Éibhear decided to leave the boy where he was and headed outside. He saw Frederik sitting on the stairs, looking quite bored, and decided to give him a task.
“Think you can find my friends again?”
He quickly got to his feet but almost fell off the steps doing so. “Yes, sir. I saw them heading into town earlier today.”
“Good. Go get them for me, would you? Tell them I need to see them now. So they need to put down whatever ale or whore they may currently have in their hands.”
With a grin, the first Éibhear could remember seeing from the boy, Frederik nodded. “I will, sir.” Then he charged off. Almost ran into a horse merely standing in the road, minding its own business but . . . well . . . whatever.
“You’ve been awfully quiet.”
Éibhear looked down at his mother. “I have. Sorry. Lots of things going on.”
“I get worried when things are too quiet, so I don’t mind a little activity.” His mother slipped her arm through his and together they walked down the steps. “So . . . you going with Izzy when she heads south?”
“Do you really have to ask me that?”
Rhiannon’s head tipped back as she laughed. “No, I guess I don’t.” She patted his arm with her free hand. “But I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into. Izzy’s a true warrior, with a warrior’s soul. If she thinks for a minute that you’re just trying to protect her—”
“Don’t worry. I have all sorts of excuses that even she will have to agree with. They’re all very logical and sane . . . unlike her.”
They stopped in the middle of the courtyard and Rhiannon faced him. “Be careful in the south, my son. They do things differently there.”
“After the Ice Lands, Mum, I can handle anything.”
“True. But you didn’t have Iseabail the Dangerous’s adorable little ass distracting you while you were in the Ice Lands.”
“Mum.”
“What? I’m not blind. Just remember. She may not be blood, but your brother sees her as his daughter. So you can’t just f**k this one and toss her away like you and your brothers have been doing since you each stumbled out of your eggs. You can’t treat this one like a whore. She’s family!”
“Mum.”
“What?”
Chapter 24
Izzy was up and dressed before the two suns had risen. She’d slept in her old room in the castle, her sister curled up next to her. Before she walked out the door, Rhi stopped her and hugged her tight.
“Please be careful.”
“I will be. I promise.” She kissed both her sister’s cheeks and gave her another hug. “I shouldn’t be long. Don’t fight with Daddy.”
“Okay.”
Izzy opened the bedroom door and Rhi added, “And bring me something.”
“Bring you something? Like what?”
“Something pretty. But local. But nothing with big bows, small bows are fine. Color-wise, silver and pink are good. Or very dark reds. No bright reds. And Mum won’t let me wear black yet, but she is okay with blues and—where are you going? Well, I like green, too! Dark green! And good luck, Izzy! I love you!”
Izzy made it down the stairs, where her father was waiting. He smiled at her. “Silver and pink are her favorite colors, though.”
“I’ve decided. She’s not allowed to spend any more time alone with Keita. Pink?” she sneered. “Really?”
Chuckling, Briec leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Please. For the sake of my sanity, be careful. Your mother will be absolutely intolerable if any harm comes to you. And, I will definitely miss someone who irritates me so little.”
Izzy hugged her father. “I promise to keep myself safe just so you won’t have to hear any complaints from anyone.”
“That’s my girl.”
Izzy stepped away from her father and pulled her travel bag over her shoulders. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you.”
She smiled and headed toward the Great Hall doors.
“And Izzy—” She stopped, faced him. “When you meet your grandmother, think about Rhi. Not your mum. Not you. This is about your sister, don’t forget that.”
“I’ll remember. I promise not to kill the old bitch unless I have to.”
Briec quickly looked away, cleared his throat. She knew he wanted to laugh, but he was trying to be stern. She guessed she wasn’t helping him.
“Thank you for that.”
Izzy walked to the doors and pulled one open. “Tell Mum I’ll talk to her when I get back.”
She didn’t wait to hear her father’s response, instead heading down the stairs and across the courtyard to the stables.
“Morning, General,” one of the stable hands said as he walked out, stopping to hold the door open for her.
“Morning, Richard.”
Izzy walked inside but stopped short when she saw her mother standing by Dai’s stall. Dai had his head over the stall gate and Talaith petted him from his forelock down to his muzzle.
“You’re spoiling him,” Izzy said as she stood on the other side of the horse.
“Can’t help it. He’s beautiful.”
“And loyal.”
Talaith smirked. “Yes. Loyalty.”
“Don’t worry, Mum. I have no intention of killing the old bitch. I still think this is an insane idea, but if there’s a chance she can help . . .”