"They so much as look at you in a way that's disrespectful, and I'll tear their wings off," Taranis growled, wrapping a protective arm around Quinn's waist.
She went up on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. "You charmer."
"About time you lot get here," Emyr declared, striding through the landing area. She was dressed in armor with a fur collared cloak around her shoulders, her hair back in twin golden braids. Von often commented that she reminded him of the goddess Freya, and it was a good comparison. She was as tough as any of Taranis's dragons and twice as ruthless.
"Nice to see you too," Quinn said and made her bend down for a hug.
"My queen, always a pleasure," Emyr greeted respectfully before turning to Taranis and saying much less respectfully, "I'm about to go insane with these fucking lords. Let me go and find Avallach and Yelena in your stead. I need to get out, and you shouldn't leave the city right now."
"I agree," Quinn said, holding tighter to Taranis. "We don't know how they caught Yelena and Avallach, and I don't want you going into danger."
"Not here five minutes and you are already siding against me," Taranis complained.
Quinn raised her chin. "You don't know if they are using Avallach and Yelena as bait. Until we get them back, you're not leaving my side."
Taranis's eyes glowed hot, but his mate always got her way. "Fine! Emyr, I release you to go with Owain and Valentine to find them. We need to make a plan and talk somewhere private first."
Emyr cast a glance in Valentine's direction, her nostrils flaring. "Oh, the little dragon sorcerer has come to play, has he? The lords are going to love this."
Valentine's smile was sharp as a blade. "They aren't my concern."
Emyr only wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him in for a tight squeeze. "Watch your temper, and we can get out of here faster. You're crackling with power, little one. It would be a shame to waste it."
"I have seen where they are," Valentine said, keeping his voice low as they followed the others. "I think Uncle Taran has a traitor somewhere."
"Shh, later. Too many ears," Emyr said and gave him a knowing look. "I'm glad you will be with us for the hunt. Yelena isn't the only one who has missed your handsome scowling face."
I miss her too, Valentine's dragon grumbled, and he bit his tongue so he wouldn't say it out loud.
There were many reasons why he had kept his dragon locked down for so long, and now it was going to be more vocal than ever. Just what he needed.
7
They managed to make it to Taranis's chambers with minimal fuss. His knights flanked them, and whenever anyone got too close, they made it clear that the king was busy.
Valentine admired carvings and tapestries but didn't stop to stare at them. There would be time enough for that later.
When Owain shut the double doors leading into the king's chambers, they all took a collective breath of relief.
"I'm starting to see why you have been spending time in England," Valentine commented.
Taranis ran a hand over his face. "The city had me for centuries whenever they wanted, and it's been an adjustment for them to accept that I'm busy with my family for once. They will learn."
Quinn kissed him. "Maybe you need to tell them you're busy making an heir and see if that will shut them up."
"They will probably try to offer helpful hints," he grumbled, and when he saw Quinn's expression, he laughed. "Gods, don't ask them just to see what they will say."
Emyr crossed her arms, making her biceps flex. "Enough flirting. What have you learned about Yelena and Avallach?"
"You're up, nephew," Taranis said and gestured to Valentine.
"I did some dream magic and tracked them," Valentine said and explained in the simplest terms possible how he had connected with Yelena's magic, and how he saw the ruined camp and the fortress they were being held at.
Emyr swore when he was done. "The best way to confirm what you saw is to head to their last known camp and see what we find. Not that I don't trust you or your power, but we need to make sure. Owain and I can fly out as soon as you have some leathers on."
"Do you know where they were camped?" Owain asked.
Emyr pointed to a map of the kingdom that hung on the wall. She pointed to a scrap of forest on the edge of the farthest border. "Somewhere here. Avallach had sent Vidar a message saying they had received reports of someone seeing a spy in these woods. He and Yelena were going to investigate."
