“Fighting the Irons coming through the tunnel.”

“But they’l send their Elites that way. Those two can’t handle—”

“Celyn went back for Éibhear,” Edana explained. “Éibhear wouldn’t leave. He’s angry, Rhona.” And the triplets said together, “Very, very angry.”

“I think he blames himself,” Nesta said softly. “For Austel .”

“I don’t know about now,” Edana went on, “but for a while, Éibhear was the only thing keeping the Irons back until Gwenvael and Briec showed up with their troops.”

Breena nodded and said, “Meinhard’s there too.”

“So what do you want us to do, sister?” Edana asked.

“I need you to get the word out. We’ve got the Rebel King here, helping us defeat Thracius.”

“Who?”

“I’l explain later. He and his troops are Irons and Sovereigns too, but they’re no friends of the overlord. The dragons wear their hair long and the humans are in black and silver, not the red and gold our enemies wear. I need you to get the word out to al the commanders. Al of them.” She sighed a little. “Especial y Mum. They have to know Gaius and his troops are part of the al iance. They’re not to be purposely harmed by us.

Especial y Gaius. He may be the only one who can kil Thracius. Now go tel everyone.” Once her sisters were gone, Rhona dropped down beside Annwyl.

“Annwyl! Are you al right?”

The monarch pul ed her sword out of another corpse. “I’m fine. Feel great! How are we doing?”

“I don’t know yet. It was a trap, Annwyl. The Irons came up through the tunnels. I want to go and check in with the troops stil inside.”

“Go. I’m fine.” She grinned and motioned to her army riding in from the pass. “My troops are here. And look, Morfyd’s arrived.” She waved her swords to get Morfyd’s attention, forcing Rhona to lean far back so she wasn’t hit with the damn things.

“Morfyd!” the queen screamed out. “Oy! Morfyd! ” When Morfyd was heading toward them, Annwyl waved Rhona away. “Help the others. I’m fine.” Rhona nodded and was about to lift off when Annwyl said, “Oh! And by the way. The triplets were great. You taught them wel .” Surprised, Rhona stuttered, “Oh, uh . . . thank—”

“Go. Let me finish here, then I’l see if my troops can help Gaius.”

“Thanks, Annwyl.”

“No.” And, for a brief second, Rhona saw the real Annwyl. The sane one who loved her offspring and mate and adored her people, was wil ing to die for them. More than once. “Thank you. For everything.” Then that crazed smile returned, and Annwyl said, “Now go. I’ve got so many heads to take before the day is over.”

Morfyd slid to a stop in front of them after dragging her claws through a few of the Sovereign troops.

“Morfyd!” Annwyl cheerful y greeted her Battle Mage.

“You cow!” Morfyd snarled in return.

Annwyl gasped. “What are you yel ing at me for? What did I do?”

“What did you do? You left! That’s what you did, you impossible female! With no word to me! To Brastias! And you took my ridiculously impressionable niece and young cousin with you!”

“Don’t you dare yel at me, Princess! I’m queen. I rule! And if I want to go off on a suicide mission with or without your niece and cousin, I can!

Because I’m queen!”

“You are the most foolish, insufferable, intolerable female I’ve ever known!”

“And you’re a whiny royal! There! I said it! Now everyone wil know the truth!” Not about to get in the middle of this, Rhona unfurled her wings and took to the skies, heading toward the caves and whatever nightmare awaited her there.

Chapter 34

Word quickly spread among the Southland and Northland troops that the Irons with the long hair and black sashes over their breastplates, were in fact Rebel troops. Vigholf would have to say he was impressed, too, by the way they fought. The Rebels were brutal and merciless to what was once their own. But that could be because they and those they loved had been treated so heartlessly.

Yet none of them had been able to get near Thracius. And, with a glance, Vigholf could see that it was driving the young king mad to see his uncle so close but stil out of reach. Gaius must long to get his claws around the male’s throat and squeeze the life from him after what he al owed his daughter to do to Gaius’s sister. The king kept trying, though, flying up and over the fighting masses. But each time he was taken down by the Iron troops before he could get close enough. The Irons hadn’t managed to kil the young dragon—although they continued to try—but they were successful y halting his efforts to reach their overlord.

Ragnar caught Vigholf’s arm, pul ed him in close. “I pul ed Meinhard’s troops from the tunnels. They’re coming in from the right. Take your troops and circle around to the left. Fearghus and I wil push the Irons back. Understand?” He did. It would be like catching a rat in a pincer and squeezing.

Vigholf let out a low whistle, and without making a fuss, he and his troops moved into position.

Rhona flew into the mountain cave they’d cal ed home for the last five years. A home now fil ed with the bodies of comrades and enemies.

Snarling, pissed at herself for not realizing what the Irons had been planning al along, she headed toward the tunnel, pushing and impaling her way through the battling troops. She came around a corner but quickly brought up her shield, a broadsword slamming into it seconds before it would have cleaved her head open.