“Thanks, luv.”
Mary nodded at Braith and walked out, closing the door behind her. Addolgar led Braith across the large room to the fireplace. She immediately held out her hands to warm them and Addolgar took her cloak from her.
“I’ll make sure to keep the fire going tonight.”
“All right.”
“Why don’t you get some sleep, Braith?”
“I will.”
He stepped behind her. “I meant now.”
“I don’t know how you expect me to get any sleep with so much on my mind.”
“You need to sleep if we hope to get any real traveling done tomorrow.”
“The territory between here and the Northlands is enormous, Addolgar. My father could be anywhere.”
“I know his route.”
Braith faced him. “What do you mean, you know his route?”
He shrugged. “I heard from Brigida.” He pointed at his forehead. “Up here.” Although he should only be able to do that with his siblings and parents, those rules had never stopped Brigida from popping into anyone’s head whenever she damn well felt like it, no matter her relation to them. Many believed it was because of her powers as a White Dragonwitch that she was able to do so with such ease. Others believed she was a demon who could burrow into anyone’s soul. Addolgar decided to believe the White Dragonwitch angle so he could sleep at night.
“From here, we head west to the borders between the Southland and Outer Plains. She says we’ll find him there.”
“Dense forests in those parts. We’ll have to be careful.”
“You know the area?”
In answer, Braith only shrugged and walked toward the bed. She stopped before reaching it, spun around, and asked, “Are you sure we shouldn’t leave now to find—”
Addolgar placed his hand over Braith’s face. He had big hands and he covered almost all of her face. “You need sleep. I need sleep. We will not be traveling anywhere tonight.”
“You,” she said behind his hand, “don’t have to keep doing this when you don’t like what I have to say.”
“Apparently I do. Otherwise you wouldn’t keep saying those things.”
He dropped his hand, gazed down into her face. “I’m by your side on this, Braith. We’re in this together. Stop worrying about things that are already in motion. Already said and done. Our focus should be on our goal. Getting your father and bringing him back for the Queen to deal with. Don’t let anything else drag you down.”
“I just feel so guilty.”
“For the actions of your father? No wonder you and Ghleanna get along so well. Whatever your father has done or will do, it has nothing to do with you. Just as my father’s
Braith shrugged. “Well . . . I could see how your father’s past could follow—” Braith sighed deeply from behind Addolgar’s hand. “You did it again.”
“You were saying something I didn’t want to hear.”
She slapped his hand off.
“Ow!” he barked while laughing. “What was that for?”
“I’ll get some sleep,” she replied. And with that, she got on the large bed and stretched out. Then, stiff as a board, with her arms by her sides, Braith lay there.
“Good gods, female,” Addolgar muttered. “What did you do with yourself before I came into your life?”
“I lived quietly alone in my cave,” she snapped back. “And I was quite happy there, too.”
Addolgar stood over her, hands on his narrow hips. “How can you be comfortable all stiff like this? With your clothes on?”
“I’m cold,” she reminded him, desperate not to take her clothes off. Her human body was not something poets would ever write about, so she wasn’t about to get naked in front of Addolgar, of all dragons.
“That’s what the fur covers are for. You’ll get under them and with the fire going, you’ll be fine.”
“I’m fine as I am right now.”
“At least take your boots off.”
To appease the big ox, Braith sat up, but before she could touch the leather of her boots, Addolgar was there.
“I’ll do it,” he said cheerfully, smiling at her.
He tugged off first one boot, then the other. He then pulled off her socks and lifted her feet, studying them.
“I thought they’d be bigger.”
“How is that not an insult?”
“It’s not an insult. Or a compliment. Just an observation.” He thought a moment. “But your feet are cute, and that is a compliment.”
Laughing, Braith pulled her feet out of his grasp. “My boots are off. Can I go to sleep now?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Why not?”
“You’re not relaxed. Who can sleep when they’re not relaxed?”
“I’ll relax eventually.”
“At least take your leggings off.”
“I will do no such thing.”
“You’re being as silly as humans about this.”
“That’s my choice.”
“Well,” Addolgar said, “
And that’s when he grabbed the bottom of her leggings and began to yank them off.
“Addolgar!”
“You’ll thank me when I’m done.”
No, she wouldn’t!
Braith tried to scramble away, but she only managed to assist him in getting her leggings off while, at the same time, flipping herself off the blasted bed.
Growling, she got to her knees and rested her arms on the bed. She glowered up at the beast. “Give me back those leggings!”
“I’m trying to help you.”
“I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’m sure there are laws about it!”
“I don’t know why you’re being so shy.” He paused a moment, then asked, “Do I make you nervous?”
“Yes!” Braith replied honestly.
“Why?”
“I just . . . look, just . . . I mean . . .” She slammed her fist against the bed. “Give me my blasted leggings!”
Addolgar studied her for a bit before he surmised, “You don’t want me to see you naked.”
“Leggings.”
“Do you think I’ve never seen a human body before?”
“Leggings.”
“Do you have a few scars you don’t want me to see?”
“
“Fine.” Addolgar tossed her precious leggings behind him and began to toe off his boots.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
“Getting naked.”
“What the hells for?”
“So you can be comfortable getting naked, too, so we can get some sleep.”
