“Give me a moment, Mum.”

“I’m going to bed, so take your time,” she laughed.

Rhona caught hold of another cousin and yanked her back to the group.

Gods, she didn’t have time for this. She should be in bed, getting a few hours’ sleep before the suns rose and she returned to the armies in the val ey. What she shouldn’t be doing was dragging her kin from a brawl—that they started—in the middle of the nearby pub and trying to get them to bed.

When did that become her job?

Once Rhona got one cousin back in line with the others, another cousin made a run for it. Where were they running to? Most likely back to the pub for more drink and more fights. But before her cousin could get far, the Lightning was there, swooping up the She-dragon in one arm.

“Need help, Sergeant?” he teased.

Although Rhona would like to tel him no, she couldn’t afford to at the moment.

“I just need to get them back to the lake. The aunts wil take care of them from there.”

“I can help with that. But what wil I get out of it?”

Annoyed, she snapped, “Not to get my fist shoved up your—”

“Now, now. Let’s not get nasty, Fire Breather.”

“Are you helping or not?”

He picked up another one of her straying cousins in his free arm and motioned to her. “Lead the way, Babysitter.”

“I hate that nickname.”

“I know you do,” Vigholf laughed. “I know you do.”

Rhona may hate the nickname Babysitter, but she had to see how it fit her. At least that’s how Vigholf felt as he watched the She-dragon chase down one of her cousins and tackle her to the ground. Once Rhona had her pinned, she grabbed her by the hair and dragged her back to the lakeside.

“Now stay!” she ordered the female, brown eyes fierce.

Vigholf chuckled until a hand reached up and gripped his crotch and twisted.

“Owwww!”

Rhona ran over and desperately tried to pul another cousin’s hand off him.

“Let it go!”

“It’s huge, Rhona! You should give it a feel.”

Rhona dropped to her knees in front of him, one hand trying to pry the other female’s fingers off him, the other pul ing at her wrist. “I wil . I promise.

But you need to let go!”

The she-viper final y released him and Rhona flung her kin’s arm away. Dropping back on her heels and panting, she looked up at Vigholf.

I am so sorry, she mouthed at him.

Vigholf nodded and forced himself not to rub his poor cock.

It took some time, but eventual y they got al the females in their bedrol s and asleep. Once done, Vigholf and Rhona headed back to the castle.

“Wel ,” he muttered, “that was fun.”

“I’m sorry,” she said again.

“No need to apologize. But I’m surprised you didn’t keep your promise.”

“Promise? What promise?”

“The one to your cousin to give it a feel.” He glanced down at himself, gave her a wicked grin. “So you can see how huge it is.”

“What are you talk . . .” She shook her head and laughed. “Gods, you’re pathetic.”

“I’m merely trying to help you keep your promises to your kin.”

“Of course you are. Look, a few of my cousins may not be able to hold their liquor, especial y when a male is around, but I assure you that I can.” Vigholf stopped, studied her when she faced him. “You drank tonight?”

“Drank more than any of them, that’s for sure.”

“And yet you’re . . .”

“I’m what?”

“Sober.”

She chuckled. “I’m my father’s child, Northlander, and he can hold his liquor.”

“Considering how badly off the rest of your cousins are, I have to say I’m impressed. You don’t seem even a little different.”

“What can I say? It’s a gift.” Rhona suddenly held up a finger as if to silence him—although he hadn’t said anything—and then she sat down hard on the ground. Stil holding up that one finger.

Vigholf crouched next to her. “You al right?”

“The universe began to spin, so I decided to sit until it stopped.”

“Good plan.”

Since he didn’t know how long she’d need to sit, Vigholf sat beside her. He careful y took her raised finger and tucked it back into her fist.

“Thank you. I didn’t seem to have control of that talon.”

“Finger.”

“Whatever.” She smiled a little. “You can let go of my hand.”

“I could, but probably won’t. What with your universe spinning and al .”

“Any opportunity. You Lightnings take any opportunity.”

“There’s truth to that, I’m afraid.”

“You are, however, surprisingly light of touch.”

“Pardon?”

“The way you’re holding my hand. I always thought you’d be more of a mauler. Like a diseased wolf chewing the knuckles off me fist.”

“That’s very nice.”

“Not real y.”

“I was being sarcastic.”

“Oh. I see.” Rhona gazed off for a moment, then asked, “Where are we?”

“Okay. That’s it. I’m taking you to bed.”

“No, no,” she protested as Vigholf got to his knees. “I’m fine. I can walk.”