing her ear. “Stand up, sweet
Talaith. Let me help you out of this dress.”


                                     zzz



                                         -276-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Briec stood, gently bringing Talaith with him. He kept all his
movements deliberately slow. He didn’t want to push her too quickly. He
didn’t want her to run again.
   When he’d spotted her at the feast, his rage took over. He’d had all
his words planned. Knew all the things he’d say to her so she’d
understand exactly how much she’d hurt him. But then little Iseabail
told them everything. The only one not moved had been Fearghus, but
that didn’t surprise any of them. Fearghus’ only concern, as always, was
for his mate. His Annwyl.
   Now Briec understood, because he felt the same way about Talaith.
His Talaith.
   “Did you miss me, Talaith?” he asked as he untied the back of her
dress.
   “Ha! You wish.” But he could hear the shake in her voice.
   “Not even a little? Not even at night, when you slept alone?”
   “Who…who said I was alone? Perhaps I’ve had a myriad of lovers
since I’ve been with you.”
   He had a momentary stab of jealousy and then he remembered who
he was dealing with. Talaith whose favorite phrase seemed to be “Get
your bloody hands off me.”
   “Really?”
   “Aye. Many, many lovers. Good ones, too. All human.”
   “Like who?”
   She tensed. “Who?”
   “Aye. Give me names. Or, at the very least, rank.”
   He finished unlacing her dress, but didn’t pull it off yet. Instead, he
ran his fingertips lightly across the exposed flesh of her back. Her
trembling grew much worse, but so did the smell of her lust.
   “I’m waiting.”


                                       -277-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “Well, there were so many. I’m not sure I remember all their names.”
   “My, you’ve been busy since last we met.”
   Pushing her hair to the side to kiss her neck, Briec froze at the sight
of a silver chain. He hadn’t noticed it before. He walked around until he
faced her. She stared up at him, her cheeks flushed; her eyes wide.
   “What? Does my disloyalty shock you?”
   “Your disloyalty?” Briec took gentle hold of the silver chain and lifted
it, pulling the pendant from under her bodice. She grabbed for it, but his
hand closed over it first. “Disloyal, and yet you still wear this.”
   Tugging the death grip her fingers had on him loose, he opened his
hand and stared at the dragon pendant he’d given her the last night they
were together.
   “I…I wear that because it looks so nice with this dress.”
   “Except it was hidden under your dress. You wear it close to your
heart.”
   She looked away from him. “It’s a bauble. It means nothing to me.”
   “That’s a lie, Talaith.” He gently grasped her chin and forced her to
look him in the eye. “We both know that’s a lie. You would have never
kept this, much less wear it, if it meant nothing to you.”
   Her panic now vied with her lust, but Briec knew why. She didn’t
want him to know how much he meant to her. She still wanted to
maintain distance and, in the end, control.
   “Don’t be foolish. No one’s ever given me jewelry before. I couldn’t
simply toss it away, now could I?”
   Briec shook his head. “Talaith, exactly how good an assassin could
you be when you are such an incredibly bad liar?”
   “I’m not a bad liar. I mean, I’m not lying. I mean—”
   “Sssh.” He held onto the necklace and used it to pull her closer. “For
the love of all that’s holy, woman,” he whispered, “stop talking.”


                                       -278-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    Staring at his mouth, “But I still have so much more to say, you
selfish bastard.”
    He grinned, unable to help himself. Then he kissed her, keeping it
simple at first. His lips touching hers. But she moaned and went up on
her toes to get closer to him. That was more than he could handle.
    He released the necklace so he could dig his hands into her hair—his
gentle control gone. He licked her lips and she opened her mouth to him.
Now he moaned as her tongue touched his, sweeping around it, stroking
against it.
    Unwilling and unable to wait any longer, he slipped his fingers under
the dress, pushing it off her shoulders. He pulled away, easing the dress
down her body as he knelt in front of her.
    “Step out of it.”
    She did with no argument, and he quickly tossed the dress into the
nearest chair.
    As always, she had her blade tied to her upper thigh. “Still keeping
this around, eh?”
    “Oh.” Talaith went to grab the sheathed dagger, but Briec caught
hold of her hand.
    “No. Leave it.” He smiled up into her startled face. “I like it.”
    Nothing made him lustier than the thought of her legs wrapped
around his waist with that damn blade tied to her thigh. Besides, he
trusted her.
    He stood before he could toss her to the floor and fuck her within an
inch of her life.
    “Get on the bed, Talaith,” he ordered while he nearly ripped his own
clothes off.
    One eyebrow perked up on that beautiful face. “Should I get on all
fours, lord? Or merely lie there? Like a forest animal awaiting slaughter.”


                                        -279-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   Laughing, his upper body now bare, Briec lifted her up by the waist.
“Must you argue everything, woman?” She squealed as he tossed her
back on the bed. “Can you not just lie there and take it? Like a good little
lover?”
   Her eyes narrowed. “Oh, that’s nice. How some female hasn’t
snapped you up already—I’ll never know.”
   “I think that’s because I’ve been waiting my whole life for you. And no
one else would do.” It was an honest answer, and one she in no way
could handle as she made a strange little “eep” sound and tried to climb
off the bed.
   “No, no. You’re not going anywhere.” He pushed her back, covering
her body with his own. “Now kiss me, you chatty cow.”
   “Go to—” He kissed her before she could finish that lovely little
statement.
   Pushing her legs apart with his knee, Briec settled himself
comfortably in the vee of her body, allowing his hands to roam freely over
her soft skin.
   “Hell!” she finished when he finally pulled his mouth away from hers.
   “Now is that anyway to talk to me?” He kissed her neck, his fingers
circling her hard nipples. “Especially since you so clearly adore me.”
   “Is it nice in your dream world, dragon?” she gasped out, her body
arching into his hands, then his mouth as he moved down. “Are there
fairies and elves there to keep you company?”
   “Who needs old wives’ tales about fairies, when I’ve got you—an old
wife?”
   He felt that punch to his shoulder long before it arrived. Still, it made
him laugh more. Sitting up, he stared down at her. She tried glaring at
him, but her uncontrolled panting as well as her flushed cheeks and
body made it much less intimidating.


                                      -280-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   Briec grinned, grabbed both her legs, and flipped her onto her
stomach.
   “Oi!”
   “Up on those knees, love.” He pushed her legs up, raising her lovely
ass quite nicely. “I need access to this ridiculously wet pussy of yours.
Have many plans for it this evening, you know?”
   She started to say something, but he didn’t hear her and she stopped
talking as soon as he buried his face between her thighs. He thrust his
tongue inside her, enjoying the taste of her wetness sliding down his
throat.
   Talaith groaned and so did Briec. Did he really think he’d ever be
done with this woman? Did he really think he’d ever be able to walk away
from her? Unable to wait a second longer, he nearly destroyed his
chainmail leggings as he pushed them down his legs to his knees.
   He leaned up, resting against her back. Getting a strong grip on her
wrists, he held her in place as he drove his painfully hard cock inside
her. She hissed, her legs spreading farther apart to allow more of him in.
He obliged, shoving into her until his balls slammed against the soft
cushion of her ass.
   “Gods you feel good,” he gasped, her muscles tightening around his
cock. “You’re strangling me.”
   “I would,” she panted back. “But you have my hands pinned.”
   “Callous cow.”
   “Irritating bastard.”
   Yes. Now this, this was home. Right where he belonged. Where he’d
always belong. With this rude, sarcastic woman. And he knew she felt
the same as soon as he stroked himself in and out of her sweet pussy.
Without even realizing it, she moaned his name, begging him not to stop.



                                      -281-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “I won’t stop, little witch.” He picked up his pace, unable to keep any
semblance of control while inside her. “I won’t ever stop.” Because he
couldn’t. Not where she was concerned.
   Using his free hand, he reached around her waist and slipped his
fingers in between her thighs. He found her clit and stroked it, desperate
to bring her to climax before he lost all reason. She must have been
close, she panted and moaned his name into the pillow, her pussy
spasming around his cock, dragging him deeper inside her wet heat.
And, with a relieved sigh, he came hard inside her.
   Panting, sweating, and momentarily exhausted, the pair crashed onto
the bed. Her hand grabbed his, removing it from her clit. “You’re killing
me.”
   “Not yet. But that could change any day.”
   Laughing, she punched his thigh while he kissed her neck. He pulled
out of her gently, slowly turning her so that she faced him.
   He kissed her forehead. Her cheeks. Her nose.
   “I missed you,” he murmured against her lips. “Don’t do that again.”
   Her arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him close. “Don’t do
what again?” she sighed, his lips moving to her throat. He knew she
loved when he kissed her throat.
   “Leave me. Don’t leave me again, Talaith.”
   Her body stilled in surprise, but before she could say anything, he
kissed her. Long and deep, enjoying the sweet taste that belonged only to
her.
   Just as he belonged only to her.




                                      -282-
                             The Distressing Damsel




               Chapter Twenty-One

   Annwyl knew she was in trouble when she woke to find Fearghus
standing over her, his arms crossed over that massive chest, and his jaw
clenching and unclenching.
   “We need to discuss your assassin situation, mate.”
   Somehow she’d managed to put him off the night before. It must have
been when she wrapped her mouth around his cock. But clearly that
tactic wouldn’t work this morning. She guessed he’d been up for
awhile…seething. Partly mad she found it so easy to distract him. Partly
because it still angered him she’d kept something like this from him.
Fearghus really hated that. But telling him about Talaith would have just
upset him unnecessarily. Not that he’d ever understand that.
   “Fearghus, there’s nothing to tell. So let it be.” She tried to turn over
and go back to sleep, and that’s when she realized he’d tied her to the
bed.
   “Oi! You bloody bastard! Let me go!”
   His fingers brushed against the inside of her leg. “Not until we have a
nice long discussion about you keeping things from me. We’ve got all
morning. And I have unlimited patience.”
   Uh-oh.


                                  zzz



                                       -283-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    Talaith’s eyes snapped open when she heard the queen of Dark
Plains cry out, “Gods! Oh, gods! Fearghus!” Since she sounded extremely
far from actual pain, Talaith didn’t worry.
    Instead, she grinned. Those two.
    Stretching, Talaith enjoyed the feel of Briec’s arms around her. In
fact, since she was in no rush this particular morn…
    Turning over, she said huskily, “Time to wake up that great, big coc—
Izzy!”
    Standing at the end of the bed was her only daughter. The girl
grinned at her.
    “How did you…how did you get in here?”
    “Picked the lock.”
    Pulling the fur coverings she’d thankfully already had around her
even tighter, “Nice to know you have that skill.” She elbowed Briec
awake.
    “What?”
    “Look who has come to wake us up.” Perhaps the floor would open up
and drag her to the pits of hell rather than waiting until she officially
died.
    Briec scratched his head and yawned. “Good morn, Izzy.” He rubbed
his eyes with his knuckles. “Now as you may have realized, you’re
upsetting your mother. So why exactly are you here?”
    “Making sure you treated her right.” Her daughter grinned and
Talaith remembered seeing that expression on Izzy’s father’s face more
than once. That’s probably what snagged her heart in the first place.
“And it looks like you have.”
    Embarrassed, Talaith yelped, “Iseabail! Out!”




                                       -284-
                                The Distressing Damsel



        “No need to yell.” She sauntered toward the door, no longer in a gown
but leather leggings, boots and a green, soft cotton shirt. “I’ll have the
servants bring up food and hot water to bathe.”
        The servants? Seemed her daughter had quickly gotten used to court
life.
        Izzy easily pulled open the heavy wood door. “And no need to rush.”
        The girl, who Talaith was seriously considering disowning at the
moment, stepped out into the hallway, but before she closed the door,
she heard her daughter say, “I told you I could get past any lock,
Gwenvael. Now you owe me ten gold pieces.”
        Talaith buried her face in her hands, but unfortunately she couldn’t
block out Briec’s voice. “I like her.”
        “Shut up.”


                                     zzz

        Hours later, Talaith found Annwyl asleep on her throne. Her legs
thrown over the arm of the chair, her branded arms crossed in front of
her oh-so-ample chest…and she snored.
        Yes. That’s very attractive, Queen Annwyl.
        Unwilling to wait for the woman to wake up, Talaith tapped her
shoulder. But froze when she felt the tip of Annwyl’s dagger against her
throat. The queen hadn’t even opened her eyes yet. When she finally did,
she blinked several times. “Oh. Sorry, Talaith.” She placed the dagger
back in the sheath at her side.
        Yawning and stretching, she said, “What is it?”
        “Wondered if you wanted to go for a ride with me?”
        She had to get out of this castle while she had the chance. Briec had
kept her in bed for another four hours before he’d finally taken a quick


                                          -285-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



bath and disappeared. She knew if he found her anywhere near that
room or any bedroom, he’d have her flat on her back before she could
blink.
   Annwyl sat up, but winced. “All right. I’ll go. But no trotting or
galloping. I’m sore in my—”
   “Really, my queen. I don’t need anymore detail than that.”


                                    zzz

   “How much time do we have?”
   Gwenvael sat back on his haunches. “Weeks. His army’s large. He
won’t be getting it this far quickly.”
   Fearghus had sent them into Madron lands to find out exactly how
far Hamish was willing to go in his quest to destroy Annwyl. Apparently
quite far. They soon discovered his army was on the move, heading
toward Dark Plains and Annwyl.
   “Still,” Briec cut in. “We should be ready by the time he gets here.”
   Fearghus glanced at Gwenvael, then back at Briec. “We? Planning on
staying?”
   “As long as she’s here—I’m here.”
   Sighing, Gwenvael stepped away from his kin, knowing this would get
very ugly, very fast.
   “Well, I no longer want her here. I want her gone.”
   Briec shook his head at Fearghus’ order. “No. She stays.”
   Gwenvael usually enjoyed a good fight between his siblings,
especially when no one paid him any mind. But this felt different. It
felt…dangerous. He hadn’t seen Fearghus this angry since their father
tried to kill Annwyl. Nor had he seen Briec this determined about
anything ever.


                                         -286-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “She tried to kill my mate.”
   “You act like that’s a first.”
   “Don’t play with me, Briec.”
   By a stream deep in the forest, the four brothers had returned to
dragon form for this meeting and even spoke in the ancient language of
their kind. Which made this feel even more serious to Gwenvael.
   “I’m not. But I’ll be damned if I let you push her from this place.
She’s happy here. She feels safe here. As does her daughter. So they both
stay.”
   “You barely know this bitch, and yet you protect her like—”
   “Take care, brother, how you speak of her.”
   Gwenvael looked at Éibhear who had been surprisingly quiet during
this conversation. He could tell by the expression on his baby brother’s
face he felt no better about the course of this discussion. They may not
get along very well, his family, but they always protected each other.
Gwenvael would hate to see some female get between them.
   “This is my kingdom, Briec,” Fearghus growled out. “I’ll speak of her
anyway I like.”
   “She stays.”
   “She goes.”
   “Perhaps,” Éibhear finally piped in, “we should ask the women.”
   “Why would we do that?” the two eldest asked in unison.
   Éibhear motioned with his head. “Because here they come.”
   All four of them looked at the rough trail that led through this forest.
They could see Annwyl on her pitch-black war stallion, Violence, and
Talaith on a much smaller brown mare Gwenvael didn’t recognize. Not
surprising really. No one caught him trying to eat the brown mare like
Annwyl caught him with Violence.



                                        -287-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    The women walked slowly through the trees, speaking softly. But it
was Talaith who saw them first. Well, actually, she seemed to see Briec
before she saw any of them. Again, not really surprising, as her horse
reared up, almost unseating her.
    Violence, however, was quite used to dragons by now.
    Annwyl caught sight of the brothers and her eyes narrowed in
suspicion. “And what goes on here, I wonder?” she called out.
    “Nothing to concern yourself with, mate.”
    “Really?” Annwyl rode her horse closer as Talaith worked hard to
control her much more skittish mare. She wasn’t doing a half-bad job
either.
    “Why don’t I believe you…mate?”
    “I don’t know. Maybe because there’s been so much lying going on
here of late.”
    “I never lied to you, Fearghus.”
    “You didn’t tell me the truth.”
    “Because I knew you would act this way. And if this is about
Talaith—she stays. As does her daughter. Until I say differently.”
    “This is our kingdom to rule together. Remember?”
    “Dragons are your domain. Humans are mine.”
    “She tried to kill you, Annwyl.”
    “So did your father and yet he’s welcome here for meals.”
    Gwenvael snorted out a laugh. “She’s got you there, brother.”
    Fearghus’ tail slapped him so hard in the snout, he actually saw
stars for a moment.
    “Ow! What was that for?”
    “Accident.”
    Annwyl rode up to Fearghus. “Did you stop trusting me, Fearghus?”
    “Of course not—”


                                       -288-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   “Then trust me now.”
   The mated pair stared at each other for a long time, until Annwyl’s
hand finally reached out and brushed against Fearghus’ neck. “Walk
with me, Fearghus.”
   He nodded and silently the two walked off. Briec headed toward
Talaith, but his dragon form was apparently too much for the beast she
rode. The mare reared back, throwing Talaith off, and bolted into the
woods.


                                   zzz

   Talaith waited until she could breathe again before she forced her
eyes open. What she didn’t expect was to look up at three dragon snouts
staring down at her.
   Like something out of a nightmare.
   “She breathes!”
   “Of course she does. She just got the wind knocked out of her.”
   It was now official—Even my nightmares are getting ridiculous.
   Talaith pushed herself up until she sat. It was very hard not to cringe
when all those snouts brushed against her.
   “Could you all move back a bit? You’re crowding me.”
   “Sorry, m’lady.”
   She grinned at Éibhear. “You insist on calling me that, Éibhear.”
   “You seem like a lady to me.”
   “Only because he’s been around Annwyl too much,” Gwenvael joked.
   Talaith grabbed a talon from the two younger brothers, barely able to
get her entire hand around them, and allowed both to haul her to her
feet. She now stood in front of Briec. He’d kept his dragon form, and she
studied him carefully.


                                      -289-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Annwyl seemed so comfortable with Fearghus, whether dragon or
human. But the dragon part of Briec still disturbed her a bit.
   It’s probably those scales…or the fangs.
   “Are you all right?”
   “Aye.” She rubbed her backside. “Just a little sore, is all.”
   Gwenvael bowed low, his dragon snout scraping the ground, his eyes
focused on her rear. “Perhaps I can help you with that, m’lady.”
   Briec didn’t even look at him as he slammed his tail into Gwenvael’s
chest, sending him flying back into the trees.
   Éibhear shook his head as he walked off in the opposite direction
toward a clearing. “He really does bring that on himself.”
   Briec waited until his brothers were away, then he focused on
Talaith. “I’m scaring you, aren’t I?”
   “What gave you that idea?”
   “I can smell it.”
   Eek!
   “Don’t be ridiculous—” she began to lie.
   “Talaith.”
   “Oh, all right. I find you a bit…intimidating when you’re like this.
You’re so very large and fangy.”
   “Is that even a word?”
   “Probably not.”
   “Then what would give you ease, Talaith?”
   She frowned. “What do you mean?”
   “How do I make you comfortable with who I am? Because nothing will
change the fact that I am a dragon. I can shift to a human form, but I am
in no way human. And to be quite honest, I have no desire to be.”
   “Does it matter whether I’m comfortable with you or not?” she asked
carefully.


                                        -290-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “Aye, Talaith. It matters greatly.”
   Talaith let out a trembling breath, refusing to read any more into that
statement than what he actually said.
   “It’s just that so much of you looks, um, dangerous.”
   “We are predators. We hunt. We kill. We feed.”
   Talaith took a step away from Briec. “If that is supposed to make me
feel better…”
   “It’s supposed to let you understand who and what I am. But I’m not
a monster, Talaith. I would never hurt you. Or anyone you care for.”
   “I know.”
   “Do you?”
   “Aye,” she replied with all sincerity. “I do.”
   “Well, that’s half the battle then, isn’t it?” It took Talaith a moment to
realize he’d begun to walk around her in a circle. “The question is, sweet
Talaith, what do we need to do to ease your other concerns?”
   “Well…eek!” She jumped as his snout brushed against her back.
   “Well what?”
   “I…uh… I really don’t know…uh…what are you doing with that?”
   The tip of Briec’s tail slid down her back, across her ass, and slowly
down her legs. She wore leggings, but they weren’t made of thick
material. So when his tail wound itself around her leg, she felt it to her
very core.
   “Briec, I—”
   “Continue, Talaith. Tell me what scares you.”
   Everything? “Well that’s a vast list.”
   “I meant about me, or my kind, specifically. We’ll have to deal with
the litany of your other fears another day.”
   She glared at him. Arrogant bastard. “Well, your fangs are a tad
unsettling.”


                                         -291-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Briec’s head swung down until they were nose to snout. Then he
pulled back his lips to reveal those huge, white fangs.
   “What are you doing?”
   “Go ahead,” he said through his teeth, “touch them.”
   “Not on your life.”
   “Talaith, you have to get over this fear.”
   “No I don’t. I can run away. Screaming. Like a girl.”
   His tail tightened around her leg and she knew he wouldn’t let her go
until this insane nightmare was over to his satisfaction.
   “Touch them, woman.”
   Closing her eyes tight, she reached and felt around. Considering
these were fangs, she couldn’t feel anything that hard.
   “Talaith…that’s my nostril your hand is in.”
   “Oh, by the gods!” Desperately wiping her hands on her trousers and
squealing, her body now shook in disgust as opposed to fear.
   “Try that again, shall we? With your eyes open this time.”
   “Don’t you have some kittens to torture? Or some town to destroy?”
   “Talaith,” he said with an exaggerated sigh, and she knew she was
dealing with Briec the Arrogant. “You and I—I feel—are destined to be
together.”
   “Oh, good gods,” she groaned.
   Briec went on as if he hadn’t heard her. “So in order for us to make
this work, we need you to get over your tiny little insecurities.”
   “Your arrogance makes my eye twitch.”
   “Only because I’m challenging you.”
   “No. I’m relatively confident it’s because you’re arrogant,” she barked.
“No, no. Forget it, dragon. I’m not sticking my hand in your mouth.”
   Sighing heavily, he sat up. “Fine. How about this then…”



                                       -292-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Again she squealed as the tip of his tail unwound from her leg and
suddenly appeared in front of her face. “Would you watch that thing.
You’re liable to take off my nose or something!”
   “Touch it.”
   “Actually, I like my fingers attached to my hands.”
   “Fine. How about touching my horns?”
   “Well, this conversation just went horribly wrong.”


                                  zzz

   “You’re making this difficult.”
   “I’m not sure what you’re trying to show me.”
   Frustrated, Briec shifted to human and walked up to her until they
were mere inches apart. “That you and yours are safe with us. You have
nothing to fear. Nor does your daughter. And you never will.”
   Her expression softened and a smile began to form on her gorgeous
lips. Of course, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect for Éibhear to
run past the forest entrance. Normally, not too odd. He was a young,
playful pup. Yet it was the fact that he had Iseabail hanging onto his tail
that had panic hitting Briec’s system.
   “Uh…”
   “What’s wrong? You just went more white than usual.”
   Éibhear shook his tail. “Get off! Get off! Get off!”
   Laughing, Izzy continued to cling to him.
   “Is that Izzy?” Talaith turned to look behind her, but Briec grabbed
her shoulders and forced her back to face him.
   “You know how I feel about you Talaith,” he nearly yelled, desperate
to keep her distracted.
   “I do?”


                                       -293-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Of course you do.”
   “Since when?”
   “Since last night.”
   She shook her head. “I don’t have time for this. I promised Morfyd I’d
meet her over at the groves.” She again turned to walk down the path to
the clearing, but Éibhear reappeared, this time slamming his tail on the
ground, trying to dislodge an unrelenting Izzy.
   Briec took firm hold of her shoulders and spun her back to face him.
He had to think of something fast or all his “you have nothing to fear”
work would be lost. So he said the first thing that came to his mind…”I
love you.”
   Both shocked at his words, they could only stare at each other.
   Finally, she spoke first, “You what?”
   Now that he’d said it, he realized something. “I love you. I actually
do.” He grinned. Who knew loving someone would feel so wonderful?
   “You love me?”
   “Yes.” So happy about this, he barely noticed Éibhear taking flight
and dragging Izzy through the trees trying to knock the girl off. “Now you
say it back to me.”
   “Pardon?”
   “Say it back to me. Say you love me. Because we both know you do.”
How could she not?
   “Och!” She pushed his hands off her shoulders. “Do we now?”
Reaching up, she grabbed one of his nipples and twisted.
   “Ow! What the hell did you do that for?”
   “Accident,” she bellowed, then stormed off.
   Stunned, Briec shifted to dragon. Which was good, because Izzy
landed right on his back.



                                      -294-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Panting from the exhilaration, she yelled up to Éibhear, “You’re being
unreasonable!”
   “Stay away from me,” Éibhear barked. Briec had never heard his
brother sound so unnerved before.
   “Your brother is a big baby.”
   “For a dragon he actually is a baby.”
   “What’s wrong? You sound sad.”
   “I told your mother I love her and she walked away.”
   Izzy scrambled up his back. “I wouldn’t worry about it. She’s simply
frightened of her feelings for you.” The girl sat on his shoulders. “Give her
time.”
   “What if I don’t want to give her time?”
   “Your risk. But I know she’s well worth the wait.” He knew she spoke
more of herself than of anything else.
   “I know she is.”
   “Good. Now will you take me flying? Your brother is an unreasonable
crybaby.”
   “No. I will not take you flying.”
   “Why?” she whined the question, but instead of irritating Briec, she
got him to smile. Especially when she dramatically slumped down
against his neck.
   “Because your mother doesn’t want you flying anywhere. And I’m
going to respect that. But I will walk you back to the castle.”
   “Fine. Besides, I think I saw Gwenvael around.”
   Briec had only taken a step when he immediately stopped. “Stay
away from Gwenvael.”
   “Why?”
   “Because he’ll only get you into trouble. And no more bets with him.”
He’d have to talk to his brother, too. He wasn’t about to take the risk


                                       -295-
                               Shelly Laurenston



Gwenvael would start having those long conversations he’d been known
to have with young males Izzy’s age where he insisted on discussing
adult matters.
   “Oh, all right.”
   “Good.” Briec started off again, but her next words almost had him
tripping over his own claws.
   “So when can I start calling you Daddy?”




                                      -296-
                                 The Distressing Damsel




                 Chapter Twenty-Two

   Morfyd looked up from the herbs she’d pulled. “Are you all right,
Talaith?”
   Brows drawn together in a dark frown, her lips mashed into a thin
line, she shook her head.
   “What’s wrong?”
   “Nothing.”
   Morfyd leaned back, wiping her brow with the back of her hand.
“Lying will only irritate me.”
   Digging around certain roots so as not to ruin them for Morfyd’s
spells, Talaith grumbled, “Your brother told me he loved me.”
   “And?”
   “And he must be lying. He can’t love me.”
   “Why not? Is there something wrong with you I wasn’t made aware
of?”
   “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”
   “Of course I’m not.” Actually, she was. “But as arrogant and irritating
as my dear brother is, I don’t think you should dismiss him so easily.”
   “I wish I could dismiss him. I wish I could walk away.”
   “Why? So you can be this miserable all the time as opposed to
occasionally?”




                                           -297-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    Talaith finally looked up at her, and her eyes narrowed with
suspicion. “Gods, you’re treating me like family, aren’t you?” she
accused. And she sounded terrified.
    “You are family.”
    “I am not.”
    “You are.”
    “Not.”
    “Are.”
    She could see Talaith preparing herself to get good and frothy when
Annwyl rode up. She easily jumped down from that mammoth stallion
Morfyd knew would look wonderful on a spit with a little bit of seasoning
and walked over to the two women. She dropped to her knees and on to
her back, her arms flung wide.
    “I feel strange today.”
    Talaith shook her head and went back to gathering the roots while
muttering under her breath, “That is simply too easy.”
    Morfyd worked hard not to laugh and, instead said, “Perhaps you’re
under the weather, my queen.”
    “No. I don’t feel sick. And don’t call me that anymore.”
    “It’s probably the full moon. It’s the time of dragons tonight, but it
still affects us all.”
    “Is that why you two witches are out here? Doing your evil work?”
    “You seem to appreciate my evil work when it helps your army.”
    “That’s because as a monarch, I can be that ridiculous.”
    “Good to know, my liege.”
    Talaith put more roots in a basket she had beside her and showed
Morfyd what she had. Morfyd indicated two more and Talaith went back
to digging.
    “So, am I leaving?” Talaith asked softly.


                                       -298-
                               The Distressing Damsel



   Annwyl frowned. “I don’t know. Are you?”
   “I’m asking you. Fearghus seemed determined that I go.”
   “Don’t worry about Fearghus. I reasoned with him and we came to an
understanding that satisfied us both.”
   Morfyd glanced at her oldest brother’s mate and queen of the land.
“You forgot to put your bindings back on after having your dirty,
disgusting way with my brother.”
   Annwyl’s hands immediately went to her chainmail-covered, but
unbound breasts. “Shit.”
   “No, no, Annwyl. Truly.” Talaith reached over and patted Annwyl’s
shoulder. “I do appreciate the sacrifices you’ve made for me.”
   Annwyl threw one forearm over her eyes, ignoring Morfyd’s laugh.
“Sarcastic cow.”


                                    zzz

   Talaith relaxed back in the tub, the water steaming around her. By
the time she and Morfyd finished gathering all the supplies, she was a
little sore and covered in dirt and sweat. Yet nothing a hot bath couldn’t
cure.
   She wished she could go with Morfyd tonight and do some
spellcasting, but it had been much too long. Although Arzhela had
returned her powers to her, Talaith’s skills were still extremely weak. Get
on the wrong side of one of Morfyd’s spells and she could end up
someplace she’d rather not be with no way home. Or open a doorway she
could not close. No. She’d wait. Actually, Morfyd had given her a few
books to get her started and promised she’d train her in those basics
she’d most likely forgotten.




                                         -299-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    When Talaith finally thought long and hard about it, she realized she
wanted to be the witch she was born to be. She wanted to heal the sick,
protect the weak, destroy those who would bring pain and destruction to
those who were unable to defend themselves. What she definitely didn’t
want to do anymore…kill for a goddess. Her days as an assassin were
over now. She no longer wanted that in her life and she wouldn’t have
Izzy subjected to it.
    To be quite honest, she had enough scares watching Izzy watch
Annwyl. That wasn’t merely admiration or awe she witnessed in her
daughter’s eyes. That was envy. And, to Talaith’s horror, it had nothing
to do with Annwyl being queen. No, her daughter watched her while she
trained with her men or rode that giant of a horse.
    Talaith had a sinking feeling her daughter’s ambitions had nothing to
do with court life or catching the eye of the cutest knight.
    Sighing, Talaith slipped farther into the tub, not surprised when a
few minutes later her daughter knocked and walked in.
    “Is it all right if I have dinner in my room tonight?”
    Talaith looked up and couldn’t help smiling at how beautiful her
daughter was. And how lucky Talaith was. Not only to have finally gotten
to meet her after all these years, but that her daughter survived with her
wits and heart intact. Unlike Talaith, there was no bitterness in Izzy. No
callous distrust of everyone. A glowing, happy girl who loved life but
didn’t fear death.
    How did I get so lucky?
    “Of course you can. Is everything all right?”
    “Aye. Just don’t feel like smiling and being polite tonight.”
    She knew exactly how the girl felt, but if Talaith didn’t go, she knew
Briec would think it was because of him. Of course, he’d be right.



                                       -300-
                                The Distressing Damsel



   “I understand. Feel free to eat in your room. You know, Izzy, you
don’t actually have to ask me that. I’m sure you can decide where you’d
like to eat without my help.”
   Izzy shrugged. “I know.” She rubbed her hands against her leggings.
“It’s just…”
   “It’s just what?” she prompted when Izzy stopped.
   “I don’t know what I should and shouldn’t be asking you. I mean, this
is all a bit new to me.”
   Talaith held her hand out and her daughter took it gratefully,
crouching beside the tub and holding Talaith’s hand close to her heart.
   “I have no idea what I’m doing either, love. So we’ll figure it out
together. You and me. Does that sound about right to you?”
   “Aye. Except….”
   “Except what?”
   “What about Briec?”
   It took all Talaith’s strength not to pull back her hand in shock.
“What about him?” Damn. She didn’t mean to sound so angry. A bit of a
clue something was wrong.
   “Shouldn’t you both be making decisions together?”
   “And why would we do that?”
   “Because he loves you.”
   Dammit. “Does he now?”
   “Aye. And it hurt him you didn’t tell him that after he told you.”
   Now Talaith did snatch her hand back. “And how do you know that?”
   “He told me after I fell out of the sky.”
   Briec…quickly forgotten. “Pardon?”
   Now Izzy showed true annoyance. “Well, you can blame Éibhear for
that.”
   “I can?”


                                          -301-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    “Aye. If he’d just taken me flying when I asked him too, I never would
have grabbed on to his tail which led him to drag me through the trees
trying to get me off.”
    All those muscles Talaith had unknotted when she first got in the tub
were now tight and painful.
    “You did what?”
    “Why are you yelling at me? You should be yelling at Éibhear.”
    “You ask me if you can eat dinner in your room, but you don’t ask me
if you can torture Éibhear to take you flying?”
    Truly perplexed, Izzy asked softly, “Why would I ask you that?”


                                   zzz

    Éibhear lifted up the heavy bed, with Briec face down on it, and
checked again.
    “What are you doing?” his big brother asked, voice muffled by the
bedding he’d buried his head in.
    “Looking for my sword. The one Annwyl gave me. I was going to wear
it at dinner.”
    He dropped the bed back down and Briec grunted.
    “Exactly how long are you going to mope over this, Briec?”
    “Until I die of old age. Now you won’t have to ask me that damn
question again.”
    Éibhear opened his closet and rifled through there. “I hate seeing you
like this.”
    “Aye,” Gwenvael agreed from his safe position on the windowsill. “You
are quite pathetic.”
    “I will kill you,” Briec warned without lifting his head from the bed.
    “Well, what did you expect Talaith to say to you?”


                                       -302-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “I expected her to tell me she loves me.”
   “Maybe she doesn’t…ow! What the hell was that for?”
   Éibhear shook his hand out. It was true. Gwenvael did have an
amazingly hard head. “Accident.”
   Gwenvael’s body tensed and Éibhear prepared himself for a fight
when a loud banging at his door stopped them both. They figured it was
Fearghus from the sound of it.
   “Come.”
   The door opened and his worst nightmare walked in, pushed by her
mother who had firm hold of her shoulder.
   “What do you want, little girl?”
   “Be nice,” Briec growled without lifting his head from the pillow—
until he heard Talaith’s voice. Then his head snapped up and he stared
at her.
   Aye, his brother truly did love her. Éibhear could see it in the
dragon’s violet eyes.
   “Say it, Izzy,” Talaith snapped.
   “I don’t think I should…ow!”
   Éibhear bit back his smile when Talaith tugged her daughter’s hair.
   “Don’t make me tell you again.”
   The girl’s light brown eyes locked on his and he raised an eyebrow,
thoroughly annoying her. But it seemed she didn’t want to test her
mother. “I’m sorry…” Her glare became worse when he gave her a huge,
taunting grin.
   “Finish it,” her mother ordered.
   “I’m sorry I grabbed on to your tail.”
   “And…”
   Sighing, “And I’m sorry I harassed you about taking me flying.”



                                       -303-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



   “Good.” Since Talaith was behind her daughter, she never saw the
spoiled little brat stick her tongue out at him. “Now to your room.”
   Practically frothing at the mouth, the girl stomped off. Talaith shook
her head. “I’m sorry, Éibhear.”
   “Not a problem.” No point in telling Talaith, a woman he adored, that
she’d spawned a demon.
   Talaith turned to go and that’s when she saw Briec. He used his arm
to prop his head up.
   “Lady Talaith. Is that what you’re wearing to dinner tonight?”
   Talaith looked at her dressing gown. Clearly she’d just gotten out of
the tub. Her hair, soaking wet, reached down her back in big curls and
she hadn’t put shoes on.
   “And exactly when did I start owing you an explanation for anything I
do?”
   “She’s got you there, brother.” The pair turned on him so fast,
Gwenvael stumbled back against the window, almost falling out of it.
“Don’t bother. I’ll accidentally hit myself in the head later.”
   Muttering to herself, Talaith glared at Briec and left.
   Growling, Briec jumped off the bed and followed.
   Once the couple were gone, Éibhear headed back to the closet, but
Gwenvael’s next words caused him to hit himself with the closet door.
   “What I don’t understand is why everyone keeps hitting me.”


                                     zzz

   “Talaith, wait.”
   “No.”
   He caught up to her, grabbing her arm and turning her around.
“Please.”


                                         -304-
                                 The Distressing Damsel



       By the dark gods, did he actually say “please”? Ignore it, Talaith.
Ignore it. “Why did you tell Izzy what you said to me?”
       “To be quite honest, her timing was impeccable.”
       “I know. She’d fallen out of the sky.” Talaith pointed an accusing
finger. “That’s what you were trying to hide from me, wasn’t it? Her and
Éibhear.”
       “Talaith—”
       “So what you said was merely to distract me. I should have known.”
She tried to walk away again, but he yanked her to him, pinning her
arms behind her back.
       “I meant every word I said to you, Talaith, Daughter of Haldane. And
don’t ever suggest again that I didn’t. I don’t say things lightly or merely
to get someone into bed. I love you, Talaith. You might as well get used to
it.”
       “I don’t want to get used to it or you.”
       “What are you so afraid of, little witch? Of losing your heart? Of
falling in love with me?”
       Falling? She’d fallen. Face first off the highest spire. But she’d dare
not tell him. She dare not speak the words that would hand her heart
over to this dragon for the next six or seven centuries.
       “Let me go, dragon.”
       He pulled her closer, leaning down a bit to let his lips brush against
her forehead. “Why do you keep fighting me, Talaith? We both know you
love me. Why won’t you admit it?”
       “Is there ever a time you’re not an arrogant bastard?”
       “Is there ever a time you’re not a difficult bitch?”
       “No.”
       “Then I guess that makes us perfectly matched, now doesn’t it?”
       He grinned and she couldn’t help but smile back.


                                           -305-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “Look at that smile. Now isn’t that a thing of beauty.”
   She’d never had anyone say such things to her before. It thrilled her
and made her uncomfortable all at the same time. She tried to turn her
face away, but Briec wouldn’t let her.
   “Look at me, Talaith.” She did, and he rewarded her with a soft kiss
on her nose. “You are beautiful. And I’ll tell you that everyday if you let
me.”
   “Not sure I can handle that kind of pressure.”
   “Guess you’ll have to learn,” he muttered as he kissed her cheek,
then her jaw. “Stay with me, Talaith. Stay with me until our ancestors
call us home.”
   Sighing, even with her arms still pinned behind her back, she leaned
into Briec, letting his mouth move slowly up her chin toward her lips.
“That’s a very long time for both of us, Briec.”
   “Aye. If we’re lucky.”
   He kissed her, his mouth taking hers gently. Coaxing her to trust
him, to allow him in to her life and become part of it as she let his tongue
slide in and claim her mouth.
   Briec released her arms, allowing her to reach up and wrap them
around his neck, bury her hands in his hair. Not until her dragon had
she realized exactly how pleasurable kissing could be, how wonderful.
   Pulling out of their kiss, Briec’s lips traveled down to her neck. He bit
her gently and she moaned.
   “Let’s go to your room, Talaith. Let me show you how good we can
be.”
   Smiling, she managed the impossible and pushed him away. “No,
dragon. I promised Annwyl I’d be at dinner tonight.”
   “She’ll understand,” he growled, reaching for her again.



                                       -306-
                               The Distressing Damsel



   She moved away from him, walking backward toward her bedroom
door. And Briec matched her pace for pace.
   “No. We’ll go to dinner tonight.” She arrived at her door, her hand
grasping the handle.
   “Why?”
   “Because…” she pushed the handle down and made ready to move,
“…I want to watch you squirm thinking about me sucking that huge
shaft of yours into my mouth later tonight.”
   He went to grab her, but she had the door closed in his face before he
had the chance. She locked it and leaned against it, smiling even as he
banged on it from the other side.
   “Open this door, wench!”
   “No.I have to get dressed. Go and play with your brothers, dragon. I’ll
see you at dinner.”
   “Evil tease.” She heard his body lean up against the door, and his
whispered words made it into the room like a warm, caressing wind. “I’ll
make you pay for this tonight, sweet Talaith. I promise you that.”
   As always, he moved silently in his human form, but she still knew
when he’d walked away from the door.
   Talaith took slow, easy breaths and tried hard to get her body under
control. She couldn’t go down to dinner with her nipples burrowing
through the dress and her wet sex leaving marks on her chair.
   “It would be unseemly,” she said to no one in particular, then she
laughed and it felt so good.


                                    zzz

   Briec sat back in the chair, staring at Talaith as she did her best to
ignore him and continue to listen to Gwenvael tell a completely


                                         -307-
                                Shelly Laurenston



inappropriate tale about himself and several young maids whose poor
father caught them in his stables.
    It had been a long, painful meal. At least for his cock. Although he
did have to admit, if he weren’t so rock hard and desperate to get inside
Talaith, it would have been a pleasant dinner with his kin.
    At first, though, Briec wasn’t so sure that would be the case.
Fearghus kept glowering at Talaith over his wine. But by the third time,
when Briec thought for sure he’d have to beat his brother to death,
Annwyl’s hand slipped under the table. Briec quickly realized that
without breaking conversation with Morfyd who sat on the other side of
her, Annwyl had taken a rather firm hold of her mate and apparently had
no intention of letting go. After that, Fearghus paid attention to no one
but Annwyl.
    Morfyd shook her head in disgust. “That poor man.”
    “What?” Gwenvael demanded with a smile. “They couldn’t remain
virgins forever.”
    “Oh, that’s it.” Morfyd stood. “I’ve heard enough. The full moon rises,
I have things I must do, and I’m finding you, brother, quite vile.”
    “You know you love me.”
    “Only because our mother insists upon it.”
    Morfyd grabbed hold of her satchel and headed out. They never
questioned their sister’s witchcraft, they simply appreciated it.
    “I’ll see all of you on the morrow.”
    Éibhear stood as Morfyd walked from the Great Hall. “I have this
intense urge to go flying. Like to come, Gwenvael?”
    “No, little brother. I have some other plans.”
    Now sitting on her mate’s lap, Annwyl leaned forward. “Take care you
oversized slag. I hear one more complaint about you and I’ll—”
    “And you’ll what, dear sister?” Gwenvael challenged. “You’ll what?”


                                       -308-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Her eyes narrowed. “Perhaps you should ask your father that.”
   Fearghus really should stop looking so proud when she mentioned
that past incident. It did nothing but offend their parents.
   “Evil wench,” Gwenvael teased.
   “Shameless dragon.”
   Gwenvael stood. “Shame is for the weak and the humans. No offense,
Talaith.”
   “None taken,” she laughed.
   “But it’s such a stupid emotion, don’t you think?”
   Annwyl snuggled back into Fearghus’ body, wrapping her arms tight
around his waist. “Then it fits you perfectly, eh Gwenvael?”
   Giving an arrogant snort, Gwenvael followed his sister and younger
brother out. That left the few servants cleaning up and the two couples.
   Briec stared hard at Talaith. He’d grown bored with his kin. He
wanted her.
   “You ate all the dessert,” he accused.
   “Was that entire cow not enough of a meal for you, dragon?”
   “I barely got any. Between you and my brothers. Besides, you should
have made sure I was well fed. Isn’t that one of your duties?”
   Her eyes narrowed, but he saw the lust in them. “I have no duties,
you scaly bastard. And I never will.”
   “Well…” Annwyl interrupted, although Briec never turned from
Talaith. “As entertaining as this is, we’re off. Oh, and Talaith, let Izzy
know she can stop at the practice field after mid-meal tomorrow.”
   Talaith’s eyes turned from lustful to panic in a heartbeat, her head
swinging around to freeze Annwyl right where she was. “What?”
   Annwyl sat back down in Fearghus’ lap. “What what?”
   “Why does Izzy want to come to the practice field?”
   “Arrow in the dark…to watch us practice?”


                                        -309-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    “Don’t get sarcastic with me, my liege. My daughter will not be
watching anyone practice anything.”
    “Why are you so upset? It’s not like I asked your brat to join my
army.”
    Talaith pointed a finger at the one woman who could legally have her
beheaded. “And you just keep it that way.”
    “Are you threatening me? I just want to be clear. Are you threatening
me?”
    Rolling his eyes, Briec glanced at his brother who appeared equally
bored. But when Fearghus’ eyes looked past him, a deep frown dragging
his black brows low, Briec turned to see what he was staring at.
    It was moonlight. But, for some unknown reason, it wasn’t white or
silver, it was orange and yellow…like flames. And it spread throughout
the room, filling the Great Hall.
    The brothers continued to watch as their women argued. Until
Talaith’s gasp caught his attention.
    “Look at that,” she whispered, staring at the oddly colored moonlight.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. It’s beautiful.” Talaith glanced at him
then…and grinned.
    Like a battering ram, that smile snatched his breath away and
destroyed his ability to think. He gripped the arms of his chair and
fought hard—so very hard—for control. But he sensed it was a losing
battle.
    Talaith’s smile faded. She stared at him in wide-eyed silence. She
knew something was wrong, she merely didn’t know what.
    Of course, neither did he. All Briec knew was that he had to have her.
Not just have her either. He had to Claim her. Make her his own. He had
to bury himself inside her until the two suns rose. He needed to fill her
with his seed until it lubricated her eyes. His desire for it overwhelmed


                                       -310-
                            The Distressing Damsel



his logic. No matter what his rational mind told him, he couldn’t stop his
body’s response to her.
   “Fearghus, wait!” He tore his eyes away from Talaith to see his
brother standing up, Annwyl tight in his arms. He looked at Fearghus’
face and both dragons realized they were feeling the same thing. The
overwhelming desire to lay claim to what they considered theirs.
   Growling, Fearghus carried an arguing Annwyl out of the Great Hall.
   Briec locked his sights on Talaith, who stared at him with wide brown
eyes. He watched her closely as she pushed her chair back and carefully
stood. He continued watching her while she slowly moved toward the
stairs. He expected this was how humans acted when they were around a
wild jungle cat or a vicious dog. Thinking that if they didn’t startle the
beast or make any sudden movements, they’d make it back to the safety
of their homes.
   Too bad it wouldn’t be that way for Talaith.


                                 zzz

   Talaith made it as far as the bottom step, before she stopped. As soon
as she’d seen that strange light coming from the moon, she knew
something was very wrong. Not deadly, but not right either. She sensed it
had taken over the entire castle. Then when Fearghus dragged a
struggling Annwyl from the room, she knew she’d been right.
   Now she glanced back at Briec. But she realized that had been a
mistake. Because he growled and she squealed and took off. Up the
stairs and toward her room, but he was right behind her. She could feel
him closing the distance between them, reveling in the chase. The
bloodlust pounding through his ears and his system.




                                      -311-
                                    Shelly Laurenston



    She made it back to her room and had barely enough time to slam
the door shut, but his hand was there, shoving it open. She stumbled
back, watching Briec move into the room. His eyes locked on her like a
lion’s locked on a deer.
    He kicked the door closed with his foot and turned the key, trapping
her. “Come to me, Talaith.”
    “Oh, you must be joking.” She moved around the bed, although she
knew it wouldn’t really keep him from her.
    “Talaith. I need you.” Nice words, except he was already pulling off
his surcoat and chainmail shirt. “Don’t deny me. Not tonight.”
    “You’re not yourself, Briec.”
    “Sorry, love. That’s not quite true.” He walked toward her, while
yanking off his boots at the same time. “My body’s human, but at the
moment you’re dealing with pure dragon.”
    “I find that a little scary.”
    “I need you, Talaith,” he said again. “Tonight I Claim you. Tonight I
make you mine.”
    Her mind screamed at her to run away, to take the blade she had
hidden under her dress and cut his soft human throat. But her
body…her body wanted to lay on the bed and open up to him like a
sacrificial offering.
    “Briec, it’s just—”
    “No, Talaith. No words tonight. Just say ‘yes’ and leave the rest to
me.” He stood before her naked now. Eeeck! True, it was all her
imagination but his shaft looked ten times bigger. He held his hand out
to her. “Please, Talaith. Please.”
    She knew he fought his own body’s urges. She knew he was
desperately fighting whatever had control of him so he didn’t terrify her.
She wasn’t terrified, though. Not of Briec. Not even when he was like this.


                                           -312-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   Knowing that, she walked up to him and placed her hand inside his
much bigger one. He let out a sigh, taking firm hold of it and tugging her
closer. It looked like he was about to kiss her, but he suddenly stopped.
His eyes closed and he once again fought for control.
   “You know I love you, don’t you, Talaith?”
   “Aye.”
   “As you love me?”
   Now or never, Talaith. “Aye.”
   His eyes opened. “So please, when this night’s over…please
remember that.”
   Then he ripped the dress from her body.


                                   zzz

   Suddenly feeling exhausted, Morfyd sat against a large tree,
overlooking one of the biggest lakes on Garbhán Isle. It was getting late.
She had important protection spells and rituals to perform. The powerful
Black Moon of the Fire Dragon would only be full for a little while longer.
But she was so tired.
   She didn’t understand it. She hadn’t walked that far from the castle.
   “Mind some company?”
   She looked up to see Brastias standing over her. Anyone else she’d
tell them to leave her be, but this was Brastias. She never seemed to get
any time alone with him. She moved over a bit and patted the ground
near her.
   “Please.”
   He sat beside her, his chainmail shirt brushing against her arm. She
caught his scent and closed her eyes to enjoy it fully. He smelled
wonderful.


                                      -313-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”
    “No. I was going to do a few things, but I’m suddenly so tired.”
    “Are you all right?”
    She nodded. “Aye. It’s been an extremely tense few months. I’m sure
my body is simply exhausted from it all. I think I need to sleep a few days
to make up for it.”
    Brastias smiled, his arms resting on his raised knees. “More like a
few weeks.”
    “You’re probably right.” She looked at his face. “You look tired, too.”
    He leaned his body back against the tree. “All of a sudden, I am.” He
shrugged. “And I came all the way out here just to get a chance to talk to
you alone.”
    Morfyd barely stifled a yawn. “About what?”
    Closing his eyes and resting his back against the tree, he muttered,
“It can wait.”
    “Good.” Morfyd relaxed against him and rested her head on his
shoulder. “You don’t mind do you?”
    But he was already snoring and she soon followed him to sleep.


                                   zzz

    Éibhear silently watched Talaith’s daughter almost slice her face
open with the sword she’d been playing with for the last half hour. He’d
been flying when he caught her scent far from the castle. Worried
someone had taken her, he tracked her to this rather open glen where
the light from the full moon gave her enough illumination to play warrior.
    His only plan had been to sit back and watch her, then make sure
she got back to the castle safely. But at this rate, she’d cut her own
throat. Who gave her that thing anyway? Then it suddenly occurred to


                                       -314-
                             The Distressing Damsel



him it was the sword he’d been looking for. “Dirty, thieving, little cow,” he
snarled.
   When she got the blade stuck in a tree trunk, he moved forward
silently. He waited until his snout was barely inches from her neck,
before he shouted, “And what the hell do you think you’re doing?”
   Screeching, the young girl spun around and punched Éibhear dead
in the snout. It didn’t hurt as much as it startled him, but he still moved
back from her. But as soon as she saw who he was, she immediately
calmed down.
   “Oh,” she said with obvious lack of interest, “it’s you.”
   “Yes. Me.”
   “I thought it was someone scary.” And with that, she went back to
trying to get the sword out of the tree trunk.
   Spoiled little heifer.
   “Are you going to stand there and stare at me or are you going to help
me?” At this point, she had both her feet planted on the tree while
desperately pulling on the sword’s hilt.
   Éibhear had to admit, she must have some strength if she got it
stuck in that far.
   “I’d prefer you tell me what you’re doing out here…alone?”
   “Have we lost track of my mother, that you feel the need to fill in for
her?”
   Why you little…
   “Look, I care about Talaith. And for some unknown reason she’d
actually care if something happened to you. So I’m here to make sure
you’re safe.”
   “Care about her do you? Well I hate to dash any of your hopes, but
Briec got to her first. And I like him. He’s perfect for her. You, however,
are not.”


                                       -315-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



       Éibhear took a deep breath to calm his growing rage, when the blade
suddenly dislodged, flew from her hands and skittered past him. Another
inch it would have embedded itself in his forehead.
       “That is it!” he roared, uncaring if he woke up all of Dark Plains. “I’m
taking you back right now!”
       When the blade dislodged from the tree, she’d lost her footing and
landed flat on her back. Now she stared up at him with wide light-brown
eyes.
       “By the gods, are you all right?” She scrambled to her feet. “Did that
cut you?”
       He heard the concern in her voice, but chose to ignore it. “Move.”
       “All right. No need to yell at me. I didn’t throw that at you on
purpose.”
       She easily picked up the sword he’d seen grown men struggle with
and headed back toward the castle.
       “And when we get back, you’ll put my sword right back where you got
it.”
       “Oh, don’t get all moral on me. I was only borrowing it.”
       “Don’t even try to explain it. There is no ‘borrowing’ where dragons
are concerned.”
       “Fine. You know, dragon, this would go much faster if you flew me
there.”
       True, the trek back to the castle was not a short one, but there was
no way he was placing this spoiled brat on his back.
       “Forget it and keep walking.”
       “Fine.”
       She picked up her step and Éibhear glanced up to judge how far the
castle actually was from them and how much longer he’d have to endure
her presence. And that’s when he saw it. The moon hovered over the


                                         -316-
                              The Distressing Damsel



castle, orange and yellow light bathing the white stone so that appeared
as if flame surrounded the building. He didn’t need anyone to tell him
something was very wrong with what he was seeing. Magick of some
kind, yet he didn’t feel any sense of pain or suffering. Actually, when he
allowed his senses to expand out, he felt something else all together.
Something that made his loins tighten.
   He looked down at the young girl he’d gamble his treasure was still a
virgin. He rolled his eyes. He couldn’t let her go back there. At least not
tonight.
   “Wait.” He slammed his tail on the ground in front of her. “Perhaps
I’m being—”
   “Oooh. Can I play with your tail again?”
   She reached for it and Éibhear yanked it back. “No!”
   “Well, you don’t have to yell at me.”
   All he wanted to do was throw this girl back at her mother and fly
away, hopefully never to see her again. But that wouldn’t happen
anytime soon. So, he steeled his already taut nerves and stared down at
her.
   “No. You cannot play with my tail. But if you really want to go
flying—”
   Before he even finished the words, she squealed, grabbed hold of his
mane and scrambled up onto his back.
   Stunned, he sat there for a moment. He’d never known a human so
immediately comfortable with who and what he was. Even Annwyl took a
little time to get completely comfortable with Fearghus.
   “Go, go, go! I want to fly!”
   “Calm down!” This is going to be a long night.
   He turned and walked off the other way.
   “Aren’t we going to the castle?”


                                        -317-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    “That’ll be too short a trip. I thought I’d take you out for a bit.” At
least until that moon goes back to wherever it came from. “But no
screaming or anything. People are trying to sleep.”
    “Yes, sir.”
    Éibhear grunted, pleased he’d finally gotten her to calm down at least
a little.
    “You have gorgeous hair, you know. I love the color.”
    “Thank you.”
    “Can I put warrior braids in it?”
    “No you can not!”
    “I was only asking.”
    Then he heard the little brat giggle and as he took off, heading away
from Garbhán Isle and that moon, he debated whether to spin over onto
his back and let her take her chances. But that seemed wrong.
    Damn his morals.




                                        -318-
                           The Distressing Damsel




               Chapter Twenty-Three

   Still waking up, Brastias held Morfyd tight against him. Her body
warm, she smelled wonderful. He kissed her forehead, her cheek. She
moaned and snuggled closer to him, her lips brushing his jaw.
   With a smile, he kissed her. Her hands clutched at his shoulders,
tugging him closer. One of her long legs wrapped around his waist as he
gently moved her to her back, his tongue lazily exploring the wet warmth
of her mouth.
   Sighing, her hands buried in his short hair, Morfyd teasingly sucked
on his tongue, playfully torturing him with a mere taste of what she
could do to his cock.
   Pulling back slightly, he licked her lips. He could spend hours merely
kissing this female. Although he was sure he couldn’t last hours. He
pushed his erection against her mound and she groaned…then she froze.
He felt the change in her down to his toes. Forcing himself fully awake,
Brastias leaned back and stared down into Morfyd’s beautiful blue eyes.
And that’s when he saw pure panic.
   “Morfyd?”
   “Oh, gods!” She pushed him off her with one good shove, and
scrambled out from under him. Somewhere during the night, the
majority of her clothes went missing. She grabbed up her robe and
satchel.



                                     -319-
                              Shelly Laurenston



   “I…uh…” She looked at him one more time. “Well…see ya.” she
screamed, her face flush with embarrassment and horror. Then she ran.
He didn’t know the dragon could move that fast as human.
   Brastias dropped back onto the hard, unforgiving ground and stared
up at the two suns.
   Stared and wondered when last he may have seen his leggings.


                                 zzz

   It was late morning when Talaith finally opened her eyes. The
insistent knock at the door forcing her awake.
   “Hold,” she squeaked.
   She looked at Briec. On his stomach, his face turned away from her,
Briec’s arm still held her captive at his side. She reached over and poked
him with a finger. He didn’t even move. Not surprising. Not after last
night.
   She pushed his arm off and slowly swung her legs off the bed. She
winced and shuddered from the pain. Her entire body sore and well-
used, sticky from sweat and other fluids, she wasn’t sure she could
actually make it to the door. After a few moments of sitting, she grabbed
one of the furs from the bed and wrapped it around her. Shuffling slowly
she made her way over to the door, unlocked it and let the servants in.
   Like every morning since she’d been at Garbhán Isle, they brought
hot water for her bath. She waited while they filled the tub and then she
dismissed them.
   Talaith closed the door and made her way to the tub. Dropping the
fur at her feet, she stepped into it and eased herself into the water, her
body screaming in protest the entire time. Once she was in, she dunked
her head under the water and proceeded to scrub herself clean.


                                     -320-
                               The Distressing Damsel



    Her exhaustion bone deep, every muscle sore. Her lips, nipple, sex
sensitive to the touch. She had no idea what happened last night, but
she’d be feeling its effects for days.
    Over and over again, Briec took her. He was relentless and she was
demanding. Sometimes he’d take her four or five times in a row. As soon
as he’d climax, he’d flip her over and, still erect, start again.
    She wished she could say the whole thing was some kind of horrible
experience, but she’d be lying. Except for the aftermath to her body and
the accidental burning of her back during the night, she enjoyed every
second, and quickly lost count of her climaxes. The few times he did
stop, the break wouldn’t last long. And just as she began to slip into a
deep sleep, he’d start kissing her again, fucking her again. Making her
beg for everything he had to give.
    Finally, when the first rays of the two suns peeked out, he’d climaxed
one last time before passing out on top of her. Thankfully she had
enough energy left to heave herself out from under him before dropping
off to sleep as well, or he would have awoken to a crushed Talaith.
    After soaking until the water turned cold, Talaith dropped herself
from the tub and dried off. She bit her lip to keep her moans and groans
in as her muscles screamed at all her movement. She knew enough of
healing to know if she went back to bed, as much as she may want to,
her body would cramp up and she would be unable to walk or do much
of anything for days.
    Somehow she managed to pull on a soft black dress, since the
thought of anything touching her sex, even leggings, almost sent her into
a crying tantrum. She brushed her hair off her face, and headed toward
the Great Hall. She got halfway down the stairs when she stopped and
sat down heavily, unable to go a step farther.



                                         -321-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



   Talaith had no idea how long she was sitting there like that when
Morfyd found her.
   “Gods, sister. Are you all right?”
   She couldn’t hold back the tears any longer…her entire body hurt
more than she could say.
   “No.” Talaith shook her head as tears streamed down her face.
   Morfyd crouched beside her. “What is it? What’s wrong?”
   “My entire body hurts. I can’t walk.”
   “You mean sore? Or something else?”
   “Sore.” So very, very sore.
   “All right. I’ve got something for that. Come, sister.” The witch slipped
an arm around her waist and lifted her up. Being that she was actually a
dragon, Talaith didn’t worry she might be too heavy for Morfyd. The
female basically carried her to the Great Hall.
   It surprised her to find it deserted. Usually, this time of morning, the
Great Hall fairly buzzed with activity. But today it was merely the two of
them.
   “Where is everyone?”
   Morfyd sat her in a chair at the dining table.
   “Recovering, I suspect.”
   “Something happened last night. What?”
   “I don’t know. I passed out by the lake last night. I woke up
with…um…I woke up and had no idea where I was or how I got there.
Although I think I’m glad I left. I’d hate to think what would have
happened if I were actually here.”
   Morfyd dug into her satchel and pulled out several jars of herbs. She
grabbed a bottle of wine, poured some into a chalice and then mixed in
some herbs.
   “Here. Drink this. Straight down.”


                                        -322-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   With shaky hands, Talaith took the chalice from Morfyd and did as
she ordered.
   “Good.” Morfyd took the now-empty chalice from her. “Give it a few
minutes and you’ll be amazed how well it works.”
   “What about everyone else here?”
   “Those who lived away from the castle are fine, although from what I
can tell they slept quite deeply. The few servants who’ve been bustling
around this morning are all those who lived with their families off the
castle grounds.”
   “And the ones who live here?”
   Morfyd winced. “Aren’t much better than you, I’m afraid. But I’ve
already made them a batch of what I just gave you.”
   As Morfyd said the words, a soft warmth spread throughout Talaith’s
body, and the brutally painful soreness seemed to wash away like so
much sand during a high tide.
   Morfyd studied her closely. “Feel better?”
   “Aye.” Talaith smiled in relief. “Aye, I do. Gods, thank you, Morfyd.”
   “You’ll have to drink some more tonight before you go to bed. But by
tomorrow you should be completely fine.”
   Talaith wanted to hug the woman, but decided against it. Instead,
she stood and took several tentative steps. Her smile turned to a grin.
Even the soreness between her legs had melted away.
   “I’m getting the ingredients to that miracle concoction, Morfyd.”
   Morfyd laughed as rose to her feet, watching Talaith walk around in
front of her. “Of course. With your skills I have no fears you’ll make it
wrong.”
   “Mmmhm. It even helped with this burn.” She very lightly reached
back and brushed her fingertips along the burn marks peeking out from
under her dress.


                                      -323-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    “I have to admit…that did surprise me.”
    “Why? Have you never accidentally burned one of your lovers during
a lusty bedding?” she joked.
    Morfyd took the chalice back from Talaith. “Accidentally?”
    “Aye. Do you have something for burns? I’d prefer not to have to live
with the scars if I don’t have to.”
    Coughing out an uncomfortable, awkward laugh, Morfyd pulled the
shoulder of Talaith’s dress down a bit. “Uh…Talaith. This was no
accident.”
    “What do you mean?” That didn’t make sense. Briec had never hurt
her, intentionally or otherwise. Even last night, when his lust got the
best of him, he still made her feel cherished, cared for, and so very loved.
    “I mean Briec marked you last night. He Claimed you as his own.”
    He’d Claimed her. Briec’s desperately spoken words floated back to
her, “Tonight I Claim you. Tonight I make you mine.”
    “Didn’t he tell you?”
    “Does it look like he told me?” Talaith screamed in fury, the full weight
of what he’d done slamming down on her. “That arrogant bastard. I’ll kill
him.”
    “Talaith, I don’t think it was anything he could control.”
    She stalked up to Morfyd, ignoring the fact the female towered over
her. “Are you saying if the kitchen maids were with him last night, he
would have done the same? Are you telling me this is meaningless?”
    “No. That’s not what I mean at all. What I think is that Claiming you
was something he’d already planned. Knowing Briec he’d planned to
wait. To discuss it with you first. At the very least tell you he was going
to do it.”
    “Really? Is that what you think, sister? How fascinating your load of
centaur shit is.”


                                       -324-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Perhaps you should calm down.”
   “Perhaps you should fuck off!”
   Talaith stalked over to the open archway of the Great Hall and stared
out over the courtyard. Trying to get control of her enormous panic. He’d
Claimed her. Gods, what did that mean? Exactly what would he expect of
her? She wouldn’t lie to herself, if Briec had asked her, she would have
said “yes” and stayed with him forever. Not hard, because she loved him.
But, more importantly, it would have been her choice. That’s all she
wanted these days. To have a choice. But he’d taken that from her.
   Trying desperately not to cry, she watched the soldiers prepare for
the presence of Lord Hamish and his army in a few weeks time.
   Talaith stared and debated what she would do. And that’s when they
came around the corner. Éibhear in chainmail shirt and leggings and
Iseabail in the leather leggings and the soft oversized cotton shirt she’d
been wearing the night before.
   Iseabail, talking non-stop as always, followed behind Éibhear like a
puppy. They reached the steps of the Great Hall entrance and Éibhear
stopped, turning around to grab Izzy by her shirt and pulling her onto
her tiptoes.
   “Please. For the love of all that’s holy, woman—stop talking!”
   “Well you don’t have to yell at me. I was merely saying…”
   Éibhear, growling like an enormous bear in the woods, released her
daughter and stalked up the stairs. Izzy still behind him. Still talking.
   As Éibhear walked past her, muttering, “Good day, Talaith,” she
briefly wondered when everything turned a bright, blood red.
   Thoroughly branded, thoroughly fucked, and thoroughly pissed off,
Talaith let the full range of her anger loose…and she let it loose on
Éibhear.



                                       -325-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Talaith grabbed Éibhear by the front of his chainmail shirt and, using
the strength of her ancestors, swung him around and slammed him
against the wall.
   One hand shoved against his throat, she pinned him to the spot,
while retrieving her blade with the other and placing the point of it
against his jugular.
   “What did you do?” she shouted in his face.
   “What? What are you talking about?”
   “To Izzy! What did you do to Izzy?”
   “Nothing.” Éibhear stared at Talaith, his silver eyes desperate. “I
swear!”
   “Mother, let him go!” She could hear her daughter pleading with her,
but barely. The rushing in her ears drowned out almost all other sounds.
   This…this was the final straw. If these dragons thought they’d get her
daughter too—not in her lifetime.
   “Tell me what you did!”
   “He only took me flying last night,” Iseabail fairly screamed.
   Talaith glared at Éibhear. “Is that what you told her it was called?”
she yelled in his face.
   “No!”
   Morfyd stood on the other side of her, “Woman, get your hands off my
brother.”
   “Not ‘til he tells me what he did to her. This way I’ll know whether to
cut off only his balls or the entire bloody thing!”
   Éibhear’s eyes darted to his sister’s. “Morfyd…”
   She sighed. “Éibhear, tell us what happened.”
   Éibhear kept his focus on his sister, then spit it all out in a rush: “I
was out flying last night when I saw this one alone, far from the castle. I
was going to make her come back here, but when I looked I saw the


                                       -326-
                              The Distressing Damsel



moon and it just didn’t look right and it was hovering over the castle as if
suspended there. I was afraid to bring her back here, so I took her flying.
I showed her around Dark Plains until I grew tired. We were near Dark
Glen, so I took her to Fearghus’ den, because I knew it would be safe. We
stayed there the night, but I swear I never touched her!”
   “It’s true, mum,” Iseabail pleaded. “I swear it.”
   He spoke true. She could see it and sense it. But she still hated all
dragons at the moment. “Then you best keep it that way, dragon.”
   Finally she pulled away from him, lowering her blade to her side.
   Talaith turned and took several steps away, when she heard the pair
arguing in hushed whispers.
   “See what you got me into? I’m never helping you again, brat.”
   “I should have let my mother skewer you.”
   Without looking at them, she snapped. “You two stop that. Right this
minute.”
   They both stopped.
   She motioned to the stairs with her head. “Iseabail get up to your
room and take a bath. I’ll be up in a few minutes to discuss why you left
the safety of this castle in the middle of the night.”
   “But, I—”
   “Move!”
   Giving one last glare to Éibhear, her daughter stormed off, brushing
past a slow-moving Annwyl who practically crawled down the stairs.
   Somehow the warrior queen managed to dress in what Talaith now
knew to be Annwyl’s everyday wear as opposed to her battle wear—
sleeveless chainmail shirt, leather leggings and leather boots.
   “Morfyd,” she whined.




                                        -327-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “It’s all right, Annwyl.” Morfyd’s voice sounded tight and angry, but
clearly she decided not to push a confrontation. Good plan. Talaith may
not be dragon, but at the moment she could kill anything mortal.
   As Annwyl slowly made her way to the dining table, Morfyd quickly
mixed up another chalice full of her brew, using her finger to stir all the
ingredients. A servant passed her when she was done, so she handed it
to him and motioned to Annwyl.
   Annwyl took it, but before drinking said, “Well, I know I like finger
with my wine.”
   “Drink it, you whiny cow.”
   “Someone’s in a bad mood.” Annwyl swigged the wine back with one
gulp, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. She dropped the
chalice to the table. “How long before this works?”
   “Couple of minutes.”
   “Good.” Using both hands, Annwyl leaned against the dining table.
   But it seemed fate played against Annwyl this beautiful morning as
one of her soldiers stepped into the Great Hall. “Annwyl, we need you.”
   Annwyl sighed and, even though the drink most likely had not
worked yet, somehow forced herself to straighten up and walk toward her
soldier. Talaith guessed it wouldn’t do for the queen to be indisposed
because her mate fucked her silly the night before.
   Talaith admitted the woman had some mighty strength, though.
Where Talaith cried and simpered like a babe, Annwyl simply pretended
it never happened. Better woman than me.
   Annwyl slid past Morfyd and Talaith who’d kept their backs to each
other.
   But as soon as Annwyl passed the women, they both knew. Startled,
they turned and looked at each other, their moment of anger quickly
forgotten. They watched Annwyl make her faulty way toward the


                                       -328-
                               The Distressing Damsel



archway. Once she got there, she suddenly grabbed the wood molding
and doubled over.
    Morfyd and Talaith ran to her side, but by then she was throwing
back up everything she’d drunk. Not surprising. Talaith saw the kind of
herbs Morfyd had in that drink. Ones that, among many other things,
would prevent a woman from becoming with child.
    Too late for that.
    Morfyd took hold of one arm while Talaith grabbed the other. Morfyd
motioned to the soldier. “Find Brastias or Danelin. They must help you.
The queen is ill.”
    The young soldier nodded and ran off while the two women dragged
Annwyl back into the castle.
    They sat her down at the dining table and Morfyd crouched in front of
her. “Annwyl? Can you hear me?”
    Annwyl frowned at the witch. “Of course I can hear you. Gods,
Morfyd, I’m only sick from last night’s antics. And you can blame your
virile brother for that. So stop looking as if I’m at death’s door. I already
feel better.”
    Morfyd rubbed her eyes with two fingers. “All night, Annwyl? You
were with him all night?”
    Annwyl’s frown deepened. “Of course, I was. Where else would I be?
Besides,” she muttered softly, “he wouldn’t let me go.”
    She looked between the two women. “All right, witches. Fess up.
What’s going on? Why do you both look like that?”
    Morfyd took Annwyl’s hands within her own. It seemed a caring
gesture, but Talaith guessed it was because Morfyd wanted to control
where those hands went when Annwyl found out the truth.
    “Sister—”
    “Spit it out, Morfyd. I grow more annoyed by the second.”


                                         -329-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



   “Fine. There’s something you should know.”
   “Which is?”
   “Annwyl…you are with child.”
   Annwyl snorted. “Of course I am. I lay eggs in two days time.” She
chuckled at her own joke until she realized the two witches weren’t
laughing. She glanced between them. “You’re wrong, of course.”
   “No, sister. I’m not. You’re with child.”
   Pulling her hands back, “So what are you saying? That I betrayed
your brother? That I was with another? Because that never happened.”
   “I know. Yesterday you weren’t with child. And today, after the entire
night with Fearghus, you are.”
   “You said humans and dragons could not breed. You said it was
impossible.”
   “And, normally, it is.”
   “Normally?”
   Morfyd shrugged. “The gods sometimes change their minds.”
   The two witches barely moved in time, Talaith finally having the
chance to experience the full extent of Annwyl’s rage as it exploded
around them.


                                    zzz

   Briec sat on the end of his bed. Freshly bathed and dressed, he held
his head in his hands.
   By the dark gods of fire, what had he done last night? What had he
done to Talaith? Would she ever forgive him? Could he ever forgive
himself?




                                        -330-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   He wasn’t surprised when his door slowly opened and Fearghus stood
in the doorway. His black hair hid half his face and he could barely meet
Briec’s eyes.
   Fearghus shook his head. “So this is shame, brother?”
   “Aye…and I like it even less than heartbreak.”
   Éibhear appeared beside Fearghus.
   “Your woman is insane.”
   Fearghus frowned. “Annwyl?”
   “Not your woman. His woman. She almost cut my throat.”
   Briec’s eyes narrowed. He felt more protective of her now than ever
before. Of course, before he hadn’t taken her like an animal from night
until well into the morn. “Why? What did you do?”
   “I protected her daughter.”
   Fearghus groaned. “Oh, gods…Izzy. Tell me she wasn’t here last
night.”
   “She wasn’t. I found her off playing with my sword.”
   Fearghus finally laughed while Briec’s eye twitched. “What the hell
does that mean?”
   “She stole the blade Annwyl gave me. I found her training with it. Her
words, mind you. I’m surprised she didn’t cut her own throat.”
   Briec let out a breath. The thought of even one of his kin taking
advantage of his woman’s daughter made him feel like Bercelak when it
came to Keita and Morfyd. More than one dragon had lost his wing to
Bercelak’s protective nature. And humans…well, Bercelak the Great had
enjoyed many good meals made of his daughters’ human suitors.
   “But before I could explain what happened, your woman put a blade
to my throat. And I didn’t appreciate it.”
   “My heart bleeds.”
   “And how’s Annwyl?” Fearghus asked softly.


                                       -331-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



    “Crawling. Gods, what did you do to her last night?”
    Fearghus slammed his head against the doorframe. “She’s going to
hate me.”
    “Don’t worry, Fearghus. We’ll live together, bitter and alone. Like the
Doane brothers,” Briec feebly joked.
    Glaring at Briec, Fearghus snarled, “Never say that to me again.” No
one wanted to end up like those two bitter old dragons.
    “Well, I’m going to bed,” Éibhear sighed. “It was a long night putting
up with that evil little cow.”
    “Watch what you say about my—” Briec stopped speaking but his
brothers were quicker than they usually acted.
    Fearghus grinned, enjoying the demise of Briec’s less than loyal ways
when it came to females. “Gods, brother. Were you about to call her your
daughter?”
    “What if I was?”
    “Come on, Briec,” Éibhear begged. “You can’t make that annoying
harpy part of this family. Don’t I suffer enough with you lot?”
    “Too late, brother. I Claimed Talaith last night.”
    “That was fast work. How did you get her to agree?”
    When Briec looked at the floor his brothers laughed incredulously.
“You Claimed her without her permission?” Fearghus demanded. “Have
you lost your mind?”
    “And she’s mean, brother. I didn’t realize how mean until she
threatened to take my balls. I felt like Gwenvael.”
    “Don’t make me feel worse than I already do.”
    “What do you think she’ll do when she realizes what it means?”
    “Kill me.” If he were lucky. Leave him, if he weren’t.




                                        -332-
                                The Distressing Damsel



   “Give her time, Briec. I’m sure she’ll come around.” Fearghus stood
up straight, tossing his hair off his face. “Well, I best go find my woman.
Make sure she hasn’t—”
   The roar rang through the castle, cutting off Fearghus’ words and
startling the three brothers.
   They knew that sound. Annwyl’s war cry. They’d all heard it more
than once since knowing her. But with Hamish’s armies nowhere near
Dark Plains…
   As one, they moved. Out of Talaith’s bedchamber, down the hallway,
and down the stairs to the Great Hall where they all stopped by that last
step. They stopped and stared.
   Morfyd stood beside the archway leading outside. She looked torn
between bolting for her life and shifting right there, taking the castle and
its contents with her.
   Briec’s eyes quickly searched for Talaith. He found her. She crouched
on top of one of the dragon statues that littered the hall, her blade held
firmly in her right hand. He had no idea how she got up there, but he
was grateful.
   Slowly, Fearghus moved toward Annwyl. Brave dragon his brother,
since she’d just picked up one of the dining tables made of solid wood
and threw it against the wall as if it weighed no more than a twig.
   “Annwyl?”
   “Stay away from me, Fearghus.” She sounded reasonably calm. That
couldn’t be good.
   “Annwyl, talk to me.”
   Roaring, the crazed warrior kicked the chair at her feet up, grasping
it in midair with her hands. Then she turned and let it fly. Fearghus
calmly stepped out of its way while Briec and Éibhear dived for cover.
   “Calm down.”


                                          -333-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “Go to hell.”
   Briec found it fascinating how calmly the couple spoke to each other,
although the rage coming off both practically washed the rest of them
from the room.
   “Someone mind telling me what the hell is going on?” Fearghus asked
the entire room.
   Green eyes flickered to Morfyd. “Tell him, witch. Tell him what you
told me.”
   Morfyd, not moving away from her one chance at freedom, looked at
her older brother. “Annwyl is with child.” Fearghus’ eyes narrowed at the
implication of that statement and Annwyl snorted. Morfyd held up her
hand before either could say anything. “I believe it’s yours.”
   “You believe it’s mine. Why does that not fill me with confidence?”
   “It’s definitely yours.”
   They all turned at the sound of Iseabail’s voice. “And ‘it’ is
‘they’…twins, my queen.”
   Her hands in tight fists at her side, Annwyl’s rage-filled gaze focused
on Izzy seconds before Briec stepped in front of her.
   “Don’t even think about touching her,” he growled.
   “No, no, brother. I want to know how this little girl seems to know so
much.” Annwyl leaned over to look at Izzy, a cat keeping an eye on a
mouse.
   Talaith climbed down from the statue and circled around toward Izzy.
   “I’m waiting for an answer.”
   “You can wait until the earth crumbles beneath your feet. Stay away
from her.”
   “Stop. Please. You’re all looking at this the wrong way.” Izzy stepped
around Briec, moving away from him when he tried to grab for her.



                                      -334-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Izzy,” he warned but she waved him off, her entire attention focused
on Annwyl.
   “Don’t you see? You’ve both been chosen, Annwyl. You and Fearghus.
Both chosen by a god.”
   “What god?” Fearghus demanded.
   “Rhydderch Hael, of course.”
   Briec and Morfyd looked at each other. Good gods. The girl’s
protector was Rhydderch Hael?
   “What do you mean ‘of course’?” Fearghus snapped.
   But Annwyl had bigger issues. “Chosen by Rhydderch Hael to do
what, Izzy?”
   The girl grinned. “Create the future.”
   Annwyl moved so fast, they barely had time to even register, much
less move out of her way. Luckily, Annwyl still took her rage out on the
furniture. She lifted up another chair and slammed it into the floor,
smashing it to pieces.
   “Annwyl!”
   “No, Fearghus. Stay away from me.” She walked toward the stone
wall and away from Fearghus. “You did this to me. You and all your kin!”
   “Me? Do you think for a moment I had anything to do with this?”
   “How could you not know? Last night…” Annwyl turned from her
mate, her arms wrapping around her body. “You took me again and
again and again all night. And it was only to—”
   Fearghus, his anger finally spilling out, reached Annwyl in two long
strides. He grabbed her arm and swung her around. “Is that what you
think? Do you actually think I’d do that to you?”
   “What am I supposed to think?”
   “You’re supposed to think it’s a gift from the gods,” Izzy said in that
calm, happy way she had.


                                       -335-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



    Annwyl and Fearghus looked at her and said together in complete
exasperation, “Shut up, Izzy!”


                                    zzz

    Talaith should be angry the way they spoke to her daughter, but she
would have said the same thing to Izzy. She knew the gods and their
selfish ways, and she dreaded the day Izzy found out her god differed in
no way from Arzhela or any of the others.
    Placing her hand on her daughter’s shoulder, she said, “Leave it be,
Izzy.”
    “I can’t. He needs me to tell them.”
    “Are you his messenger now?”
    “No.” She shrugged. “I think I just happen to be here.”
    Gods, Izzy. Talaith would laugh if she didn’t feel for Annwyl. It had all
fallen in to place, hadn’t it? Rhydderch Hael ensured Annwyl’s arrival
back at Garbhán Isle before the Black Moon. In order for this to work,
the couple needed to be together. It could have easily been Talaith as well
except she’d had her “one”. Thank the desert gods for something.
    Still, that all begged the question of what part Izzy and Talaith played
in all this? It was Annwyl and Fearghus Rhydderch Hael needed. Little
Izzy couldn’t merely be the messenger of his less-than-happy news.
    Fearghus seemed to calm down first. Gently, he pulled Annwyl into
his arms. Her body shuddered with each breath.
    “Gods, Fearghus…what the hell is in me?”
    Fearghus looked to Morfyd who could only shrug.
    “They’re your children, Annwyl,” Izzy piped in cheerfully. Before
Talaith could yank her back, Izzy walked up to Annwyl and Fearghus.
“Don’t you see? He didn’t choose you two because you were convenient.


                                        -336-
                              The Distressing Damsel



Or even because you were loyal to him—which, you’re actually not. But
he chose you because he could think of no other strong enough to not
only bear these children, but to protect them until they could protect
themselves. Many will want them dead, Annwyl. Many have already
started.”
    “Arzhela?”
    Izzy nodded at Morfyd’s question. “She’s the goddess of birth, among
other things. She doesn’t want your children to live and she wasn’t above
killing you to stop this.”
    “Are they dragon or human?” Fearghus asked, his arms tightening
around Annwyl. Holding her close and under control all at the same
time.
    “They’re both. They’re both of you. But nothing this world has seen
before.” Izzy stood right in front of Annwyl. “He didn’t choose lightly,
Annwyl. Your bravery, your strength…even your rage, all played a part in
his choice. He likes you,” she finished simply.
    Suddenly Annwyl laughed, pushing Fearghus’ arms off her body, and
Talaith winced at how insane it sounded. All she wanted to do was grab
her daughter and run for their lives. But she knew making any sudden
moves could set Annwyl off.
    “He can’t make the choice for you, Annwyl. Nor can he force you to do
this. As you know, there are ways to…end this if you so choose.” Izzy
glanced at Morfyd and, thankfully, walked back to her mother’s side.
“But he does ask you think on it first. Before you do anything.”
    They all stared at Annwyl, waiting for some kind of answer. All but
Éibhear. He stepped away from the wall he’d plastered himself against
and cocked his head to the side.
    “Anyone notice…no birds,” he muttered. Then he yelled, “Down!”



                                        -337-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



   The dragons moved fast. Like lightning. Briec grabbed Talaith and
Izzy around their waists, pulling them close into his body while turning
his back. Morfyd pushed Éibhear and herself up against the wall near
the doors. Fearghus stepped back and to the side as a volley of arrows
flew threw the open windows and doorways, flooding the room.
   Talaith looked up to see that the only one who didn’t move was
Annwyl. She simply stood there, watching as the arrows landed all
around her.
   Either she’s the bravest woman I’ve ever met or the craziest bitch ever
created.
   Screams and war cries came from the outside courtyard as Brastias
stumbled in to the hall, an arrow-riddled shield in his hands.
   “Annwyl…” he puffed out. “It’s Hamish.”
   Annwyl only stared at him.
   Briec released Izzy and Talaith but still used his body to shield them.
“Where is he?”
   “Outside the castle gates.”
   Fearghus shook his head. “That’s impossible. He shouldn’t have been
here for weeks.”
   “One of my men just told me. One second he and his woman were
alone in the fields—the next, Hamish and his full army were there. He
barely got them both away in time.”
   “Full army?”
   Morfyd stepped away from the wall. “Only a god could have gotten
them here like that.”
   “Arzhela’s pet,” Talaith sneered. “Her most loyal servant. He only
allowed her temples to be built in Madron. She’d originally sent Izzy to
him.”



                                        -338-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    “We don’t have much time,” Brastias went on. “They’re headed this
way. The troops are scrambling now.”
    Annwyl silently headed toward the doors.
    “Annwyl, wait,” Fearghus called after her.
    She stopped but didn’t look at him. Or any of them for that matter.
    “You have two choices, Fearghus,” she said quietly. “We can stand
here and…discuss this with the way I’m feeling at this very moment.
Or…I can go out and have my discussion with Hamish and his troops
first.” She glanced back at him, golden brown strands of hair falling
across her scarred face—but nothing could conceal the rage burning in
those green eyes. “Choose, dragon.”
    Fearghus made a sweeping gesture with his hand. “Hamish.”
    She nodded and headed toward the door, Brastias behind her, but
Fearghus’ dark voice followed her out, “But when you return, my
mate…we’ll have much to discuss.”
    Turning to his brothers, he said, “Call to the other dragons, then take
to the skies. Destroy their supply wagons and as many of their troops as
you can manage. But they know we’re here, so be careful. Morfyd…” He
looked at his sister. “Go with Annwyl. Protect her as best you can. But
don’t get close.”
    “I had no intention of it, brother.”
    Now those dark, dark eyes fell on Talaith. “Do you have healing
skills?”
    “Aye.”
    “Then set up this hall to receive our soldiers. The servants will help
you. There are other healers who will come to lend their aid.”
    Talaith nodded, relieved he’d given her a task rather than telling her
to get out. For whatever reason, it seemed the dragon had decided to
forgive what she’d almost done to his mate. Then again he did have


                                        -339-
                               Shelly Laurenston



much more pressing concerns than some little assassin with a god on
her tail. “It’s done. Should we set up another place for enemy
casualties?”
   “There won’t be any,” he said simply, before walking away.
   Talaith understood why the dragon and Annwyl were together. Well
matched those two, because no mere female could handle a dragon like
Fearghus and no human male would ever be able to sleep soundly in a
bed next to Annwyl.
   Briec took her hand. “Talaith—”
   “Wait.” She looked at Izzy. “Go to your room. Lock the door. You are
only to let me, Briec, or Achaius entry. Understand?”
   “But—”
   Talaith narrowed her eyes at her daughter. “Don’t play with me, little
girl. Do. You. Understand?”
   Izzy gazed at the floor. “Aye. I do.” Poor thing. Talaith had been
ordering her out of the room all day.
   “Then go.” With that, Iseabail disappeared up the stairs, and Talaith
turned back to Briec who hadn’t released her hand. “Go. Do what you
need to do. And when you get back, this…” she waved dramatically
indicating her back and new brand, “…will be discussed.”
   He smiled, leaned over, and kissed her shoulder. She felt it all the
way to her toes.
   “As you wish, my soft and defenseless damsel.”
   He left her. And Talaith didn’t stop watching him until a confused,
half-dressed Gwenvael stumbled up next to her. “Is it me…or did I miss
something?”




                                        -340-
                             The Distressing Damsel




                Chapter Twenty-Four

   She was pregnant. With twins, no less. How was this possible? True,
she loved her Fearghus. More than she thought she could love anyone or
anything. But still…he wasn’t human. Did he betray her for his loyalty to
the dragon gods? No. Not Fearghus. If there was one thing she could say
about her mate, he obeyed no one but himself.
   Besides, he’d been uncontrollable the night before. Not that she
didn’t enjoy it, but her dragon had been unable to stop himself.
   No, the dragon gods had used him as much as they’d used her. While
the human gods preyed on Talaith and Izzy.
   She’d really begun to detest the gods.
   “Annwyl?”
   Annwyl looked at Brastias. “What?”
   He cleared his throat. “There are more over there.”
   She glanced at the battalion of troops fighting her men. They’d been
trying to run away…from her. But her men had swarmed over them
before they got too far.
   One of the thirty bodies at her feet moved and she realized she hadn’t
killed him. She raised the blade in her hand and slammed it down with
raging force. She assured herself this one had moved on to his next life,
yanked her sword out of his body, and used the cloth Brastias handed
her to wipe the blood off her face.



                                       -341-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “Come,” she said calmly, handing the cloth back to him. “I want them
all dead before the two suns are in the western skies.”
   She headed toward the battling troops, watching her enemies flee
from her giving her so little satisfaction.


                                   zzz

   Talaith ripped the large cloth into strips as other servants set up
beds. They prepared for many wounded, although she hoped it wouldn’t
get that bad. She was to blame for all this. Arzhela sent Hamish here to
avenge the fact that Talaith didn’t do what Arzhela had sent her to do.
   Now they’d all suffer for her disobedience. Still, she’d risk everything
for Izzy. Absolutely everything.
   Having changed into comfortable leggings, boots and shirt, Talaith
was ready for anything. She finished ripping up the cloth and handed a
large pile of the material to one of the healers. Nearly done, she thought
with some quiet pride. Then she felt it. It was almost a physical thing.
   The power of the dragons receding. Like a warm fur pulled off her
naked body in a cold room. Frantically, she looked around. No one else
noticed it. Not surprising. The only ones left were the humans—because
the dragons had all gone out to fight against Hamish.
   She remembered Morfyd telling her she’d passed out at the lake the
night before. Which meant she’d been unable to reinforce any of her
protections. Which meant…
   “Gods…Izzy!”
   She’d never moved so fast before in her life, dodging around soldiers,
guards and servants as she tore through the Great Hall and up the stone
stairs toward her daughter’s room.




                                       -342-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   She’d gotten within mere feet of the door, when it burst open from the
inside. Achaius flung out and against the wall.
   “No!”
   She ran into Izzy’s room in time to see her daughter, stomach down
on the floor, literally dragged from this world into another.
   Desperate, Talaith dived for her, landing on her stomach, her hands
lacing with Izzy’s. She saw her daughter’s frightened, tear-streaked face
and then she was gone.
   “No!” she screamed again. “No! No! You bitch!”
   Talaith didn’t cry. She didn’t allow herself that luxury. Instead, she
jumped to her feet and charged from the room.
   She ran down the stairs, barking at one of the healers to go to a
thankfully still-moving Achaius, and then out of the Great Hall past the
other healers asking her questions and for further assistance. She
stormed out into the courtyard, nearly getting herself trampled by a
young soldier on horseback. Angry, the soldier pulled his horse back and
glared at Talaith.
   “Be cautious, wench. You’ll get yourself killed.”
   Snarling, she reached up and dragged the soldier off his warhorse.
She put her foot in the stirrup and hauled herself up into the saddle. She
turned the horse toward the gates leading to the battlefield. “Take me to,
Annwyl.”
   With those few words, the horse bolted.


                                  zzz

   Brastias could feel Annwyl’s growing impatience with the battle.
Soon, she would turn toward Hamish and go after their leader. He didn’t
know what happened in that hall before he arrived, but something had


                                       -343-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



brought back the Annwyl he remembered so well. He hadn’t seen her like
this since they first found her in wedding clothes and heading toward
Madron to be Hamish’s bride.
   Although she remained a brutal warrior—he knew that would never
change—she’d calmed down a bit since meeting Fearghus the Destroyer.
   Whatever happened couldn’t be good. She’d annihilated most of the
Madron army by herself while the dragons destroyed troops and supplies
from the rear. Even Morfyd, who usually fought by her side as battle
mage, kept to the air this day.
   As it was, a little while longer, Annwyl’s army would have Hamish
surrounded and then Annwyl would finally get her chance to destroy the
man.
   “General.”
   He looked at his next in command. “What?”
   “Talaith.”
   Brastias followed Danelin’s eyes and watched as Talaith rode up to
them on a warhorse most of the men stayed away from.
   “Why is she here?”
   “I have no idea.”
   Brastias called to Annwyl, “Talaith approaches!”
   Annwyl pushed the body off her sword and turned to face the woman
originally sent to kill her. The horse slid to a stop in front of the queen
and Talaith dismounted like she’d been born in a saddle.
   “Arzhela’s taken Izzy.”
   The queen’s green eyes darkened with intent. “What do you need?”
Annwyl never wasted time with useless questions like “What happened?”
or “When?” Those questions would come later.




                                         -344-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    “I need Hamish.” She looked at the hundreds of troops between
themselves and the Madron leader. “He has the key that will take me to
Izzy.”
    “I doubt he will just hand it over.”
    “He will to me…when I’m done with him.”
    Annwyl nodded. “Then follow me. And prepare to put your skills as a
killer to use, witch. Brastias, Danelin. Stay behind Talaith.”
    Annwyl faced the hordes of warriors, her two swords at the ready.
“Anything not in our colors…dies.”
    With those last words, Annwyl moved forward and destroyed all in
her way.


                                   zzz

    In the time it took Annwyl to cut through the line of men to get her to
Hamish, Talaith had only killed three soldiers. The rest who dared to
approach them, the queen dispatched with a swipe of her steel.
    No wonder Fearghus didn’t stop her from going into battle. Her rage
combined with her battle skills made her one of the deadliest warriors
Talaith had ever seen.
    Good. She needed this deadly warrior to take her to Hamish. Then
she would take it from there.
    “Take him, witch. We’ll need to deal with them.”
    Hamish’s soldiers attacked the small group, forcing Annwyl to focus
her attention elsewhere.
    Talaith looked up to see Hamish, in full armor, standing on a high
battle carriage so that he could survey the battle around him. He called
out orders to his commanders and they called orders to runners. It was a




                                        -345-
                               Shelly Laurenston



good system, but no one counted on Annwyl’s desire to kill absolutely
everything at the moment.
   “Well, well. The Betrayer.” Hamish leaned over, staring down at her
with a smirk she couldn’t wait to slap off his face. “What’s wrong, love?
Missing something?”
   His commanders surrounded the carriage, protecting him from the
ground soldiers. She had no doubt as soon as the dragons reached this
far, he’d move his location. But for now, he was feeling extremely safe.
   “You cross worlds to get to your goddess. I need the key that allows
it,” she said simply.
   “I’m sure you do, but you won’t be getting it from me. Perhaps if you
beg her or—”
   Unwilling to waste her time, Talaith slashed the throat of the guard
nearest her. Another moved on her, but she slipped out of his reach and
slashed the throat of another. She went low, slicing the inside thighs of
two guards. The back of the ankles of two others. She stuck her blade in
the kidney of another, then grabbed hold of the side of the carriage. The
blood-covered blade between her teeth, she climbed quickly using only
her arms.
   Talaith reached the top, but she had to release one hand and lean
back to avoid the sword of another soldier. He extended to grab her,
allowing Talaith to take hold of his arm and yank him off the carriage.
She easily swung herself over the top with her one arm, landing in a
crouch in front of a startled and clearly frightened Hamish.
   Finally, he went for his sword, but it was too late. Talaith removed
one of the pins from the leather of her dagger hilt.
   Talaith stuck the pin into key points on Hamish’s face.




                                      -346-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   Surprised, he only stared at her. Then he dropped, the sound of his
armor crashing to the carriage floor harsh even as the sounds of battle
and cries of dying men filled her ears.
   She slipped the pin back into her dagger and her dagger back into its
sheath. “Tell me where the key is and I’ll kill you quick. Play with me and
I’ll let you suffer like this until the poison kills you. And I assure you that
will be hours from now. Choose.”
   He didn’t answer as his body instinctively fought the effects of the
poison. But she knew it would only be a matter of time. Hamish lasted
until he’d become completely paralyzed, blood streamed from his eyes,
and green fluid poured from the side of his mouth.
   “Tell me,” she ordered.
   “Me,” he puffed out between gasps of excruciating pain.
   “What about you?”
   “Me,” he said again.
   Guessing at what he meant, Talaith went to him and proceeded to
remove his armor, cutting the leather strips that held the pieces in place.
She reached his chainmail shirt and pushed it up under his chin.
Arzhela’s talisman hung from a gold chain, both of which she’d seared
into Hamish’s flesh.
   Taking her dagger, Talaith touched the blade tip to the chain. No,
she’d have to dig it out. So she did. Burying the blade right under his
skin and ignoring Hamish’s gurgling screams, she worked the chain and
talisman from their resting place. Once she had enough to get a good
grip on, she grabbed hold and ripped up. Flesh split apart and blood flew
as she tore it from his frame.
   Once she had it, she stood.
   “Wait,” he demanded when she started to walk away. “Kill me,” he
begged. “Promised.”


                                        -347-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    “Did I? I must have been lying. Enjoy your death, Lord Hamish. May
it be long and oh so very painful.”
    Now that she had what she wanted, Talaith wasted no more time.
She went over the side of the carriage, expertly working her way down
until her feet hit land. Most of the soldiers who’d come to help Hamish
were dead, Annwyl standing in the middle of bodies and their
corresponding pieces.
    “I need Morfyd.”
    Annwyl leaned her head back and let out a blood-curdling war cry
that had the dragon turning in mid-flight and returning to them.
    She landed beside Annwyl. “You bellowed?”
    “Arzhela’s taken Izzy,” Talaith barked as she strode toward the white
dragon. “I need your help.”
    “Come.” Morfyd lowered herself so that Talaith could grab her mane
and haul herself up.
    “And Hamish?” Annwyl asked, although it no longer sounded like she
cared.
    “He’s still up there. In about two hours, his body will begin to
decay…four hours after that he should die. It’s up to you if you want to
end his suffering sooner.”
    Annwyl raised an eyebrow. “He can stay up there and suffer. Maybe
I’ll sell tickets.” She reached up and patted Talaith’s foot. “Good luck,
sister.”
    Talaith nodded, holding onto Morfyd’s mane as they took to the skies.


                                  zzz

    Briec caught the spear in his hands seconds before it would have
slammed into his shoulder. He glared down upon the soldiers who fired it


                                      -348-
                               The Distressing Damsel



at him. They used a similar device Annwyl used to throw boulders at
castles. He saw the men stare up at him and, with a snarl, he headed
toward them. The spear still tight in his grasp. As he got close, he threw
it, impaling the closest one to the device, then he sprayed row after row
of the enemy soldiers with white flame.
   When an entire battalion was no more than ashes, he landed on solid
ground and Fearghus landed next to him. His older brother surveyed the
damage he wrought and turned to him.
   “Subtle.”
   “They almost wounded me,” he growled.
   “Don’t be weak, Briec. I’m sure if you’d been hurt Talaith would have
kissed it and made it better.”
   Gwenvael landed in front of them. He spat out a pair of soldier’s
boots—actually several pairs—and burped.
   “I love a good meal.”
   Fearghus rolled his eyes. “You’ll be hacking all that up later tonight.”
   “No, I won’t. Because I cooked them. I only get ill when Morfyd cooks.
Speaking of which…” Gwenvael’s gaze traveled up and he frowned. “If I
didn’t know better I’d swear that was Talaith riding on our sister’s back.”
   Briec’s head snapped up. Gwenvael saw true. Talaith, who’d rather
eat nails than ride a dragon anywhere, clung to his sister’s back as they
headed off away from battle.
   More of Hamish’s troops took that moment to attack, but Fearghus
motioned him away. “Go. Find out what’s wrong. We’ll take care of them.”
He sneered at the soldiers before letting loose a stream of flame. Briec
wasted no more time. He took to the skies and followed his sister to one
of the many lakes that dotted the lands of Dark Plains.
   He landed as Talaith slipped from Morfyd’s back.
   “What is it? What’s wrong?”


                                         -349-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Talaith glanced at Morfyd. “Get started,” she ordered. Then she
walked over to Briec. “I have to go,” she said to him, so calmly it made
his blood run cold.
   Behind them, Morfyd began chanting, calling on the most powerful of
Magicks. He didn’t want to know why. He wanted to grab Talaith and
take her home. Back to his den where he could keep her safe.
   “Go? Go where?”
   “She’s taken Izzy, Briec.”
   He knew Talaith meant that bitch goddess, Arzhela. Briec shifted
and, as human, grabbed Talaith by the shoulders. “You can’t face her
alone.”
   “I can. And I will. You can’t protect me from this, Briec. No one can.”
   “Just listen—”
   “Shhh.” She placed her hand gently against his mouth. “There’s
nothing to discuss. Not when it comes to my Izzy. We both know that.”
   Gods, he was going to lose her. Again. “Talaith, please…please don’t
do this.”
   She smiled and he felt his heart rip apart in his chest. “I want you to
promise me something.”
   “Anything.”
   “Take care of Izzy for me. No matter what happens, protect her.”
   He cupped her cheek in his hand. “She’s my daughter as you are my
mate, little witch. She’ll always be protected by me and my kin. You’ll
never have to worry about that.”
   She nodded. “I know.” She removed the necklace he’d given her,
unable to take it with her, and pressed it into his palm. Then she said
the words he never thought he’d hear from her. “I trust you, Briec.”
   He kissed her, pouring every ounce of feeling he had for this difficult
woman into that one kiss, hoping she’d understand how much she


                                       -350-
                              The Distressing Damsel



meant to him. How much she’d always mean to him. Her kiss back was
just as strong, her hands desperately clinging to him.
    He held on until she abruptly pulled back, taking several shaky steps
away from him. “I love you, Briec,” she choked out. “I’ll always love you.
Never forget that.”
    She turned and walked away from him, into the middle of a circle his
sister had drawn in the wet, lake-side dirt with the tip of her tail. Talaith
quickly removed her clothes, tossing them out of the circle.
    She stopped briefly to take her dagger from its sheath. Then she
kicked her boots and the sheath away from the circle as well.
    Naked, Talaith knelt in the sand and raised her arms above her head.
Morfyd walked around her three times, chanting. When she stopped, the
circle roared to life with flame.
    Ignoring the fire surrounding her, she cried, “I give you my life’s
blood!” The winds suddenly whipped up, pushing Briec’s hair across his
face as he watched his woman slash her forearm. Her life’s blood poured
down her brown skin, pooling in the sand.
    “Take me!” she screamed to the howling wind.
    And then she was gone.
    Briec sat hard on the ground, his head in his hands. But he could
hear his sister’s soft words through the dying wind…
    “Peace go with you, my sister.”




                                        -351-
                                Shelly Laurenston




                Chapter Twenty-Five

   Izzy pushed herself as close to the tree as she could manage as
Arzhela walked closer to her.
   She was beautiful, Izzy’d give her that. Especially here in Arzhela’s
natural home. If she weren’t terrified, Izzy would roll in the tall grass or
climb the enormous trees with the thick branches overloaded with green,
gold and red leaves. She’d swim in the rushing river or lie under this
place’s one sun and sleep like her old dog Gruffy used to—belly up and
snoring.
   But she wasn’t with her Protectors, safe and cared for. Or torturing
the blue dragon she thought so adorable. And she definitely wasn’t safe
with her mother and her dragon love, Briec.
   Izzy was very much alone with a very angry goddess who hated her
mother beyond reason.
   I could definitely be in a better place at the moment.
   Still, she reminded herself to be thankful for the little things…at least
she was fully dressed since she came to this beautiful world with the
goddess herself. Being naked now could be quite awkward.
   Especially with Arzhela kneeling in front of her. Her gold waist-length
hair hung in thick ringlets and she wore a garland of yellow and white
flowers. Izzy didn’t think she was evil, simply a god who existed in fear.
And that’s why she ruled with fear. It was all she knew.



                                       -352-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   “Tell me, little one, all these years I could not find you. Why?”
   Did she really expect her to answer that question? Lying. Yes, at the
moment, lying was her best friend.
   “I don’t know, my…my goddess.” She stammered over the words
because Arzhela would never be a goddess she worshiped. Not ever.
   The goddess’ Crystal blue eyes narrowed on Izzy’s face. “Lie to me if
you’d like, little one. It won’t stop me from destroying your mother.”
   “Why do you hate her so much?”
   A small white hand reached out to stroke Iseabail’s cheek. Somehow
she managed not to cringe away from that touch. Instead she focused on
something else. She thought of Briec and his brother Gwenvael.
Yesterday, they’d caught her trying to mount one of the warhorses. After
warning her how dangerous it was—especially with dragons around,
which often led to unsteady horses rearing—Briec grabbed her under the
arms and swung her around. Then he tossed her to his brother, and
Gwenvael threw her in the air. She laughed and screamed until her
mother came and almost took off poor Gwenvael’s head. Even funnier
was how Briec lied and said he was just telling Gwenvael to put her
down.
   There she was safe. There she would be again. She had no doubt
about that. She would believe it until the Old Ones of Alsandair called
her home. As long as she believed it, Arzhela couldn’t touch her.
   “She’s coming for you. Nothing you can do about it,” Arzhela gloated.
   Izzy already knew that. She knew it like she knew the depth and
dimensions of the scar on her leg she obtained when she found herself
nearly impaled on a fence when she was ten.
   Her mother would come for her. And when she did, Izzy would hide
until the battle was over and her mother took her home.



                                       -353-
                               Shelly Laurenston



                                    zzz

   “You are bleeding to death.”
   Slowly, Talaith rolled on her back. “I know.”
   “Why would you cut yourself like that?”
   “I had to get your attention.”
   A black talon passed over her body. A black talon as big as her.
Normally something she’d cringe about and at, but nothing scared her at
the moment. Nothing but the thought of losing her daughter.
   “You can get up now.”
   Talaith pushed herself up. The weakness she’d been feeling when she
cut the vein in her arm was gone. She felt strong. Powerful. She stood
and raised her eyes to the awesome being before her.
   “My Lord,” she greeted while bowing her head in respect.
   He snorted. “You couldn’t make that sound right if you tried.”
   Damn. Even worse…she had been trying.
   “Please. My daughter…”
   “I know, Talaith. I know. I always know where my Izzy is.”
   She lost her ability to look contrite and fearful in front of a god. Her
eyes snapped up to Rhydderch Hael’s and she no longer bothered to hide
her anger.
   “Then why the hell did you let her go? Why did you let Arzhela take
her?”
   Rhydderch Hael revealed rows and rows and rows of fangs. A smile,
she now knew. “Now where did my scared little god-fearing mouse go?”
   “She trusts you.”
   “She trusts you more.” She wondered if that upset him, but he didn’t
seem upset.
   “What do you want from me?”


                                      -354-
                             The Distressing Damsel



    Rhydderch Hael sat his black dragon body back on his haunches.
She’d thought Briec and his brothers were enormous. Not even close. She
couldn’t even see where his body ended. She’d glimpsed the tip of his
tail, which resembled a spiked broadsword created for a giant. She also
noticed that unlike the dragons she now knew, he didn’t have two horns,
but twelve. His hair, although primarily black, had every shade she’d
ever seen in nature rippling through it. But his eyes…his eyes were
thoughtful and wise beyond the ages. They were also a bright violet. Just
like her Briec’s.
    “You’ve wondered something since Izzy came back into your life. Ask
me now.”
    She controlled her urge to tell the beast to stop testing her and help
her get her daughter back, but she’d dealt with Arzhela long enough to
know when to push a god and when not.
    Taking a deep breath, she asked honestly, “Why didn’t you just kill
me when you knew what Arzhela was up to? Why did you protect Izzy
when you could have killed me and just ended it? And killed Izzy for that
matter.”
    “Because that wouldn’t have ended it. By having you, she didn’t
bother with other attempts. If I’d killed you it would have gone on and on
until she killed Annwyl. And when Annwyl and Fearghus found each
other, I knew…knew they were the ones.”
    “The ones to breed your…” She shrugged. “What exactly are you
having them breed?”
    “Nothing she can’t handle the birth of,” he vaguely answered. “That
woman won’t let anyone or anything hurt what she loves. And she loves
like she hates—passionately and until the end of her days.”
    “And I still live because…”



                                       -355-
                              Shelly Laurenston



   “Even gods need to sleep every once in a while, Talaith. No, I needed
Annwyl to live until my Moon was full in the sky. Then I let the Magick
do the rest.”
   “Huh. Aye. Thanks for that by the way.”
   There went those fangs again. “As if you didn’t enjoy it, Briec’s sweet
Talaith.”
   Talaith blushed and looked away from the smirking bastard.
   “I knew if I protected Izzy, blocked her from Arzhela’s sight, I’d keep
her safe while forcing Arzhela to focus solely on you until she knew
exactly who she wanted dead. She couldn’t risk you meeting your
daughter before then. She just never expected Briec to be in your village
that day.”
   Talaith’s eyes snapped to Rhydderch Hael’s gold ones. “You sent
Briec?”
   “No. I don’t send anyone. Unlike you humans, my people are much
more…independent. I can open doorways, but it’s up to them to walk
through. No. I only made it rather necessary for one of Fearghus’
brothers to go. When I realized it was Briec, I knew the only way I could
ensure he would take you was if you were in danger. And even then,
there were no guarantees.”
   “You turned my husband against me.”
   “Oh, he’s always hated you. All I need do was light the flint. Of
course, I never knew Briec would keep you.” The god chuckled. “I
thought he’d drop you off in the nearest town. Izzy and her Protectors
were already headed that way and Annwyl was heading home to
Fearghus. Everything was in place as I’d been planning for years. But
when that arrogant bastard wouldn’t release you, I had to scramble for
ideas.” He looked Talaith up and down. “Although I can see why he
would keep you.”


                                     -356-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   At her glare, he continued. “I warned Morfyd of your coming—
because I knew with you still thinking Izzy was in danger, you’d continue
to be a true threat to the queen—and started the storms to slow everyone
down until you were on the move again. We had a wee bit of extra time,
so I didn’t worry much. I assumed Briec would tire of you quickly. But he
didn’t, did he? You must be quite the fantasy come to life to hold on to
our dear Briec.”
   She knew it now—she really and truly hated gods.
   “All that’s fascinating, but it still doesn’t explain—at least to my
satisfaction—why I still live.”
   “We can’t cross realms, Talaith. Not like you humans—with your soft,
pliable skin.”
   “You need me to get you into Arzhela’s realm.”
   “Someone as strong as you anyway. I could have used Annwyl, but I
have other plans for her. Besides, she’d never be able to get Arzhela’s
talisman. It would have killed her merely to touch it. But you’ve been
chosen by Arzhela herself, and she still wants you alive—even if it is for
revenge at this point.”
   His giant dragon head cocked to the side. “You do have the talisman,
don’t you?”
   Talaith held up her hand, the blood encrusted talisman still clutched
by her fingers.
   “Good. Good. Now we can get this underway. But first, you must give
yourself to me freely, Talaith, Daughter of Haldane.”
   If she’d followed the Nolwenn path she wouldn’t have called a goddess
or god to enter her until she was well into her three hundredth winter.
She wouldn’t have had the power, strength or guts to do it beforehand.
But Arzhela, damn her, made it impossible for her to wait now.



                                        -357-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Because Talaith would do anything, give anything, to make sure her
daughter made it back alive. And Rhydderch Hael knew it. He knew if
Arzhela got her hands on Izzy, Talaith would stop at nothing to get her
back. That’s why he allowed Arzhela to take her.
   At least now, Talaith had no fear as she had before. Because she
knew Rhydderch Hael would destroy Arzhela and then he would send
Izzy back to Briec. And Briec and his kin would take care of Izzy until her
daughter’s final days.
   Hell, that was more than she would have hoped for two moons ago.
   “I give myself to you freely.”
   “Good.” Then Rhydderch Hael took that talon that had healed her
only minutes before and tore her open from bowel to throat.


                                    zzz

   Arzhela smelled the little bitch as soon as she walked through the
portal. She couldn’t wait to have fun with this one.
   She couldn’t wait to pull her heart out through her mouth.
   No one betrayed her. No one.
   And if Talaith, Daughter of Haldane thought she’d be grabbing her
little scum spot and taking her out of here alive, she and that light-eyed
freak were sorely mistaken.
   Besides, she needed Talaith’s body. With it, she could get past
Rhydderch Hael’s protections and destroy Annwyl the Bloody with her
bare hands before the bitch ever had a chance to breed anything.
   But first…first she would savor this bitch’s screams.
   Plastering on her best and softest smile, she turned and faced
Talaith. Naked, which was required to pass from her world to Arzhela’s
unless escorted by a god as Iseabail was, Talaith stared at her blankly.


                                       -358-
                              The Distressing Damsel



Already terrified and Arzhela hadn’t done anything to her yet. Or her
whelp.
    “You don’t have to be afraid, Talaith,” she lied. She never felt honesty
was all that important when it came to the humans. “I merely want to
talk.”
    She walked toward Talaith, glancing at the woman’s daughter still
cowering by her favorite tree. The girl stared at her mother as if she’d
never seen her before.
    She stood a ram’s length from Talaith. “Come, my daughter. Let us
sit. And talk.” She held out her hand and Talaith looked at it blankly.
“Just talk, Talaith. I promise.”
    Talaith grabbed hold of Arzhela’s hand and that’s when Arzhela
yanked her close and wrapped her free hand around the woman’s throat.
    “Betray me, you little bitch?” she snarled. “For that, you’ll get to
watch your daughter die.”
    Talaith said nothing as she took her own free hand, grasped the one
at her throat and slowly pulled it off by bending Arzhela’s fingers back.
    Confused, Arzhela tried to fight back, but Talaith’s strength was
formidable. She dragged the goddess’ hands from her body. Once free,
she grabbed both sides of Arzhela’s head and held her.
    “My sweet, sweet Arzhela. I’ve waited so long for this. So long for
you.”
    And that’s when she knew. Arzhela knew what that betraying little
bitch had done.
    “No!” She struggled to get away but Rhydderch Hael, who’d finally
found a way into her realm, merely smiled Talaith’s smile.
    “No, no. Don’t fight, my sweet. There’s no point in fighting.”
    “Release me, Rhydderch Hael! My brothers and sisters know you’re
here. They’ll come to protect me!”


                                        -359-
                                    Shelly Laurenston



    The god shook Talaith’s head. “No. They don’t know and they won’t.
Talaith’s lovely body hides my presence nicely, does it not?”
    “Bastard,” she spit at him in her rage.
    Rhydderch Hael snorted. “Thousands and thousands of years and
you still haven’t changed, you worthless little bitch.”
    “Go to hell!”
    “You first.” He threw her—in her own realm—and she slammed into
one of the trees she loved. Landing hard on the ground, Arzhela looked
up in time to see blue, black and orange flame shoot out from Talaith’s
every pore, before it smothered Arzhela in its embrace.


                                       zzz

    Izzy watched Rhydderch Hael walk up to her in her mother’s body.
    Tears streaming down her face, she watched him crouch in front of
her.
    “What is it, my little Izzy?”
    “I want my mother.” She sounded like a child. But at the moment,
she really didn’t care. “You promised me I’d have her.”
    “And you did.”
    Her tears turned to sobs. “You can’t take her from me now. Please.
Don’t take her from me now.”
    The god tilted Talaith’s head. “I do this for you, what will you give me,
my little Izzy?”
    Now she understood what her mother had been trying to tell her all
this time—with gods there was always a price to pay. But for the woman
who gave her life for her there was no other choice.
    “My undying loyalty. That is all I have to offer. All I can willingly give.”




                                           -360-
                             The Distressing Damsel



    The god smiled her mother’s smile. “That is all any god can ask, my
little Izzy.”
    Her mother’s body stood and the god held out her mother’s hand.
“Then take my hand, little Izzy. Your dragon kin awaits you.”


                                  zzz

    Morfyd dropped her arms. “It’s no use.”
    Briec rubbed his eyes with his knuckles. “Try again.”
    “I can try until the end of time, brother. But Rhydderch Hael will do
what Rhydderch Hael wants.”
    For hours he and his kin waited. Morfyd had healed everyone’s
wounds. The lot of them shifted to human and put on their clothes. Then
they waited for Talaith and Izzy to return. But still nothing. Even when
Morfyd tried again and again to call on Rhydderch Hael, hoping he’d
send them back, nothing happened.
    “So now what?” Even Gwenvael’s frustration was showing. “We can’t
leave them there.”
    Frustrated herself, Morfyd growled, “I wasn’t planning to.”
    “Then do something!”
    Angry, Morfyd stood, the hood of her midnight-blue cloak hiding her
white hair, but not her angry crystal-blue eyes. “If you have any brilliant
ideas, little brother, then please feel free to share them. Otherwise, shut
up!”
    They barely glanced up as Fearghus glided to a stop beside the lake.
“Well?” he demanded.
    Briec, who’d been leaning against a tree, sighed. “Nothing yet.”
    “I’m sorry, brother.” And he knew Fearghus meant it. For once, the
two brothers understood each other perfectly.


                                       -361-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “And the battle?” Gwenvael asked.
   “Fought and won.” None of them were surprised. Not with Annwyl in
that particular rage.
   “And your mate?”
   “I’m not sure. I haven’t seen her. I think she’s still hoping to find
some troops left.”
   Morfyd paced impatiently between her brothers. “Maybe a sacrifice,”
she said to herself. “My blood may—”
   “No, Morfyd.” Briec shook his head. “That’s unacceptable.”
   “But, Briec, if it works—”
   “Wait.” Éibhear stepped forward. “Hear that?”
   They all became quiet, staring at the burned circle that now marked
the last spot Talaith stood.
   Éibhear’s head snapped toward the trees. “In there. I hear crying.”
   Briec moved first, following the direction Éibhear pointed. His family
right behind him, except Fearghus who flew over the treetops.
   As Briec moved, he could hear the crying. Izzy.
   He found them quickly. Izzy, sobbing hysterically over her mother,
and Talaith, laid out under a tree.
   Briec knelt beside Talaith as Izzy looked up at him. “I can’t wake her
up.” Those simple words felt like a knife through his heart. Everything
that meant anything, gone.
   Morfyd moved beside them, motioning to Gwenvael to take Izzy.
Telling her it would be all right, Gwenvael picked the girl up. Like a
young child, Izzy wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs around his
waist and openly sobbed into his shoulder.
   Moving quickly, Morfyd grabbed hold of Talaith’s wrist, then put two
fingers to her throat. Frowning, she bent down over the other woman’s
face.


                                       -362-
                               The Distressing Damsel



    “She breathes.” The brothers sagged in relief while Morfyd looked to
the skies. “Fearghus!”
    “What’s wrong?”
    Watching Fearghus lower himself to the ground, Morfyd said, “She’s
freezing.” She quickly removed her cape and wrapped it around Talaith.
“I need to get her back to Garbhán Isle and warmed up.”
    Lifting Talaith in her arms, Morfyd rushed toward Fearghus. “Meet us
back at the castle.”
    Briec watched his sister climb onto Fearghus’ back and his brother
lift into the air. He was about to follow, ready to yank off his clothes and
shift, when Gwenvael stopped him. “I don’t think it’s me she wants.”
    Confused, Briec turned and realized Izzy was blindly reaching for
him. He moved closer and immediately she wrapped her arms around his
shoulders, burying her face into his neck.
    He stared at his brothers, unsure of what to do with a sobbing girl in
his arms.
    Gwenvael leaned into him and whispered in his ear, “Tell her it’ll be
all right.”
    Holding her tight and rubbing her back, Briec said out loud, “It’ll be
all right, Izzy.”
    “Don’t…worry…about…anything,” Éibhear whispered against his
other ear.
    “Don’t worry about anything,” Briec said softly and Izzy held him
tighter. He closed his eyes and hugged her back. “We’ll take good care of
your mother, Izzy. I promise.”
    She gave a little nod. “All right then,” she said through her tears.
    His brothers walked off and he followed, Izzy still clinging to him.
“Let’s get you home, little Izzy.”



                                         -363-
                               Shelly Laurenston




                 Chapter Twenty-Six

   She woke up, but didn’t move for a good five minutes. It was in her
training. Sometimes it was smart to pretend you were dead or
unconscious until you knew exactly how horrifying your situation.
   No sounds, except for snoring. Relatively loud snoring, too. Must be
fierce, blood-thirsty monsters with that level of snoring.
   Talaith opened her eyes and looked around the room. Candles and a
lit pitfire illuminated everything quite nicely without hurting her eyes.
   Morfyd slept in a chair, curled up like a cat. Fearghus leaned against
the wall, staring up at the ceiling. Éibhear slept flat on the floor, his
arms and legs stretched out. She didn’t envy the female who would have
to sleep next to him for the next eight hundred years. Surprisingly, he
wasn’t the one snoring. That honor went to Gwenvael. Asleep in a big
chair, his big, long legs stretched out in front of him, his head thrown
back, he snored like a giant bear. Grinning, her gaze moved to the form
of her daughter. Izzy sat on a bench by the window, her legs pulled up,
her chin resting on her knees. Awake, she stared out the window into the
dark night.
   And sitting right next to her, Briec. Like Izzy and Fearghus, he was
awake, but he stared straight at Talaith, waiting for her to notice him
probably. Arrogant bastard.




                                      -364-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   They stared at each other silently. For once, Talaith knew words were
unnecessary. She could see everything she needed to see in Briec’s face.
In the way his eyes watched her and his relief at seeing her awake.
   “Mum?”
   Talaith again looked at Izzy and smiled.
   “Mum!” The girl scrambled off the bench and dived across the bed,
landing in Talaith’s outstretched arms. She hugged her daughter tight,
letting the girl hold on to her and cry into her neck.
   Morfyd stood. “It’s good to see you awake, sister.” She pushed
Gwenvael’s shoulder. “Wake up.”
   Startled, Gwenvael sat up screaming, “I never touched her!”
   Morfyd rolled her eyes and headed toward the door. “You are a
constant source of embarrassment, little brother. Fearghus, follow me.”
   Fearghus nodded at Talaith and followed his sister out. Gwenvael
stood and stretched. “Talaith, my love.”
   “Gwenvael, my pain.”
   Chuckling, he reached down, grabbing hold of Éibhear’s hand, and
dragged the still-sleeping dragon from the room.
   Finally, Briec stood. A soft smile on his lips, he headed toward the
door, his eyes never leaving Talaith’s face. He stopped at the doorway to
look at her one more time before he walked out, softly closing the door
behind him.
   “Izzy?” Talaith forced her daughter back, staring intently at her. “Are
you all right?”
   Tears streaming down her face, she nodded.
   “Are you sure?”
   She couldn’t remember much after talking to Rhydderch Hael.
   “I’m fine, Mum. I am.”
   “Arzhela?”


                                       -365-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   A strange expression passed over her daughter’s features, but was
gone so quickly, Talaith wasn’t sure if it was a play of the shifting light or
not. “Gone now. I don’t think she’ll be back.”
   “Did she suffer?”
   “Yes. I believe she did.”
   Talaith pulled Izzy back into the safety of her arms. “Good. That
makes me smile.”
   “Me, too, Mum. Me, too.”


                                   zzz

   Annwyl leaned back in the tub, sighing heavily. She’d finally worn
herself out. Somewhere during her fight with that last battalion and
setting fire to the still-decaying and screaming remains of Hamish, she’d
lost her energy to continue fighting. She left her men to clean up and
rode back to Garbhán Isle with her elite guard. After removing most of
the blood using the well near the stables and cleaning the blood and gore
off Violence, she’d returned to her room. The servants filled her tub with
hot water and quickly disappeared. They wouldn’t look at her, mostly
because they’d seen her decimate the Great Hall hours before.
   The bedroom door opened and Fearghus walked in. He didn’t look at
her either. He simply walked into the room, placed a bottle of wine on a
side table by the window, and proceeded to remove his clothes.
   “What’s that?” Annwyl motioned toward the bottle of wine.
   He barely glanced at her. “It’s from Morfyd. Should you need it.”
   She’d suffered no wounds during battle. At least nothing that needed
anything more than some of Morfyd’s ointments. Unless it was for her
other “problem”.
   “How’s Talaith?”


                                       -366-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “Awake.”
   “Good.” She probably should apologize to Talaith. She wasn’t sure,
but she may have thrown a chair at the woman’s head. And a table.
   Fearghus dropped his clothes to the floor as was his way. She
expected him to go to bed but instead he walked over to the tub and
stared down at her.
   “You’re not going to shove me under the water, are you?”
   He finally smiled. “Move up a bit.” She did and he got in behind her,
his long legs on either side of her. “Back.”
   She leaned back, relaxing against Fearghus’ chest.
   “Feel better?”
   “Now that I’ve decimated an entire army and set Hamish’s rotting
corpse aflame…I don’t feel half bad.”
   “Good.” Big arms wrapped around her and Annwyl let herself relax
with the only being she ever let herself relax around. “We’ve got decisions
to make, love.”
   “I know,” she sighed out. “I know we do.”
   “Before you met me did you want a family? Children?”
   “To be quite honest, I never thought I’d live this long. So I never
thought of it as an option. You?”
   “Sometimes. But nothing that ever kept me up nights. I do know I
don’t like to be used.”
   And that was Annwyl’s biggest problem with all this. Gods having fun
with her body and with her and Fearghus’ love for each other. “Aye. That
pisses me off as well.”
   “Still…”
   “Still what?”
   “Imagine the kind of children we would have.”



                                        -367-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   She’d been doing that all day, in between the killing of course.
“Bloody nightmares is what we’d have, Fearghus.”
   “Aye.”
   “Killers,” she added.
   “Destroyers.”
   “Warlords.”
   “Definitely.”
   “So what’s your point, dragon?”
   “They’ll be ours to raise as we sit fit. They’ll be ours, Annwyl.”
   “Aye. They’ll be part Fearghus the Destroyer and Annwyl the Bloody.
Two of the most violent and vicious beings known in recent history as I
was told the other day by an old wizard passing through town.”
   “Aye. We are that.”
   “And do you really want to release the unholy product of our union on
the world?”
   “No, Annwyl.” He pulled her wet hair to the side. “I want to release
the unholy product of our union on them.”
   Annwyl tried to sit up, but Fearghus kept a tight grip on her with his
arms while he kissed her neck. “You can’t be serious, Fearghus.”
   “Why not,” he muttered into her neck. “They play games like this,
Annwyl, and they risk the outcome. They risk losing.”
   “So what are you saying?”
   “I want to raise them with one goal in mind. One purpose.”
   “You want them to challenge gods?”
   Fearghus didn’t answer her, but instead kissed his way down her
neck and to her shoulders.
   “You can’t be serious,” she said again. No, no. This was wrong. There
had been a few in history who’d challenged gods. Some lost. Some barely
survived. And very few ever won.


                                      -368-
                               The Distressing Damsel



   “It’s what they deserve.”
   Annwyl pulled herself away from Fearghus. She had to. His kisses
were completely distracting her. She turned her body in the large tub so
she faced her mate.
   “You want us to raise the killers of gods?”
   “No. I want to raise warriors who aren’t afraid to challenge gods.”
   “Have you lost your mind, dragon?”
   “No, I haven’t lost my mind. Think about it, Annwyl. They’re already
being hunted—apparently by everyone. As are you. If for no other reason,
we need to make sure they can protect themselves. And eventually us in
our doddering old age.”
   “Fearghus,” she gave a weak smile, “you’ve gone mad.” But already
the idea had grown on her. Even as she knew the wrongness of it—she
didn’t care.
   “They’ll be feared,” he insisted.
   “More like hated.”
   “Respected. No one will ever use them. They won’t be killed. They’ll be
too mean to die.”
   “I thought that was your father.”
   Grinning, Fearghus grabbed her around the waist and dragged her
onto his lap. She felt his erect cock pressing against her. “Imagine,
Annwyl,” he teased as he stroked her body with his hands and set it on
fire with his tongue, “hatchlings even my father will fear.”
   “Now, dragon,” she moaned, arching into him as he slowly pushed
his cock inside her, “you’re just trying to sweet talk me.”


                                    zzz




                                         -369-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   Briec felt the tap on his shoulder and forced his eyes open. Izzy stood
over him.
   “Is everything all right, Izzy?”
   “Oh, yes. Everything’s fine. I just wanted you to know I was going to
bed.”
   Rubbing his eyes, Briec sat up. Very early morning light spilled
through the windows. He glanced down at himself, relieved to see his
exhaustion so deep the previous eve, he’d dropped on his bed fully
dressed and immediately fell asleep. Good. Otherwise this could have
been a very awkward situation. “You’re going to bed now?”
   “We talked a lot last night. So I’m exhausted.”
   “All right.” He still didn’t know why she felt the need to tell him this
information.
   “So I’m going to my bed now and I’ll be asleep there for hours. I left
Mum alone.”
   “Izzy!” Briec laughed.
   She held her hands up. “I’m merely making sure everyone knows
exactly what’s going on. And what’s going on is I’m going to bed—my
bed—and have left my mother all alone.”
   “Iseabail.”
   She gave him that smile that always reminded him of Talaith, kissed
him on the cheek, and skipped toward the door.
   “Izzy?”
   She stopped right at the door and looked at him over her shoulder.
“Yes?”
   “I’m glad you’re back.”
   “Me, too—Daddy.” She winked at him and left. He always detested
precocious children…until now.



                                       -370-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   No, he’d definitely be proud to call that mad little girl “daughter”. She
already fit in so well with the rest of his kin, and his mother would love
her…and not as a meal either.
   Briec rolled off the bed and went straight to Talaith’s room. The fur
coverings pulled up to her chin, Talaith slept soundly. Not surprising
with all she’d been though over the last two days. Trying not to wake her,
but needing to be near her, Briec removed his clothes off and slipped into
bed with her, wrapping his arms around her waist and snuggling her
from behind.
   “Izzy?”
   “That’s just ridiculous,” he growled.
   She glanced at him over her shoulder. “It could have been worse. I
could have said Gwenvael.”
   “And forced me to kill my own brother.”


                                  zzz

   She was safe. She was home. She had her daughter. And she had the
most arrogant dragon in the universe. She had her Briec.
   Gods, is that happiness I feel? No, no. Best not to question it. That
would only bring disaster.
   “And what exactly are you wearing?” Briec demanded.
   “A nightdress. You can’t expect me to traipse around naked with my
daughter now can you?”
   “Of course not. But she’s gone to her room to sleep.”
   Lifting herself up so that Briec could remove her nightdress without
ripping it, which she knew he would do, she frowned. “How do you know
that?”




                                       -371-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “Because she came to tell me she was going to bed—her own bed—to
sleep for many hours.”
   Talaith covered her face with her hands. “Why does that girl insist on
embarrassing me?”
   “She wasn’t trying to.” Briec threw the nightdress across the floor,
dangerously close to the pitfire. He pulled the silver chain he had around
his neck off and returned it to her. Making sure that once it was on, the
pendant fell right between her breasts and against her heart. “She wants
you to be happy, Talaith. And she knows I’m the only one who can do
that for you.” He pushed her back on the bed.
   “Tell me, Lord Dragon, does your arrogance ever take a holiday?”
   “No. Does your mouth?”
   He stared down at her now naked body and purred. No, she’d never
get tired of that particular reaction from him. “Much better. I don’t like
you in those things.”
   Briec’s violet eyes focused on her face. “When we share a bed, which
will be forever, you will not wear anything like that.”
   “Well, I happen to like ‘that’ and I will wear it whenever and wherever
I…would you get your hand out of there while I’m yelling at you.”
   “No. Now put your hands over your head. I think I’ll tie you to the
bed.”
   “No, I will not put my hands above my head. And don’t think for a
second I intend to let what you did to me, go.”
   “I have done nothing to you…” he raised an eyebrow, “…yet.”
   “Oh? What about this…this thing?” She waved at her back. She and
Izzy had spent an hour positioning mirrors so she could get a good look
at the mark Briec branded her with. The body of a dragon, outlined in
black, stretched from her right shoulder and across her back, its tail
snaking seductively around her hip, the tip pointing right at her sex—


                                       -372-
                            The Distressing Damsel



which she looked at discreetly while Izzy went to get food and water.
Once she got over the initial shock of seeing her body marked in such
loving detail, she had to finally admit to Izzy, “It’s awfully nice, eh?
Bastard did a nice job.”
   Not that she’d ever tell him that. Honestly, his enormous ego took up
more than enough room in their bed.
   He shrugged at her question. “I’ve Claimed you.”
   “And?”
   “And what?”
   She pushed his shoulder. “You never asked me.”
   “I had other things on my mind at the time, if you remember
correctly, woman. Besides,” he leered at her, “would you have said no?”
   What a cocky little… “I might have.”
   He snorted and lounged back against the headboard. “Try again.”
   “You obnoxious, son of a—”
   “I grow tired of this. Come…” he motioned to his lap and steadily
growing erection, “…ride me.”
   “No.” She sat up on her knees, facing him. “We’re not done.”
   The sigh was loud and filled the room. “What is there to discuss?”
   “You made the choice for me.” He opened his mouth to speak and she
held her hand up to silence him. “I know it was out of your control at the
time, but I want to make sure we get this clear now. If I stay with you—”
   “If?”
   She ignored his roar of disbelief. “If I stay with you, that will not
happen again. No one makes decisions for me anymore, but me. We can
discuss and work together as a team, but I will accept nothing less. If
that is a problem for you, Briec the Arrogant, then we best find that out
now.”
   She waited for his answer, but he stared up at the ceiling.


                                      -373-
                              Shelly Laurenston



   “Well?” she pushed.
   He looked at her. “Oh, were you speaking?”
   “Briec!” She punched his shoulder.
   Laughing he grabbed her around the waist, forcing her onto her back.
He brought his body over hers, pinning her with his weight while gazing
down into her face. “Do you really think I want some docile, brainless
weakling for a mate? I’ll leave those for the human males.”
   “Are you sure? I don’t want you regretting this three, four hundred
years from now.”
   He scowled and she knew two moons ago she would have run
screaming from that look. Now, however, she felt nothing but lust. “Are
you going to argue everything with me?” he snarled.
   “Yes,” she snarled back.
   “Forever?”
   “Yes.”
   Briec’s scowl gave way to a soft smile. “Promise?”
   Talaith reached up, her hand brushing against his jaw. “Yes, Briec. I
promise that I’ll spend the rest of my life arguing every point with you,
regarding every issue, every moment until the end of our days.”
   “Stop, Talaith.” He kissed her until he had her moaning and giggling
at the same time. “You’re driving me wild with your anger and
resentment.”
   She leaned up and whispered in his ear, “Then you’ll love when I tell
you to get your bloody hands off me and get the hell out of my room.”




                                     -374-
                             The Distressing Damsel




              Chapter Twenty-Seven

   Morfyd, so busy thinking about a thousand different things now that
her brother had informed her he and Annwyl planned to keep their
offspring, never noticed Brastias until she slammed right into him. And
even then, it took a bit.
   “Sorry,” she muttered, still distracted.
   “You’ve been avoiding me.”
   Her head snapped up at the sound of that deep, soul-invading voice.
“Oh. Brastias. It’s you.”
   “Aye. It’s me.”
   “Sorry. In a bit of a rush.” She tried to pass him, but he grabbed hold
of her arm and dragged her back.
   “You can’t keep avoiding me, Morfyd.”
   “I’m not.” Except that she couldn’t look him in the eye. “There’s just
many things going on right now. I don’t have time—”
   “Was our kiss that unpleasant?”
   “What? Uh…no.” Unpleasant wasn’t the problem. Waking up,
writhing against a human male like a drugged snake was the problem.
   He took several steps, still holding onto her arm, forcing her to move
back. “Interesting. If the kiss wasn’t unpleasant, then I can only surmise
that something else is bothering you. Something about us.”
   She felt the cold stone wall at her back. “Look, Brastias, I—”



                                       -375-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   “No.”
   She blinked. “No? No what?”
   “No more discussion. There’s no point, is there?”
   “You’re right,” she admitted with resignation. “There’s no point.”
   He framed either side of her face with his big hands. “That’s what I
thought.” Then he kissed her. His warm mouth claiming hers. His hard
body forcing her back into the wall.
   And just as Morfyd melted against him, he stopped.
   “When you’re ready, Morfyd. You know where I am.”
   Startled and aching, she watched as he pulled away, but before he
got three steps from her, she grabbed his arm and dragged him back.
She leaned into him and let her lips brush over his.
   “I’m sorry, Brastias. I didn’t want you to think I was a slag…or like
my sister.”
   He grinned. “I could never think that. I’ve caught your sister with my
knights.”
   She winced. Damn her.
   “But none of that matters.” He stepped forward, pushing her into the
dark corner. His big hands caressed her face. “All that matters is you
and me.”
   “There’s a you and me?”
   “There will be.” He kissed her and all those feelings she’d been
denying since she woke up by the lake with him, came rushing forth. So
intense, it nearly strangled her.
   Gripping him tight, Morfyd whimpered into his mouth, enjoying the
feel of his hand taking hold of her breast through the thick wool of her
robes. If it felt this good with clothes on, imagine how wonderful when
they were completely naked.



                                       -376-
                             The Distressing Damsel



   Seconds from dragging him to her room or his—whichever was closer
at the moment—she let out a startled cry as her wrist was grabbed tight
and she was yanked from Brastias.
   “Oi!” Brastias snapped, turning around and clearly ready to fight. But
he stopped and stared and Morfyd looked up…into the face of Gwenvael.
And, by the dark gods, he was angry. Extremely angry.
   “You. Keep your hands off my sister.”
   “Excuse me,” both she and Brastias said at the same time.
   “You heard me. Both of you. She’s not some slag, human. So keep
away from her.”
   Morfyd didn’t know what to say. Gwenvael had gone drinking with
Brastias on many occasions over the last three years. They’d always been
good friends, it seemed. And not only that, but this was Gwenvael. To
quote their own mother, “Not a pussy he hasn’t loved.”
   “Gwenvael, have you lost your mind?”
   “You’re my sister, Morfyd. Not some whore he picked up on the
street…or Keita.” It suddenly struck her—Gwenvael felt protective of her.
She didn’t think he felt protective of anything or anyone. Once
again…this was Gwenvael!
   Her younger brother pointed a warning finger at Brastias with his
free hand since he seemed bound and determined not to release his hold
on her. “You just stay away from my sister. Or we truly will have
problems, general.” She winced at the way he sneered that last bit.
   Gwenvael walked off, dragging Morfyd behind him. She looked back
at a shocked Brastias and prayed he could read lips since she couldn’t
risk Gwenvael hearing her.
   She mouthed, “Later.”
   Based on his relieved smile, he read lips just fine.



                                       -377-
                                Shelly Laurenston



                                   zzz

    “Stop it!” Talaith skirted around the bed, trying to keep it between
her and Briec. “They’re waiting for us.”
    “They can wait. Come here.” He moved again and so did she.
    “It’s in our honor, Briec.” Annwyl insisted on throwing this feast in
honor of their union. It was a sweet gesture from her friend. “We can’t
miss it.”
    “Who said anything about missing it? I’m just talking about making a
dramatic entrance…in an hour or two.” Again he moved, and again so
did she.
    “This is ridiculous.” She stood up straight. “I’m a grown woman with
a daughter nearly seventeen winters.”
    “In another six moons.”
    “And I refuse to allow myself to be chased around a bed like some
untried virgin.”
    “Good.” He went for her again and Talaith squealed and ran. He
caught up with her by the door and she knew if he got his hands under
her dress she was doomed. But before he could get his hands anywhere,
a knock at the door pulled them up short.
    “Piss off,” he barked at the door.
    “Come in,” she yelled over him.
    She batted at his hands as the door swung open. When Izzy’s
smirking face came around the corner, Briec stepped away from Talaith.
“I told you to get your hands off me, woman… I’m a respectable dragon.
Not some whore you picked up on the street.”
    “Briec!” She slapped his shoulder. “That’s not funny.”
    “I’m sorry to interrupt Briec’s mauling, Mum.”
    “Iseabail!” The two of them together were absolutely impossible.


                                         -378-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “But I need to talk to you about something. Something important.”
   “Of course. Come in.”
   “Do you need me to leave?”
   “Oh, no. Not at all.” Izzy shook her head at Briec’s question.
“Actually, I’d like to talk to you both.” She closed the door and walked
into the room.
   Briec sat on the bed and Talaith continued to stand by the door. She
could see Izzy getting up her courage for this discussion, which worried
Talaith more than a little bit.
   Finally, with a deep breath and after wiping her hands on her
leggings, which Talaith now realized was her daughter’s nervous habit,
Izzy turned and faced them. “I’m just going to say this.”
   “It’s probably best,” Talaith encouraged, working really hard not to
panic.
   Her only daughter smiled. “I’ve joined Annwyl’s army.”
   “You what?”
   Briec stepped between mother and daughter before Talaith could get
her hands around the girl’s throat.
   “Perhaps we should discuss this calmly.”
   “Calmly? What is there to discuss calmly?” She pushed Briec aside.
“You go down there right now, Iseabail, and you tell Annwyl you made a
mistake.”
   Swallowing, her daughter again shook her head. “No.”
   “What do you mean, ‘no’?” Talaith fairly growled. Had she risked
everything so this little whelp could give her life on the field of battle to
that insane wild woman who had recently become one of her best
friends?




                                        -379-
                                  Shelly Laurenston



    “I mean, I’m old enough to make this decision. I hope to become part
of Annwyl’s elite guard one day. Her squire to start if I’m lucky.” Her
daughter stood straighter. “And I start training tomorrow.”
    “No you will not start training tomorrow. Tomorrow I’m sending you
to a temple somewhere to become a priestess. Or something equally
safe.”
    “There is nothing safe in this world. I have no Magick like you, Mum.
All I have are sturdy thighs, a spine made of steel, and approximately six
hundred years to fill. If you think I plan to do that bowing and scraping
as an accolade, you are sadly mistaken.”
    “I will have no daughter of mine being the squire of that bloodthirsty
bitch!”
    “You were just laughing and eating with her this morning.”
    “We’re not talking about me.”
    “You’re being unreasonable.”
    “It’s in the blood, luv. Get used to it.”
    “A year.”
    Mother and daughter looked at Briec who coolly leaned back against
the bed.
    “What?” Talaith snapped, unable to stop the images of her daughter
with a sword through her chest from invading her mind.
    “Give it one year. That seems fair, don’t you think, Izzy?”
    “Aye,” she replied eagerly.
    “Talaith?” He looked at her and she felt her eyes narrow. She could
physically kill him from this distance.
    If she argued now, she’d seem like a right prat. And the arrogant
bastard knew that. “Fine. A year than.”




                                         -380-
                              The Distressing Damsel



   “Yes!” Iseabail hugged her mother, giving her a big, wet kiss on her
cheek. Then she ran to that traitor who called himself her mate and
kissed him on the forehead.
   “I have to get dressed. I hope there’s dancing tonight!”
   As soon as the door closed, Talaith turned on Briec. “Why did you do
that?”
   “Because it made sense.”
   “What difference will a year make?”
   “Now that Annwyl’s decided to keep her and Fearghus’ demonspawn,
she won’t be traipsing off to any battles in other territories at the very
least for the next year, more likely two.”
   He had a point there…the bastard.
   “And what about after the year?”
   Briec stood. “Be realistic, Talaith. If this isn’t right for her, then she’ll
know that in a year, if not sooner.”
   “And if it is right for her?”
   “Then you best let her do this.”
   “But—”
   He took her hand. “If you don’t, you’ll lose her. Just like your mother
lost you. And like you, Izzy will get what she wants even if she has to find
another army to join. But it won’t be Annwyl’s where they’ll treat her like
the daughter of royalty she truly is.”
   Right again. Bastard. But she still had to laugh. “My family’s not
royalty.”
   “No, but mine is. And she’s one of us now…as are you.”
   “Oh.”
   Briec took a step toward her. “You did know that, didn’t you?”
   Talaith took a step back. “Um, well, I hadn’t really considered it.”



                                         -381-
                                Shelly Laurenston



   “You’ve been marked by me, Talaith. Claimed. Which means we’re
mated. For life. Izzy’s my daughter. I may not be her father by blood, but
she’s mine. To protect and cherish.”
   “Oh.”
   “You keep saying that.”
   He kept advancing and she kept retreating. “I simply didn’t see the
full ramifications of our, uh, relationship.”
   Her back slammed into the wall and suddenly Briec’s arms were on
either side of her, caging her in. “Do you see the ramifications now,
princess?”
   “Uh…”
   Before she could answer another knock came on their door, and she
thought for sure Briec would set the castle on fire. Instead, he yelled,
“What?”
   Éibhear stuck his head in. “Where’s Izzy?”
   “She went back to her room. Why?”
   “No reason. She just has something of mine.” He grinned at them.
“Carry on.”
   The door closed and Briec looked back at her. “That’s it. We’re
leaving.”
   “What? Where?”
   “My den. We’ll leave tomorrow.”
   “I don’t think that—”
   “Not forever, Talaith. But I need some time alone with you. I grow
weary of my kin. Very, very weary.”
   “Well, when you put it like that…”
   “Good.”
   “But we can’t be gone long. I want to be here for Annwyl. I fear what
she may do to others if she’s not kept calm.”


                                       -382-
                            The Distressing Damsel



   He rolled his eyes. “If you must.”
   “And Izzy—”
   “Another reason for us to leave for a bit, don’t you think? It would be
a bad idea for you to be here when she starts her training.”
   The dragon definitely had a point there. “Fine. But like I said. Not for
long.”
   “Good. Now,” he leaned into her, “kiss me, woman.”
   “Briec,” she stretched his name out by whining it. “We can’t.” But his
hands were already under her dress, smoothing up her legs and across
her bare hips. For him, she wore nothing under her clothes while alone
in their bedroom except for her dagger and sheath—which he insisted
upon—and he grinned his overwhelming appreciation. Holding her thighs
tight, he lifted her up and settled her legs around his waist. At some
point the overeager dragon pulled his leather leggings down to his knees.
She felt his cock press against her, hot, hard and pulsating. Her hands
went around his neck, her forehead resting against his.
   Gasping, they stared into each other’s eyes as he slowly impaled her
with his shaft. Taking her, inch by slow delicious inch. She moaned and
he “shushed” her. “You don’t know who may be on the other side of that
door, little witch,” he whispered, pushing more of himself inside her
willing body. “Anyone could be listening.”
   His words made her shudder and hold him tighter. She bit her lip to
stop from making noise, even as he slammed the last inch of his erection
inside her.
   “Remember,” he growled in her ear, “you’ll need to be quiet.”
   Not likely when he pulled his hard erection out of her grasping
depths, only to ram it back in. Again and again and again.
   Hoarse sounds unwillingly burst from her throat, which only goaded
her dragon on. As usual, he showed her body no mercy and it felt


                                        -383-
                               Shelly Laurenston



wonderful. She dug the heels of her bare feet into his lower back and her
hands into his hair. Her climax crawled up her spine, moving through
her body like fire. Unable to hold it back, she opened her mouth to
scream but Briec was there, covering her mouth with his own. His
tongue tangling with hers, groaning as she exploded over the edge and
came. Briec held her tight, rocking with her and, she sensed, enjoying
the way her sex gripped him tight, spasms clutching him.
   He kept on until a second, more powerful climax took hold of her and
that’s when, with a loud groan of his own, Briec came. He shot hot and
hard inside her, whispering her name into her neck, shaking as the
climax drained his body and, for the moment at least, his strength.
   “Look what you’ve done to me, little witch.” Briec nuzzled her cheek.
“You’ve weakened me.”
   She laughed. He held her as easily he would a babe. “I don’t think I
weakened anything, dragon. You still seem quite strong to me.”
   Smiling, he kissed her nose and her forehead, gently lowering her to
the ground. “Don’t move.” He stepped away from her, but only for a
moment to get a cloth and fresh water. She held her dress up as he took
his time cleaning her. Then she returned the favor. Before she knew it,
he’d pinned her against the wall again.
   “Oh, no you don’t.” She slid under his arm and went toward the door.
“We’re not starting that again. I’m sure they’re all waiting on us.”
   She snatched the door open, only to find Gwenvael quickly pulling
his ear away from where he had it against the wood. He grinned at her
and she knew he’d most likely heard everything.
   “Oh,” he said, trying to act surprised. “Hello, sister. I was looking for
Briec. I think we need to talk about Morfyd and Bras—ow!” He grabbed
his bleeding and broken nose. “What the hell was that for?”



                                      -384-
                               The Distressing Damsel



                                      zzz

    Turning to face her mirror, Izzy studied herself in the dress Briec had
specially made for her. She shook her head and gently pulled the left
shoulder of her gown down, wincing as pain danced through her system.
She stared at the still-healing dragon brand burned into the flesh of her
shoulder. She really didn’t know if the dress was doing a good enough
job blocking the damn thing.
    Although it was hurting much less then it did when she first
returned, hiding it from her mother would not be easy.
    “Oi!”
    Izzy snapped around as Éibhear kicked open her door and marched
in. “Where is it, you little brat?”
    “Where’s what?”
    “My blade. Gwenvael saw you steal it. So don’t bother lying.”
    “Why would I lie? It was simply another bet Gwenvael lost. He said I
couldn’t get it from you again. As always, he failed to have any faith in
me.”
    “Give it.”
    “Don’t snarl at me because I took your blade from you. If you paid
more attention—”
    “Hand it over. I’ve got plans tonight with Gwenvael before he heads to
the Northern Lands and I won’t waste my time with you.”
    “Fine!” She marched to her bed and reached under it, hauling out the
extremely heavy weapon. “How you didn’t notice I was taking this, I’ll
never know. I dropped it three times.”
    “I was in the middle of a conversation.”
    “With that rich whore?”




                                         -385-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    Éibhear didn’t bother answering, simply snatched the sword from
her. “Stay away from my things, demonspawn.”
    “Leave. You bore me already.”
    She turned away from him, but he grabbed her arm and yanked her
back. Izzy was seconds away from pulling her knife from her boot until
she saw that her dress was still down over her shoulder.
    “Izzy, where the hell did you get this?”
    She tried to pull her arm away. “None of your business.”
    Éibhear shook her and she stopped squirming. “Answer me.”
    Izzy lowered her eyes. “It’s the mark of Rhydderch Hael.”
    “Why do you have it?” When she didn’t answer, Éibhear pushed her
away. “What the hell have you done?”
    She had no answer, but he wasn’t waiting for one. “I’m getting
Talaith.”
    She grabbed him before he reached the door. “You do, and I’ll make
your life a living hell.”
    “You already do.” He shoved her away, but she’d always been quick
and jumped between him and the door before he could get it open.
    “Please, Éibhear.”
    “I can’t keep this from your mother, princess.”
    “Don’t call me that.” He’d started calling her that a few days ago and
she had no idea why. She just knew she didn’t like how he said it.
    “Move,” he ordered.
    “She’ll run!” she blurted out, desperate.
    Éibhear stopped.
    “We both know she will. And she’ll take me with her.” When Éibhear
didn’t move, she kept going. “Right now she feels safe because she feels
I’m safe. She’s finally happy. Briec makes her happy as she makes him
happy. But if she thinks for a second I’m in danger or that she may lose


                                       -386-
                             The Distressing Damsel



me to another god…she’ll run. Back to Alsandair. And you’ll never find
us.”
   “You think so, do you?”
   “She may be learning the healing arts now, Éibhear, but don’t fool
yourself a moment about my mother. She’s still a trained assassin who
will do anything to survive. And she’ll do absolutely anything to protect
me.”
   He finally released the door handle. “Why did you do this, Izzy?”
   “I had no choice. It was the only way to bring her back alive. But she
can’t ever know that.”
   “What did you promise him?”
   She shrugged. “Everything.”
   Éibhear let out a deep sigh. “Dammit, Izzy.”
   “I know. But what could I do? She’s my mother.”
   Éibhear nodded. “I understand.”
   “Then you won’t say anything?”
   He shook his head and she so wanted to run her hands through his
blue mane. He’d look so adorable with warrior braids. But anytime she
tried to touch him, he practically threw her across the room.
   “Thank you.”
   “Hear me well, though, little girl. If he tries to claim anything from
you before your eighteenth winter, I will go to your mother and Briec.”
   She nodded. “Fair enough.” Somehow she knew it would be years
before Rhydderch Hael called on her. He wanted her trained and ready.
And she would be.
   “Go on, then. Fix your dress. Make sure that thing doesn’t show. And
I’ll see you downstairs.”
   He opened the door and Izzy asked, “Will you save a dance for me
then?”


                                       -387-
                                Shelly Laurenston



    His shoulders tightened and without even turning around, he
muttered, “Maybe in another sixteen years, princess.”
    She waited until he was out in the hallway before she answered. “Not
a problem. I can wait.”
    Grinning, she closed the door, but not before she saw him slam face
first into the wall.


                                   zzz

    Briec barely grabbed her in time. “No, Talaith.”
    “I’ll kill him.”
    He rolled his eyes. He shouldn’t have slept in. By the time they made
it downstairs to head back to his den, Izzy’s training had already started.
Seeing her daughter trying to handle a shield and staff, only to get
shoved into the ground over and over, was making his sweet Talaith
much less than sweet.
    “You can’t go over there, Talaith.”
    “But he’s not even one of the trainers.”
    True. They were probably trying to find out Izzy’s strengths before
they figured out which class to send her to, so they’d teamed her up
against one of the older boys. A youth with white blond hair and an
almost permanent sneer. Someone who, Briec was guessing, his little
Izzy had rejected or mocked. The boy seemed to find great pleasure in
shoving Briec’s daughter in the dirt.
    Annwyl, who’d been sitting on the fence watching the training, saw
Talaith and immediately called a halt.
    “Iseabail, Daughter of Talaith. Go say goodbye to your mother.”
    Izzy dropped her shield and staff and ran over to the pair. For a girl
who’d been eating dirt most of the morning, she looked surprisingly


                                        -388-
                              The Distressing Damsel



happy. Talaith would not be happy when she realized Izzy’s year would
last much longer that that. Clearly the girl had found her true path.
   “Good travels.” Izzy hugged and kissed her mother. “I’ll miss you
both.” She stood on tiptoes to reach up and hug Briec, rewarding him
with a quick kiss on the cheek.
   “Izzy, are you sure—”
   Izzy groaned and again hugged her mother. “You promised me a year,
Mum.”
   “All right. All right. Well, just remember, I’m only a thought away.
You need me for anything, Morfyd can get in touch with me. We won’t be
gone long.”
   “Take your time. I’m sure you two need some time alone.” She winked
at Talaith and he thought his poor mate would come out of her skin with
embarrassment.
   “Iseabail.”
   Laughing, Izzy stepped back before her mother could cuff her on the
head. “Only teasing.”
   “Iseabail,” Annwyl called. “Return to the field.”
   “I have to go. Have a safe trip.”
   Izzy took one step away, but Talaith grabbed firm hold of her
daughter’s arm. Briec groaned inward. He thought he’d finally convinced
her this was the right course sometime after he’d made her come for the
fourth time last night. He should have known better.
   “Mum,” Izzy glanced over her shoulder at all those waiting for her
return, “please.”
   Talaith took a deep breath and said, “The boy you’re fighting. He’s
weak on his left side. Take the little bastard out at the knee.”
   Glancing at her mother then Briec, Izzy shrugged. “Uh, all right
then.” She smiled. “I’ll do that.”


                                        -389-
                                 Shelly Laurenston



   “Good. Now go and good luck.”
   Izzy nodded and walked away. She was halfway back to the training
field, when she turned around and ran over to her mother. She threw
herself in Talaith’s arms, and Briec could hear her fierce whisper as she
hugged her mother tight. “I love you, Mum.”
   With that, she released Talaith and ran to the training field,
immediately picking up her staff and shield to begin again.
   Briec wrapped his arms around his woman’s body. He felt her regret,
but also her pride. Especially when Izzy faked out her opponent on his
right, only to take out his left knee with her staff. He went down
screaming.
   “Let’s go before I yank her out of there.”
   “Good idea.” He grabbed hold of her hand and walked toward the
stables. It wasn’t until he passed the stables that she started fighting.
   “Oh, gods. Not the flying!”
   “I heard you mounted my sister well enough.”
   “I want you never to make that statement again.”
   “You don’t expect me to walk back to my den, do you?”
   “But there are horses.”
   “I have horses.”
   “You do?”
   “Of course I do. They’re one of my favorite meals.”
   “Now you’re simply trying to irritate me beyond all reason.”
   “Is it working?”
   “Yes.”
   “Good. Then my work here is done.”
   He made it to the clearing and quickly shifted, without bothering to
remove his clothes, before Talaith tried to dart off. Good thing he was
quick, too. His tail almost didn’t catch her in time.


                                        -390-
                              The Distressing Damsel



    Picking her up, he dropped her on his back. “Get comfortable, my
love.”
    “I hate you.”
    “Keep that feeling, sweet Talaith. You’ll need it when I get you back to
my den and take you again and again and again.”
    “Just so we’re clear, dragon. You are one of my least favorite beings.”
    He turned and looked at her over his shoulder. “But you do love me?
Right, Talaith?”
    She rewarded him with a warm, beautiful smile. And it was a reward.
“Of course I love you. You mean the world to me, Briec.”
    He smirked. “Well, of course I do. I’m Briec the Mighty.”
    She snorted a laugh as she got comfortable on his back. “I walked
right into that, didn’t I?”
    “Aye, my sweet Talaith. You most certainly did. Like a brutal ambush
on a snowy mountaintop.”
    She cleared her throat. “You’ve actually done that, haven’t you?”
    “Oh, I have. Want me to tell you about it?” Briec asked as he took to
the skies.
    “No!”
    “Fine. You don’t have to be nasty about it. Are you going to be like
this when we get home?”
    “Yes. As a matter of fact, I am. I’m going to make your life a living
hell.”
    “What makes you think you haven’t already?”
    “Maybe the way you moan my name, O’ Arrogant One.”
    He soared by trees and Talaith didn’t even notice she was so busy
arguing with him. Good. By the time he got her home, she’d be so wet
and ready for him, they probably wouldn’t even make it to the bed.
    “That’s not a moan, little witch. It’s more of a complaint.”


                                        -391-
                               Shelly Laurenston



    “Ha! You only dream of having control in this relationship, my love.”
    “We’ll see who has control when I get you back and tie you to the
bed.”
    “You’ll have to catch me first, dragon. And I’m quite stealthy. It’s one
of my skills.”
    “I thought complaining and getting lost were your skills…ow! Don’t
pull my hair.”
    “Then you best make sure you don’t make me angry, Briec the
Arrogant.”
    Briec laughed. “And where would the fun be in that, my love?”




                                      -392-
                              The Distressing Damsel




                              Epilogue

   Gwenvael sighed in overwhelming boredom, his talons scraping along
the rocky, snow-covered ground.
   There were a thousand things he’d rather be involved in. But Annwyl
had asked this favor of him and he couldn’t turn her down. Well,
normally he could and would turn her down, but the woman had become
a viper the longer her current “state” went on. Large with her Demon
Twins, as Briec so eloquently put it, the past seven months had not been
easy on any of them. Morfyd received the worst of it and Fearghus
learned that there actually was too much fucking to be had. Apparently
the human female had become absolutely insatiable and Fearghus was
no longer safe walking down the blasted castle hallways or hunting in the
surrounding forests. The woman stalked the poor dragon like an elk at
High Season.
   Gwenvael offered to assist Fearghus with his current “burden” and
nearly lost his head in the process. Gods, his family never knew how to
take a joke and until Annwyl birthed whatever grew in her belly she too
would no longer be any fun.
   So, when Gwenvael really thought about it, this was all probably for
the best. A nice trek up to the Northlands and away from the Blood
Queen.




                                        -393-
                              Shelly Laurenston



    True, he’d been into the Northlands many times before in the last few
months, but never this far into the Mountains of Despair or this close to
the Ocean of Death and the Sea of Pain and Suffering. Ah, yes, these
barbarians had such pithy names for their landmarks.
    Gwenvael could smell the fresh ocean air and he longed to dive in
and swim far, far away from this place.
    The Reinholdt Fortress. A dank, depressing place if he’d ever seen
one, but the Northland barbarians weren’t known for their elegance.
Even the local dragons—all descendents of the lightning gods and at one
time his kinds’ mortal enemies—fought hard and lived harder.
    It seemed to be the way of this cold, forsaken land and those who
lived within it.
    To stop the flow of depression threatening to overtake him, Gwenvael
reminded himself he could be back at Garbhán Isles dodging another
sword thrown at his head for some inconsequential thing he said.
    Instead, he was here to meet the legedary Sigmar Reinholdt and his
thirteen strong sons, one of whom everyone referred to as The Beast.
According to local gossip, The Beast was the scariest thing on two legs
and had built quite a name for himself. As Gwenvael traveled through
the Northlands these many months, he often heard the name mumbled
in whispers and even the women he bed with for the night refused to
discuss the man—even when Gwenvael was at his most persuasive.
    But that no longer mattered, because now he stood in front of the
fortress, a line of Reinholdt troops the only thing between him and the
gates inside the compound.
    Gwenvael sighed again and barked, “I grow tired of waiting.”
    “Dragons ain’t much for patience, is they?”
    “No, they isn’t,” Gwenvael mocked back. Normally he tolerated
humans—especially Annwyl—better than any of his kin, but he was


                                     -394-
                            The Distressing Damsel



tired, extremely hungry and bored. Bored being the worst of it. As his
mother always said, “A bored Gwenvael is an entire town destroyed
accidently.”
   Many more minutes passed, until Gwenvael considered mowing them
all down with his flames just to see them burn when a short, but
powerfully built man pushed past the men guarding the entrance. Gods,
the man had no neck to speak of. He went from head straight into his
shoulders.
   “I be Sigmar,” the human said as a form of greeting and Gwenvael
worked hard not to laugh out loud. These Northerners made his father
seem downright warm and cuddly.
   “King Sigmar.” Gwenvael dipped his head, the most a human could
ever expect from a dragon in way of respect—unless the human was
female. Gwenvael had been known to roll on his back like a dog for the
right female.
   “I be no king, dragon. There are no kings in the Northlands. I’m The
Reinholdt and clan leader of these lands.”
   Whatever. “So you asked for me, Reinholdt.”
   “No. I asked for your Annwyl.”
   “Well, she’s indisposed at the moment, so she sent me as her
emissary.”
   “A dragon emissary for a human?”
   One more second of this and Gwenvael had every intention of killing
them all. “Aye.”
   Reinholdt shrugged but said nothing else, preventing the potential
carnage. The only problem was Reinholdt stopped speaking all together.
   It took all of Gwenvael’s strength not to roll his eyes in annoyance. He
wanted this over with so he could get some food, ale and a female or two



                                      -395-
                               Shelly Laurenston



to warm his bed for the night. Standing out in the cold was annoying him
and the snow was freezing his scales. He hated that.
   “Again, Reinholdt, you wanted to see me or someone from Dark
Plains?”
   “Nay. Not me, dragon. The Beast made that request.”
   Patience, Gwenvael. You’re known for your patience. “And may I meet
The Beast?”
   Reinholdt passed glances among the other men before looking back
at Gwenvael. “You sure about that, dragon?”
   “Yes,” Gwenvael hissed. “I am.”
   Reinholdt nodded and looked at the men lined up in front of the
gates. As one, they separated into two lines and Gwenvael’s eyes widened
as “The Beast” stepped forward from the throng of men and walked up to
him.
   Gwenvael stared down at the sight for several long seconds and then,
unable to stop himself, he burst out laughing. He couldn’t help it.
   This? This was The Beast? Terrifying scourge of the Northlands?
Battle Lord and Destroyer? This?
   “Something amuses you, dragon?”
   Round pieces of glass held between a wire frame rested upon The
Beast’s small nose and cold grey eyes stared at him. The pieces of glass
slipped down a bit only to be pushed back by a well-placed finger.
   “You?” Gwenvael managed between bouts of laughter. “You are The
Beast?”
   “That is what they call me.”
   Gwenvael stared down at the tiny woman before him. Smaller than
even Briec’s Talaith, there was nothing about this female that said
warrior or assassin or witch or anything of any threat whatsoever. She
wore a painfully plain, long-sleeved grey dress and fur boots. She had a


                                      -396-
                                The Distressing Damsel



small eating dagger attached to the girdle on her hips and waist-length
brown hair tied into a plait.
    The woman couldn’t be more plain or boring or uninteresting if she
actually put effort into it. And Gwenvael couldn’t help it but he laughed
harder. So hard he finally laid out on his back and rolled around for a
bit, his dragon limbs flailing.
    For months he’d heard about this female as a male and he didn’t half
expect another Hamish or Annwyl’s brother, Lorcan. Or, at the very least,
his mother.
    Something dangerous and blood-covered. This woman looked like she
never left the library.
    After several minutes, Gwenvael somehow got himself under control.
He stopped laughing but didn’t get back up because she stood right
beside him. That impressed him. Most humans went out of their way to
avoid him when he was in dragonform.
    She stared down at him with those cold grey eyes made larger by the
glass over each one. He did find those interesting. He’d never seen
anything like that before. He wondered why she wore them.
    “Are you done?” she asked coldly.
    “Sorry, uh…Beast.” He snorted out another laugh, but choked it
back.
    “Dagmar will do. Dagmar Reinholdt. Thirteenth child of The Reinholdt
and his only female.”
    Northerners mostly breeded males, often forced to steal their females
from the south. Even the lightning dragons mostly hatched males. It was
as if the land was too cold and desolate for females to be born here.
    “I asked your queen here because I have news that may save her life
and the lives of her unborn whelps.”



                                          -397-
                               Shelly Laurenston



   Gwenvael frowned, not appreciating anyone referring to his brother’s
little bastards as “whelps”.
   “Tell me, sweet Dagmar,” he mocked. “And I’ll tell her.”
   The female blinked. Once. “No.”
   Gwenvael pushed himself up a bit so that his snout was barely
inches from her nose. “What do you mean, no?”
   “I mean, you’ve insulted me. You’ve insulted my kin. And you’ve
insulted The Reinholdt. So you can return to your bitch queen and you
can watch her die.”
   With that, Dagmar Reinholdt turned on her heel and walked away
from him. She stopped after a few feet, glancing at him over her
shoulder, and said, “Now that, dragon…that’s funny.”
   She walked back into the fortress and the soldiers closed rank.
Gwenvael scrambled to his feet and stared at Sigmar Reinholdt, but the
no-neck clan leader only shook his head.
   “You are a bit of a dumb bastard, aren’t ya, dragon?” he said without
a bit of pity. “We don’ call her The Beast cause we’re bored, ya know?
She’ll tell ya nothin’ now.”
   With a resigned sigh, the man followed after his daughter and his
sons followed after him.
   The soldiers closed up ranks with their weapons drawn. They now
blocked the gates and Gwenvael knew they’d never willingly let him
enter.
   Not sure what else to do, Gwenvael took to the skies, his mind racing.
He couldn’t go back to Dark Plains and his kin with, “I pissed her off so
much she wouldn’t tell me anything.” Fearghus would have his ass for
supper. Not only that, but he wouldn’t allow anyone to harm Annwyl or
her children. No matter what they might or might not be, they were still



                                      -398-
                            The Distressing Damsel



his kin and he’d protect the little bastards like he would any of his
siblings’ hatchlings.
   Unfortunately, he had only one option. He’d wait until dark and then
snatch the little bitch from the fortress. She was female after all, and if
there was one thing Gwenvael the Handsome knew how to do—it was
how to handle a female.
   Gwenvael grinned, his fangs showing as he headed for the safety of
the mountains and nightfall. A few hours with him and he’d have The
Beast begging to tell him what she knew—and then he’d just have her
begging.




                                      -399-
                  Shelly Laurenston

   Subtle, demure, delicate Shelly Laurenston is a 2005 EPPIE Award
Winner and 2004 CAPA Winner.
   A misplaced New Yorker trapped in Los Angeles, Shelly is constantly
plotting and scheming her way back to civilization—think "Escape From
New York." When she isn't playing video games, polishing her brass
knuckles, or writing, she's trying to keep her dog, Maximus Psychotixus,
from turning the local cat population into Happy Meals.
   Shelly is also the author of the award-winning TO CHALLENGE A
DRAGON as well as PACK CHALLENGE, GO FETCH!, HERE KITTY,
KITTY! and A PRIDE CHRISTMAS IN BROOKLYN. She also has her first
print book out now, MAGNUS HEAT.


   www.shellylaurenston.com
   shelly_laurenston@earthlink.net
   http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shellylaurenston
Coming Soon from Shelley Laurenston


         Pack Challenge~ July 2006
         Go Fetch ~ September 2006
                        Believe The Magic
                         © 2006 Melani Blazer
            Now available from www.samhainpublishing.com

    When the strange antique dealer bestows Ella Mansfield with a weird
necklace, proclaiming it magic, Ella refuses to believe. Why would she
have a use for such a thing?
    But she finds herself the target of some pretty odd characters,
including the sexy but enigmatic Quentin, who becomes her guardian,
her guide and her lover. Gradually she learns her necklace holds two of
the ten original gems stolen from the fairy king - gems that control all the
magic in the world. Ella realizes the need to believe, but even more her
need to search deep within her heart to figure out who to trust, especially
when those closest to her seemed to be following their own agendas.
    With bad guys just a step behind them, Ella and Quentin use the
magic to jump through time and space while bluffing their way out of
questionable situations - in search of a plan. That comes to a screeching
halt when Ella finds herself face to face with the man she's been trying to
avoid.
    Ella's an unlikely hero, learning as she goes - but the ultimate lesson
involves a sacrifice she never expected to face, and one that all the magic
in the world cannot undo.




                 Enjoy this excerpt from Believe the Magic
    “Ella, you have to trust me. Please. Sometimes you won’t be able to
question me, or see the why behind what I say. Just trust me, okay?”
    “I don’t get it, Quen. I just don’t get this at all.”
    “You don’t have to. Just promise me you’ll behave.”
    “You’re treating me like a twelve-year-old.”
    His face was suddenly close, too close. “I wouldn’t do this if you were
twelve.” His warm lips met mine, pressing, kneading, coaxing them
apart. I leaned into him, letting his tongue graze past my teeth and inject
a new kind of heat into my body.
    I felt much colder when he stepped back. But at least it seemed what
happened this morning, or whenever it was, hadn’t been a fluke.
    “No. It wasn’t a fluke. Don’t even think it.”
    The words worked like fuel on the fire that had started somewhere in
my chest. I didn’t analyze it, just reveled in it. It got me the last leg of the
journey without another peep about the temperature or aches in my
bones.
    Camp was a deserted building just as cold as the barren fields
outside it. Thank God the wind didn’t slice through the walls. It tried,
howling through all the invisible crevices. Did I mention it was dark?
Black as pitch inside.
    “I just bet there’s no electricity here is there, brain child?” I wasn’t
sure where Quentin was in the room, but he was undoubtedly in hearing
range.
    “Nope. I’m trying to find matches.”
    Matches? Wasn’t this a man who could do magic? Couldn’t he make
fire?
    “Found ‘em!” he cried triumphantly. Guess he wasn’t listening to me.
    I listened for the scrape of the match and the flare of light. Quentin
had found an oil lamp.
    The inside of the building came to life in a flicker of orange. It was
divided in half, one part a cold, empty laboratory area, the other a less
than cozy living area. At least there was a fireplace.
    “You are going to light a fire, right?”
    “Of course.” He strode toward the wood piled beside it. I was way
confused. Why wasn’t he using magic to get it done faster? With little
thought I lifted a log and set it on the half charred pieces that had been
left in the fireplace. Quentin sat back on his heels, but didn’t turn
around.
    Something was definitely going on. My gems, now a fixture around
my neck, throbbed with the use of power. Other than the little push in
the snow, I hadn’t used them much.
    Was he waiting to see if I could start it? Could I? If I could, did I want
him to know? He didn’t answer. I had to guess he wasn’t reading my
mind.
    I had done it before, hadn’t I? Breathed fire. Well, that’s not exactly
the effect I needed now, unless I wanted to be the human torch. I
thought it best I keep that little trick a secret.
    I crossed my fingers and reached. Deep, deep down into the energy
that was bundled in my cramped toes, aching calves, and stiff fingers. I
drew in breath after breath and willed it to a central spot in my chest. It
was time.
    I pointed my finger at the center of the log. With knowledge that must
have been the most primitive, because I certainly don’t know how I did it,
I transferred the power to my shaking fist.
    I didn’t trust myself. “Quentin, you wanna move?”
    No comment, no glance in my direction, but he got up and stood
against the adjoining wall.
    “All right.” I took a deep breath. “Here goes.”
    I swear it was the rise and fall of my chest and the shivers that still
pulsed through my body that caused me to miss. And the recoil. I could
blame the recoil.
    The fireball bounced off the brick wall and landed just about where
Quentin had been. Of course.
    He jumped over and stomped out the red embers on the carpet. I
expected something along the lines of “Nicely done, Ella.” In pure
sarcasm, of course. But he backed up against the wall again.
    Concentrate, I told myself. I found the strength easier this time, still
smoldering. I stoked it up and let it roll down my arm, puddling like lava
in my fist.
    I pointed my finger as if it were a long range rifle. I stepped forward,
bent my knees and braced myself. Ready. It’s now or never. Aim. Fingers
still crossed. Fire.
    I ducked behind the couch when the log exploded into splinters. Well,
I guess we have kindling wood now.
    The oil lamp was on the ground, a figure curled next to it. Had I hit
him? Had those flying pieces flown into him like a hundred tiny wooden
stakes?
    He didn’t move when I stood over him. I nudged him with my foot.
“Quentin?” I was scared he wouldn’t answer.
    “Are we dead yet?”
    “No. But it’s cold and if we don’t get the fire lit, we might have the
option of freezing to death.”
    “I thought you were trying to blow this place up.”
    I shrugged. Sorry wasn’t really an option, was it? I was too
exhilarated with the power I had found to feel very remorseful. “No…I
just um, atomized the log. Shall I put another one—”
   “No,” he cut in, waving his hands, and the light, above his head. “I’ll
do it already. The old fashioned way.”
   He doubted me, did he? I snapped around and tossed another piece
of split wood where the other one had sat. For good measure I
commanded all the tiny pieces to pile themselves around it. To my
surprise, that all worked without a glitch.
   I was physically exhausted. It had been a long day. Great sex, two
travels and a trek through the tundra had drained me. The two previous
fireballs hadn’t helped. But I was closer. I might be able to make this one
happen.
   There wasn’t much fire left in me. I let it swirl around while I chewed
on the idea of Quentin thinking I couldn’t do it. Wow. That helped.
   I concentrated on the small slivers that surrounded the log. They
would light easily. They only need a gentle touch. I squinted in the pale
light and ran my fingers over the picture of the hearth I had in my head.
Spark, I commanded. The light of a match.
   The heat burned my fingertips. I held steady despite the pain. I
envisioned the flames catching, growing. The heat was beautiful. The sun
on my face.
   “Shit, Ella. Holy Shit!” Quentin tackled me, grabbed me under one
arm and dragged me outside.
   “Quentin, the fire, I lit the fire. Why—”
   He grabbed my wrist and shoved my hand deep in the snow.
   I wanted to howl from the agony of it. “Damn it. That…it effing hurts!”
I shouted.
   Laughter bubbled up out of Quentin.
   “It’s not freaking funny,” I tried to slap at him with my uninjured
hand, but he scooted out of the way.
   “Effing? Effing? Ella, if you’re gonna say it, go for the gusto.”
   Oh, I was saying it all right, over and over. Mentally. I couldn’t push
it past my lips.
   “You a coward? Think your Sunday school teacher is going to hear
you? There’s nothing but a few Eskimos for hundreds of miles and you
can’t bring yourself to say a simple word?”
   “It doesn’t matter what I say, Quentin. It’s not going to take the pain
away.”
   I thought he was going to fall back in the snow he was laughing so
hard. And if he did, I just might feel enough compassion to bury him up
to his chin and let him worry about frostbite in his delicate areas. I
wanted to simply sit with my hand buried deep in the snow and writhe
with the pain. I could almost envision the tips of those digits tearing open
and peeling like a boiled tomato. I bet that’s what they looked like too.
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
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