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?”
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?”
“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 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.