Nor have we earned theirs.
I know, but I won't cower. Even if they're allies, dragon clans are still semiautonomous.
Once Finn answered about wanting to protect his clan, Asher leaned forward in his seat and said, "One meeting isn't going to accomplish much in terms of judging our characters."
Finn nodded. "Aye, you're right. Which is why we're staying for a wee while. And just know that me being here means I had to leave my mate and triplets behind. So tread carefully as my usually brilliant, hilarious self will be a little less forgiving at times, especially if it comes to displays of dominance."
At the steel in the Scottish dragonman's voice, Asher raised his brows. "If you think a mere threat will scare me enough to keep me in line, then you don't know a fucking thing about what happened here."
Honoria murmured his name, but he kept his gaze on Finn. The dragonman finally bobbed his head. "Aye, you're right. I don't know exactly what happened here since Skyhunter didn't share information with either of our clans for over a decade. But any male who'd bury dead bodies on his land and plotted with humans to take down other dragon-shifters can't have been a good leader."
Before he could reply, Honoria spoke up. "He wasn't. He killed my parents and threw Ash in prison for five years."
Bram glanced at him, Honoria, and back again. "Then is this some sort of revenge-based act?"
"No," Asher stated. "Skyhunter is my home. The clan needs good leadership if it's to survive and heal. It won't be easy, but I think Ria and I have the best chance of doing it."
Finn tilted his head. "Oh, aye? And why is that?"
Honoria answered, "Because I helped develop new types of technology we can use to bring the clan into the present. I perfected it and its implementation in America, and not even your clans have similar systems. And as for Ash, he has the knowledge of everyone inside Skyhunter and who would be the best fit for the various new roles going forward."
Under the table, Honoria took his hand and squeezed. The small gesture helped to ground him and make him focus on what was important, which wasn't prodding the two dragon-shifter leaders. "Not to mention we plan to divvy up specialized tasks, so that individuals can focus on specifics, rather than having one person try to tackle everything and stretch themselves too thin. As far as I know, none of the other candidates have the same idea."
Bram said, "Dividing up the tasks and handing off some responsibility would definitely make
our mates happy."
"Aye," Finn stated. "And the bairns. It's definitely something to think about for the future. Lorcan is due to step down soon, and his successor might be open to the idea, too."
Asher knew Lorcan Todd was the older leader of Northcastle, the dragon-shifter clan in Northern Ireland. But he didn't remember too much beyond that.
Bram studied Asher a second before saying, "You two seem to be coordinated in some way already, answering when the other pauses, and even comforting when needed—aye, I noticed that, too. So tell me, are you two true mates?"
Asher had never thought he'd want a mate, but for the first time, he wished fate had made Honoria his true mate.
His dragon huffed. Fate doesn't matter. Share everything and she can be ours.
Honoria squeezed his fingers tighter and answered, "No. Although we did date as teenagers. And whilst we've each changed a bit since then, it definitely helps us understand one another most of the time. Although occasionally, he gets all alpha dragonman-like and I don't understand a bloody thing."
The leaders chuckled, but Asher couldn't tear his gaze from Honoria. She would always be able to make him smile, and with enough time, could probably chase away most of the darkness from his prison stint.
If not for everything that could end up on their shoulders, Asher would pull Honoria close, kiss her, and say she should be his mate.
However, duty was a priority, so he refrained. True, he should let go of her hand, too, but he couldn't bring himself to do it.
Bram's voice garnered Asher's attention again. "I'll admit we all act that way from time to time, and I doubt our mates will ever understand us completely." He paused and in the blink of an eye, the laughter vanished from Bram's face. "And whilst I don't care if you two shag each other when the mood strikes, we need to know if it'll affect your ability to lead, especially if either of you turns to someone else later in life."
His beast growled. I don't want anyone else, just Ria.
Honoria replied, "It won't. Both of us love this clan and want to see it return to what it once was. After all, when we were small children, Skyhunter was one of the most open and understanding clans in the UK."
Finn jumped in. "I think we're all fairly close in age, which means I don't remember anything from before the age of nine or so and can't remember that version of Skyhunter. I'll just have to take your word for it."
Bram tapped his hand on the table a few times. "Well, so far, you seem fairly arsehole-free. But we'll see how things go over the next week or so."
Asher frowned. "Exactly how long are you going to be on Skyhunter?"
The Stonefire leader shrugged. "As long as is necessary." Finn opened his mouth, but Bram continued, "And we both have to agree when it's time to leave. I'm as anxious to get back to my family as you are, Finn, but if we want a good future for our children, this is important, too."