“Off. Not wil ing to talk to anyone.” She shook her head—Vigholf sensed a little sadness and a little awe in that one move. “When he final y snapped, he real y snapped.”

“He’l be al right,” Vigholf assured her. “Just give him some time.”

“I don’t know. He seems truly devastated about Austel .”

“We’ve al lost comrades in battle, Rhona. And we al handle it. He wil , too. He’s just young. It wil take him some time. And the last thing he needs is more females babying him.”

“I’m one female who has never babied Éibhear. I’m here to keep him alive, not be his mother.” She patted his thigh. “Oh! It’s about to start.”

“What? What’s about to start?”

Ragnar was standing not ten feet away, talking to Gaius. It was easy to see his brother was making another al y. He was good with that.

But stalking up to Ragnar and Gaius, looking quite unhappy was Briec. Izzy was behind him, trying her best to calm him down, but it didn’t seem to be working.

“Is this about Gaius?” he asked Rhona.

“No. Not at al .” She offered him some dried beef and kept watching.

When Briec reached Ragnar and Gaius, he shoved Ragnar. “You smarmy bastard! No wonder my sister picked you for her mate!” Vigholf winced. “Guess he found out about the Tribesmen attack on Garbhán Isle.”

“And you would be guessing correctly.”

“You told him, didn’t you? About everything.”

“He demanded a ful report—I gave him one.”

“But, Rhona—”

“He outranks me,” she argued. “I have to fol ow orders.”

Vigholf took a moment to eye the She-dragon. “Centaur shit, you vindictive harpy.”

“After sending us off with Keita, involving us in one of her insane schemes—your brother deserves every bit of this.”

“Your cold, inflexible heart makes me burn to be inside you.”

“Charmer.”

He laughed until he saw Fearghus and Annwyl walking up to Briec and the others, Gwenvael behind them.

“What’s going on?” Fearghus asked his brother.

“Garbhán Isle has been under attack for days by Tribesmen. Days! And this idiot knew and he said nothing!”

“Does this mean we’re going home?” Gwenvael asked, sounding eager.

Annwyl flinched and, after looking at Vigholf and Rhona, eased behind her mate’s back. She’d known about the attack since they were at the Sovereign camp and yet she’d decided to go on and get Gaius. But she’d been right. They’d needed Gaius and his soldiers or they would have been overrun by Thracius’s troops. Of course, they al thought Gaius was there to kil Thracius himself . . . but that job turned out to be Éibhear’s.

“How could you not tel us?” Fearghus demanded.

“So we’re going home, yeah?” Gwenvael pushed.

“Look,” Ragnar began, “Keita thought—”

“When exactly did our sister start thinking?” Briec shoved Ragnar again. “And when did you start listening, you twat?”

“If you push me again—”

“You’l what, barbarian? What exactly wil you do?”

Rhona yawned and rested her head on Vigholf’s shoulder. “I was hoping to get some sleep, but it seems like we’l be heading back to Dark Plains tonight.”

“I think you’re right.”

“So where do we go from here?”

“I’m in love with you, Rhona. Wherever you go, I’m with you.”

She raised her head, looked him in the eye, and smiled. It was the sweetest smile he’d seen in a very long time.

“And what are you two doing?” Briec snarled at them.

“Oy!” Rhona yel ed back. “Back off, royal! I’m off duty!”

Gwenvael jumped between them. “Home!” he yel ed. “We’re al going home! Now! So let’s make that happen. Right now! Everyone, move . . .

move!”

Briec, Ragnar, and Fearghus backed away from their brother while Gwenvael walked off, ordering the troops to get ready to move out.

“Gwenvael really wants to go home,” Vigholf observed.

“My cousin hasn’t f**ked a female since the last time he saw his mate. And that was what? Three years ago? No sex for Gwenvael is like no food. The dragon’s starving and al he wants is his steak.”

“Speaking of which,” Vigholf glanced around. “While everyone is breaking camp, maybe you and I can find a quiet place to—”

“Why aren’t you two moving?” Gwenvael screamed at them. “Move, damn you! Move! ” Laughing, Rhona got up and brushed the dirt off. “Let’s go before my cousin’s mind explodes. Besides, you need to think of what you’re going to tel Daddy when we get back to Garbhán Isle.”

“Tel him? Why do I have to tel your father—with the enormously large arms, expert skil with al weapons, and the ability to spray me with lava—

anything?”

“Because you love me and Daddy loves me. So you better find a way to keep him from pul ing your head right off your body.” Vigholf stood. “Al right. I wil . But at least make it worth it for me, Rhona.”

“Make it worth it?”

“Don’t tease, female. Tel me you love me.”