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“Because you’re human?”

“Because I don’t do anything to contribute. You’re human, but I know your place here. It’s your home as much as it is the home of the mages or the dragons. What do I do? I’m not paying my way, I don’t have a job, I don’t help you with yours.”

“Please don’t try.”

Matthias laughed. “I’m not. What I’m trying to say is that I feel like everyone here has a purpose except me.”

Samuel’s purpose seemed to be infuriating Thorne, but Thorne didn’t say that out loud. Matthias didn’t want to listen to him whine about Samuel. No one did, not even Thorne himself. “I’m sure that once you settle a little bit more, you’ll find something to do here,” he said in what he hoped was a reassuring tone. “But I remember how it was when I first arrived. It took several weeks for me to wrap my mind around everything I was seeing and accept it.”

“I’ve been here more than a few weeks,” Matthias pointed out.

“And most of that time, we were in danger. I think you should give yourself more credit.”

“I don’t know about that, but you’re not wrong. This situation has been a mess from start to finish. I’m just glad it’s over and that Carlyle isn’t coming back.”

Thorne was, too. For a while, he’d thought they would lose the other human workers of the castle. They were all dedicated to the mages, but unlike Thorne, they had families and people they loved. They had people they went back home to at night. Thorne lived in the castle. He didn’t have anywhere else to be or to go, and that was okay with him. The people who lived here were his friends, somewhat, and he was fine with that.

Except maybe he wasn’t, not fully. He might be close to the mages, but he wouldn’t say they were friends. They didn’t have that kind of close relationship. Thorne didn’t have that kind of relationship with anyone.

Matthias hesitated, then glanced at the other armchair. “I know you’re always busy, but maybe you want to sit down for a few minutes? I kind of like this conversation. I don’t want it to end just yet.”

Of course Thorne was busy. He always was. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d sat in the library just talking to someone—hell, he wasn’t sure it had ever happened.

But he still found himself stepping closer and dropping into the empty armchair. From the way Matthias’s eyes widened, he was just as surprised.

Thorne settled in his seat and laced his fingers together on top of his knee. Okay, he was here.

What now?

* * * *

THORNE AND MATTHIAS were in similar situations, but then, so was Samuel. In Samuel’s case, it was different because he was a dragon. He’d always known about magic, about mages, and he’d always lived with his clan. He had a home to return to if he decided to leave.

Matthias didn’t. He’d left his apartment and everything behind when he followed Parker. And of course, Thorne had been living here for years, but he was human, like Matthias. He hadn’t known about this world before he’d ended up in it. The castle was their home, but they were human. Their situations were quite similar, and maybe Matthias could get some inspiration from him.

And maybe Thorne could get some inspiration from Matthias.

“When’s the last time you left the castle?” he asked, leaning forward.

“I went to the grocery store the other day. They forgot to add something to the order. I could’ve waited for it to be delivered, but Jillian needed it urgently.”

Matthias shook his head. “That’s not what I meant, although I should’ve been more specific. When did you last leave the castle for something that doesn’t have anything to do with your job?”

Thorne frowned as he thought. He opened his mouth a few times, but he didn’t say anything. Eventually, he looked at Matthias and shrugged. “There’s really no need for me to leave, though. I like the castle. It’s my home, and there’s always something to do, even beyond work.”

“I agree, but it doesn’t mean it should be your whole world. Maybe now that Carlyle is gone, you could take a vacation or something.” If anything, it would help him relax, and maybe that whole mess with Samuel would blow over.

But Thorne looked horrified at the thought. “Why would I need a vacation?”

“Everyone needs vacations. How long have you been working here?”

The stubborn set of Thorne’s jaw told Matthias he probably wouldn’t get an answer. That was fine. The silence was answer enough.

“I don’t need a vacation,” Thorne said. “I wouldn’t know what to do with myself if I had that much free time. Besides, I like working here, even though it can be odd.” He paused. “Maybe because it’s odd. It’s like nothing I knew before, and I like that. I also like that the mages and dragons are respectful and feel like family. I’ve worked with a lot worse people.”

“Where does Samuel rank?” Matthias teased.

Thorne scowled. “There’s no one worse than Samuel.”