“Uh … Izzy …” He folded his arms across his chest, trying desperately to keep that scowl on his face. “Get down from there,” he snapped.
Without seeming to notice his tone, Izzy did just that.
“Morning, Lady Dagmar,” she said cheerfully.
“Good morn to you, Izzy.”
The young warrior stood in front of Bercelak, her light brown eyes glowing. “So what did you bring me?” she asked, though it sounded a bit more like a demand.
“What?” He shook his head. “Nothing.”
Her entire body shimmied like one of Dagmar’s dogs when she held up a favored toy. “You always bring me something! What did you bring me?”
“Can we not talk about this later?” he snarled viciously, even making Dagmar think of running.
But Izzy only stomped her foot and snarled back, “Give me!”
Through gritted teeth, “Back.”
Now she frowned. “What?”
“Back,” he said again and added a quick motion of his head. Izzy walked behind the dragon and squealed again, making Dagmar wince. The young girl ran back around, a gold and jeweled dagger in her hand.
“This is beautiful!” She danced from foot to foot in front of the dragon and said in one long rush of words, “I’ve never had anything so beautiful before in my entire life and I love you and I can’t wait to show Branwen—she’s going to be so jealous—and you are so amazing!” Then she added, “I love you, love you, love you!” She leaped up into his arms and kissed his face until the dragon couldn’t hold the smile back anymore.
“Would you stop that!” But he didn’t seem to really mind.
“You are the best grandfather a girl could ever have!” She kissed his forehead and jumped back down. “I can’t wait to show Branwen!” she cheered again, running toward the exit of the Great Hall. “And Celyn!”
He’d been trying for that angry gaze again, glaring at Dagmar, when Izzy’s last words caused him to look nothing but panicked. “You stay away from Celyn!”
She only laughed. “You sound like Dad!” Then she was gone.
Turning back to face Dagmar, he seemed not to appreciate the smirk she couldn’t stop.
“You can get that look off your face, little miss. Izzy’s different. And she’s the only one. Except for her, my soul is empty. No room for anyone human.”
“That’s it!” Talaith said as she marched down the stairs. “No more wine for me.” As she landed on the bottom step, she stopped and smiled. “Bercelak! I didn’t know you were here.”
Much steadier now and recently bathed, she walked over to them and reached up to hug the dragon. “I’m so glad to see you. How are you doing?”
“Fine. Fine,” he said gruffly.
She stepped away from him, his hand held by hers. “And what brings you here?”
“He’s here to see Annwyl,” Dagmar filled in. “I was just going to take him to find her myself.” She grinned, making sure to flutter her eyes a bit as Gwenvael did. It annoyed her why wouldn’t it annoy his father? “I simply can’t wait to get to know him better.” She placed her hand over her heart. “He reminds me of my own dear father.”
“Try the stables,” Talaith suggested, completely missing the glower Bercelak seared Dagmar with. “She’s been hiding in there lately. I think she misses that war ox of hers she has the nerve to call a horse.” She beamed up at Bercelak. “I do hope you’re staying. We haven’t talked in ages.”
“Um … yeah, well …”
She released his hand and stepped away.
“Oh … uh …” Bercelak glanced at Dagmar, then muttered, “The queen wanted me to give you this.” He yanked a pouch hanging from his belt and handed it to her.
Talaith tugged the pouch open. “The Fianait root!” And just as quickly her face fell.
“It’s not the right one?” he asked, obviously concerned.
“It’s not that.” She let out a breath. “I’m just so frustrated. I work on these spells, and I see what I want. But dammit, Bercelak. I just cannot make it come together. The power is there. The energy. But I simply can’t control it. I’m getting frustrated.”
“It’ll take time to hone the power within you, Talaith,” he patiently explained. “You’re being too hard on yourself. Too impatient.”
She rolled her eyes and smirked. “I know. I don’t need you to tell me; I hear it enough from your son.”
“But apparently you’re not listening. The queen has already offered to help you; you should take her up on it.”
“She must be busy, though.”
“She’ll make the time for you. Besides, she needs the break. The Elders are making her insane, and her worries over Annwyl …” His gaze strayed to Dagmar and he finished with a mutter, “Just have Briec bring you. Or I can take you.”
“That is so sweet!” Then Bercelak was being hugged again. He glared at Dagmar over Talaith’s back, and Dagmar grinned, making sure to show him all her teeth.
“I simply don’t understand it,” Talaith said, pulling away from Bercelak. “How can you possibly be the father of Briec the Arrogant? You are so nice and he’s so not. It amazes me.”
Talaith winked. “Try to stay for dinner tonight,” she said before walking away.