Page 207 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

Baldewin swept his hands up and down Tori’s back, a pleased, cavernous hum reverberating between them. “That was lovely.”

“That was fucking fantastic, no pun intended.” Tori relaxed his grip with a sigh, passing a kiss over Baldewin’s mouth. “Next time, do me? I really want to try that.”

“It will be my pleasure.” Baldewin kissed him, and the affection on his face warmed Tori right down to his toes. “I’m so glad I confessed to you.”

“If you hadn’t done it today, I would have tracked you down tomorrow.” Tori was glad he said those words, as Baldewin lit up. “The things you said to King Alric earlier made it obvious that you really were attached to me, and I wanted to talk to you about it. I just didn’t think you had time, what with everything going on.”

“I will always make time for you.” Baldewin kissed him again, sweetly. “From now on, my priority is you. I don’t want you to hesitate, alright? Whenever you need me, even if it’s just for a moment, I want you to come to me.”

Jeez, really, what was he to do with this man? This incredibly sweet, beautiful man. Tori was in danger of sap overload. “I’ll remember. For now, though, clean up?”

“Clean up, cuddle, gather our strength.” Baldewin’s smile turned wicked. “Because I definitely must have you again tonight.”

Tori thought himself sated until that moment. Apparently, one look from his man could change his mind on that. “I like this plan.”

“I thought you might.”

Baldewin was confident that this was the brightest, most beautiful morning he’d ever witnessed. Maybe the sky was the same blue it always was, and the birds hadn’t learned a new song, but this morning just felt better than any other in his very long life.

Of course, his improved outlook on life and mornings in general probably had to do with the man he’d woken next to in bed. Or the fact they’d woken next to each other for the past three mornings.

Today, Tori had looked exquisite stretched out against the sheets, his tousled dark hair pretty against the light sheets. Baldewin had been lucky enough to wake before Tori. While it was his normal routine to immediately jump out of bed, he’d lingered so he could watch Tori sleep. The little lines of tension that never seemed to disappear eased, and his lips were full and slack. So very beautiful.

He couldn’t believe he was so lucky to have found not only his mate but such an amazing, strong man. That he’d done something in this life to be worthy of such a creature.

It was on the tip of his tongue to tell Tori they were mates. That this was just the beginning of a long, wonderful life together that would be filled with laughter and cuddling like this.

But he swallowed the words back. Tori had been through a lot over the past month. He’d escaped an abusive clan, discovered new truths, fallen in with dragons, been attacked, and now had a new clan who cherished him completely. It had to be overwhelming. He didn’t want to rush Tori into mates and bonding yet. Let him simply enjoy what he had now.

It was bad enough that he had to wake the sweet mage and get them started on their day. There were too many things that needed to be done before the arrival of the Ice Clan.

“Are you…are you purring?” Tori’s question came with a bubble of laughter later at breakfast, pulling Baldewin from his musings.

He blinked and looked down at where Tori sat next to him in the dining hall. It was still early, and they’d managed to claim a table for just the two of them as dragons and mages stumbled in for coffee, tea, and something hearty to start the day.

Tori leaned in close, placing his ear lightly against Baldewin’s chest. “I swear it sounds like purring.”

Baldewin cleared his throat. “Dragons don’t purr, but they do make happy rumbling noises, and you make my dragon very happy.”

Lifting his head, Tori stared at him, eyes wide with wonder and surprise. “Do I?”

He couldn’t help himself. Not when Tori was looking at him with such open joy. He dipped his head and captured his sweet lips in a tender kiss. “You make me and my dragon very happy simply by being you.”

A crooked grin spread across Tori’s lips. “You’re easy to make happy, but your dragon? I never imagined I’d make a dragon happy.”

“You make him very happy. In fact, he would like to show you his hoard.”

Tori’s eyes widened again, and his mouth fell open. “A hoard? That’s real? Dragons really have a hoard? I always thought that was some silly myth.”

“Yes, dragons have hoards, but they’ve changed over the years. Once we started gathering together in clans and thinking as a community, we stopped hoarding riches.”

A low chuckle lifted from Tori’s lips, and the mage shook his head. “So, I’m not going to find your dragon curled up on a pile of gold coins?”

Baldewin wrinkled his nose, his lip curling at the idea. Why would his dragon want to lie on an uncomfortable pile of cold, dirty coins when he could have a nice, soft bed? Even better, a nice, soft bed and a Tori waiting for him with open, welcoming arms.

Tori laughed even harder at Baldewin’s expression, to the point he had to wipe tears from the corner of his eyes. “Okay, gold is out.”

“Every dragon has a hoard that reflects what is most important to them. They collect something that reflects their soul. At least, I’d say that for most dragons.” He narrowed his eyes a bit as Ravi stepped into the dining hall and looked around. Something in the dragon’s posture screamed that he was already up to trouble, and the sun had barely climbed above the horizon. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Ravi was more magpie than dragon. He likely collects whatever shiny thing catches his eye.”