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Hywel didn't argue, just nodded in understanding.
"If we split up, we leave each other at risk either way," Conall said, frowning. "I'm not too proud to admit that I wouldn't feel like adequate protection for Evie if the pair of you left to retrieve the sword. And I can't say I feel worthy of taking it from hiding."
"Then you overestimate Nimue's taste in warriors," Laszlo said, flashing a sly smile to the werewolf.
Hywel huffed a laugh. "She liked them brawny, handsome, and a touch gallant. You'd do fine, pup."
"They were her lovers, weren't they?" I asked.
Laszlo nodded. "Of course. The ones she liked best."
I wondered then what "noble nature" had really failed. Had the men moved on to new lovers and lost the protection of the sword?
"We should wait for Asterion," I said, taking the robe Laszlo had brought over and sliding my arms into the heavy sleeves. I wrapped it around myself, kissing Laszlo's cheek in thanks, and then moved to sit in the chair Conall was propped up against.
"There may not be time to waste," Hywel said.
"She's right. If anyone is pulling Excalibur from whatever hidey-hole Nimue has hinted to Rolant, it's Asterion," Conall said. His hand shifted from the back of my seat and I thought he meant to pull away, but instead his fingers slid into my hair, stroking the back of my neck in secret.
"We could send Conall and Asterion with Rolant," Laszlo suggested, taking his own perch on the arm of Hywel's chair. Hywel fidgeted, wrapping one arm around Laszlo but looking away. Laszlo smiled knowingly and winked at me.
"You want to be there," I said, laughing at the dragon.
"It's one of the greatlegends," Hywel muttered.
"A legend you know the truth of," I pointed out.
He shrugged. "Legends change the nature of a thing. And I don't trust that Rolant won't try to wheedle the sword into his hoard one way or another. I can think of at least four methods he might try off the top of my head."
"Ahh, but you're much cleverer than he is," Laszlo teased, running his talons through Hywel's pale hair.
"And you'd much rather the sword came to rest inyourhoard," I pointed out.
Hywel hummed and feigned innocence, eyes widening. "I mean, if it needs a resting place after Asterion is done with it,naturallyI'd be happy to accommodate."
"Naturally," Conall and I said together, and I twisted to share a grin with him.
The flames of the fireplace added embers to Conall's glowing green gaze, and the heat there caught low in my belly. I wanted to rise to my knees and bring his face down to mine, kiss him in full view of Hywel and Laszlo, and let the consequences unravel through the night.
Conall leaned over the back of the chair, a tug in my chest calling me to him or vice versa. And then the fire popped, Conall blinked, and his face lifted, glancing at Laszlo and Hywel, then back at me. He stepped back from my chair and cleared his throat.
"Stay," Hywel said, a low and calm invitation. "You're welcome with us. And I promise you the sweetest of dreams."
Conall's gaze darkened on the dragon, turned hungrily first to Laszlo and then finally to me. Hewastempted. He wanted to slide into the tangle of us, and I wasn't sure what shape we would take, what dynamic it might change, but I wanted it too.
I reached for him, to grasp his callous hand and draw it to my mouth, my kiss of approval for Hywel's offer.
Conall's head twitched, a small shake. "Not tonight," he said, a touch roughly. "I told Asterion I'd keep an eye on Rolant. You guard your treasure here, dragon. I'll watch the castle."
"If you wish," Hywel said.
Conall's calm smile faltered slightly, and he huffed out a laugh. He did not wish. But he turned and left the room, the door shutting softly behind him.
Hywel groaned. "Oh, don't pout, the pair of you."
* * *
Wake,pretty morsel.
