Page 271 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

“That’s precisely what it is. North, I ask you. If you didn’t have to worry about family, or that job you hate doing, what would you choose?”

Warin stewed over the remains of his breakfast, not really seeing it. Instead he saw North’s face, so depressed and conflicted. North had dropped hints here and there that his home life in the United States wasn’t a happy one. The man had teared up when Warin offered to buy him a red coat, for god’s sake. That told a whole story all by itself. He did not like the idea of North returning to that environment.

And if he were perfectly honest with himself, that wasn’t the only reason. Warin desperately wished North would stay, and it was an entirely selfish impulse to snatch him up and keep him close.

“Warin.”

His head came up, belatedly realizing Ravi was still seated at the table. “Yes?”

The wind dragon was staring at him with all of the patience of pregnant goldfish waiting for lunch. “You’re a fucking idiot, you realize this, right?”

“Um…why?”

Ravi rolled his eyes expressively, a god-give-me-patience expression on his face. “North was obviously hoping you’d tell him to stay.”

“I did,” Warin protested. He had said that, hadn’t he?

“No, you explained how he could stay, if he wanted to. Not once did you encourage him to stay because you want him here. Two different things.” Ravi rolled his eyes again, another clear bid for patience. “I swear, is Sasha the only romantic we have in this clan? First Alric, then Baldewin, now you.”

Warin opened his mouth on a protest that didn’t formalize, because he couldn’t refute any of that. Particularly when he realized exactly what Ravi had said. Alric had found his mate. And then Baldewin had found his mate.

And now Warin…

Was North his mate? Could he really know so fast?

That couldn’t be possible.

Except that Cassie and Sasha had taken one look at each other and known they were destined for each other.

When Warin had locked eyes with North for the first time, he’d known what? That North was the sexiest, most beautiful creature he’d ever laid eyes on. That North’s laugh was the most precious thing he’d ever heard. That North’s smile was a light in his darkness.

That North was his everything.

Maybe Warin hadn’t figured it out right away, but his damn dragon had known it almost immediately. The crazy lizard had taken one look at North and immediately wanted to protect him, to spirit him away to the hoard and keep him safe. From the moment they met, his entire being had been driven to protect and pleasure.

He wanted North. Rather desperately, truth be told. But he was scared of coming on too strong and scaring the young mage off. North did not have much in the way of experience, not with relationships or sex. He didn’t want to overwhelm him.

Uprooting his entire life, even if his home life was toxic, was not a decision that could be taken lightly or quickly. The young man deserved space to think clearly without Warin placing pressure on him.

Gunter drifted up to the table with a cup of coffee in hand. “What’s this about asking North to stay?”

Turning in his chair, Ravi waved him closer. “We just had a talk with North, explaining that he could work as a mage here.”

“Of course he can work as a mage here.” Gunter glanced between them, clearly confused why this was in question.

“North didn’t know that,” Ravi explained, still shooting Warin aggrieved looks. “So, we straightened him out. And this one”—Ravi jerked his thumb in Warin’s direction, making the dragon want to sink lower in his chair—“just sits there smiling instead of jumping at the chance to sweet-talk North into staying.”

Gunter shot him an annoyed look.

Warin, for some reason, felt the need to defend himself. “I’m trying not to overwhelm him!”

“Then you do realize that you want him. That he wants you?” Gunter said as an aside to Ravi, “You should have seen them on the way here. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other.”

“Oh yeah?” Ravi perked up, interested.

“The cuteness level was such that I almost gagged several times. And, Warin, at this point, it’s not a matter of overwhelming him or not. It’s a matter of him knowing he’s wanted. Specifically, that you want him. Are you sure he’s confident in your feelings for him?”

Warin had his mouth open, ready for words. None came. Did North know that? No. No, he couldn’t possibly know Warin’s feelings, as he hadn’t made those clear. How could he be so stupid? Why hadn’t he properly pursued this man? North had gone on a fantastic journey, even fighting Jaeggi, in order to find dragons. He’d been thrilled at the idea of being a dragon’s mate. Would North really contemplate going home if he knew he could have that future?