Oh, gods. Not the flying!”“I heard you mounted my sister well enough.”“I want you never to make that statement again.

Go on,” he offered magnanimously. “Feel free to piss on yourselves andcower helplessly.”Gods, sometimes his generosity overwhelmed him.

Stay away from my sister.""Or what, General?" Odda asked, her smile smug. "What can you do to a Kyv-"The witch's words were cut off and Izzy stumbled back into her mother as a white claw slammed into the ground, smashing the witch into the earth.Izzy looked up at the dragoness standing over her. Her grandmother smiled. "What did I miss? I sensed I was missing something!" Rhiannon looked down at her claws. "Did I step in something? I feel like I stepped in something.

That was where the fear came from, Celyn believed. The not knowing. Not knowing what these offspring could do. Even they didn't know. At least not right away.So Celyn did understand the fear, but not the hatred. He didn't understand dragons who hated humans. Or humans who hated dragons. Or anyone who hated someone for being brought into this world without any say in the matter.

She's just being sensitive. You put a girl in jail and forget about her for a few months, and they all take it so bloody personally.""You forgot about her?""She's lucky I did. She'd been sent to kill Rhiannon.""Then why isn't she dead?"Celyn sighed. "It was a sad, weak attempt, really. She clearly didn't want to do it. Auntie Rhiannon just felt bad for her.

Hope death finds you well today.

There's a feat tonight! There'll be dancing.""A feast?" Kachka asked. "Who are we sacrificing?

But you don't have a husband yet?"Elina shook her head, her gaze focused on the stream. "No. I have nothing to entice a man. No raids. No bounty on my head. No one fears me." She looked him in the eyes. "As far as the tribes are concerned, I am nothing.""But you're cute.""I am...cute?""Aye. Cute. In the Southlands, cute can get you a baron and a full staff.

Just...if you notice I'm talking too much or someone seems particularly interested in what I'm asking about, let me know. That's all. Just...have my back."'"Have...back?""Have my back. Simply make sure that I don't put me foot in it.""Foot?"He rolled his eyes. "Gods, you're literal. I mean make sure I don't talk us into a bad situation.""Oh. Step on dick."His eyes widened. "Pardon?""When men do stupid thing...we say they step on dick.""That would imply an impressively sized dick.