Page 241 of Scales ’N’ Spells: Volume One

Jona’s brows shot up into her thinning blonde hair. She sat up straighter, eyes darting between the two of them. “Dragons don’t take men as mates!”

“On the contrary, we do,” Baldewin corrected her. The smile on his face was an open challenge. “We don’t care about gender. That seems to be an issue only with the Taavi.”

She went back to frowning at her child. “Is this why you left? Without a word to us? Because you wanted a man more than you wanted your family?”

“Since when has my family ever wanted me?” Tori shot back, out of patience with this conversation already. “Yes, I wanted a husband. A man who loved me. I wasn’t going to find it here. And let’s be clear, I’m only here as a final goodbye. I’m not returning to the Taavi, and I have no intention of ever visiting. You were proven wrong in almost every single thing you’ve taught me. Can’t you at least unbend enough to wish me well? To apologize for poisoning my mind?”

Stony silence from both of them. His mother looked away entirely, facing the river.

Tori shook his head, already resigned. What had he expected from them, really? “Fine. I’ve told you. That’s all I wanted to do. Goodbye.”

He turned on his heel and left, heading back around the house and toward the SUV. Baldewin was quick to join him, asking in a low tone as they moved, “Are you sure about leaving?”

“When they stop talking, they don’t break their silence around me for days,” Tori explained wearily. “We went a week once without speaking a word to each other, or even in front of each other. Trust me, there’s no point in saying anything further.”

Baldewin caught him and hauled him into a tight embrace. Tori went without hesitation, burying his head into the man’s shoulder and hanging on. How had Baldewin known that he’d needed a hug just then? A reminder that warmth, joy, and happiness awaited him? That the coldness of this house wouldn’t follow him to Germany?

“I love you,” Baldewin whispered to him.

Ah, really. What was he to do with this man who made him so happy? Tori smiled as he repeated the words. “I love you. Take me home, rakas.”

“Gladly.” He untangled enough to draw Tori toward the SUV, and they both slid in, Baldewin taking the driver’s seat.

Tori felt little but relief as the SUV turned in the narrow driveway and headed away from that small, grey house that held no pleasant memories for him. The farther away they drove, the lighter his heart became. He’d never need to return there. That alone was cause for celebration. He glanced at Baldewin, smile growing. Going home with a sexy man soon to be his husband was another reason to celebrate.

“The next time you tell me something is a bad idea, I think I’ll listen.” Baldewin shook his head expansively. “This whole trip up here was a disaster.”

“I did warn you.”

“You did. I’ll take it more to heart next time. Do you still want me to put you to sleep for the flight home?”

Tori shuddered at the idea of being that high up and conscious for it. “I love you, but I’m not going into the air with you while awake. No.”

Baldewin snorted amusement. “Alright. Let’s organize everyone for the flight home when we get back, then. I think they’re half-ready as it is.”

Tori’s phone rang, and he dug it out of a pocket, not sure who could be calling him at this point. He frowned a little when he saw the name on the screen.

“Friend or foe?”

“Friend. Well, more an acquaintance. She and I were in the same grade growing up, and we’ve never been on bad terms with each other. Just never really friends. I’m not sure why she’s calling.” He answered with a quick swipe. “Hei, Sofi?”

“Tori. I heard you’re still here?”

“Yeah, why?”

“I have a few questions for you. The dragons, they made noises about wanting mages to go with them. But I’m not sure that’s still true after all that’s happened.”

“I’ve not heard of anyone leaving right now. Everyone seems to be hesitant. Or assholes.”

She groaned. “I know. Trust me, I know. But I’m tired of being stuck out here in the middle of nowhere with no options except marrying Oliver and having kids.”

Tori couldn’t help the way his face scrunched up at that thought. Oliver didn’t even regularly brush his teeth. “Is that really who they’re trying to pair you off with?”

“Trying, yeah. I keep getting noises about me being too old now, and fertility spells to help me along, and it’s all making me scream with frustration. I want out. And the dragons, from what I saw, are incredibly supportive of their partners. You chose to go with them.”

“I did. Best decision I ever made. And if you want me to put in a good word for you, I will. In fact, I can swing by and grab you right now. We’re leaving in the next few hours.”

“Do it. I’m tired of freezing up here.”