“We’ve eaten. My brothers argued over who’d get to bathe in that big tub first.” She grinned. “I won that.” “Another head-butt?”
“There’s no shame in the head-butt. If it works it works. They all went to bed hours ago. Charles said you shouldn’t be much longer. . I think Charles lied to me.” “It’s not his fault. He always reminds me of the time and I just get. . lost.” “That’s all right. I find it endearing.” “You do? Most females have found it rude and intolerable.” “Stuck up, prissy asses, if you ask me.” Bram laughed. “I’ve never heard ‘stuck up prissy asses’ before.” “Because I just came up with it. Look, it’s not like you’re at the pub, feeling up the bargirls. You’re doing important work.” “You think what I do is important?” “Definitely. Because when your precious truces and alliances are broken, war breaks out.” Her grin was wide, showing all her teeth. “And then my important work begins.” She stood and walked over to him. “We need you peacemakers. Without you, there’d be no reason for war, now would there?” “It’s nice to know how integral my job is to your happiness.” “And my career! Don’t move up the ranks of Dragonwarrior without a war to fight, enemies to kill. So thank you, peaceful dragon, for being ever so helpful.” “It’s my pleasure, warmongering female.” They laughed and she caught his hand. “Now off to bed with you. You need at least a few hours if you hope to make it through the day.” She pulled him out of his study and led him down the hall. “Addolgar’s a tyrant when traveling. He likes to go and go and go. The quicker the better for him.” “Is that my shirt you’re wearing?” “I needed something to wear. Charles practically fainted earlier today when I got naked in front of him. These humans. . so ridiculous about their own bodies.” But what did she expect when her body looked so. . astounding. Long legs stretched out from under his shirt, while a plump ass moved seductively under the plain cotton. Then they were walking up the stairs and Bram realized she wore no underthings. Gods, the female was torturing him. What had he ever done to deserve such torture?
She stopped in front of his room. “This is your room, yes?” “It is.”
“I could tell when I walked past. All the books.” “I read a lot.”
“Don’t have to defend yourself to me. My cave is filled with weapons. Same thing.” She released his hand and gestured him inside. “Need help getting undressed?” Bram faced her. “Yes. Yes, I do.” “I was joking.”
“I’m not.” He lifted his hands. “They’re weak from writing.” “Bed. Sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” “You shouldn’t offer if you’re not going to deliver, Captain.” “Yeah, yeah. Like I’ve never heard that before.” She walked away but returned. “Thanks, by the way.” “For what?”
“Letting my brothers stay. I know you’d rather have yourself impaled, but. . I appreciate it.” “No problem. Although I don’t know if I’d let them in when you’re not here.” “That’s probably a good idea.” She winked and walked off.
And unable to help himself, Bram followed her out into the hallway, watching that perfect plump ass move down the corridor until she reached her bedroom and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
Bram blew out a breath and wondered about going down there and knocking.
“You haven’t gotten to bed yet?” Bram gritted his teeth—all of them sneak! — and said, “I was about to, Captain Addolgar.” “Just call me Addolgar.” The big oaf stood beside Bram now, staring off down the hall. “My sister. . you think she’s pretty, yeah?” Unsure where this was going, and a little terrified, Bram answered, “Uh. . yes. Your sister is very attractive. A handsome woman and a”—enticing? No. Don’t say that—“a beautiful dragoness.” Addolgar faced Bram, the two staring at each other. Addolgar was nearly the same height as he, perhaps an inch or two taller, but he was much, much wider. Among most, human or dragon, Bram never considered himself small. But when he was around the Cadwaladrs. . Honestly, did the adults perform spells to make their offspring so unnaturally large?
The dragon gazed down at Bram for several long seconds—Am I shrinking? Why does it feel like I’m shrinking? — then grunted at him and walked off.
“Get some sleep,” Addolgar called back. “We got a long trip tomorrow and we need to make a stop.” “A stop? I don’t have time for a—” The dragon halted at his door and stared back at Bram until Bram said, “Good. A stop. Can’t wait.” Another grunt and then he was gone, closing the door behind him.
And that’s when Bram knew he’d be lucky if he made it back from this trip alive.
Chapter 4
For six dragons to leave for a time, there was an awful lot going on. She’d seen military campaigns start with less activity.
“Charles!” she heard Bram call from his study. “Have you seen the—” “Have it, m’Lord.”
“Good. Good.”
“Are we leaving?” Addolgar demanded. “The suns are nearly up.” “Give him another minute.”
“I’m running out of patience.” “I can see that, brother. Everyone within a league can see that.” Bram stalked through the hall, followed by poor Charles, who was desperately trying to keep up with his long strides.
“You remember everything, Charles?” “Yes, sir. It’ll be taken care of by the time you get back.” “Good. Good.” Bram stopped in front of them. “Why are we just standing around? We need to be off.” Ghleanna slapped her hand against Addolgar’s chest before her brother could rip poor Bram’s arms off.
“We’re ready whenever you are, Lord Bram.” “All right then. Let’s go, let’s go.” He motioned them out and followed behind. They walked past the gates and Bram stopped.
“What are your cousins doing here?” Bram asked her.
“The troops are moving out from Bolver Fields and they have a tendency to pillage everything in their wake. My cousins will ensure that no one touches your castle or, more importantly, poor Charles. And I really think you should give him more money. He earns it.” Bram turned toward her, gazing into her face. “Thank you, Ghleanna. That was very thoughtful.” Ghleanna had rarely had anyone thank her before, so she didn’t know what to say and ended up staring after Bram long after he’d walked off.
“What if we get hungry?” one of her cousins asked.
“Cows. In the field.” She pointed a finger at them. “But you leave the human inside alone. He’s not to be eaten. Do you understand?” “But what if we’re really hungry?” And by the time she’d pulled her axe, her cousins had already charged back inside the gates, laughing the entire time.
They didn’t make their first stop until late morning, proving Ghleanna right about Addolgar. He was a tyrant about travel. But Bram was unclear why they’d come here. Gods, he hoped it wasn’t to round up more blasted Cadwaladrs.
“What are we doing here, Addolgar?” Ghleanna demanded once her talons touched the ground.
“You know why. Did you think you could leave the Southlands without coming here first?” “As a matter of fact, I did,” she snapped back.
“Well, you can’t. An hour here. A bit of food. And then we’ll be on our way.” “But—”
“No arguments, annoying female!” Ghleanna stamped her back claw. “Worthless bastard!” “Whiny harpie!” “This is your parents’ home.” The siblings faced Bram and Addolgar asked, “How’d ya know that?” Bram gazed at them all. “I used to visit. Quite often. Even stayed here for a while.” “You did?”