A spy novel?” Dagmar asked. “You two are talking about a spy nov

The She-dragon called Ghleanna had been standing behind him. She grabbed his hair and yanked the old dragon forward while ramming the blade of her sword into his snout. Bram glanced down at Kachka and smiled. “Isn’t she glorious?”Ghleanna pulled the old dragon off her sword and focused on the soldiers. “Kill all of them!” she screamed, and dragons dropped from the skies, landing hard on the soldier dragons.“The royals always forget,” Bram murmured. “Cadwaladrs never fight alone.

Talaith leaned forward, studied her youngest daughter. “You think you’re evil?”“Pure evil,” Izzy clarified, which got her a rather vicious glare from Rhi. An expression Dagmar had never thought the young,perpetually smiling or sobbing girl was capable of.“Why would you think you’re evil?”“It’s a feeling I have.”“No. Someone told her.”Rhi glowered at her sister. “I never said that.”“You didn’t have to,” Izzy shot back. “I know you.”“Well, who told her that?” Talaith demanded.And, as one, they all turned and looked at Gwenvael.He blinked, sat up straight. “I would never say such a thing to my dear sweet niece!”“You said it to me,” Talwyn snapped.“That’s because you’re not my dear sweet niece. You’re the rude little cow who threw a knife at my head.”“I wasn’t aiming for you. I was aiming for Mum.”“She’s right,” Annwyl admitted. “I just ducked behind you.” She shrugged. “Sorry.

Now”—she leaned in a bit—“would you like to go flying with Grandmum before we take you home, so you can watch her toss cows around for no other reason than her own amusement?”“Sounds unnecessarily cruel.”“Exactly!” Rhiannon used her tail to place her granddaughter on her back. “See? Already you’re learning what it means to be part of this family.

Éibhear isn’t my friend. He’s kin. A blood relation.”“Which means what exactly?”“To a Cadwaladr, it means that if I have good cause, I could beat the scales off his back and get away with it.

They can’t help it, you know. It happens in the egg,” she reasoned. “As soon as they grow that genitalia, intelligence goes right out the window and we’re left with this thing that just wants to stick it in any hole.

It wasn’t the first time he’d run for his life. And it most likely wouldnot be the last. In the past few decades, though, he’d mostly run fromangry fathers who’d found him where they felt he should not be. Or he’drun from town guards—sent by angry fathers who’d found him where theyfelt he should not be.

I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him yourself.”She sat up enough to look him in the eye. “I am not talking toyour…your…”“Mighty throbbing manhood?”“Briec.”“That which brings you much delirious pleasure?”“Briec.”“That which makes you whole?”“Stop it, dragon. You’re making me physically ill.” ...“Ow!”“Be nice, woman. I’m not used to this.”She rubbed her ass and glared at him. “Do that again and you’lllose that which you believe makes me whole.

He didn’t even apologize as he sat up, staring down at her. Washe angry? She guessed not when he began to speak to his erection.“I know. I can’t believe she left us like this either. Cruel wench,isn’t she?”After the long, frightening, horrible day she had, this was notremotely how she expected to end it. And, against her will, shesmiled.“Look. Now she’s laughing at us.”Desperately fighting a bout of laughter, she ordered, “Stoptalking to it.”He shrugged. “Well you won’t talk to him…and he’s feelingawfully lonely. And I think you hurt his feelings.” Then he made itbounce twice in agreement.Talaith covered her face and sighed. What exactly did hermother tell her the seven signs of madness were? Well, a dragontalking to his own shaft had to be one of them.

Morfyd’s care.As she walked out of the cave she passed Annwyl walking in. The girl had her swords in one hand. The other hand held her ripped shirt and bindings over her ample breasts. Her brows angled down into a dark frown and she wouldn’t even look at Morfyd as she passed.“How did that talk go then?” Morfyd called over her shoulder.“Shut. Up.”Morfyd laughed as she advanced into the glen toward the clearing where she could take off. She rounded a corner and came upon her brother, his chainmail shirt and sword in his big hand, heading toward the hidden entrance of his cave. She watched him as he passed and she noticed the long scratches across his back.“How did that talk go then?” Morfyd called over her shoulder.“Shut. Up.”Morfyd shook her head. If love always made you this pathetic, she wanted nothing to do with it.

Well, you didn’t think I’d just roll over, did you?”“Actually I was hoping for an on-all-fours sort of thing.

You wanted hatchlings.”“I know. I just didn’t want those hatchlings. Personally, I blame your father.”Bercelak’s eyes grew wide. “Excuse me?”On a burst of laughter, she exclaimed, “Well that came out horribly wrong!

You two are perfect together. And one day . . . one day your children will change everything.

Of course you don’t trust Braith. You don’t trust anybody,” Ghleanna reminded their brother. “You don’t trust the air.”“Because it tends to become unseasonably chilly when I’d prefer it to be warm. It’s as if it does it on purpose.

Like Mum and that bastard.” “You mean Da?”“Call him what you like.

She’d left him.Without a word. Without a thought. She’d left him and now he hadfeelings.For that alone, he’d never forgive her.

I see why our little Braith likes you.”“Does she?”“Can’t you tell?”“I’m male. I have no idea what you females are thinking.

Dagmar tried to stand, and Gwenvael caught her hand, pulling her back down. "You can't leave me. I'm tortured and brooding. You need to show me how much you adore me so I can learn to love myself again.""You've never stopped loving yourself.""Because I'm amazing.

For it was intelligence that was the thin line between endearing rapscallion and idiot bastard. - Éibhear the Contemptible

He sneered at his father. “He’ll live. I’m going after her.”“What?” His sister stood up in front of her brother. “Fearghus, don’t. She’s angry. Very angry. She impaled your father . . . twice. Give her some time to calm down.

Brastias. My friend.” Uh-oh, this couldn’t be good. “Do you lie to me?”“Uh . . . no.”“See? That’s a lie!

Are you in great physical pain, or is that your thinking expression?

I already explained this. I don’t like you. True, I don’t like most people, but I especially dislike you. I could start my own religion based on how much I dislike you.

He was her father after all. True, a father whose funeral rite she planned to dance at and toast with ale, but her father just the same.

She wanted to punch her father in his snout, but she wouldn’t. He was her father after all. True, a father whose funeral rite she planned to dance at and toast with ale, but her father just the same.

There was even a story passed among the queen’s court that when freshly hatched, Rhiannon bit her mother on the neck when she tried to cuddle her new daughter. But Rhiannon didn’t believe that for one second. True, she believed she bit her mother, but she didn’t believe her mother had tried to cuddle her.

she lived her life as a dragon and never understood those who didn’t. Why anyone would want to be human was beyond her understanding... And damn it all, she was brilliant!

Izzy. Sweet, beautiful, but eternally strange Izzy.

It was a good thing I recognized you or I might have had a lovely meal of you with some parsley. And potatoes.

I know I’m not an easy She-dragon to. . not fear.” “I’m not afraid of you, Ghleanna. I’ve never been afraid of you. To be quite honest. . I think you’re amazing. I always have. Since the first time you ignored me.

Good gods, female,” Addolgar muttered. “What did you do with yourself before I came into your life?”“I lived quietly alone in my cave,” she snapped back. “And I was quite happy there, too.

I’m so in love with you, Braith,” he told her, and she felt in her bones that he meant every word. “And do you know why?”“I have no idea,” she replied honestly.“Because I am such an amazing dragon that I know I richly deserve a She-dragon as wonderful as you. See?” he asked, grinning at her. “How could I not love you when you’re so clearly made for me?

Now if you gentlemen,” she looked at Briec, “and whateveryou are, will excuse me.

Oh, gods. Not the flying!”“I heard you mounted my sister well enough.”“I want you never to make that statement again.

How do you live with yourself, Lord Arrogant?” “Very easily, Lady Difficult. I find myself quitecharming.

I won’t tolerate her hurting you, my son. I’ll kill the bitch first.”“Weren’t you the one who tried to cut father’s throat before he Claimed you?”"He deserved it,

Nothing hurts me, Low Born. Absolutely nothing.”“How is that possible?” And for some reason he sounded as if he truly cared about her answer.“When you stop feeling anything, you find it quite possible.

Go on,” he offered magnanimously. “Feel free to piss on yourselves andcower helplessly.”Gods, sometimes his generosity overwhelmed him.

What’s wrong with him?”“Nothing. He’s just. . just. .” “Just what?”“A peacemaker.” And she’d dropped her voice to a whisper. “What would I do with a peacemaker?” “The same thing I did with a whore.

She made you smile.”“Aye. Rhiannon always makes me smile.”Shalin dropped her head against her son’s chest. “Dark gods, I’ve lost you forever.”Bercelak rolled his eyes. “I think, Mother, that’s a tad extreme.

You ask me if you can eat dinner in your room, but you don’task me if you can torture Éibhear to take you flying?”Truly perplexed, Izzy asked softly, “Why would I ask you that?

She hadn’t seen gold since she’d lastbeen to her father’s home, when she would sneak off to meet him.Smiling at the brief memory of, as her mother called him, “the onewho gave me the seed which allowed for your presence.

Don't make me cover your face with a pillow until you see my side of things.""Isn't that called murder?

Lorcan rubbed his head. “Am I asking too much to want the little bitch dead? Am I?” It seemed Hefaidd-Hen learned long ago not to answer certain questions. “All I want is for her to suffer a painful, horrifying death. And for her head to be on a spike in front of my castle. That’s all I want.

No one referred toFearghus the Destroyer as the life of anyone’s party.

Hhhmm. A sense of humor.” He cocked his head to the side.“That actually might annoy me.”She frowned, ignoring the teasing sound to that oh-so-low voiceand, with heavy sarcasm answered, “Oh, well, that’ll keep me upnights.

How’s your father?”“How do you think he is? You stabbed him in the foot.”“I would have aimed for his heart, but I wasn’t sure he actually had one. Do any of you have one?

My father helped you with that. . that thing you do?” “Yes. Your father helped me with that peacemaking thing I do that keeps you happily killing for a living.

Why are you doing this?”“That’s easy. Because I like you.” He grinned. “I like you a lot.”“Why?”“Because you make me smile.”“You’re Addolgar the Cheerful. Everything makes you smile.”“Not everything. And if I want to like you, Braith of the Darkness, I get to like you. Whether you want me to or not.

Braith turned and saw three of her cousins sunning themselves on boulders. Like lizards. Lizards in human form.“What are you doing?” Braith asked.“Enjoying the suns,” replied one.“It gives our scales a lovely bright hue,” said another.Braith blinked. “Except you’re all in your human form. So how does that help your scales?”They stared at her for several seconds before one stated, “You’re a bit of a know-it-all, aren’t you?”“How is that . . .” Braith shook her head. She wouldn’t go from arguing with one idiot to arguing with three.

This is a Steppes horse. Its speed, power, and endurance unparalleled. Do not let size fool you, Dolt. You do not have to be big to be strong. To be feared.” “But it helps.” “Your shoulders may be wide, but your mind is very small. Like peanut.

She's just being sensitive. You put a girl in jail and forget about her for a few months, and they all take it so bloody personally.""You forgot about her?""She's lucky I did. She'd been sent to kill Rhiannon.""Then why isn't she dead?"Celyn sighed. "It was a sad, weak attempt, really. She clearly didn't want to do it. Auntie Rhiannon just felt bad for her.

Tribe life is not easy for anyone. But at least I was born female. I hate to think what my life would be like if I had not been."That made the dragon chuckle. "You don't hear that very often from Southlander women.""I do not know why," Elina answered honestly. "I would never want to be man. That cock hanging between your legs all day. You have no control of emotions. If we leave you to yourselves, you destroy without though; rage without reason; and attempt to fuck anything that wants you to leave them be.

There's a feat tonight! There'll be dancing.""A feast?" Kachka asked. "Who are we sacrificing?

Hope death finds you well today.

But you don't have a husband yet?"Elina shook her head, her gaze focused on the stream. "No. I have nothing to entice a man. No raids. No bounty on my head. No one fears me." She looked him in the eyes. "As far as the tribes are concerned, I am nothing.""But you're cute.""I am...cute?""Aye. Cute. In the Southlands, cute can get you a baron and a full staff.

Just...if you notice I'm talking too much or someone seems particularly interested in what I'm asking about, let me know. That's all. Just...have my back."'"Have...back?""Have my back. Simply make sure that I don't put me foot in it.""Foot?"He rolled his eyes. "Gods, you're literal. I mean make sure I don't talk us into a bad situation.""Oh. Step on dick."His eyes widened. "Pardon?""When men do stupid thing...we say they step on dick.""That would imply an impressively sized dick.

Celyn merely snarled and stalked away."You best go to him, sister, and soothe his hurt feelings.""Why should I?""You know how men are. If you treat them nice and buy them gifts, they will suck your pussy like champion.

Annwyl didn't know or care. She hated the gods, pretty much all of them. But more than gods, she hated humans who did horrible things while proclaiming themselves holy and righteous because of their gods.Yet of all the holy sycophants she'd had to deal with the last few years, Annwyl loathed most of all Priestess Abertha, the sister of Duke Salebiri and the biggest hypocrite Annwyl had ever had the displeasure of meeting... Annwyl liked to call her, Priestess Fucking Abertha

What did she say?" Eibhear asked."She basically said...she does not like me. We would not be friends. And if we had sex, it would be only because she was bored. Long nights and all.

Trying to catch their breath, they lay there for so long that Celyn lost track of time. That is, until Elina noted, "You are still hard inside me."Celyn nodded, then realized she couldn't see that. "Aye," he finally answered."How is that possible?""I am dragon," he answered honestly. "Anything is possible. We're that amazing.

She again patted the ground beside her. "Now come. Sit beside me. I will play with your cock while we eat."Elina hadn't even finished chewing the second bite of her food before the dragon suddenly dove into place next to her. A smile on his handsome face, his eyebrows wiggling in anticipation.He was adorably pathetic."Take care of your horse first, Dolt.""Take care of him?""He cannot spend the all night wearing saddle and equipment.""Aye, but...""I am not going anywhere. My hands will still be here to play with cock when you get back.""Promise?

You want us to bargain with a lizard?”“They’re not lizards, Father. They’re extraordinary creatures who werehere long before any human was crawling on this earth. They are warriorsand scholars and—”“He has long hair like a woman,” one of Sigmar’s sons blathered

And why does Father want me out there?You do know it’s a myth what they say about virgin sacrifices and dragons,yes?”“Of course I know that,” he snapped in such a way that Dagmar knewhe believed the myth to be true. “And after them three marriages, you ain’tmuch of a virgin yourself, now is ya?”“Those last two barely counted.

To be honest, Briec doesn’tconsider fights with humans as battles. I think he sees that more ashunting. Or a snack that runs.

Please don’t hug me. Please don’t hug me.But she did. And now Bram had two sets of black eyes glaring at him.Finally, he said out loud, “It’s not me! I swear!” Rhiannon laughed and leaned back from Bram. “So cute! Isn’t he cute, Bercelak?” “No.”“Bercelak’s only teasing.” “No, I’m not.

she was polite, charming, and damn pretty. Braith wanted to hate her, but she just couldn’t. The bitch.

As he wasforced to tell his father more than once, “I said I’d fight for my mother’sthrone. I never said I’d die for it.” Then he’d add, simply to annoy the oldbastard into one of his frothy temper tantrums, “Don’t you think I’m toopretty to die?

The bastard was effectively stuck until he and Morfyd helped him. Fearghus smiled a little at his father’s suffering and the female who caused it.I do love that woman.

You off then, Da?” she asked.“Aye. Too old for all this killing.” And to prove that, her father turned and brought his axe down on the head of a traitor that had gotten too close. Spun once more and cut off the legs of another.He faced them again. “Need to get back to my rocking chair and some hot tea.”“Clearly.

A whore Ailean may have been, but a loving, caring whore who adored his offspring and mate.

Oh, sorry. I’m not . . . uh . . . interrupting something that will make me uncomfortable, am I?

What’s going on?”“Nothing.” She coughed, and released Talaith’s hand. “Exceptyou have some powerful enemies.”“Tell me what I don’t know, witch.”“Powerful enemies who are gods.”For a moment, Annwyl was shocked beyond all reason…thenshe shrugged. “Now that I think of it—I don’t know why I would besurprised.

He sighed. A year since he’d left her the morning after the final battle with her brother. A year since he’d held her in his arms. A year since he’d kissed her. A year since he’d buried his head between her thighs. A year since she’d punched him in the face.

Fearghus watched his mate a moment longer. It had been five years since he last saw her. Five years since he last touched her, kissed her, fucked her, saw her smile, told her to calm down, yanked a weapon from her hands before she hurt someone, or stopped her from getting in a pit brawl with her own daughter. It had been too long since he’d done all that and it was a bit overwhelming to be here now, so close to her after all this time.Annwyl slammed her spear into another Sovereign, then leaned against it, wiping her brow with the back of her hand and looking out over all the bodies she and her troops had left behind.She looked rather proud.

Aren’t you going to hit him?” Éibhear asked.“I don’t feel like it.”“Good gods.” Gwenvael stood. “This is worse than we thought,Éibhear. Up, brother.” Gwenvael grabbed Briec’s arm and pulledhim to his feet. “There is only one answer for this.”“Which is?”“Drinking and eating. The whoring we will keep until we get yougood and drunk.

Bercelak’s kin kept themselves busy by sharpening weapons, reading, talking, or setting things on fire with small bursts of flame.

Now she sat in their dining hall, a book in her lap but unread while she stared blankly across the room.Bercelak’s kin kept themselves busy by sharpening weapons, reading, talking, or setting things on fire with small bursts of flame.

It’s been a long time. How have you been doing?”I’m fine. How are you? You’re looking very handsome today, Addolgar the Handsome, lord of my loins.At least that was what she’d like to say to him, but instead she came out with, “Yeah, hi.

Is there ever a time you’re not an arrogant bastard?”“Is there ever a time you’re not a difficult bitch?”“No.”“Then I guess that makes us perfectly matched, now doesn’t it?

I didn’t think it was possible — but this situation has managed to get worse.” “But you’re so calm,” she observed.“That’s usually when you can tell everything has gone to shit.

Her youngest daughter shrugged. “Ain’t got no money, do we?” “I don’t understand. Why aren’t you pillaging like the rest of your kin?” “It was the Northlands, Da. Ain’t nothin’ to pillage but the crows in the trees.” “And snow,” their eldest added. “Lots and lots of snow.” Bram motioned to his study. “You know where I keep the gold coin.” As if on fire, their offspring made a desperate run for their father’s study, climbing over the table and fighting each other through the door. It wasn’t pretty.

I’veenjoyed our conversation, knight. It’s been nice talking to someonewho can—”“Create full and complete sentences?”That grin returned and, for a moment, his heart actually stoppedbeating. “No, it was nice to finally meet someone whose arrogance isonly rivaled by the arrogance of the gods.

Explain to me again why we’re at a whorehouse?”Gwenvael sighed around his ale. “Because, my thick-headedbrother, if you want information about human men then you go to theone place all human men come to eventually.