What have I gotten myself into?

“There must be something we can offer you. Something you want or need.”

He sighed dramatically and fell silent for a moment. “Well, I’m always in need of fresh virgin sacrifices.”

She rolled her eyes. “Very funny.”

“Annwyl, there is nothing that a human can offer me. I have everything I need. There’s a reason no one has seen me in nearly seventy years.”

She became so agitated he feared she might come out of her skin. “I’m not asking you to give up your life here. Help me defeat Lorcan, and then it can be like we never met. I’ll leave you to your solitude.”

For some reason that was the last thing he ever wanted to hear from her, but he ignored the pang of regret her statement caused.

“I can’t help you defeat your brother. You must do it yourself. And you must do it alone.”

“Why?”

“If you do not kill Lorcan yourself, your reign will always be in question. The other kingdoms will rise up against you and kill you and your precious troops. Is that what you want?”

“Of course not.”

“Then you best take his head yourself.”

Her eyes narrowed as she looked at him. “But you don’t think I can.” She walked toward him. “Do you?”

“No. Not really.”

There went that rage. “Why not?”

“Because you don’t think you can.”

Her rage came and went so quickly, it was quite the sight to behold. Her whole body seemed to deflate, her hand going to her wounded side. “You’re right. I don’t think I can.” She sat on her bed. “He’s so fast. His skill with a blade . . . I couldn’t even touch him.”

“You give up too easily. You just need training.”

“From whom? I know of no warrior as skilled as my brother.”

“I do.”

Annwyl looked up. “You know someone?”

“Uh . . .” Things just kept getting more and more complicated.

“Yes. I do.”

“Do you trust him?”

Only as much as he trusted himself. “Aye. I do.”

“And he will help me prepare to kill Lorcan?” Fearghus nodded. “Then, perhaps, you could help my army against my brother’s troops?”

“Annwyl . . .”

She leaned forward, wincing from the pain she caused her side. “Please, Fearghus. I know I already owe you my life. But if there’s anything . . . It’s just to have the power of a dragon behind us—”

“So I help you defeat your brother,” he cut in churlishly.

“And then what are your plans?”

Annwyl frowned. “My plans?”

“Yes. Your plans. You take your brother’s head, your troops are waiting. What is the next thing that you do?”

Annwyl just stared at him. He realized in that instant that the girl had no plans. None. No grand schemes of controlling the world. No plots to destroy any other empires.

Not even the plan to have a celebratory dinner.

“Annwyl, you’ll be queen. You’ll have to do something.”

“But I don’t want to be queen.” Her body shook with panic, and he could hear it in her voice.

“You take his head, you’ll have little choice.”

“What the hell am I supposed to do as queen?”

“Well . . . you could try ruling.”

“That sounds awfully complicated.”

“I don’t understand you.”

“What do you mean?”

“You command the largest rebellion known to this land.

From what I understand, your troops are blindingly loyal to you. And other kingdoms send you reinforcements and gold.”

“Your point?”

“You’re already queen, Annwyl. You just need to take the crown.”

She shook her head. “My father didn’t believe in crowns. There’s a throne, though.”

“Then take your throne. Take it and become queen.”

“I will. If you fight with me, dragon.”

“Will I get any peace if I don’t?”

“Sometimes queens have to do things they’re not always proud of,” she teased. “Including the torturing of handsome dragons, such as yourself. I could have people traipsing in and out of here all the time. Talkative people.” She smiled as she spoke—and called him “handsome”—but he wouldn’t put anything past her.

“Then you don’t give me much choice, do you?”

“No. I don’t.”

“Then I will fight with you, Annwyl.”

She grinned, and he felt pride for causing it.

Chapter 4

As the days passed and Annwyl became stronger, she began to venture out into the glen surrounding the dragon’s lair. She’d never felt safer than she did at this very moment. In the middle of a dragon’s territory with only a sword to protect her. And she could never be safer. He allowed her to do what she wished. Go where she wished. Which she did. Although she actively avoided the section where the smell of burned men still lingered.

Annwyl moved slowly among the trees and flowers. All so beautiful and hers to enjoy in solitude. Like everyone else in the surrounding kingdoms, she had learned to fear Dark Glen. And from the outside, it stood dark and imposing. But once inside, the dense forest created a place of tranquility and quiet. If she’d known as a child that she had nothing to fear, she would have escaped to it long ago.