Placing her hand on her daughter’s shoulder, she said, “Leave it be, Izzy.”
“I can’t. He needs me to tell them.”
“Are you his messenger now?”
“No.” She shrugged. “I think I just happen to be here.”
Gods, Izzy. Talaith would laugh if she didn’t feel for Annwyl. It had all fallen in to place, hadn’t it? Rhydderch Hael ensured Annwyl’s arrival back at Garbhán Isle before the Black Moon. In order for this to work, the couple needed to be together. It could have easily been Talaith as well except she’d had her “one”. Thank the desert gods for something.
Still, that all begged the question of what part Izzy and Talaith played in all this? It was Annwyl and Fearghus Rhydderch Hael needed. Little Izzy couldn’t merely be the messenger of his less-than-happy news.
Fearghus seemed to calm down first. Gently, he pulled Annwyl into his arms. Her body shuddered with each breath.
“Gods, Fearghus…what the hell is in me?”
Fearghus looked to Morfyd who could only shrug.
“They’re your children, Annwyl,” Izzy piped in cheerfully. Before Talaith could yank her back, Izzy walked up to Annwyl and Fearghus. “Don’t you see? He didn’t choose you two because you were convenient. Or even because you were loyal to him—which, you’re actually not. But he chose you because he could think of no other strong enough to not only bear these children, but to protect them until they could protect themselves. Many will want them dead, Annwyl. Many have already started.”
“Arzhela?”
Izzy nodded at Morfyd’s question. “She’s the goddess of birth, among other things. She doesn’t want your children to live and she wasn’t above killing you to stop this.”
“Are they dragon or human?” Fearghus asked, his arms tightening around Annwyl. Holding her close and under control all at the same time.
“They’re both. They’re both of you. But nothing this world has seen before.” Izzy stood right in front of Annwyl. “He didn’t choose lightly, Annwyl. Your bravery, your strength…even your rage, all played a part in his choice. He likes you,” she finished simply.
Suddenly Annwyl laughed, pushing Fearghus’ arms off her body, and Talaith winced at how insane it sounded. All she wanted to do was grab her daughter and run for their lives. But she knew making any sudden moves could set Annwyl off.
“He can’t make the choice for you, Annwyl. Nor can he force you to do this. As you know, there are ways to…end this if you so choose.” Izzy glanced at Morfyd and, thankfully, walked back to her mother’s side. “But he does ask you think on it first. Before you do anything.”
They all stared at Annwyl, waiting for some kind of answer. All but Éibhear. He stepped away from the wall he’d plastered himself against and cocked his head to the side.
“Anyone notice…no birds,” he muttered. Then he yelled, “Down!”
The dragons moved fast. Like lightning. Briec grabbed Talaith and Izzy around their waists, pulling them close into his body while turning his back. Morfyd pushed Éibhear and herself up against the wall near the doors. Fearghus stepped back and to the side as a volley of arrows flew threw the open windows and doorways, flooding the room.
Talaith looked up to see that the only one who didn’t move was Annwyl. She simply stood there, watching as the arrows landed all around her.
Either she’s the bravest woman I’ve ever met or the craziest bitch ever created.
Screams and war cries came from the outside courtyard as Brastias stumbled in to the hall, an arrow-riddled shield in his hands.
“Annwyl…” he puffed out. “It’s Hamish.”
Annwyl only stared at him.
Briec released Izzy and Talaith but still used his body to shield them. “Where is he?”
“Outside the castle gates.”
Fearghus shook his head. “That’s impossible. He shouldn’t have been here for weeks.”
“One of my men just told me. One second he and his woman were alone in the fields—the next, Hamish and his full army were there. He barely got them both away in time.”
“Full army?”
Morfyd stepped away from the wall. “Only a god could have gotten them here like that.”
“Arzhela’s pet,” Talaith sneered. “Her most loyal servant. He only allowed her temples to be built in Madron. She’d originally sent Izzy to him.”
“We don’t have much time,” Brastias went on. “They’re headed this way. The troops are scrambling now.”
Annwyl silently headed toward the doors.
“Annwyl, wait,” Fearghus called after her.
She stopped but didn’t look at him. Or any of them for that matter.
“You have two choices, Fearghus,” she said quietly. “We can stand here and…discuss this with the way I’m feeling at this very moment. Or…I can go out and have my discussion with Hamish and his troops first.” She glanced back at him, golden brown strands of hair falling across her scarred face—but nothing could conceal the rage burning in those green eyes. “Choose, dragon.”
Fearghus made a sweeping gesture with his hand. “Hamish.”
She nodded and headed toward the door, Brastias behind her, but Fearghus’ dark voice followed her out, “But when you return, my mate…we’ll have much to discuss.”