The Dragon Bard — Mary Gillgannon

While visiting north Britain, traveling bard Bridei ap Maelgwn is taken captive and sold to Irish slavers. When they land in Ireland, he is rescued and taken to Queen Dessia of the Fionnlairaos. Dessia is wary of this charismatic stranger, but also intrigued. As bard and queen spar with wits and words, Bridei awakens not only Dessia's heart, but an ancient legacy of magic that binds them together in a web of treachery and passionate desire. The Dragon Bard is the fourth book in the Dragon of the Island series.