Page 3 of The Alliance
I didn’t mind him going. Okay, maybe I minded a little. I liked that I was the most important person in Morgan’s life and a tiny part of myself that Iwasn’t proud of got a teeny bit jealous that Morgan had gone to Seren instead of me.
Seren stopped pacing, since it was that or run Morgan over.
“Do you think they really are still coming?” he asked.
Morgan nodded. “Alfie text me half an hour ago. He says they’re on time.”
Seren nodded and the twouasalsstood by the window and looked out. They were so similar in appearance, and yet so different in every other way. Usually, Morgan turned into my side, seeking the support he’d never had growing up, whereas Seren bounced recklessly into every new thing.
As they stood there, though, they were both the same. Morgan had stepped away independently. Seren had stopped bouncing.
I glanced at Dane again, and he stood, walking over to stand behind his mate. I followed and stood behind Morgan.
Instantly, Morgan leaned back against me and the tiny insecure part of myself vanished. He’d just wanted to be nearer to Seren. To watch his family arrive out of the window.
I whispered, “What’s making you uneasy, Morgan?”
“I just want everything to go well.”
“It will. Why wouldn’t it?”
He twisted his head round to cast a disbelieving look at me. “Historically, our families don’t get on.”
I laughed. “I don’t think that’s true. You and I get along perfectly. Seren and Dane muddle through just fine.”
Seren protested against that slight with a, “Hey.”
It made Morgan smile, which is what I’d hoped for. It was a small little smile, sweet and uncertain, but it was there.
“What’s really bothering you?” I asked.
This time, he paused. He was building up to telling me. Maybe he was trying to work out exactly what it was that he felt. Sometimes it took him a moment. He’d been so restricted growing up that he hadn’t been able to express himself or his feelings. Sometimes he couldn’t work out what they were, since he’d never been allowed to name them before.
At last, he said, “I don’t think I can lose them again.”
“Your family?”
He nodded. “I lost Alfie once already. I thought that was it and I’d never see him again. It’s almost worse, to make me think I can have my brother back and then snatch him away from me. What if Nana doesn’t like him? Or they can’t reach an agreement?”
Alfie had inherited his father’s title. He was now Lord Somerville, and the elder of the Somervilles. What he and Nana decided would impact us all.
There was nothing I could do to help, only reassure Morgan.
“They both love you. They both want this alliance. Why wouldn’t it work?”
“I don’t know. I’m just worried, that’s all.”
“You’ll see soon enough. I’ve met Alfie and he’s nice. He and Nana will get along fine.”
I really tried to say it with conviction. The only flaw being that I knew dragon elders didn’t always deal well together. Dragons were too clannish, too territorial. Clans clashed. Elders especially, with all of their power, all of their protective instincts, sometimes clashed simply because having another being that powerful near them was a threat to their family.
This whole thing could go horribly wrong.
I just really hoped that it wouldn’t.
Seren suddenly pointed out the window and his voice was filled with the excitement I’d got used to hearing from him.
“We’re about to find out. They’re here.”
