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All except one

Bercelak stood tall and stared at her, not bothering to hide his s her best to look suitably haughty He smirked in return So, with everyone else’s head bowed in supplication, she took a hed loud and long, scaring everyone else--even his family--nearly to death

Bercelak walked with his father, now in dragon-form, for the trip down to the entrance of Devenallt Mountain "Sure you won’t stay for awhile?"

"No, lad Your rinned "And I don’t like to keep her waitingrin "Gods forbid you leave a fe"

"Only one felanced back into the cave as if to assure they were truly alone "Although I wouldn’t wait too long, boy She is still unclaier eyes"

"She’s beautiful, so I’ive her up"

"Of that I have no doubt Your lust coreat waves when she’s around"

"True But still, tradition dictates I wait until the next full moon"

"Don’t be a fool, boy She’s queen You two make tradition So do what you like, eh?"

Bercelak nodded in agreee breath and said, "Thank you, Father For all your help today"

His father waved his words off with his claw "You’re , Bercelak No words of thanks are ever needed"

"Well, I’ll say this thenI no longer detest you"

Laughing, his father slaainst his son’s back Anyone else would have toppled from the mountain with a snapped spine but Bercelak, as always, stood strong If for no other reason, he’d rather not hear his father’s ood news indeed! Your mother, at least, will be very happy"

"But you"

"Could care less I only want h to survive these tirinned and Bercelak saw his rows and rows of fangs that grew as age came upon them all "And since you are now consort to the queen, I’d say I’ve done my job, wouldn’t you?"

Bercelak nodded "Aye That you have"

"Then,sonyou best Claim that deadly wench of yours or lose her forever"

With those words, Ailean the Wicked took to the air and back to Bercelak’s mother Shalinthe Tamer of Ailean the Wicked

Bercelak turned and headed back to the Queen’s Hall As he passed other dragons, they greeted hied him Instead they kept their eyes turned away Except for some of the females who openly showed their lust Apparently the fact that he hadn’t Claiht their interests as well

Many of his brothers and sisters waited for hin was secure The best fighters of his kin, including Ghleanna, had gone off to confront Rhiannon’s siblings They would not wait for theht?" he asked his rear motioned up the many stairs that led to ould now be Rhiannon’s bedchaone up Lots of activity with the servants since she went up there, too"