“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.
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.
* * *
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 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.
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.
“Fine. My name is Briec. Briec the Mighty.” He truly did not appreciate the snorted laugh that followed his statement. “What’s so funny?”