Annwyl, who’d been sitting on the fence watching the training, saw Talaith and immediately called a halt.

“Iseabail, Daughter of Talaith. Go say goodbye to your mother.”

Izzy dropped her shield and staff and ran over to the pair. For a girl who’d been eating dirt most of the morning, she looked surprisingly happy. Talaith would not be happy when she realized Izzy’s year would last much longer that that. Clearly the girl had found her true path.

“Good travels.” Izzy hugged and kissed her mother. “I’ll miss you both.” She stood on tiptoes to reach up and hug Briec, rewarding him with a quick kiss on the cheek.

“Izzy, are you sure—”

Izzy groaned and again hugged her mother. “You promised me a year, Mum.”

“All right. All right. Well, just remember, I’m only a thought away. You need me for anything, Morfyd can get in touch with me. We won’t be gone long.”

“Take your time. I’m sure you two need some time alone.” She winked at Talaith and he thought his poor mate would come out of her skin with embarrassment.

“Iseabail.”

Laughing, Izzy stepped back before her mother could cuff her on the head. “Only teasing.”

“Iseabail,” Annwyl called. “Return to the field.”

“I have to go. Have a safe trip.”

Izzy took one step away, but Talaith grabbed firm hold of her daughter’s arm. Briec groaned inward. He thought he’d finally convinced her this was the right course sometime after he’d made her come for the fourth time last night. He should have known better.

“Mum,” Izzy glanced over her shoulder at all those waiting for her return, “please.”

Talaith took a deep breath and said, “The boy you’re fighting. He’s weak on his left side. Take the little bastard out at the knee.”

Glancing at her mother then Briec, Izzy shrugged. “Uh, all right then.” She smiled. “I’ll do that.”

“Good. Now go and good luck.”

Izzy nodded and walked away. She was halfway back to the training field, when she turned around and ran over to her mother. She threw herself in Talaith’s arms, and Briec could hear her fierce whisper as she hugged her mother tight. “I love you, Mum.”

With that, she released Talaith and ran to the training field, immediately picking up her staff and shield to begin again.

Briec wrapped his arms around his woman’s body. He felt her regret, but also her pride. Especially when Izzy faked out her opponent on his right, only to take out his left knee with her staff. He went down screaming.

“Let’s go before I yank her out of there.”

“Good idea.” He grabbed hold of her hand and walked toward the stables. It wasn’t until he passed the stables that she started fighting.

“Oh, gods. Not the flying!”

“I heard you mounted my sister well enough.”

“I want you never to make that statement again.”

“You don’t expect me to walk back to my den, do you?”

“But there are horses.”

“I have horses.”

“You do?”

“Of course I do. They’re one of my favorite meals.”

“Now you’re simply trying to irritate me beyond all reason.”

“Is it working?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then my work here is done.”

He made it to the clearing and quickly shifted, without bothering to remove his clothes, before Talaith tried to dart off. Good thing he was quick, too. His tail almost didn’t catch her in time.

Picking her up, he dropped her on his back. “Get comfortable, my love.”

“I hate you.”

“Keep that feeling, sweet Talaith. You’ll need it when I get you back to my den and take you again and again and again.”

“Just so we’re clear, dragon. You are one of my least favorite beings.”

He turned and looked at her over his shoulder. “But you do love me? Right, Talaith?”

She rewarded him with a warm, beautiful smile. And it was a reward. “Of course I love you. You mean the world to me, Briec.”

He smirked. “Well, of course I do. I’m Briec the Mighty.”

She snorted a laugh as she got comfortable on his back. “I walked right into that, didn’t I?”

“Aye, my sweet Talaith. You most certainly did. Like a brutal ambush on a snowy mountaintop.”

She cleared her throat. “You’ve actually done that, haven’t you?”

“Oh, I have. Want me to tell you about it?” Briec asked as he took to the skies.

“No!”

“Fine. You don’t have to be nasty about it. Are you going to be like this when we get home?”

“Yes. As a matter of fact, I am. I’m going to make your life a living hell.”

“What makes you think you haven’t already?”

“Maybe the way you moan my name, O’ Arrogant One.”

He soared by trees and Talaith didn’t even notice she was so busy arguing with him. Good. By the time he got her home, she’d be so wet and ready for him, they probably wouldn’t even make it to the bed.

“That’s not a moan, little witch. It’s more of a complaint.”

“Ha! You only dream of having control in this relationship, my love.”

“We’ll see who has control when I get you back and tie you to the bed.”