How to Drive a Dragon Crazy (44 page)

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Authors: G. A. Aiken

BOOK: How to Drive a Dragon Crazy
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Chapter 45
Briec walked down the stairs into the Great Hall. He stopped at the dining table, yawning and reaching for one of the warm loaves of bread the servants put out every morning. Although he wasn’t looking forward to another day of fighting between Talaith and her bitch mother, he didn’t know what he’d do once his Rhi left. It was hard enough when his Izzy left, but he knew she’d be back more often than not. However, Rhi and even those despicable twins that he’d secretly grown fond of . . . he had no idea when they’d return from their training.
Tearing a piece of bread off the loaf, Briec wandered over to the partially open Great Hall doors and looked out into the courtyard. It was extremely early and things were just beginning to stir as the two suns rose. But Briec saw them easy enough. Gods, how could he miss them standing there, saying nothing—and staring at the castle.
Briec slammed the doors shut.
“Briec?” Fearghus asked as he walked up behind him. “What’s going on?”
“Where the hell is that idiot?”
“Gwenvael?”
“No.”
“Dad?”
“No. The big blue idiot.”
“I don’t know. Why?”
“The Mì-runach are outside.”
“So. They’re probably looking for the big blue idiot.”
“Not the three he brought with him.
All
of the Mì-runach. They’re standing in our courtyard . . . waiting.”
Fearghus nodded. “All right. We’ll kill all the females first and then kill ourselves.”
“What’s going on?” Brannie asked as she came down the stairs with Celyn behind her.
“The Mì-runach are outside.”
“They’re probably looking for Éibhear.”
“But we don’t know where he is,” Fearghus said.
“Have you checked Izzy’s house?” Celyn asked.
Briec looked at Fearghus, then back at Celyn.
“Why would we look at Izzy’s house?”
“No reason,” Brannie quickly said.
“Why do you think?” Celyn asked.
“Shut up, Celyn,” his sister told him.
“Brannie, they’re not children. Éibhear and Izzy can do as they like.”
Briec walked over to his young cousin, grabbed him by the throat, and yelled, “Are you saying that bastard is doing what he likes with my perfect,
perfect
daughter?”
Sighing, Brannie shook her head. “You are such an idiot, brother.”
 
 
Izzy turned over and stretched, but immediately regretted that particular decision. Groaning, she slipped out of bed and stood, going across the room to the full-length standing mirror she kept there. She turned to the side and lifted her arm, examining the brand Éibhear had placed on her the night before. She cringed a little. True. She loved it, but she knew when her mother saw it . . . she would not be happy. The brand stretched from the base of her right foot and up the right side of her body until the tail of the dragon brand wrapped around her right breast.
Aye, she adored it, but her mother . . . oy.
Deciding not to deal with it right now, Izzy pulled on leggings, a cotton shirt, leather boots, and her two favorite weapons, strapping them to her back, before stepping outside. She smiled at one of her older neighbors. “Good morn to you, Mistress Sally. Any problems with Macsen?”
“Oh, no. He’s asleep in my rosebushes.”
Izzy winced. “Sorry. I’ll make sure to have some new rosebushes sent to you to replace what he may have destroyed.”
“That’s fine, dear. Just fine.”
Looking around, Izzy asked, “Did you happen to see my friend from last night? He was gone when I woke up.”
“Oh, yes, dear. He was dragged out of here about half an hour ago by your father and his brothers. Kicking and fighting all the way,” she added cheerfully.
Izzy, in the middle of a yawn, nodded. “Great. Thanks so much.”
Heading back inside, Izzy decided to get the tea started. But as she held the kettle in her hand, she suddenly realized what the woman had just told her.
Izzy ran back outside, startling Mistress Sally. “You saw my father do
what
?”
“Pull that young man out of your house. Bit of a scary one that boy, so I don’t really blame your father. He’s always been so protective of you and your—”
“Which direction did they go?”
“Down toward the river but—”
Izzy didn’t wait for Mistress Sally to finish, she just ran, charging around her neighbors and some Garbhán Isle guards, Annwyl’s troops, and even a few relatives. She ran until she hit the road that would take her to the river.
She heard Brannie call out to her, but she ignored her as well and kept going. Kept going with visions of a bloody and limb-missing Éibhear dancing through her head. Gods! What if they cut off his wings? Or removed his scales? Oh, by the gods, what if they shaved his head? What if they shaved his head?
Nooooo!
Izzy had known her father wouldn’t be happy about any of this, neither would Fearghus and Gwenvael, but she’d planned to put it all out in the open once they got Rhi squared away in the Desert Lands.
But for them to find out this way . . . oy!
Izzy cut off into the woods and ran down the hill. But as she neared the river, she stumbled to a stop. Standing there, lifting a battered Fearghus off the ground was some . . . well, she’d guess, Northland dragon scum. Ragnar and his kin might be welcome in the Southlands, but Lightnings who come to beat up Izzy’s family were not. Pulling her sword and axe, Izzy silently charged forward. She was no more than a few feet from the Lightning when he caught sight of her. He dropped Fearghus and reached for his weapon, but Izzy was already swinging at him with her axe. She didn’t make contact, though, because a heavy hammer slammed into her weapon, forcing it to the ground. The power of that hit radiated up her arm and she had to drop the axe. But she still had the sword. She spun and slashed the sword. The Lightning blocked it, but Izzy forced him back. Another Northlander came at her from behind, so Izzy went low, cutting the back of the hammer-wielder’s leg. He cried out and dropped to one knee. Izzy quickly stood and brought her knee up into the Lightning’s face. Her opponent fell back and she snatched the hammer off him. Now brandishing two weapons again, Izzy turned and . . . stopped dead. The Lightnings had multiplied rather quickly, going from about four to forty or so. They all stood watching her with the hoods of their fur capes covering their faces, their weapons out and ready to use.
Izzy took a step back, briefly studied the Lightnings—then she attacked. Charging at the closest one. But before she reached him, she sensed someone behind her and changed direction, running toward a small boulder. She ran at it until she could place her foot against it, shoved off to give her some height, and spun in midair. Which was about where that big arm snatched her out of the air and held her.
“Izzy!” Éibhear’s voice practically screamed at her. “What the bloody hells are you doing?”
Realizing it was Éibhear, Izzy relaxed. “These Lightnings attacked Fearghus.”
Éibhear rolled his eyes. “No.
I
beat up Fearghus, along with Briec and Gwenvael. And before you say anything, they started it. And these aren’t Lightnings. They’re the rest of the Mì-runach. Mum wants them to escort Rhi into the Southlands.”
“Oh! Oh.” Cringing, Izzy looked at the dragon whose leg she’d cut. “Sorry.”
“It’s all right.” The dragon got to his feet. “It’ll heal.”
Éibhear put her on the ground. “Lads, this is General Iseabail. Iseabail . . . these are the lads.”
“Nice to meet you,” she said, returning to the dragon whom she’d not only cut but whose hammer she’d stolen. She handed it back to him. “Nice. Rhona’s work?”
“Aye.” The dragon shook his head. “I can’t believe you lifted it on your own.”
“Well, that was . . . Daddy!” Izzy ran over to a tree no more than twenty or so feet away, where her poor father hung over one of the lower branches. “Éibhear the Contemptible, you get my father down from there!”
“He started it!”
“Oy—” Gregor the Appalling motioned Éibhear over. “That her then? That your Izzy?”
Aidan had been filling the rest of the Mì-runach in on what had happened in the Desert Lands, somehow managing to mention Éibhear’s change in status as now mated. Éibhear wasn’t sure how far the details had gotten before his three brothers had dragged him down to the river, not far from the rest of the Mì-runach. His brothers didn’t know the Mì-runach had set up camp here, but it didn’t matter. His comrades wouldn’t interfere in a sibling fight anyway, not that Éibhear needed them to. Not once he knew that the four brothers were far enough away from Izzy’s house that he didn’t have to worry about her protecting Briec.
“Aye. That’s her.”
“She carried my lovely girl.” Gregor held up his “lovely girl”—his hammer. It was not a healthy relationship Gregor had with his favorite weapon. No. Not healthy at all.
“I saw.”
“I bet that thing ain’t even that heavy,” a new, untested recruit challenged. “If some girl can pick it up.”
To see if the lad had a point, Gregor threw his hammer at the recruit’s head, splitting his skull open, and leaving the lad moaning in pain on the ground.
“Guess it’s heavy enough then,” Gregor reasoned.
“I think so,” Éibhear agreed.
“Hey.” Gregor smiled at him. “Why don’t we take your girl to find something to eat? So she can get to know us a bit.”
That actually sounded like a good idea. These were the kind of warriors Izzy was most comfortable around anyway.
“Izzy,” Éibhear called to his mate. “Let’s go get something to eat.”
“What about Daddy and the others?”
“They’ll live.” Éibhear tilted his head. “Come on.”
Her lips pursed, Izzy briefly debated, but after less than a minute, she ran to Éibhear’s side. “I am hungry.”
He put his arm around her. “Mì-runach!” he bellowed so they could all hear him. “We go to eat!”
The Mì-runach cheered and headed toward town. Éibhear started to follow, but Izzy pulled away from him and ran back to his brothers.
“Sorry, Daddy,” she said to Briec before she put her hand against his forehead and shoved him off the tree limb he’d been hanging off.
Once done, she ran back to Éibhear’s side and put her arm around his waist. “Sorry,” she said when they began walking again. “I just couldn’t leave him like that.”
“It’s all right. It’s nice that someone cares about those mean bastards.”
“I won’t say it’s easy . . . but they are family.”
Chapter 46
Éibhear watched his kin say good-bye to Rhi and the twins. It tore his heart, knowing how hard it was. But they all knew it had to be done. Although it wasn’t clear yet what the future held for the three, he knew they had to get ready for whatever was heading their way.
The plan at this point was quite simple. They’d all leave together, but once on the main road, Éibhear, Izzy, the Mì-runach, and Izzy’s birth family would head to the south, while the Kyvich would take the twins north. Talan would split off from his sister and meet the monks somewhere in the Northlands and then take a secret route to their monastery far past the Sovereign Provinces. The rest of Éibhear’s kin, including his brothers, sisters, parents, and Cadwaladr Clan, would stay in Dark Plains. They all seemed to know that for them to stretch this good-bye out any more would only make it more painful.
What Éibhear and Izzy would do after that he didn’t know. They were now mated for life, and no other female would ever be able to fill his heart the way Izzy did. But they were still warriors and the need for battle and blood would last for a long time. Still, Éibhear knew that his Aunt Ghleanna and Uncle Addolgar had managed life with their mates just fine over the centuries, so why couldn’t he and Izzy?
Haldane, sitting on her horse, sighed again loudly. “Can we please get on the road?” she said over the wailing of Rhi and Talaith, who were clinging to each other while Briec patted their backs and rolled his eyes.
Izzy pulled out her sword and started down the stairs toward her grandmother, but Éibhear quickly caught her and pulled her into his arms.
“You have to calm down,” he warned her quietly.
“I kill her now, my worries are pretty much resolved.”
“We have a bigger issue.”
“Which is?”
“Annwyl.”
Izzy glanced over at her queen. “She is being a little quiet.”
“A little?”
Finally, Rhi pulled away from her mother. “I’ll miss you, Mum.”
“You, too. But I’ll be coming to visit. I promise. And don’t let those horrid bitches turn you against your kin.”
“Of course I won’t! Never!”
The sobbing started again and the pair started to throw themselves into each other’s arms, but this time Briec stepped between them and led Rhi down the stairs and to the horse Izzy had picked out for her. He helped his daughter mount the mare, then kissed her cheek.
“We’re only a thought away, my sweetest girl. Please don’t ever forget that.”
“I know, Daddy. And I won’t.”
Now that Rhi was safe on her horse Talan hugged the women of his family. Rhiannon, Morfyd, Keita, Talaith, and Dagmar. Finally, he stepped in front of his mother. “I love you, Mum.”
“I love you, too.”
He hugged her, kissed her cheek. “You’ll hear from me soon.”
“Good.”
He went down the stairs toward the mare waiting for him. Éibhear had picked out a stallion for him, but it kept throwing the boy, so they’d finally settled on one of the big battle mares. The situation told Éibhear a lot about his nephew.
“Talwyn!” the boy called out. “Let’s go.”
Talwyn walked out of the Great Hall. She hugged her father, grandfather, and Gwenvael, nodded at her aunts, grandmother, and her mother. Then she went down the stairs and hugged Briec. But instead of getting on the horse Izzy had chosen for her, she went to the Kyvich and waited for her next orders.
The Nolwenns snorted in disgust—it was official, the Kyvich and the Nolwenns really did loathe each other—and Annwyl’s hands curled into tight fists.
Izzy glanced at Éibhear and then went right to her queen’s side, Aidan moving next to Éibhear’s.
“Mount up, Kyvich!” ordered Bryndís, second in command to Ásta.
“Wait,” Annwyl called out. She walked down the stairs, Izzy right behind her. The Southland Queen went to her daughter and wrapped her arms around her. At first, Talwyn just stood there, her arms at her sides. But then, after a moment, she hugged her mother back. The pair held each other tight.
Annwyl stepped back, pushing her daughter’s never really combed hair out of her face. She kissed her forehead and smiled. Then, without another word, Annwyl released her only daughter, turned, and walked away.
“There’s no need to worry, Queen Annwyl,” Ásta said to her. “You’re doing the right thing. Talwyn will finally be where she belongs. With the Kyvich.”
“Ásta really thinks this is a good idea?” Aidan asked Éibhear.
“Apparently.”
Annwyl faced Ásta. “She’s my daughter. She’ll always be my daughter.”
“No one said that would change. But you have to know this is for the best. You have to know that—”
Éibhear and Aidan cringed when Annwyl’s fist collided with Ásta’s face. Bone shattered and blood spurted, the warrior witch stumbling to the side but not falling.
“I feel better now. Thank you.” Annwyl looked at her daughter. “I love you, Talwyn.”
Her daughter smiled. “I love you, Mum.”
Turning away, Annwyl headed up the stairs until she reached Fearghus. She took his hand with her own and he kissed the back of her bloody and bruised knuckles.
Wiping the blood from her nose with her forearm, Ásta nodded at her second in command and headed toward her horse.
“Kyvich!” the second in command called out. “Mount up!”
The oversized travel party headed out of the courtyard and toward the main road. Éibhear signaled the Mì-runach to follow the party while he went up the stairs to Talaith.
“We’ll watch out for Rhi. Make sure she gets there safe.”
“I know.”
“When we get her settled, I’ll bring Iz back.”
Talaith went up on her toes, her arms open. Éibhear crouched so that she could hug him, his brothers behind her sneering. In answer, Éibhear took the middle and forefinger of his left hand and flicked them at the bastards.
And without even turning around, Talaith snapped, “You three! Leave your brother alone!”
She pulled away, patted his arm. “Go on, Éibhear. Don’t let them bother you. They’re just jealous.”
“Of what?” Briec asked. “His giant head?”
Éibhear moved toward his brother, but Talaith stepped between them.
“What is wrong with you?” she demanded of her mate.
“Why are you yelling at me?”
“Why do you think?”
Knowing this might go on for a while, Éibhear walked over to Frederik and Dagmar.
“Good travels, Éibhear.”
“Thanks, Dagmar.”
He looked down at Frederik. “You’ll be all right until I get back?”
“He’ll be fine.” Dagmar answered for the boy while wrapping her arms around Frederik, squeezing him tight. “I’m just so glad he’s here. He fits in well, don’t you think?”
“Well—”
Dagmar released the boy. “You know what, Frederik? Why don’t we adopt you?”
“Uh . . .”
“I’ll write my father,” Dagmar insisted. “Right now!”
She went back inside and Frederik looked at Éibhear. “That probably isn’t necessary. I doubt my family will be back for me.”
“That’s good, because I’m guessing she’s not giving you up without a fight.”
Gwenvael pushed himself away from the wall he’d been silently leaning against and patted the boy on the shoulder. “
We’re all very glad you’re here!
” he yelled before he followed Dagmar inside.
“Is he going to keep yell—”
“Yes. He is.” Éibhear sighed. “Just . . . deal with it.”
“Will you be gone long?”
“Not too long. I’ll make sure to bring you some books from the Desert Lands. Okay?”
“Okay. Safe travels.”
With a wave, Éibhear headed off, mounting his horse and catching up with everyone else. Weaving his horse through the crowd, he tried to find Izzy. He finally rode up to Aidan, Caswyn, and Uther. “Seen Iz?” Éibhear asked them.
“Uh-huh.”
“Well?” he pushed when his friends said nothing else. “Where is she?”
Aidan pointed . . . up.
“Gods of piss and fire!” Éibhear roared, wondering what else this woman could do to drive him insane.
 
 
Izzy charged up Addolgar’s neck and over his head, and leaped off his snout. The wind this high up was harsh, knocking her off balance, so that she missed Celyn’s back. She rolled and flipped in midair, the ground below rushing forward. She saw Ghleanna not far away and knew she could reach her with a bit of effort. She simply needed to—
A tail wrapped around her waist and tossed her up. Izzy flipped again, laughing the entire way until she landed hard on Éibhear’s back.
“What is wrong with you?” he snarled, sounding just like her mother.
“Just a bit of fun.”
“Can’t you do something a little safer? Like ride into battle against demons, naked and without weapons or go swimming in molten lava?”
“You sound angry.”
“Because you seem determined to make me insane.”
“That’s a cruel thing to suggest.” Izzy stretched her arms across the length of Éibhear’s neck. “You know I simply adore you.”
“What you adore is being irritating—and stop writhing around back there.”
“Sorry,” but she didn’t remotely mean it. “You know, Éibhear, I still love your hair.”
“Thank you.”
“Can I put warrior braids in it?”
“No, you may not. We are on a serious mission to deliver a Southland royal to the Desert Lands. We don’t have time for your obsession over my hair and whether it’s in braids or not.”
“Do you think Aidan will let me braid his hair?”
With a snarl, the bastard spun in midair, Izzy screeching and tightening her thighs around his neck until he’d righted himself again.
“
You evil bastard!
” she laughed.
“That’s what you get! Taunting me with another dragon, you cruel, vicious female.”
“That you love more than the suns.”
She felt his deep chuckle spread through her, wrap around her. “That’s very true. My tragic weakness.”
“But a weakness I’m going to allow.”
“That’s good. Because I do love you, Izzy. I truly do.”
Resting her cheek against his scales, her face buried under all that blue hair being whipped about by the wind, Izzy wrapped her arms around Éibhear’s neck and said the only thing she could possibly think of at this moment.
“Well, it’s about gods-damn time, Éibhear the Blue. Because I’ve been waiting a bloody lifetime for you.”

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