All right, that last bit might have been a huge lie, but he could see that Izzy could go either way at the moment. She could wrap her legs around his head or make a run for it.
“Couldn’t hurt,” he suggested, keeping his voice as casual as he could manage even while his c**k pointed at the bloody ceiling.
When she gazed off, her mouth one tight line—she was clearly debating with herself—Éibhear decided to help her out. He slipped one arm around her waist and with his free hand took the clothes from her, tossing them onto his travel bag.
“It’s not like we have anything better to do tonight.”
Her smile was small but there. Even better, when he pulled off her shirt, her ni**les were hard and she’d begun to pant.
Izzy swallowed and asked, “Just to get this out of our system. We won’t have to discuss this tomorrow or anything, will we?”
For Éibhear, there was nothing to discuss.
“No. We won’t have to discuss it tomorrow.”
“Yeah, well . . . all right . . . uh . . .” Éibhear leaned down and sucked Izzy’s nipple into his mouth. “Gods,” he heard her sigh out as her fingers slid into his hair again and held on.
Fearghus looked up from his book and watched his mate pace back and forth in front of him. He’d brought them to his cave tonight because he could tell she’d needed some time away from life at Garbhán Isle. Dark Plains was their refuge and, if he was to be honest, the refuge for those at Garbhán Isle when their human queen became . . . tense.
And Annwyl had been getting tenser and tenser every day for quite a few months now. Not that he blamed her. He knew what had her worried and he was equally as worried, but he was also realistic.
There were just some things they could do nothing about.
“You’re going to wear a hole in that rock floor.”
She stopped and faced him. “Why aren’t you worried? Why don’t you care? This seems to be your precious daughter they’re targeting.”
“They’re not targeting—”
“What would you call it? Seducing?”
Fearghus sighed and set his book aside. He lowered his head so that it rested on the inside of his claw while he tapped the talons of the other.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” she demanded, hands on her hips.
“I’m waiting for you to have your explosion of rage, so that when you’re done, I can talk to you like a rational dragon. I gave up long ago trying to talk over your screaming, my love.”
She folded her arms under her chest. “They’re trying to steal our daughter from us, Fearghus.”
“You know as well as I that no one can make Talwyn do anything she doesn’t want to do. That includes the Kyvich.”
“They’re trying to lure her away from the safety of her people. Away from her brother and cousin.”
“Away from you, you mean?”
“I’m the only one who can protect her!” Annwyl bellowed, pointing at herself. “There’s no one else who can protect her like I can!”
“You mean besides Talwyn herself?”
“I knew you’d throw that in my face.”
“You were the one who taught her to protect herself. You also taught the boy.”
“Can’t you call him by his name?”
“He irritated me today.”
“He irritates you every day.”
“Do you expect me to argue that point?”
“You know, our son really does—”
“Does? Does what?”
“Tolerate you more than others.”
“Thank you. I find that comforting when I wake up from an afternoon nap and find him hovering over me like an angel of death.”
“You’re being paranoid. But let’s be honest.”
“Oh, please let’s.”
“Talan is my son and Talwyn is your daughter.”
“Which means?”
“That you should be the one to talk to her.”
“I have.”
Annwyl stepped closer. “And?”
“She didn’t tell me anything she hasn’t already told you. But I know her, Annwyl. There’s something going on.”
“I knew it!”
“But there’s nothing to be done. She’s stubborn and contrary and determined . . . just like her mum. So I wouldn’t bother arguing with her.”
“I am not contrary.”
His eyes crossed and he rolled onto his back. “Of course you’re not.”
“I heard sarcasm in that statement.”
“Perhaps.” He motioned to her. “Come here, luv.”
Annwyl walked closer until she reached his open claw. She climbed onto that, then up his arm and onto his chest until she could stretch out stomach down, her head right under his snout. As always, she showed no fear of his dragonform.
“You know,” he reasoned, “instead of sitting around, worrying about things that may or may not be happening, why don’t you go do something that you might enjoy?”
She planted her hands against his chest and lifted herself up enough that she could look him in the eye. Then she grinned.
“I meant something relaxing with the children.”
“Oh.” She lowered herself back down.
“What I plan to do to you tonight will only be relaxing after we’re done.”
“Good to know.” Annwyl laughed and stroked her hands across his scales, something that Fearghus had always adored. “All right, so what should I do with the children? As it is, they’re never around.”