Page 18 of The Alliance

I snorted. Anthony could ask questions I’d never even thought of as though they were the most basic things, and he asked far more about dragon physiology and psychology and history than any of us could answer. He was going to be on cloud nine, talking to an actual fire spirit.

“Yeah, how about you meet outside in half an hour? That way Blaze can shift without worrying about setting anything alight?”

Alfie nodded, looking relieved, and left. Seren sidled up to me and slid his hand up my chest. “Now, what were you saying about me rimming you?”

“I didn’t say—”

“Yes, you did,” he said, cutting me off. I hadn’t actually said anything about it, but I knew better than to argue with my mate. Especially when he had such brilliant ideas.

I grabbed his hand and dragged him out of the kitchen. We were going to find Anthony and then lock ourselves in our room for half an hour.

Chapter 7

Anthony

Icouldn’t believe it when Dane told me that I’d get to see Blaze in his fire spirit form. Fire spirits had once been numerous and they’d thrived in the hearths of people’s homes. However, their population had declined in the past hundred and fifty years and there were very few known to be in existence.

That wasn’t to say they didn’t exist, since they might be staying under the radar, like Blaze, but I’d certainly never met one and I hadn’t been able to speak to one, either.

To have the chance to now was a dream come true. Everything interesting had happened to me after mating Cuthbert. I’d got to come to a dragon’s castle, to learn aboutcuraidhanduasalculture, met (and studied) a gargoyle and met a dryad, though I was still waiting to get close to Arram while their flowers were in bloom on their body. Dee got possessive about them, so Cuthbert wouldn’t let me get too close.

And now I had met aridire, who I was hoping to talk to later. And a golden dragon. And a fire spirit.

My life was utterly perfect, and it was all thanks to Cuthbert and his family.

By the time Blaze arrived outside with Alfie, I was almost vibrating out of my skin with excitement. I beamed at them as they approached and Blaze smiled back at me.

When they got near, Cuthbert took hold of my hand. It might have looked like he was just holding my hand, but I think secretly he wanted to stop me touching again. I’d explained that already! Blaze had said yes, so I’d just assumed it was alright with Alfie, too. I hadn’t realised their dragons were all riled. It was very inconvenient for me.

Still, I smiled at Blaze and tried not to start asking questions straight away. Cuthbert told me I needed to let people settle down first. I sent a quick smile to Cuthbert and he looked up at me, hisadorable dimples popping into his cheeks as he saw how excited I was. I was momentarily distracted.

Blaze said, “Morning Anthony. How is your arm?”

“Oh, it’s fine.”

I waved my hand dismissively. To be honest, it hurt a bit and there was a blue bruise on my dark skin but it wouldn’t be there for long. I’d worn long sleeves to cover it, because I knew that some of the Hoskins clan were a bit… sensitive and they might be upset if they thought I was hurt.

Matty grunted. He was standing with his arms folded, not too far away from me. He’d been following me around all morning, making sure I didn’t get myself into trouble. I thought that was rich, coming from him.

Outside in the large gardens, where the lawn spread out for miles and the sky seemed vast and endless, everyone looked much smaller. Even the legendary golden dragon. Alfie looked very young this morning, much younger than he had yesterday, when his face had been tense and lined.

He shuffled his feet.

“Anthony, I’m very sorry about your arm. I hope- I hope you’re not scared of me.”

I blinked at him. Actually, I hadn’t thought to be scared of him.

“I’m not. I promise. And I’m sorry I tried to touch your mate. Cuthbert’s told me not to do it again.”

Alfie swallowed. “You can touch him. If he wants. Maybe later?”

Cuthbert squeezed my fingers slightly, which I took to be a warning. I smiled. “Yes, maybe later. You won’t mind if I ask you both questions, though, will you?”

“Not at all.”

“And can I see you shift?”

They both nodded and I got started on what I wanted. I held up my Dictaphone. “Do you mind if I record your answers? I can’t write quickly enough to record them all.”

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