She ran back across the hall and into her father’s arms, each hugging the other tight.

But it was while he had his daughter in his embrace that the queen’s consort mouthed at She Who Rules These Lands, Be nice!

The queen shrugged and mouthed back, I am!

When Keita stepped away from her father, the queen motioned to the Blue beside her. When Bercelak said nothing, the queen gestured again until her consort let out a great sigh and mumbled, “Boy.” The queen scowled at her mate, and Bercelak added, “Glad you’re home.” The Blue’s eyes crossed. “Gee. Thanks, Dad.” Queen Rhiannon patted her son’s shoulder. “Now I have to talk to Lord Ragnar for a bit. So why don’t you and your father go chat?” Ragnar had to quickly look away because the expression of pure panic on the Blue’s face was so hilarious he knew he would be unable to keep the laughter in if he kept watching.

“Talk?” the Blue asked, his voice nearly cracking.

“Yes.” She pushed her hatchling toward Bercelak. “We won’t be long.” She motioned to Ragnar with a snowy-white talon, and he moved across the hall, those in the chamber watching him closely. Again, he was reminded that the royals weren’t the worry when it came to the Southlanders. It was these dragons. All of them—even the females—were warriors, fighters, killers.

He’d neared the queen when she said, “You stay, too, Keita.” Keita stumbled on her claws; she’d been following her father and brother out. “Me? Why?”

The queen laughed, placing her claw on Ragnar’s forearm. “Isn’t she funny, my little hurricane wind? Pretending she doesn’t know how to follow orders from her queen. She always makes me laugh.” Bercelak motioned to his daughter and, her shoulders slumping a little, Keita walked toward her mother and together the three of them moved into the queen’s private chamber.

Chapter Fourteen

Queen Rhiannon, ruler of all Southland dragons, dropped down onto her throne and gazed at her daughter and the handsome Northland dragon with her. “So where is my sister?”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty,” the Northlander replied, “but when I arrived she wasn’t there.”

“I see. She just disappeared, then?”

Keita snorted. “More like she escaped before you could get your claws on her.”

Rhiannon snarled a little at her brat, but the Lightning quickly stepped in front of her. When she heard Keita gasp and demand, “What do you think you’re doing?” Rhiannon had to fight hard not to giggle.

“From what we could tell, Lady Esyld had not been in that house for some time, Your Majesty.”

“There was nothing that told you where she might have gone?”

“We looked. There was nothing.”

“Was she captured?”

“Wouldn’t you know that, Mother?” Keita demanded behind the Dragonlord.

“And what is that supposed to mean?”

Keita walked around Ragnar. “It means, how long did you know she was there? How long have you been plotting to have her killed?”

“Your Majesties—” the Lightning began, but Rhiannon cut him off with one raised white talon.

“I knew she was there from the first time you went to see her. Was it worth it?” Rhiannon demanded. “Betraying me for that backstabbing little whore?”

The brat sighed out of pure boredom. “I never betrayed you, Mother.”

“You knew where she was, Keita. You never said a word. Not even to your brothers.”

“I didn’t see a point. She wasn’t hurting anyone.”

“That doesn’t matter, you twit! You knew where a suspected traitor was, and you said nothing. You’ve broken the law. You’ve put yourself and your kin at risk. Why? To protect a female who wants me dead?”

“Och! If you feel that way, call a meeting of the Elder Council, have them find me guilty of treachery, have me sent to the Desert Mines.”

“I should do that. It wouldn’t be any less than you deserve!”

“Then what are you waiting for?” Keita demanded, holding out her front claws. “Have your guards take me away and let us end this ridiculous conversation!”

Annoyed as only her damn daughter could annoy her, Rhiannon slapped Keita’s arms down—and Keita slapped her back across the shoulder.

Mouth open, stunned her daughter would do that to her own mother, much less the queen, Rhiannon stood and slapped Keita’s shoulder. They were in full slapping swing by the time the Lightning pushed his way between them.

“That is enough! ” he bellowed, shoving the females apart. “ Both of you cut it out! I’ve never seen mother and daughter act like this before. You two bite at each other like snakes in a pit!” Rhiannon’s guards burst into the chamber, led by Bercelak, but she held up her claw. “It’s fine, my love.”

“Rhiannon—”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. Go back and talk to your son.” Bercelak’s eyes crossed. “Must I?”

“Bercelak!”

“All right, all right.”

Her consort grudgingly left with the rest of Rhiannon’s guard.

“My, my,” Rhiannon said once the three were alone again, slowly walking around the Northlander, “my little lightning bolt has a bit of a temper.”

“He does,” her daughter chimed in, walking around Ragnar as well.