Bron shook her head in exasperation, but she was still smiling after Moira, with sisterly pride on her face.
"Bloody Ironwoods," Killian said fondly. "You did your best, Avallach, but dueling and death threats are practically an Ironwood family tradition."
Avallach rose to his feet. "I'm kind of relieved to be heading back to the wilds of the north, to be honest. I'm less likely to get my throat cut in my sleep."
"There is no threat of that with Moira," Bron said, her smile bright. "Shewantsto fight you fair and square. I get it. She's the smallest and wants to defeat the biggest and baddest warrior sheknows to prove herself. Really, you should be flattered she thinks that's you."
"You've got to be joking," the dragon said with a shake of his head.
"Bron's not joking. It's why she crept into Morrigan's keep and broke me out. It was the most dangerous thing she could come up with," Killian said, tucking one of Bron's burgandy locks behind her ear.
"Well, Taran can't accuse me of not trying to make things right," Avallach sighed. "Good luck to you both dealing with her when she decides to start dating."
"I have a plan that involves a tower and a massive lock," Killian said. The breath whooshed out of him as Bron's elbow dug into his ribs.
"You willnotlock up my sister."
"My darling love of my life, she will enjoy the challenge of getting out," Killian replied. "It would only be to keep her mind distracted and off anyone trying to go out with her."
"You might want to add a moat to that tower," Avallach grumbled. "Dark gods, I need a drink."
"Well, that could have gone worse," Bron said, watching as the dragon disappeared toward the nearest mead keg.
Killian rubbed his chin. "You know, what you said makes sense. Moira has been fascinated with the knights since they arrived. You don't think..."
"That she was waiting to pick a fight with him? Absolutely," Bron said with a grin. "She will keep that knife sharp until their duel, that I can promise you."
Killian kissed her cheek. "You Ironwoods are as devious as you are terrifying."
"That's why you love me."
"One of many reasons." Killian stroked his hand between her wings, making her shiver. "It's a nice night for flying, my pretty mate."
"Hmm, it is. You want to get out of here?" Bron asked, biting her bottom lip in a way that hit him straight in the dick.
"More than anything in the world. I know of a nice private lake not far from here we can go skinny dipping in," he said. In fact, he had purposely scouted it earlier in the day and had left a bottle of her favorite wine nestled in a safe place.
"Then let's go. There are plenty of other people about to keep an eye on Moira if she decides to attack Avallach with that knife," Killian said.
Bron took his hand. "You say that like my mother would try to stop her instead of encouraging her."
Killian only shook his head and laughed. There really was nothing like Ironwoods.
8
Bas Greatdrakes was stuck at a table between a glowering Valentine and an increasingly drunk Apollo. He knew that Apollo was hiding out from Lachlan Ironwood because he was incapable of being normal around him. He almost felt bad for him, but the little brother in him was enjoying watching Apollo act like a ridiculous tit. Valentine's pout, however, was a mystery.
"Out with it, Val. You're ruining my buzz," Bas complained. He had learned not to rummage about in his brother's brain, but he was still tempted to do it some days.
"He's pissed because Yelena is leaving." Reeve sat down opposite them and pushed some food in Apollo's direction. The wolves had roasted pigs and lambs over spits, and the bowl was full of bread and meat. Apollo cooed in drunken happiness and started eating.
"It's good that she's leaving. Maybe now I will be able to get some work done without her jumping out from behind the stacks to try and catch me doing dark magic or think that I'm going evil or some shit," Valentine muttered into his ale mug.
"She doesn't think that," Reeve said and pushed another bowl of food at Valentine. "At least not anymore. She's been spending time with Charlotte, and she's convinced her you aren't some evil dark sorcerer, even if you like to dress like one."
Valentine ignored the food and shot Reeve the finger. "If Yelena doesn't think that, why is she always spying on me?"
Bas sometimes found it hard to believe that his eldest brother could be the most accomplished magician of them all and yet be so clueless at the same time.
