“Thank you, no.” He sat gingerly on the edge of her sofa, uncomfortable and nervous.
She joined him, although she left a few feet between them, demonstrating that she was in tune with his feelings. “How may I help you?”
“Oh, well…perhaps you’d like to tell me of your needs first?” He couldn’t imagine what the girl wanted with him. His requirements, though, were always secondary to someone in greater authority. It wasn’t likely he’d ever feel differently on that subject.
Annika shook her head, and her multiple braids, threaded with beads, danced and jingled. “No, thank you. It can wait. I know how careful you are to not impose on others. I have to assume that whatever is on your mind is very serious indeed.”
The girl was unnervingly good at reading other people. Her taking control of the conversation relieved him, however. He liked being led. It took the terrible burden of decision-making off his shoulders. Although, if she told him he should stay behind, that was one order—or piece of advice, as she might think of it—that he would not accept. Merlin’s life was at stake, and he found a deep well of courage and conviction where his son was concerned.
“Thank you,” he said in a low voice that he’d cultivated over the centuries. Then, clearing his throat, he forced himself to be louder and stronger. “There has been talk among the boys that Alex and the other warriors are going to force them to stay behind.” He paused, coughed again and continued. “I wasn’t specifically mentioned, but I assume that the edict applies to me as well.”
“Oh, and that isn’t something you are willing to accept, is it, Mr. Alun? Not with Merlin’s life also at risk.”
Relief that he didn’t have to explain himself caused him to relax a fraction. He even managed a brief smile. “Yes, that is exactly right. I…don’t want to cause trouble between you and Alex, and I’m not sure I completely understand the hierarchy in the family at the moment, but I am hoping you can intercede on my behalf, at least. “I can understand how the warriors would want their boys to remain behind. They love them and they would only prove to be a distraction. I don’t fall under that category.”
The simple truth only hurt a little bit. And he flashed on Craig, who surely would be among those taking charge. It was obvious he was that kind of man, a warrior of the human variety. It was a nice fantasy to imagine that Craig would put his foot down over Alun going—not that it would make any difference in Alun’s feelings on the subject.
“I think you underestimate your worth in this family,” Annika said kindly. “I, for one, would be very sad if anything bad happened to you.”
Alun flashed a smile. “You are very kind.”
“And truthful.” She paused and sat straighter. “I believe that your worries are premature. Regardless of what the boys believe, Mr. Alex and the others are not the ones in control of their relationships. Even Mr. Val, for all that Mackie calls him Master, is bound to serve his boy, not that Mackie would plead a case for going. He understands that his first concern is to keep his little drone safe. As for the others, I have no doubt that each of them will get their way in this. They aren’t children, nor are they passive. They will go and so will you, as there is no reason to allow them without you.”
A weight lifted off him. “Are you sure?”
“Quite. I’m always right.” She frowned as if surprised and confused by the phenomenon as much as anyone.
He dared to ask her something that had been on his mind since learning that she had conspired with Merlin for him to go with the mercenaries. “Can you see the future?” He hoped somehow she could and would be able to reassure him of his son’s safety.
She shook her head again. “No, it’s not that. I can…see the pieces and put them together in a pattern that makes sense. It seemed obvious to me that Dracul’s next move would be some kind of straight attack to get Dafydd and Idris. I didn’t think I could persuade anyone of that, nor did I believe that the inevitable could be avoidable. It was a matter of how best to use the situation to our advantage.”
She shifted to stare at him more directly. “Merlin was the only one who could become our inside man on this. A hybrid with a chip on his shoulder was perfectly believable as a turncoat, and having him develop a relationship with Idris was the best way to protect the baby. Dafydd would not be in position to do so.” She paused. “You resent my involving Merlin.” It was a statement, not a question.
Alun treated it as one anyway. “I do.” He lowered his gaze. “I’m sorry. I know it makes sense what you did, but still… My son is in the clutches of a monster when he needn’t have been.”
“You have every right to be angry with me. What I do is for the good of the hive, not an individual member of it.” She turned away and took on a thousand-yard stare. “I’ve tried to think differently, but it is proving impossible. And this makes my request all the harder. You have no reason to be kind to me.”
Alun instinctively moved closer and almost put his hand on her shoulder. “No, it’s fine, like. I understand why you did it, and you weren’t wrong. Not when, as you say, the needs of the entire family are taken into consideration. How can I help?” He couldn’t imagine what he had to offer her…or anyone.
An uncharacteristically uncertain look crossed her face before she went back to her usual serene one. She placed both hands on her knees and took a visibly large breath. “I need to go with them, too…the warriors, when they attack Dracul,” she added for clarification. “Because I’m sure no amount of persuasion will get them to agree to take me along, I need you to help me stow away somehow. That way they’ll take me without knowing it.”
It was a good thing that she’d laid it all out, as Alun’s head spun, trying to understand what she’d meant. “You can’t be serious,” he blurted out before he could think better of it.
Annika’s mouth turned down. “I am. And I’ve demonstrated that I’m more than capable of taking care of myself.”
Alun felt out of his depth and glanced around the room, as if her father would suddenly materialize and spare him this conversation. “With respect, that isn’t the point.”
“And what is?”
“You— You’re the Queen. We only have one of you. Warriors, drones, however you might call them, are expendable.”
Even as he said the words, he wondered how he could. The idea that the lives of men were cheap when it came to matters of war was hardly unique to the aliens. Humans had always thought much the same way and still often did. And yet, he realized as he spoke that his thoughts were based on the hive mentality of his alien hosts. Annika’s existence was a miracle to these beings and he couldn’t help but wonder if the hand of God was at work here, even if the aliens had no concept of Him.
He leaned toward her as he said, “Beating Dracul will have little meaning to Alex and the others if you are lost in the bargain. Merlin…” He paused then swallowed hard. “Everything my son is doing is for love of you.” He was sure of that. He’d watched the boy transform into a different person under her influence. His devotion was visible in his eyes and every expression.