Dragon on Top by G.A. Aiken Page A

shoulders, lifted her a bit, and placed a cup against her lips. “It’s water. Drink it.”
    â€œSea water?”
    â€œIs this a time to joke?”
    Who said she was joking?
    She sipped from the cup Bram held, relieved it was clean drinking water.
    When she pushed the cup away, she asked the question that she dreaded the answer to—yet she had to know, “My brothers?”
    â€œIt sounds as if they’re alive and well.”
    â€œSounds?”
    â€œWarriors matching your brothers’ descriptions were spotted on the beach chopping the limbs and wings off the surviving traitors. Needless to say the Fins who spotted them did not stick around to verify it was your kin.”
    â€œI need to know, Bram.”
    â€œI know you do. But you’re still weak and the Empress’s sorceress guild has protections up. You’ll never be able to contact them on your own.”
    â€œUnless you want my brothers coming down here and ripping this place apart—”
    â€œI didn’t say we wouldn’t try.” And gods, he sounded so exhausted. “But you’ll need my help.”
    â€œRight now, peacemaker? I need you more than I’ve ever needed anyone. And I’m sorry if I sound like I’m threatening. I’m not. It’s just my brothers . . .”
    â€œI know well.” His smile was sweet. “And I understand more than you can ever realize.” He slipped long, strong fingers into her hand. “So we’ll do this together, yes?”
    Ghleanna nodded and she felt power flow from Bram and into her, giving her the temporary strength she needed to force her way through the barriers the Fins had protecting this place so she could contact her blood-related kin with her mind.
    Sister . Thank the gods. Addolgar’s relief at realizing Ghleanna still lived was palatable, zipping through her like a bright wave. That’s when her first tear fell.
    Addolgar . . . the others?
    Ease yourself, sister. They’re fine. But tell me you’re all right.
    I’m fine, brother. Healing but fine. Are all the traitors dead?
    No. And she could feel her brother’s anger even at this great distance. Feoras and quite a few others escaped while we killed their comrades. Seems loyalty is in short supply these days.
    Good. Then I can kill Feoras myself.
    We’re coming for you, Ghleanna.
    No! You’ll be outnumbered and underwater has never been our best battleground.
    I’ll not leave you to die among the Fins.
    I have no intention of dying anytime soon, brother. Call to the Cadwaladrs. Get them ready for battle.
    Those who aren’t already here are headed this way.
    Good. Wait to hear from me. But do not, under any circumstances, come down here to fetch me. Understand?
    Ghleanna—
    Understand?
    Aye. No need to bark so. I hear you just fine.
    Then I won’t need to repeat myself.
    After a moment, Addolgar asked, The royal?
    With me. Alive.
    Her brother grunted. Good. I owe that bastard an ale. Hate to have it over his funeral pyre.
    That’s very sweet, brother.
    Go, sister. Rest.
    I will. But send a few of the cousins over to Bram’s parents’ cave and his sister’s. It’s best we watch out for them as well until Feoras has been dealt with. But tell them nothing. Leave that to Bram.
    I’ll take care of it. Now get some rest, sister. The Cadwaladrs will be ready when you need us to be.
    Ghleanna ended the communication with her brother and relaxed back into the mattress. Through tears of relief, she looked at Bram and told him, “All who betrayed us will die.”
    Bram nodded and kissed the back of her hand. “And I’d expect no more and no less.”
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    Bram jerked awake, confused about where he was, his gaze searching the room. It wasn’t until he saw Ghleanna asleep in the bed, the fur covering her only up to her waist, that he remembered.
    He didn’t know how the Fins did it. Lived