“No, no.” Dagmar eyed Izzy. “That is not what I meant, Iseabail.”
“Oh.” Izzy shrugged. “Then what’s your concern? They were her protectors. Of course Talwyn’s close to them, just as I was close to my protectors.” When Dagmar only stared at her, Izzy said, “You think they want something more?”
“She’s a powerful girl. Her fighting skills . . . and I’ve been told she has untapped Magick about her. Not at the same level as Rhi does, of course, at least she hasn’t shown it in front of any of us. But that Magick is something the Kyvich would be drawn to.” True. The Kyvich were warrior witches who pulled their number mostly from outsiders. But . . . “They only take children, Dagmar. That’s what I was told.”
“And that’s true.” Dagmar adjusted her spectacles. “In the Northlands there are stories of the Kyvich coming in from the Ice Lands and snatching female newborn babes from their mothers’ arms. But, like most, power is what draws them.”
“And Talwyn has power.”
“Much of it.”
“And my sister?”
“She is a Nolwenn witch by blood. The Kyvich barely speak to her.”
“And Talan is male.”
Dagmar smirked. “Very.”
“I see. Like uncle, like nephew?”
“He hasn’t quite racked up the same body count with women as Gwenvael the Handsome, but he’s clearly working on it.”
Izzy picked up her bag, shoving her dirty clothes and weapons into it. Then she hooked her arm with Dagmar’s and the pair headed back to the castle.
“Do you want me to talk to Talwyn?”
“I don’t know. To be blunt, Izzy, whether Talwyn stays here or goes off and becomes a Kyvich means very little to me. I love her, but I have no illusions about my niece.”
“But . . . ?”
“It’s Annwyl.”
Of course it was Annwyl. A brilliant warrior, a benevolent queen, but get on the wrong side of her and she’d been known to decimate entire battalions with nothing more than her sword and rage.
“You’re worried about what she’ll do.”
“We don’t want the Kyvich seeing us as enemies. That I do know. I’ve been trying to read up on all their past dealings with other monarchs to ensure we don’t cross any lines we’re unaware of, but it’s not like there’s much out there about the Kyvich. They mostly keep to themselves.”
“Well, let me see what I can find out. Knowing Talwyn, she’s simply using them to learn new fighting skills.”Dagmar sighed. “I truly hope that’s all it is.”
Éibhear lifted his niece so she could reach the book high on a shelf.
“Got it?”
“Yes!”
Smiling, he lowered Rhi.
“Here.” She handed the book to him. “I think you’ll like this.”
“Did Annwyl like it?”
“Of course not. There was no war, death, spies, or dry historic details about war, death, or spies. Just romance.”
“Perfect.” He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. But before he could stand again, she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight.
“I’m glad you’re home, Uncle Éibhear. It’s been so very long.”
“I know. But I’ll be back more, I think.” He hugged her, making sure not to squeeze her too tightly. She was such a little thing and he worried that he’d break her. “Are you all right, Rhi?”
She sighed. Heavily. One of those sighs he remembered her making when she was still just a babe. At an age when one should never have those kind of deep, meaningful sighs. But, unlike his whiner brothers, she didn’t sigh simply because she was annoyed at Éibhear’s breathing or because the horse for their dinner had run away. When Rhi sighed, it was usually for a very good reason.
She released him and stepped back, head down. “I’ll need your help with Mum and Izzy.”
“Your mum, I can definitely help with. Izzy . . .”
Her gaze snapped up and locked with his. That beautiful, earnest face. Éibhear couldn’t imagine what he’d do to the male who broke the heart that went with that face.
“You don’t understand, Uncle Éibhear. You do have a great effect on Izzy.”
“Rhi, I haven’t seen your sister in years. She says she’s forgiven me . . . but I’m not sure I believe her. I think she hates me.”
“She’s never hated you. That’s the problem.”
Surprised by her words, Éibhear said, “Well . . . I’ll, uh, keep that in mind. But this isn’t about that Pombray boy is it? Because your mother and Izzy will be the least of your worries—”
“No, no.” She waved that away. “It’s something else.”
“Perhaps you should tell me what it is so I can devise a plan to handle the two most stubborn women in the world.”
Rhi sighed again. “I will, but later.” She started to walk away, stopped, and added, “But don’t leave.” Walked a few more steps, stopped. “I mean, don’t leave for a really long time. Like a month or so.” A few more steps, another stop. “I mean, if it’s terribly important, of course you should go. I’ll completely understand. But I’d appreciate if you could hang around, at least somewhere in the vicinity. . . .” Rhi stopped. “Now I’m getting on my own nerves.”