He glanced sideways at me, a hard, assessing, suspicious glance, before he sighed. “Senior by virtue of influence, yes. Chris is a Talbot; June was a high-ranking Smythe. In line to the headship? No. The current line of succession goes from me to Tim, to Mia, unless Tim or I have children.”
“Are you likely to have children?” It spilled out of me in horror at the thought of Archer married to someone who wasn’t me and having lots of stern, growly babies with them.
“No,” he said, and the finality in his tone shut me up for the rest of the drive home.
It didn’t stop me thinking, though. Most especially aboutwhyArcher was so certain he wasn’t going to have children. Up until this moment, it had never occurred to me he might have asignificant other, but I was fairly sure that wasn’t the case. After all, I’d been here more than twenty-four hours and there’d been neither sign nor mention of one.
Maybe Archer wasn’t straight. My heart flip-flopped at the thought he might be gay or bi. Adopted or step kids wouldn’t inherit the headship because succession was by blood. Which, now I came to think of it, was anotherway dragon society was deeply weird. We needed to join the modern world.
Or maybe there was another reason, one I hadn’t been able to think of. I sat quietly, studying his face, the harsh lines that had deepened at June and Chris’s, and I wondered whether I’d ever get to know him.
ARCHER
Ollie was a lot brighter and more insightful than he appeared, and there was no way he’d have missed the tension in that room. I should be thankful June and Chris hadn’t expressed outright their view that any worthy head of family would have been able to influence the will of the moot.
Perhaps it was time to bring this thing between us to a head instead of ignoring it in the hope the family could stay together. If I forced a confrontation, I didn’t know how many of my family would side with me. I had their obedience and, to some extent, their trust, but I had no idea if they respected me or if they thought I was doing a good job at looking after everyone.
All I knew was that it was my birthright and I had to try.
I was relieved that Kim had seemed excited to represent the family when I’d spoken to her. The pairing of families at the moot had been randomised, and I’d drawn the Bonds as the family our representative would stay with. They’d been understanding about the fact my only delegate was a minor and that I’d send a family member to them once I got home.
I only realised that we were back at the Court and that I was glaring at the lighted windows through the windscreen when Ollie cleared his throat.
“Is something wrong?” he asked.
Releasing my clenched hands from the steering wheel, I breathed slowly. Yes, something was wrong, but he didn’t deserve for me to bite his head off for asking. I’d heard the nervousness in his voice. He knew he was treading close to disrespect, yet he’d still asked.
“Supper?” I suggested, as I climbed out of the car.
“ThankGod,”he said. “I’mstarving.June didn’t even offer us any biscuits. I know I shouldn’t criticise my hosts, but don’t you think that’s kind of basic if you’re making tea? Though I suppose I did have a few biscuits at the other houses, so I shouldn’t complain.”
I still wasn’t sure how Ollie had managed to decimate the chocolate biscuits on offer while not losing a beat when talking to family members.
“Mia’s cooking tonight, so you might be glad of those biscuits,” I told him.
“Oh,” he said doubtfully. “Is it that bad?”
“She’s learning,” I said. “Slowly.”
“I mean, I shouldn’t judge. Last time I made a cake, I forgot to put the flour in.”
I choked. “Flour? You forgot theflour?”
He grinned. “Even the birds didn’t want it. Hey, maybe I should cook for your ducks and poison them accidentally.”
“That would have looked more accidental if you hadn’t told me your plan,” I pointed out as we crossed the bridge to the familiar oak door.
“Well, shit. There goes my career as an elite undercover assassin,” he said, his grin broadening.
I had no idea how Ollie found enjoyment in the smallest things. I only knew how much I envied him for it.
Chapter Thirteen
OLLIE
Tim’s place remained empty at supper, but no one commented on that fact. Afterwards, the three of us moved to the sitting room. I didn’t think I’d ever get used to the wonderful scent of the open woodfire, though when I said so to Mia, she assured me I’d change my mind once I had to clean out the grate every morning.
Archer sat in an armchair, scrolling on his phone. He said nothing, yet his presence dominated the room.
