Very privately, he thought he was having twins.
Des put the tray on the counter, and then slid the other pan into the oven. “What clan are you from, Reed?” Des asked.
Reed’s gaze met his, panicky for a moment. “The Haverness clan, sir.”
“He was there against his will too, Des.”
“Hmm.” Des studied Reed, then looked at Hamish, who nodded. “So were you kidnapped?”
Reed sighed, and then shook his head. “Kind of? I was more given over as a tribute. To try to keep the peace.”
Alistair put his hands on his hips. “Wait. Your clangaveyou to those fuckers? On purpose?”
“Yes.” Reed seemed to shrink, his tone miserable.
“Reed?” That was Hamish, his voice gentle. “Who are you?”
He got a guilty look from the young dragon before Reed answered. “I’m the third son of Garmen Haverness.”
Des pressed his lips together for a moment, his face reddening. “The clan alpha?”
“Yes, sir.”
Hamish groaned. “Oh, fuck me.”
Reed’s eyes flashed gold for a moment. Something like longing appeared and disappeared in them so quickly Alistair wondered if he’d imagined it.
“What’s wrong?” Alistair asked, not quite grasping why his mate was worried.
“We’re trying to negotiate peace with both of the clans in question. And now we’ve screwed it up for them.”
Des grabbed a cookie,and even though it burned his fingers a bit, he stuck it into his mouth to give himself time to think.
Alistair and Hamish were both staring at him, and Reed was all hunched into himself, looking miserable.
Reed looked into his cup. “I wasn’t there of my free will.”
Ha. He’d known it. Poor guy. “So, what about staying here? Are you happy to do that?”
“I am.” Reed sighed. “I don’t think I can go back where I came from.”
“Okay. Then you can start on Monday. Between now and then, you should get Hamish to show you around and settle into the rooms I have for my PA,” Starry said.
“Your PA has rooms, but you don’t have a PA?”
“Des is a little touchy about people getting close to me,” Starry said, eyeing him.
Des bared his teeth.
“I guess he knows me already, huh?” Reed focused on Starry and not him.
“Yes, and he thinks you have reason to be grateful to us.” Alistair winked.
“Well, I do.” Reed rubbed his hands up and down his arms. “And I like you, Mr. Alistair.”
“Alistair. Mr. is for humans.”
Des cleared his throat. “Reed. Did they hurt you? The Galandel clan. Were they cruel?”
