“Yes!” Eviana jumped at him, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Thank you!”
With a smile, he stepped back, still holding the little girl. Gwennore’s chest tightened. After today, she might never see him again.
She gathered up the pillowcase containing the birthday dolls, then descended from the carriage, ignoring the general’s outstretched hand. For a small part of her was afraid that if she took his hand, she would not let go.
He set the little girl on her feet. “You’re the bravest child I’ve ever met. Not many children take a ride with a dragon.”
She lifted her chin. “Ewic never has.”
The general smiled. “Let’s get you back home.”
Gwennore took Eviana’s hand and followed the general toward the bridge. There was an excited bounce in the child’s step, and Gwennore thanked the goddesses that the little girl had come through this ordeal so well.
As they stepped onto the bridge, she spotted a small troop of armed guards escorting the kings of Eberon and Tourin, along with Brody and her sisters. With a grin, she waved at them.
“Gwennore! Eviana!” The squeals of her sisters carried toward her, and soon, her sisters were running toward her.
“Mama!” Eviana pulled loose from Gwennore and dashed across the bridge.
“Careful.” Gwennore chased after her, the end of the pillowcase clenched in one fist.
They all collided with happy cries and hugs.
“My baby.” Luciana picked up her daughter and held her tight. With tears running down her cheeks, she turned to Gwennore. “Bless you. I can’t thank you enough—” Her voice broke with a sob.
Gwennore wrapped her arms around Luciana and her daughter. “I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry?” Sorcha asked as she joined the group embrace. “Why would ye be? Ye risked yer life!”
“I shouldn’t have taken Eviana away from the camp,” Gwennore confessed.
Brigitta sniffed as she hugged them all. “It’s not yer fault a dragon took her.”
“Aye.” Maeve latched on to Gwennore from the back. “We were so frightened for the both of you.”
“Are you all right?” Luciana set her daughter on her feet and looked her over. “You weren’t injured in any way?”
“I’m fine,” Eviana declared. “The nice man bwought me back. And last night, he gave me a buffday cake and a—” Her eyes widened as she glanced around. “Where is my pwesent?”
“Here.” Gwennore handed her the pillowcase.
“I have new dollies!” Eviana grinned.
“How lovely.” Luciana glanced at Gwennore. “Nice man?”
“General Dravenko.” Gwennore glanced toward the bridge. The general had stopped midway across the bridge, and Brody and the kings, Leo and Ulfrid, were greeting him.
Ulfrid, formerly the pirate Rupert, shook the general’s hand and gave him a fond slap on the back. Brody shook his hand next. Leo stood to the side, since it was dangerous for anyone to touch him. But the general didn’t hesitate to shake Leo’s gloved hand.
“He is nice,” Brigitta said. “Rupert and I met him when we were in Norveshka. He helped us take back the throne.”
“I should thank him for returning Eviana.” Luciana regarded him curiously. “Perhaps we should invite him to the celebration tonight. What do you think, Gwennore?”
She glanced at the bridge. The general had turned toward them, and his gaze met hers for a few sizzling seconds.
“Gwennie?” Sorcha nudged her. “Is something wrong?”
“I—” Gwennore looked at Sorcha, then the general. His gaze had switched to Sorcha, and his eyes glistened with tears. He started toward them, accompanied by Brody and the two kings. “I have to tell you something.”
Sorcha scoffed. “Don’t tell me ye fell for the man.”
Heat rushed to Gwennore’s face. “Don’t say that. They’re coming this way.”
“She’s just teasing you,” Maeve said. “We know ye only met him yesterday. Although he is somewhat good looking.”
Somewhat? “Are ye blind?” Gwennore muttered.
“His looks are not important,” Luciana declared. “What we need is his assurance that no child will ever endure what Eviana did. The kidnapping of children has to stop.”
“I agree,” Brigitta said. “I think Rupert should send an envoy back with the general to make sure our country’s children will be safe.”
Luciana nodded. “We should send an envoy, too.”
Gwennore swallowed hard. This should be her job. She could help more than any envoy.
She glanced at the general as he approached, and once again, she had the feeling that she had been waiting for him her entire life. Even so, the unknown was frightening. The unknown was exciting.
His gaze met hers once again, and her heart squeezed. The unknown was hers for the taking. “I will go with him.”
“What?” Brigitta asked.
Gwennore’s heart thudded in her chest. The general had come to an abrupt halt, his gaze intense as he stared at her. “He asked me to help him.”
“What kind of help?” Luciana asked.
“He needs my gift as a healer. I can’t give you any details, but if I’m successful, the kidnappings will stop.”
Her sisters looked at one another.
“Didn’t the Telling Stones foretell she would be in the land of dragons?” Brigitta whispered.
Luciana winced. “But I sensed danger. I’m not sure you’ll be safe there, Gwennie.”
“I’ll be fine.” Gwennore drew in a shaky breath. “General Dravenko has promised to protect me. He considers us family.”
Sorcha snorted. “How is that? I’ve never met him afore.”
“Ye have.” Gwennore took Sorcha’s hand. “When ye were a wee babe.”
“What?” Sorcha’s eyes widened.
Gwennore squeezed her hand as the four men approached. “The general is yer brother.”
Chapter Nine
Sorcha stiffened and eyed the general with suspicion.
She’s not pleased, Gwennore thought as she released her sister’s hand. Over the past few years, she had learned that it was rare for any moment to be perfectly happy. There was always a catch. How could Sorcha be happy that she had family when that family had apparently rejected her?
Happy endings were hard to come by. Luciana and Brigitta had become the rulers of Eberon and Tourin, along with their husbands, but they still had problems. The Eberoni former chief counsel and head priest, Lord Morris, was secretly gathering a group of disgruntled priests and nobles from both countries.
Morris had received a huge amount of gold
