All except one.

Bercelak stood tall and stared at her, not bothering to hide his smile. She motioned for him to kneel, trying her best to look suitably haughty. He smirked in return. So, with everyone else’s head bowed in supplication, she took a moment to stick her tongue out at him.

He laughed loud and long, scaring everyone else—even his family—nearly to death.

Bercelak walked with his father, now in dragon-form, for the trip down to the entrance of Devenallt Mountain. “Sure you won’t stay for awhile?”

“No, lad. Your mother waits.” He grinned. “And I don’t like to keep her waiting . . . much.”

Shaking his head, Bercelak mirrored his father’s grin. “Gods forbid you leave a female waiting.”

“Only one female now. Just like you.” His father glanced back into the cave as if to assure they were truly alone. “Although I wouldn’t wait too long, boy. She is still unclaimed and there were many who watched her with eager eyes.”

“She’s beautiful, so I’m not surprised. But I’ll not give her up.”

“Of that I have no doubt. Your lust comes off you in great waves when she’s around.”

“True. But still, tradition dictates I wait until the next full moon.”

“Don’t be a fool, boy. She’s queen. You two make tradition. So do what you like, eh?”

Bercelak nodded in agreement, then took a large breath and said, “Thank you, Father. For all your help today.”

His father waved his words off with his claw. “You’re my offspring, Bercelak. No words of thanks are ever needed.”

“Well, I’ll say this then . . . I no longer detest you.”

Laughing, his father slammed his claw against his son’s back. Anyone else would have toppled from the mountain with a snapped spine but Bercelak, as always, stood strong. If for no other reason, he’d rather not hear his father’s mocking laughter following him down. “Now that’s good news indeed! Your mother, at least, will be very happy.”

“But you . . .”

“Could care less. I only want my children strong enough to survive these times.” The old dragon grinned and Bercelak saw his rows and rows of fangs that grew as age came upon them all. “And since you are now consort to the queen, I’d say I’ve done my job, wouldn’t you?”

Bercelak nodded. “Aye. That you have.”

“Then, my strong son . . . you best Claim that deadly wench of yours or lose her forever.”

With those words, Ailean the Wicked took to the air and back to Bercelak’s mother. Shalin . . . the Tamer of Ailean the Wicked.

Bercelak turned and headed back to the Queen’s Hall. As he passed other dragons, they greeted him but none challenged him. Instead they kept their eyes turned away. Except for some of the females who openly showed their lust. Apparently the fact that he hadn’t Claimed Rhiannon caught their interests as well.

Many of his brothers and sisters waited for him in the Hall. They would stay until Rhiannon’s reign was secure. The best fighters of his kin, including Ghleanna, had gone off to confront Rhiannon’s siblings. They would not wait for them to come to her.

“Everything all right?” he asked his remaining siblings.

They all nodded, but Addolgar motioned up the many stairs that led to what would now be Rhiannon’s bedchamber . . . his bedchamber.

“She’s gone up. Lots of activity with the servants since she went up there, too.”

Bercelak nodded as he stared up that long corridor. Strange how he suddenly felt a little . . . well, nervous. A Battle Lord who’d faced death on many, many occasions made nervous by one white dragon?

Then again . . . what if she’d changed her mind? True, they’d already been lovers but she coul d, in theory, make a case with the Elders. The thought that she may have changed her mind chilled the blood in his veins. He couldn’t lose her now.

Of course there was only one way to find out what she thought. And that was to face her head on, as his father had trained them all to do with every challenge.

“Worried she changed her mind?” Addolgar asked.

“It’s not an unreasonable thought.”

“Aye. Perhaps. But you’ll never know until . . .”

“I know. Until I face her.”

“The worse she can do, brother, is turn you to ash.”

Bercelak looked at his kin and his brother merely smiled.

“Bastard.”

With that last word, Bercelak headed up the stairs to his future.

Chapter 12

Bercelak walked into the queen’s chamber only to find it empty. Completely empty. Which seemed strange. He figured Addiena would at least have a treasure to rest upon.

Personally, he found lying on gold and jewels rather uncomfortable.

“Ah, my lord . . . the queen has moved chambers.”

Bercelak turned to look at who spoke to him, but he didn’t see anyone.

“Down here, my lord.”

He looked down and his eyes widened in surprise. This was no dragon in human form, but a human . . . sort of. It was actually a centaur. A female. Quite pretty—although she smelled like horse. Which made him a tad hungry.

“And you are?”

“I am attendant to the throne, my lord.”

“I’ve never seen you before.”

“I often stay in the shadows . . . as you can imagine, my lord.” She glanced at her hindquarter which was . . . well . . . a horse’s hindquarter. “It is much safer for me that way.”