“But why?” Braith asked. “He has no use for me. No love. Why would he care if I was here with you or alone in my cave?”
“The Penardduns are matriarchal, child. His first threat didn’t work with us because anything and everything your mother had, including title, was passed down to you. I honestly think that at first, he was just being his usual, vindictive self when he kept you from us.”
“We used to openly mock his weak arms and that tiny little neck of his,” Aledwen said, grinning. “He hated that.”
“But once he understood the true power of our line, he understood that without you, Emyr and his idiot sons risked losing all of their standing among those court royals who actually give an ox’s shit about all that as well as your mother’s fortune—and that he would not stand for.”
“But he wouldn’t have lost his Elder status.”
“Do you really think your father cares about being an Elder?” Crystin asked.
Aledwen gave a hard laugh. “Do you think he would have even gotten that had it not been for your mother?”
“Emyr has always had much bigger goals than to be a mere Elder.”
“Like taking the throne?” Braith asked.
“Well—” Aledwen began, but Crystin held up her claw, her gaze on Braith.
“Gods, child,” Crystin said with a sigh. “What has that ridiculous ass**le done now?”
Addolgar opened his eyes and smiled into the face staring down at him. “Braith . . . you’ve aged beautifully.”
Old Braith grinned. “Thank you. But I’m Braith’s aunt. Remember? Owena?”
“Oh. Right. You f**ked me dad.”
“Aw, dear.” Owena patted his shoulder. “Everyone’s f**ked your dad.”
“I know. He’s quite proud of that. Am I going to die, Lady Owena?”
“Just Owena. And no. You’ve got your father’s constitution and your mother’s will to live. Because how that She-dragon survived her time as bitch Addiena’s companion, we have yet to figure out.”
“Now, now. That’s treasonous talk.”
“I like to live on the edge.” She winked at him while wiping blood from her hands with a big cloth. That’s when Addolgar realized he was in his human form.
“Hey. I’m naked!”
Owena laughed. “You are. And I realize that my sister was right. How like your father you are, sweet Addolgar.” She leaned in and whispered, “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.”
Owena laughed again and said, “I’ll get her. She can show you herself.”
Owena turned to go, but Addolgar caught her arm, gently held it. “She didn’t think she was welcome here.”
“She was wrong. We never turn a Penarddun female away. Ever. But her father had other plans.”
“Does she understand that?”
“She’s learning. It’ll take time. He . . . he made sure she felt completely alone.”
“She’s not alone,” he said simply. “She has me.”
Owena smiled, and gods, he saw Braith in that smile. “We’ll make sure she learns that too.”
“Well, don’t be too pushy. You don’t want to put her off me. But feel free to put in a good word.”
Laughing again, Owena patted his shoulder and walked out of the chamber. But Addolgar didn’t know what was so funny. He really wanted her to put in a good word for him.
Braith looked up as Owena walked into the chamber. They’d all eventually shifted to human so they could help with Addolgar since Owena said it would be quicker for Addolgar to heal that way.
“Should I assume from that smile he’s going to be all right?” Braith asked, needing to hear something good.
“He’ll be fine,” Owena said on a laugh. “That boy is . . . entertaining to say the least.” She dropped into a chair catty-corner from Braith, wiped her brow, and let out a long breath. “I hate artery work. Do the wrong thing and you could have the one you’re trying to save bleeding out all over you.”
“I’m so glad that didn’t happen.”
“Me, too. I’ve heard it’s quite a mess when it does.” Owena looked around. “Where’s everyone else?”
“Went to town to get food and wine.”
“Ahhh. To celebrate your return to the Penarddun fold.”
“Have I returned?”
“Are you asking me because you’re subtly telling me you’re not? Or because you’re seriously not sure?”
“Well, I’m not subtle.”
Owena chuckled. “Nor was your mum.”
“Why was she with him?” Braith asked.
“With your father?” Owena thought a moment. “Because she wanted you.”
“She could have had me with anyone.”
“Not every She-dragon finds a mate because not every She-dragon wants one. Your mother never wanted one. She liked fighting and she liked us. That was it. But she wanted you. She had you named when she was still a hatchling. But she needed a male to make that happen. The problem was finding a male willing to have an offspring outside of mating. When she couldn’t, she turned to someone who wanted anything but his mate’s love. Then she had a son . . . so she tried again. She had another son, so she tried again. Then she had you and she had what she wanted.”