“I could probably wipe me ass with these and not even scratch this frail human skin,” she muttered . . . more than once.

But Aidan was just glad they had something to protect themselves with. He hated walking around without weapons. Two of his best mates were weak and vulnerable, and now they had a royal to protect.

Aidan was grateful, though, that it was Branwen the Awful who was traveling with him on this mission. She was, truly, the best warrior he knew, and if anyone could help him get his mates and Keita the Viper out of this alive, it was Branwen.

But she was miserable and he hated that. She was ruthlessly loyal to her troops and he knew that leaving them during what would likely turn into a monumental battle would eat her up inside. There was nothing to do about it, though. The queen had given her orders and it was their duty to obey.

Unfortunately that didn’t mean Brannie wouldn’t complain every step of the way....

“I couldn’t even be stuck with a useful royal.” Brannie fixed the saddle on the carriage horse she’d claimed as her own. “No, no. Gods forbid I’d get a Fearghus or Briec or even a Gwenvael. Instead I get the most useless of the lot. Keita the Do Nothing.”

Keita’s eyes narrowed on Brannie’s vulnerable back and Aidan quickly stepped to the royal’s side, afraid she was moments from shoving some vicious poison down her cousin’s throat.

“Why don’t you ride with me, Princess Keita?” he asked, even while he pushed her toward his horse. “There are only four horses and Branwen will have her hands full managing my two wounded mates.”

“Fine.” Keita lifted her skirts and moved toward the horse.

“So sorry, Aidan,” Brannie scoffed, “that you have to be bothered with such a useless She-dragon.”

“Oh!” Keita gasped seconds before she turned and started stalking back toward her cousin.

“No, no, no,” Aidan said quickly, stepping between the two before they could get near each other. “Both of you stop it,” he ordered. “We don’t have time for this. Look at poor Caswyn. He’s practically falling off his horse. He’s weakening by the second and you two want to keep this ridiculous fight going? We have our orders—let’s just get them over with.”

Brannie closed her eyes, taking a moment to get control of her intense anger. She knew he was right, but Aidan also knew that she’d hate admitting it.

Which meant, of course, that she wouldn’t.

“Let’s go,” she muttered. But she just as quickly stopped and pointed her finger at Keita. “But if any of my troops suffer because of you—”

“Oh, for the love of the gods, let it go!” Keita nearly screamed at her. “Your troops! Your troops! You and your troops have one purpose in this world! Protect the throne! Do your job, Branwen the Awful!”

Brannie was reaching for Keita’s throat when Aidan slapped her arm down and stepped into her.