46. Alfie

Usually when the Somervilles entertained guests, we dressed formally and dined on the finest foods. This time, we stayed casual.

Well, the food would still be incredible, thanks to Mrs. Wilson, but I didn't put on my black tie suit. I felt very bold and daring as I walked downstairs in black trousers and a crisp white shirt. I didn't even put on a tie!

Morgan had rushed into my room, looking a bit panicked, and said that he hadn't brought a change of clothes suitable and asking to borrow some of mine, and I'd said that nobody needed to dress for dinner.

Even as I walked down to meet the others, though, I felt my nerves pulling at my insides. I could have got this very wrong, after all. My clan could disapprove of my decisions and then I'd let them down and our reputation would be ruined and the Somerville name—

Blaze squeezed my fingers.

"What's the matter, my darling?"

"Should I go and change?" I asked, and plucked at the collar of my shirt.

"No, you look wonderful."

"Do you think people will mind not wearing black tie?"

"I think they want to have a lovely evening, my darling. What they're wearing doesn't matter."

I nodded and held my head up, determined to walk into the parlour with all my dignity. Unfortunately, Morgan had always been better at that than me. He'd managed to perfect the look of blank pride that my father desired on our faces, and I'd always been lacking.

When I walked into the parlour, I saw a few people gathered. They'd taken me at my word and had dressed in smart-casual clothes. To be fair, all of the Somerville wardrobe was smart, so dressing it down was actually an effort. My father had not believed in casual.

It was when I saw Great Aunt Evangeline, though, that I knew I'd made the right choice. She was a woman who could make anyone feel scruffy just by being in the same room as them. I'd once seen her totally humiliate a tiger shifter who'd come here on some business or other and he'd been wearing an exquisitely tailored suit but he'd also thought he was better than he was and had tried to look down on us. He'd learned that nobody was more regal than Great Aunt Evangeline.

She'd made him squirm with discomfort with every gentle word and refined movement. She'd nearly killed him with patronising kindness.

Now, though, she was dressed smartly but plainly, which was probably as close to casual as she got. It was her manner, though, which marked her as a real aristocrat.

When Morgan and Lew entered the room, the large curaidh shuffled his feet awkwardly, obviously unused to the formal occasions and he tugged at his open shirt collar, unused to wearing those, too.

Morgan had borrowed one of my shirts after all, and he looked as crisp and cool as ever.

Great Aunt Evangeline welcomed them graciously and they sat with her. It only took a minute for them both to be put at their ease. My great aunt had enough class to treat people well.

When it was time to go through to the dining hall, I asked, "Will you allow me to escort you, Great Aunt Evangeline?"

She gave a regal nod and I offered her my arm. She leaned on it heavily and I realised I was practically holding her up, but it didn't look like it. She and I walked down the corridor to the dining hall in a stately procession, with my clan following close behind us.

Over dinner, once he relaxed, Morgan told us about his training.

"Seren's teaching me to control my magic. I'd never really understood it before, but I'm getting better, aren't I?"

Seren crowed, "He's doing so well! Everyone's impressed by it and Dee keeps asking him to blast Dum again when he annoys her."

Morgan said, "Seren can teach you, too, Alfie. If you want."

I looked at Seren, uncertain. "Would you?"

"Of course! As long as Morgan doesn't mind."

Morgan shook his head and we smiled at each other. Morgan had a way of smiling with his eyes that always made me happy.

I asked Seren, "Would you train Matilda, too? To get her started until we can find a permanent tutor to develop the skills she's interested in?"

Seren nodded again. "Sure. If Morgan doesn't mind sharing me."

Again, Morgan shook his head. He said, "Lew's teaching me to fight, too. He could show you."

Lew said, "Happy to, if that's what you want. We can start tomorrow, if you like. I can teach you all at the same time or individually. But I feel it's worth pointing out that Dane is the best trainer in the country. If you want the best, it should be him that trains you. Even your father recognised that."

At my look of confusion, Glimmer said, "Dane taught me and Seren. He really is the best trainer."

To Dane, I said, "I don't remember you being here, sorry."

He shrugged. "You won't remember me. I wasn't allowed into the castle. And you weren't allowed out of it."

That suddenly seemed very sad.

I asked Blaze, "Would you mind me learning how to fight?"

"Not at all, my darling. You do what you need to do to protect our clan. Would you like me to learn, too?"

I was torn. I didn't want to make him, nor did I want to stop him. I didn't want him having to fight, but I couldn't bear the idea that he would be left vulnerable, either.

Dane chuckled. "I don't mind training you, Blaze, but not yet. I don't want a dragon elder burning me for touching his mate. I'll wait until you've been mated a while and Alfie's protective instincts have settled."

I was going to move the conversation on, not quite comfortable with that line of thought, but Blaze turned to Uncle George and asked, "What do you think, George?"

It had been so long since he'd spoken that I'd almost forgotten he was there. I had no idea why Blaze was asking him.

Uncle George spoke slowly, measuring out his words in the careful way that all my clan seemed to do. I'd always wished I could be more like them because then I wouldn't annoy my father and embarrass myself in front of them all.

Now, however, I wished they'd be more like me. That they'd say what was on their mind without filtering it first.

"I was merely thinking that, as a fire spirit, you'd have rather powerful fire magic."

"In theory, yes. You saw the other day that I'm not really able to use it. I can change forms easily, though."

Uncle George cleared his throat and I saw his eyes flicker to me, as though not sure what I'd do about him talking to my mate. I smiled at him, nodding encouragingly.

He seemed to gain heart from it.

"My magic is not as powerful as yours but I have mastered control over it. Perhaps I could offer some guidance?"

Blaze grinned. "You'd teach me to control my magic?"

"If you wish. And if the elder approves."

I heartily consented. It sounded ideal.

We chatted as we finished our meal, and I caught the eye of Great Aunt Evangeline. Although I didn't want to admit it, I felt good when I saw the approval in her eyes. She gave me a nod and my dragon seemed almost to purr inside me. We were doing alright. Our clan was safe, we had Morgan and Seren back, and we would get stronger. Our clan would flourish, in whatever ways they wanted to.