They pretended nothing had happened. Simple as that, they went right back to how they’d been the previous week. Breakfast followed by music lessons followed by afternoons spent doing whatever apart from each other. If they pretended it didn’t happen, then it was as good as never happening. Though Rhiannon found herself thinking about him more and more, even when he flew off to play music or gather information on their uninvited guest’s whereabouts and doings.
Every night, he would return before dark, often leaving him absolutely exhausted. “You don’t have to come back every night. Brodrick won’t return for a while until he has new equipment forged, and that could take weeks.” The man was particular when it came to his weapons. He’d once bragged of his exclusive patronage to the best blacksmith in the entire kingdom.
“I’d rather not leave you unprotected,” he said. “I promised to keep you safe.”
“You kept me safe on our way here. You’re free of that promise now.”
“I may have kept the letter of my promise, but the spirit lives on. I would never forgive myself if something were to happen to you. You’re too important to me.”
Flustered, she turned away. That was the closest they’d come to acknowledging the events of that morning a week prior. “Is it...” She shook her head. “Never mind. I should go to bed. Sleep well.”
“You as well.”
The awkwardness continued even into their lessons. Taliesin no longer joined her on the piano bench, opting to busy himself with violin accompaniment instead. While they both enjoyed playing together this way, it felt oddly hollow, like something was missing.
Then a new visitor interrupted the forced nonchalance of their routine.
Without warning, the front door swung open, startling them both. Copper took to the air, hissing and snarling while darting from the room toward the intruder. The aggressive sounds ceased abruptly, and for a moment, Rhiannon worried that Brodrick might have cut him down. A sharp, joyful whistle just as quickly dissuaded them of that notion.
“Hello!” called a cheery woman’s voice from the entryway. “I’m not interrupting tea, am I? Bells sent me a message, and I left as soon as I could. I’ve been flying nonstop since yesterday, so I could use a—” The petite woman stopped in the doorway. The surprise on her heart-shaped face lasted perhaps half a second before a mischievous grin stretched her mouth wide. Her tone adopted a distinctly teasing lilt as she observed, “Looks like I am interrupting something.”
Without missing a beat, Taliesin replied, “Not at all.” He gestured toward the empty chair. “You’re just in time for tea. I’m sure Bells already has everything ready for you.”
As if summoned by her nickname, Bellflower appeared from the kitchen with an extra teacup and more snacks. The woman accepted the plate and eagerly snarfed down one of the tea sandwiches before the teacup had been set down.
Another sandwich vanished, this time in two bites. After a swig of tea, the woman commented, “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your lady friend here?”
This time Taliesin’s feathers did get ruffled. “Lady friend? Mother! This is Her Highness, Princess Rhiannon! The woman you had promised to me as my wife?”
His mother set her teacup back on its saucer with a clink. “The woman I what now?”
Sighing, he recited the tale in true bardic fashion. “A witch decimated the opposing army from the north and in exchange for her service forced a promise from His Majesty’s lips. His daughter’s hand would be given to the dragon of Storm Bearer’s Peak when she came of age, lest the kingdom share the same fate as the invaders.”
The witch tapped her chin thoughtfully. After the silence stretched to a nearly uncomfortable length, she admitted, “Can’t say I recall that.” She shrugged, not the least bit bothered. “Well then, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Rhiannon. Thank you so much for accepting my son’s hand and—”
“Mother!”
Sheepishly, she backed off. “I was only joking.” She coughed and, after briefly collecting herself and plastering the same winning smile from earlier back on her face, said, “I am the Dragon Witch Gertrude of the major arcana, mate to Spinel and mother to Warlock Bard Taliesin.” She dipped a shallow bow over the table. “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Your Highness. I apologize for any inconvenience my request might have caused you and your family and am genuinely grateful that you followed through. Please treat my son well.”
Automatically, manners kicked in and Rhiannon returned the bow with a slightly deeper one of her own. “It was no trouble—” A hand on her shoulder stopped her, and Bellflower’s tight-lipped expression greeted her when she glanced up.
Taliesin stated for her, “You’ve caused quite a bit of trouble for Rhiannon.”
“Oho~ Rhiannon, is it?”
He ignored her. “Because of you, she’s been engaged to a knight. One who’s willing to butcher a dragon just to drag her back to her family against her will.”
That got her attention. All signs of teasing vanished, replaced with appalled disgust. “Butcher a dragon? Talie, are you hurt?!” She shot a foul look Bellflower’s way. Apparently, the silkie had conveniently left that part out of her letter.
“I was stabbed, but I’m doing better now. You can barely see the cut anymore.”
Her eyes narrowed at him, then she turned to Rhiannon for confirmation. “Is he really doing better?”
“I’m not sure. He seems to be.”
Gertrude frowned. “Seems to be? I would have thought—”
“Mother, please leave Rhiannon out of this.”
“She’s your wife, isn’t she? How would she not know? I’m sure she’s seen you—”
His face practically burst into flames. “Mother!” His gaze darted to Rhiannon’s mirror of his mortification and back. “Watch what you say!”
“What? It’s not like you two haven’t—” She broke off when Bellflower tugged her sleeve. The silkie shook her head, both as warning and confirmation. Gertrude’s mouth fell open in a small, “Oh...” She coughed again to collect herself. Banishing the shock, she said more lightly, “Taliesin, be a dear and fetch me my bag, won’t you? I’d like a word with your wife. In private.”
“Mother...”
“Bellflower will still be here to keep me out of trouble,” she said innocently.
He eyed his mother warily, searching her face for any sign of what she might be up to. Finally, he stood. “Bellflower, if she starts making Rhiannon uncomfortable...” The silkie nodded. Having obtained that reassurance, he stepped out into the hall.
“Take your time!” Gertrude called before returning her attention to Rhiannon. Once the door closed, she said, “I’ve really made a mess of things this time. I’m very sorry for all I’ve put you through. If you’d like, I can go speak with His Majesty and see if I can’t sort all of this out after mating season ends.”
Rhiannon wanted to politely disagree, to say, I doubt there’s much you could say to change my father’s mind about Sir Brodrick, but that last bit gave her pause. Rhiannon’s brow furrowed. “What mating season? If I might ask?”
“Dragons,” Gertrude said with a sigh. “That’s what took me so long to get here after Bells sent me that note. I had to make sure Spinel was okay with me leaving before I could come, and it takes a lot to satisfy my Spinel. Or any dragon, really...” She trailed off at Rhiannon’s beet red face. “Right, sorry. Too much information. Let’s leave it at that, shall we?” She glanced toward the door. “Anyway, I can’t stray from Spinel’s side for long or he’ll be struggling. As soon as I’m able to, I’ll go sort this out.”
“In the meantime,” she continued, “is there anywhere else I can take you? If you aren’t comfortable staying here with Taliesin, we both understand. Especially if you don’t share Taliesin’s feelings. He’s bound to be struggling, and if you aren’t, well, interested in certain activities, shall we say, then it would be better for you to reside elsewhere. For both your sakes.”
She knew she would regret asking and would hate the answer immediately, but the words came out regardless. “To what activities are you referring?”
Gertrude studied Rhiannon a moment. Then quite plainly she stated, “Mating. Between you and Taliesin.” Rhiannon blanched, then reddened despite the response being what she’d expected. Bellflower lightly smacked Gertrude’s shoulder, and rubbing the noninjury, she continued, “Taliesin is part dragon, and it seems to me that he’s paired with you.”
Paired. Rhiannon remembered reading about it in one of Gertrude’s books. Simply put, it was the dragon version of love at first sight, but something stronger, more ingrained, and above all, mutual. Paired dragons mated for life, no question. They also...bred...with a single-minded determination during mating season. Taliesin was part dragon, and if what Gertrude said was true, that he’d paired with her...
So many things came together in that moment, leaving Rhiannon with a sickening, sinking feeling in her stomach. Taliesin’s protectiveness of her, the gentle way he flirted, the passionate kisses that nearly swallowed her body and soul...