My brows somehow pull down further as I glance back at the guys in confusion. “How do you mean?” I question, dropping my voice lower to keep as much of this conversation private as possible, but something tells me the boys can hear every little word.
“Our young are encouraged to find a suitable partner who comes from wealth or who already has made a name for themselves in the outside world. We do not encourage dating within our ranks. Our children must first marry and then create heirs of their own to continue our traditions.”
I shake my head. “I must be missing something here,” I tell him. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m a woman, right? I mean, I’m not exactly interested in marriage or babies right now, but maybe one day in the distant future. So, what’s the problem?”
Mr. Danforth stops before we get too close to the boys and I pull myself up to meet his stare. “I’m sure you will birth many heirs to continue your family name. The issue is that you are the leader of this fine organization and Cruz is my heir. If you were to marry, Cruz would be made to take on the Ravenwood name and stand behind you at the table as your spouse, leaving the Danforth seat empty.”
I shake my head, not quite understanding, so he gives me a little more to go on. “Your children would carry the Ravenwood name. If you were with Cruz—or any of the other heirs for that matter—your firstborn child would stand as a Ravenwood. Your husbands family will no longer hold a voice or value at our table.”
“But you have other children. Cruz has siblings. If something were to ever happen between us, couldn’t they just step into his place?”
Mr. Danforth shakes his head. “Firstborn children only.”
I rock back on my feet, thinking way too hard about this. “So, technically what you’re saying is that Cruz, or any of the other heirs, could knock up some other chick, and then be with me, as long as their firstborns aren’t mine?”
Mr. Danforth lets out a heavy sigh and rolls his eyes before picking up his pace again. “Technically,” he confirms with an unimpressed scowl. “However, that is certainly not encouraged. Dynasty upholds the values and importance of marriage vows.” I follow him as he continues. “Besides, we encourage all of our children to marry outside of Dynasty so that our organization is always flourishing and growing.”
“Sounds like a load of shit to me,” I grumble under my breath, getting a side-eye from Mr. Danforth.
“It is not my position to offer you advice,” he says as we approach the boys. “But considering that your parents are not here to do so and you are still new to this role, learning what your position entails, I will say this. You are not invincible. Yes, you have the title of being the leader of our people, but you are only human. You are not untouchable, and because of that, you need to watch yourself. I understand your sarcasm and need to rebel against everything that comes your way, but others will not appreciate that. So, understand this, young Elodie, you need to be careful. Dynasty and its traditions is not something that should be messed with.”
I meet his heavy stare and attempt to bite my tongue. The last thing I need after being locked up for four days is some old guy telling me that I can’t marry or have kids with his son or telling me how to handle myself within the same organization that ensured my parents’ murder. What the hell is his deal anyway? Marriage and kids are the furthest things from my mind. In fact, I don’t even think having little devil spawn versions of myself is something that’s going to be on my agenda … like ever. I had a shitty upbringing and I doubt that I’ll make a good mother, or even a good role model for a child. That’s just asking for trouble.
But then … maybe ten or twenty years down the track, I might change my mind, but at the rate I’m going, I probably won’t live to see my nineteenth birthday.
“You know what?” I tell Mr. Danforth, hating the authoritative tone I’m taking with him. “You were right. It really isn’t your position to be offering advice.”
He watches me for a drawn-out moment, his lips pressing into a hard line as his eyes narrow. Then without another word he simply nods and walks away, leaving me staring after him.
“Uhhhh … what the fuck was that?” Cruz asks from his position by the entrance of the massive open room.
I turn my gaze to the three boys, and just like that, a wide smile stretches across my face and I beam at them. “I’M FREE.”