How to Drive a Dragon Crazy
Haldane, sitting on her horse, sighed again loudly. “Can we please get on the road?” she said over the wailing of Rhi and Talaith, who were clinging to each other while Briec patted their backs and rolled his eyes.
Izzy pulled out her sword and started down the stairs toward her grandmother, but Éibhear quickly caught her and pulled her into his arms.
“You have to calm down,” he warned her quietly.
“I kill her now, my worries are pretty much resolved.”
“We have a bigger issue.”
“Which is?”
“Annwyl.”
Izzy glanced over at her queen. “She is being a little quiet.”
“A little?”
Finally, Rhi pulled away from her mother. “I’ll miss you, Mum.”
“You, too. But I’ll be coming to visit. I promise. And don’t let those horrid bitches turn you against your kin.”
“Of course I won’t! Never!”
The sobbing started again and the pair started to throw themselves into each other’s arms, but this time Briec stepped between them and led Rhi down the stairs and to the horse Izzy had picked out for her. He helped his daughter mount the mare, then kissed her cheek.
“We’re only a thought away, my sweetest girl. Please don’t ever forget that.”
“I know, Daddy. And I won’t.”
Now that Rhi was safe on her horse Talan hugged the women of his family. Rhiannon, Morfyd, Keita, Talaith, and Dagmar. Finally, he stepped in front of his mother. “I love you, Mum.”
“I love you, too.”
He hugged her, kissed her cheek. “You’ll hear from me soon.”
“Good.”
He went down the stairs toward the mare waiting for him. Éibhear had picked out a stallion for him, but it kept throwing the boy, so they’d finally settled on one of the big battle mares. The situation told Éibhear a lot about his nephew.
“Talwyn!” the boy called out. “Let’s go.”
Talwyn walked out of the Great Hall. She hugged her father, grandfather, and Gwenvael, nodded at her aunts, grandmother, and her mother. Then she went down the stairs and hugged Briec. But instead of getting on the horse Izzy had chosen for her, she went to the Kyvich and waited for her next orders.
The Nolwenns snorted in disgust—it was official, the Kyvich and the Nolwenns really did loathe each other—and Annwyl’s hands curled into tight fists.
Izzy glanced at Éibhear and then went right to her queen’s side, Aidan moving next to Éibhear’s.
“Mount up, Kyvich!” ordered Bryndís, second in command to Ásta.
“Wait,” Annwyl called out. She walked down the stairs, Izzy right behind her. The Southland Queen went to her daughter and wrapped her arms around her. At first, Talwyn just stood there, her arms at her sides. But then, after a moment, she hugged her mother back. The pair held each other tight.
Annwyl stepped back, pushing her daughter’s never really combed hair out of her face. She kissed her forehead and smiled. Then, without another word, Annwyl released her only daughter, turned, and walked away.
“There’s no need to worry, Queen Annwyl,” Ásta said to her. “You’re doing the right thing. Talwyn will finally be where she belongs. With the Kyvich.”
“Ásta really thinks this is a good idea?” Aidan asked Éibhear.
“Apparently.”
Annwyl faced Ásta. “She’s my daughter. She’ll always be my daughter.”
“No one said that would change. But you have to know this is for the best. You have to know that—”
Éibhear and Aidan cringed when Annwyl’s fist collided with Ásta’s face. Bone shattered and blood spurted, the warrior witch stumbling to the side but not falling.
“I feel better now. Thank you.” Annwyl looked at her daughter. “I love you, Talwyn.”
Her daughter smiled. “I love you, Mum.”
Turning away, Annwyl headed up the stairs until she reached Fearghus. She took his hand with her own and he kissed the back of her bloody and bruised knuckles.
Wiping the blood from her nose with her forearm, Ásta nodded at her second in command and headed toward her horse.
“Kyvich!” the second in command called out. “Mount up!”
The oversized travel party headed out of the courtyard and toward the main road. Éibhear signaled the Mì-runach to follow the party while he went up the stairs to Talaith.
“We’ll watch out for Rhi. Make sure she gets there safe.”
“I know.”
“When we get her settled, I’ll bring Iz back.”
Talaith went up on her toes, her arms open. Éibhear crouched so that she could hug him, his brothers behind her sneering. In answer, Éibhear took the middle and forefinger of his left hand and flicked them at the bastards.
And without even turning around, Talaith snapped, “You three! Leave your brother alone!”
She pulled away, patted his arm. “Go on, Éibhear. Don’t let them bother you. They’re just jealous.”
“Of what?” Briec asked. “His giant head?”
Éibhear moved toward his brother, but Talaith stepped between them.
“What is wrong with you?” she demanded of her mate.
“Why are you yelling at me?”
“Why do you think?”
Knowing this might go on for a while, Éibhear walked over to Frederik and Dagmar.