Chapter 15 #3
“Absolutely.” Baldewin’s smile never wavered as he looked down at Tori.
“A dragon would only declare his love and devotion to his mate. Your mate…that’s forever.
Some people say that a mate is cut from the same cloth or part of our soul.
” He shook his head. “Your mate is your heart, is your soul. When a dragon finds their mate, it’s like they’ve finally become whole.
Your entire existence is dedicated to that person’s happiness and well-being.
Their happiness is your happiness. In no time in our entire history have two mates willingly separated.
Once you’re bonded, there’s no living without that other person, and you wouldn’t want to.
How could you go back to living a half-life after feeling such completion? ”
“That’s…intense,” Tori said softly, getting lost in the warm look Baldewin was directing at him.
His knees felt a little wobbly at Baldewin’s description.
Intense didn’t seem to cover it. A mates for a dragon was huge.
It was more than just having babies and giving mages access to nearly unlimited power.
It was a chance at a kind of happiness Tori had never even dreamed of.
Baldewin’s strong hand landed on his shoulder and lightly squeezed. “I didn’t mean to overwhelm you.”
“No…I mean, I am, but then that’s a lot. More than I thought possible. And then to think that you’ve been unable to find mates for five centuries.”
“When it comes to such an all-consuming love and happiness, you are willing to wait.”
Tori continued walking, nudging Baldewin with his elbow. “Well, I’m glad your clan is starting to find mages again. Five hundred years is a hell of a long time to wait.”
“That is so very true.”
As it got closer to dinner time, they wandered toward the town square.
Tori’s feet were aching, and he was exhausted, but it was a good kind of tired.
His face ached from all the smiling he’d done.
They didn’t find even half of the dwarves they’d marked on the map, and he didn’t care.
The day had been filled with so many impulsive detours and unexpected stops, but Tori wouldn’t trade a minute of it.
In the massive town square, they found some more dwarves, shops, and a profusion of florists boasting a riot of colors and scents. People leisurely wandered around, taking in the sights and laughing. It had been the perfect day, and Tori wanted something to mark its perfection.
When his eyes snagged on a little tourist kiosk, he knew he’d found the perfect thing.
“Wait here,” Tori instructed, which only earned him a frown from Baldewin.
“I can’t let you out of my sight,” Baldewin said, his tone apologetic.
Tori chewed on his lip for a second before he finally waved Baldewin over to the kiosk with him. The dragon silently accompanied him, one eyebrow raising in question above his glasses. Why the hell did he find that so sexy? But then, there were too many things Baldewin did that he found sexy.
As they reached the kiosk, Tori turned him around so that his back was to the display of little touristy items. “You are not allowed to turn around.”
“But—”
“If I spot Jaeggi or anything remotely evil, I promise I’ll shout and you can attack,” Tori quickly countered.
Baldewin offered a little sigh but still nodded.
With an excited grin, he hurried over to the display of keychains, magnets, snow globes, and other kitschy things that were sold to thousands of tourists every day.
Tori still had some of the five hundred euros Baldewin had bribed him with days ago.
The dragon had been handling all the expenses on this trip, but Tori wanted to get him a little something to remind him of their day together.
He finally settled on a keychain that held a brass figure of Papa Dwarf. The cute little figure was the perfect thing to mark their day. He paid the old woman running the kiosk and then hurried over to Baldewin before his own nerves and doubts could get the better of him.
“Close your eyes and hold out your hand,” Tori instructed.
Smiling, Baldewin immediately followed his orders. With a tremble in his fingers, Tori placed the figure in Baldewin’s large open palm and stepped back, biting his lower lip.
Baldewin open his eyes, and they dropped to the figure. His mouth fell open and he remained silent for a moment. It was too much for Tori so he started talking just to fill the silence.
“I just wanted to give you something to say thank you for the perfect day. Also, to remind you of our dwarf hunting trip. Nothing big.”
Baldewin’s free hand drifted up to the center of his chest, where he yet again touched the amulet under his shirt. He’d watched Baldewin do that dozens of times during the day. Almost every time that Tori smiled at him.
“It’s perfect,” Baldewin whispered in a rough voice. “I’ll cherish it always.”
“It’s just a keychain. I—” Tori didn’t get the chance to finish his excuse.
Baldewin grabbed him and pulled him in close before capturing his mouth in a sweet, hungry kiss.
Tori didn’t hesitate. The dragon had been careful all day to give Tori space.
After a lifetime of homophobia, he wasn’t entirely comfortable with public displays of affection, but this, he needed.
He couldn’t believe how much he’d missed Baldewin’s touch, but now that he was wrapped in his strong arms, tongues tangling together, he never wanted to let the man go.
“Wooooooo!”
They parted on a chuckle. There was no missing Cassie’s voice as it echoed across the square.
Tori pulled away from Baldewin enough to look over his shoulder to find Cassie, Sasha, and Warin walking toward them.
Cassie was carrying a few bags, proving that they might have also gotten distracted on their hunt and completed a little shopping.
Their alone time might be over, but Tori was pretty sure he’d just had the best day of his life. If only he could keep Baldewin forever.