Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 129584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 129584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 648(@200wpm)___ 518(@250wpm)___ 432(@300wpm)
“And have you told him all these things?”
“Told him?” Ravi gulped. The warmth that had swept through his body as he thought about Sora had instantly chilled.
“Yes, told him. Have you told him how you feel? Have you told him he’s brilliant and amazing and beautiful? Told him that your dragon wants to keep and protect him?” Alric scratched his chin. “You know, mages like to hear those things.”
“Yes, of course. Well, I mean, I know they like to hear those things, but no, I haven’t told him in so many words. I think I’ve told him he’s beautiful and a genius and talented on different occasions, but I haven’t told him about how my dragon feels. Because…you know…”
Alric’s brow furrowed and he sat forward, placing his right arm on top of the desk. “I know what?”
“Well, I mean…he’s him.” Ravi waved his arms up and down as if shaping Sora’s form. “All brilliant and sexy and amazing.”
He then hit his own chest with both hands.
“And I’m just me. I’m afraid of saying too much and reminding him how much me I am. It’s like I’m living in this magical bubble, and I don’t want to do anything to make this bubble pop.”
His king gave another low chuckle, his smile turning gentle and sweet. “Ravi, I suspect that Sora feels the same way about you because you are you.”
“Really?”
Alric pushed to his feet and walked around his desk so he could lean against the front.
“I thought mages were the ones who were most likely to get lost in this process,” he muttered, as if he were talking to himself. “The whole castle can see how you feel about each other. It’s clearly written in Sora’s eyes every time he looks at you. Have you talked about being mates?”
Ravi gave a little shake of his head. His heart was beating so fast that it felt like it was going to break out of his chest. “No, but he’s mine. I know he’s mine. My dragon wants to hold him tight and never let go. He belongs to us more than the wind.”
“Good. I’m so very happy for you.”
“Thank you, Hoheit. I admit I’m a little shy about telling Sora all of this. What if he’s not on the same page?”
“Why don’t you at least ask before you assume he isn’t?” Alric suggested patiently.
“No, but think about it, all of the mages we know took longer to get used to the idea than their dragons, right?”
“I’d like to remind you that Cameron was actually the one who dragged me into a proper relationship.”
Oh. That’s right, he had.
“Then…maybe I should say something. I’m a little worried. We’re from two different clans. I don’t know what to do about that.”
Alric smiled and wrapped his right arm around Ravi’s shoulders.
“It is something you’ll need to talk through. But in the olden days, we were all from different clans, and we managed to find a good compromise. I think your view on this is skewed because you’ve only seen us adopt mages in. But look at Ha Na and Rodrigo. She’s technically a Burkhard, but she went with him readily enough, right?”
“Oh. Yeah. Also a really good point. You’re pretty wise today.”
“I do have my moments,” Alric drawled, dry as a martini. “I want you to know that if you need me to release you from your vow as my retainer so you can be with your mate, I can and happily will.”
Ravi flinched, and he knew Alric felt it. The idea of not being Alric’s retainer, not being there every day to watch over Alric and Cameron, was like a knife in his heart. He cherished his oath and his duty to the royal family of Burkhard.
But he also cherished Sora. His beautiful mage was quickly becoming the beat of his heart and the wind that carried him up over the mountains. It would be only natural that Sora would want to return to his own home and people. If they were officially mated, Ravi would go with Sora. But how could he leave Burkhard?
“Ravi, naturally, we wish for you and Sora to stay with us,” Alric continued gently. “We want only your happiness. Do you know what Sora wishes to do? Does he plan to return home to the Sodalicium?”
“I don’t know,” Ravi whispered. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I’m terrified to ask. What if he wants to go home? He’s my mate. I know he’s my mate. Of course, I’d go with him. His happiness is all I want in the world. If going home makes him happy, then that’s what we’ll do. But…this is my home. My family. I—I don’t want to leave.”
“And we will always be your home and family. Even if you are living with the Abe and the Sodalicium, you and Sora will always be welcome in Burkhard. Nothing will change that.”