“The origins of my idea came from some of our younger dragons,” she started, ignoring the disapproving protest from an old dragon. “The way we guard our territory, allowing other dragons in only occasionally for arranged visits, makes it difficult to build trust, let alone meet potential romantic partners or friends. I’mnotsuggesting we loosen our grip on ourterritory or cease to defend it fiercely, but I wonder if we could be more open. Instead of those bloody awful group visits we have to suffer through, why shouldn’t we make individual visits to one another’s territory, with a text beforehand to request permission?”
The advent of the Berstows had caused uproar, butthissuggestion seemed like the end of the world. Having never met other dragons en masse before, I’d had no idea how quarrelsome and stiff-necked we were as a species. It explained Tim’s attitude to me, I supposed.
Mortimer allowed time for dragons to bellow their displeasure before tapping his water glass with a metal pen. The insistent ringing silenced everyone. “Margaret?” he invited.
“I’m not suggesting every request should be granted. Iamsuggesting they should be considered.” Margaret paused. “Mingling too freely with other dragons leads to bloodshed, as we all know even without Evelyn’s historical documents. Yet living in silos, the way we are now, leads to mistrust and misinterpretation of others’ motives. Which, in turn, leads to bloodshed.”
She drew a deep breath. Until now, she’d appeared relaxed, but sitting next to her, I could see a slight quiver in her fingers. “I have a suggestion, which I would like you to take away and think about rather than responding now. When we leave this hotel, I propose that each family takes one representative from another family back with them for a few months. From a family they currently have no ties with. Start mixing, and let’s break down the mistrust between us and open up the world for future generations.”
Dead silence followed. Abimelech rose to his feet. “We will reconvene at two pm to discuss.”
He was right to bring this to a halt. Everyone sitting around the table looked pole-axed. I concentrated on my breathing tocontrol my dragon, roaring deep inside me. Instinct said no. Instinct saidfuck,no. No strange dragon on my territory.
But the hardest lesson I’d had to learn since becoming head of the family was that I couldn’t always give in to instinct. We had to mix with humans, to pretend we were no different from them, and find a way to get along with other dragons. Because we did need options. If Mia wanted to find a romantic partner, we had to have other families for her to choose from. Although too young to be looking for a serious commitment yet, she was clearly unimpressed by the possibilities among our current family contacts, the Vanes and the Smythes.
I emerged from my thoughts to find the room had emptied. Except for Margaret, who was putting the notepad and pen from her place setting into her handbag.
“There have to be some perks to suffering through all those narrow-minded old gits boring on,” she said, catching my gaze on her. “Well, that went better than I thought. I half expected to be dragged outside and flamed.”
I managed to smile at her. Whatever I thought of her suggestion, she was evidently influential. If our family split, it would be helpful to have an ally who might not condemn my headship completely.
“It’s an interesting proposal,” I said. “I’ll give it some thought.”
“Talk to my nephew Alex about it if you want,” she said. “The original suggestion came from him, but honestly, so many others of his generation—yourgeneration—think the same. They don’t have the same respect for tradition that was drilled into my generation, and I actually think that’s a good thing overall. But I worry that, when they come to power, they may plunge ahead with free mixing withoutanysafeguards. If we can compromise now, we may avert future bloodshed.”
That cast a different light on her suggestion. We were accountable not only for our families now but for generations to come. The responsibility had been a heavy weight on my shoulders for so many years that I scarcely felt it anymore, but faced with a decision of this magnitude, it was back. If I were to overturn the way we’d lived for centuries, I could imagine the response from certain members of my family. They would claim I was inconsiderate, stubborn, and autocratic. All of which were probably true, but it would make a formal split more likely.
A split would prove that I was incapable of the two duties of a head of family, to lead and to protect. I would have failed in the only thing that mattered.
Chapter Four
OLLIE
Mia and I were swapping unflattering observations on the other dragons present. Neither of us knew who any of them were, but we could make educated guesses based on accents.
“I suppose name badges are a bit mundane for us,” Mia said.
“How much longer do you think they’ll—oh myGod.”I interrupted myself. “Who isthat?”
Instead of sighing or rolling her eyes the way Jack had started doing, Mia stood on tiptoe and followed my awestruck gaze. “Who?” she asked. “The redheaded guy with the beard?”
I revised my impression of her intelligence. “The tall one with the shoulders. Black shirt and black jeans.” Along with dark hair, and did I mention shoulders? He was moving decisively through the throng, bootheels striking the floor in a way that might indicate temper or might simply be supreme self-confidence. Heknewother dragons would move out of his way.
Lean-cheeked and dark-browed, his face was set in stern lines that made my knees weak. This was a dragon who knew what he wanted and took it. I hoped that would include me.
He was heading in our direction, closing on us fast. I’d opened my mouth and started to say God knew what butsomethingto make him notice me, when Mia spoke over the top of my incoherent babble.
“Archer,” she said. “This is Ollie Shaw.”
Oh great, her brother had arrived. What bloody awful timing. Wait a minute—the only person next to us was Mr Sex God himself. He smiled slightly at her, before glancing at me. I’d thought the first Mortimer grandson I’d seen would level Troy.This guy would have theMartiansinvading to fight over his square jaw and piercing grey eyes.
“Hi,” I said, and hoped my voice hadn’t come out sounding as squeaky as I feared.
He nodded at me, not unfriendly but not friendly. And that was the final nail in my coffin because dark, powerfulandemotionally unavailable? It was as if he’d read my teenage diary and was role-playing every one of my fantasies. Almost every one—he hadn’t yet shoved me up against the wall and fucked me. I flicked my tongue over suddenly dry lips and wondered if he could see how ready I was to do anything he told me.
“Good to meet you,” I said belatedly, ducking my head in an attempt at a respectful salute to the head of a family. It didn’t work too well because I couldn’t tear my eyes from his face. From the dark eyebrows that were drawing together as I continued staring at him. “I’m from Tunbridge Wells.” I scarcely knew what I was saying, just that I didn’t want him to leave. “Mia’s been keeping me company.”
His eyes narrowed on me, and how thehelldid that make him even sexier? “Has she?” His voice was deep, with a dangerous note that thrilled right to my cock.
