Her mother would come for her. And when she did, Izzy would hide until the battle was over and her mother took her home.

* * *

“You are bleeding to death.”

Slowly, Talaith rolled on her back. “I know.”

“Why would you cut yourself like that?”

“I had to get your attention.”

A black talon passed over her body. A black talon as big as her. Normally something she’d cringe about and at, but nothing scared her at the moment. Nothing but the thought of losing her daughter.

“You can get up now.”

Talaith pushed herself up. The weakness she’d been feeling when she cut the vein in her arm was gone. She felt strong. Powerful. She stood and raised her eyes to the awesome being before her.

“My Lord,” she greeted while bowing her head in respect.

He snorted. “You couldn’t make that sound right if you tried.”

Damn. Even worse…she had been trying.

“Please. My daughter…”

“I know, Talaith. I know. I always know where my Izzy is.”

She lost her ability to look contrite and fearful in front of a god. Her eyes snapped up to Rhydderch Hael’s and she no longer bothered to hide her anger.

“Then why the hell did you let her go? Why did you let Arzhela take her?”

Rhydderch Hael revealed rows and rows and rows of fangs. A smile, she now knew. “Now where did my scared little god-fearing mouse go?”

“She trusts you.”

“She trusts you more.” She wondered if that upset him, but he didn’t seem upset.

“What do you want from me?”

Rhydderch Hael sat his black dragon body back on his haunches. She’d thought Briec and his brothers were enormous. Not even close. She couldn’t even see where his body ended. She’d glimpsed the tip of his tail, which resembled a spiked broadsword created for a giant. She also noticed that unlike the dragons she now knew, he didn’t have two horns, but twelve. His hair, although primarily black, had every shade she’d ever seen in nature rippling through it. But his eyes…his eyes were thoughtful and wise beyond the ages. They were also a bright violet. Just like her Briec’s.

“You’ve wondered something since Izzy came back into your life. Ask me now.”

She controlled her urge to tell the beast to stop testing her and help her get her daughter back, but she’d dealt with Arzhela long enough to know when to push a god and when not.

Taking a deep breath, she asked honestly, “Why didn’t you just kill me when you knew what Arzhela was up to? Why did you protect Izzy when you could have killed me and just ended it? And killed Izzy for that matter.”

“Because that wouldn’t have ended it. By having you, she didn’t bother with other attempts. If I’d killed you it would have gone on and on until she killed Annwyl. And when Annwyl and Fearghus found each other, I knew…knew they were the ones.”

“The ones to breed your…” She shrugged. “What exactly are you having them breed?”

“Nothing she can’t handle the birth of,” he vaguely answered. “That woman won’t let anyone or anything hurt what she loves. And she loves like she hates—passionately and until the end of her days.”

“And I still live because…”

“Even gods need to sleep every once in a while, Talaith. No, I needed Annwyl to live until my Moon was full in the sky. Then I let the Magick do the rest.”

“Huh. Aye. Thanks for that by the way.”

There went those fangs again. “As if you didn’t enjoy it, Briec’s sweet Talaith.”

Talaith blushed and looked away from the smirking bastard.

“I knew if I protected Izzy, blocked her from Arzhela’s sight, I’d keep her safe while forcing Arzhela to focus solely on you until she knew exactly who she wanted dead. She couldn’t risk you meeting your daughter before then. She just never expected Briec to be in your village that day.”

Talaith’s eyes snapped to Rhydderch Hael’s gold ones. “You sent Briec?”

“No. I don’t send anyone. Unlike you humans, my people are much more…independent. I can open doorways, but it’s up to them to walk through. No. I only made it rather necessary for one of Fearghus’ brothers to go. When I realized it was Briec, I knew the only way I could ensure he would take you was if you were in danger. And even then, there were no guarantees.”

“You turned my husband against me.”

“Oh, he’s always hated you. All I need do was light the flint. Of course, I never knew Briec would keep you.” The god chuckled. “I thought he’d drop you off in the nearest town. Izzy and her Protectors were already headed that way and Annwyl was heading home to Fearghus. Everything was in place as I’d been planning for years. But when that arrogant bastard wouldn’t release you, I had to scramble for ideas.” He looked Talaith up and down. “Although I can see why he would keep you.”

At her glare, he continued. “I warned Morfyd of your coming—because I knew with you still thinking Izzy was in danger, you’d continue to be a true threat to the queen—and started the storms to slow everyone down until you were on the move again. We had a wee bit of extra time, so I didn’t worry much. I assumed Briec would tire of you quickly. But he didn’t, did he? You must be quite the fantasy come to life to hold on to our dear Briec.”