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.

“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 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.”

“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—”