Her expression softened and a smile began to form on her gorgeous lips. Of course, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect for Éibhear to run past the forest entrance. Normally, not too odd. He was a young, playful pup. Yet it was the fact that he had Iseabail hanging onto his tail that had panic hitting Briec’s system.

“Uh…”

“What’s wrong? You just went more white than usual.”

Éibhear shook his tail. “Get off! Get off! Get off!”

Laughing, Izzy continued to cling to him.

“Is that Izzy?” Talaith turned to look behind her, but Briec grabbed her shoulders and forced her back to face him.

“You know how I feel about you Talaith,” he nearly yelled, desperate to keep her distracted.

“I do?”

“Of course you do.”

“Since when?”

“Since last night.”

She shook her head. “I don’t have time for this. I promised Morfyd I’d meet her over at the groves.” She again turned to walk down the path to the clearing, but Éibhear reappeared, this time slamming his tail on the ground, trying to dislodge an unrelenting Izzy.

Briec took firm hold of her shoulders and spun her back to face him. He had to think of something fast or all his “you have nothing to fear” work would be lost. So he said the first thing that came to his mind…”I love you.”

Both shocked at his words, they could only stare at each other.

Finally, she spoke first, “You what?”

Now that he’d said it, he realized something. “I love you. I actually do.” He grinned. Who knew loving someone would feel so wonderful?

“You love me?”

“Yes.” So happy about this, he barely noticed Éibhear taking flight and dragging Izzy through the trees trying to knock the girl off. “Now you say it back to me.”

“Pardon?”

“Say it back to me. Say you love me. Because we both know you do.” How could she not?

“Och!” She pushed his hands off her shoulders. “Do we now?” Reaching up, she grabbed one of his ni**les and twisted.

“Ow! What the hell did you do that for?”

“Accident,” she bellowed, then stormed off.

Stunned, Briec shifted to dragon. Which was good, because Izzy landed right on his back.

Panting from the exhilaration, she yelled up to Éibhear, “You’re being unreasonable!”

“Stay away from me,” Éibhear barked. Briec had never heard his brother sound so unnerved before.

“Your brother is a big baby.”

“For a dragon he actually is a baby.”

“What’s wrong? You sound sad.”

“I told your mother I love her and she walked away.”

Izzy scrambled up his back. “I wouldn’t worry about it. She’s simply frightened of her feelings for you.” The girl sat on his shoulders. “Give her time.”

“What if I don’t want to give her time?”

“Your risk. But I know she’s well worth the wait.” He knew she spoke more of herself than of anything else.

“I know she is.”

“Good. Now will you take me flying? Your brother is an unreasonable crybaby.”

“No. I will not take you flying.”

“Why?” she whined the question, but instead of irritating Briec, she got him to smile. Especially when she dramatically slumped down against his neck.

“Because your mother doesn’t want you flying anywhere. And I’m going to respect that. But I will walk you back to the castle.”

“Fine. Besides, I think I saw Gwenvael around.”

Briec had only taken a step when he immediately stopped. “Stay away from Gwenvael.”

“Why?”

“Because he’ll only get you into trouble. And no more bets with him.” He’d have to talk to his brother, too. He wasn’t about to take the risk Gwenvael would start having those long conversations he’d been known to have with young males Izzy’s age where he insisted on discussing adult matters.

“Oh, all right.”

“Good.” Briec started off again, but her next words almost had him tripping over his own claws.

“So when can I start calling you Daddy?”

Chapter Twenty-Two

Morfyd looked up from the herbs she’d pulled. “Are you all right, Talaith?”

Brows drawn together in a dark frown, her lips mashed into a thin line, she shook her head.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

Morfyd leaned back, wiping her brow with the back of her hand. “Lying will only irritate me.”

Digging around certain roots so as not to ruin them for Morfyd’s spells, Talaith grumbled, “Your brother told me he loved me.”

“And?”

“And he must be lying. He can’t love me.”

“Why not? Is there something wrong with you I wasn’t made aware of?”

“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?”

“Of course I’m not.” Actually, she was. “But as arrogant and irritating as my dear brother is, I don’t think you should dismiss him so easily.”

“I wish I could dismiss him. I wish I could walk away.”

“Why? So you can be this miserable all the time as opposed to occasionally?”

Talaith finally looked up at her, and her eyes narrowed with suspicion. “Gods, you’re treating me like family, aren’t you?” she accused. And she sounded terrified.