He wanted to know why they were laughing.He wanted to know why Sol sounded so happy so he could replicate it and make him laugh, too.He wanted to be the one to make Sol happy.
He wasn’t, and at the moment, he didn’t think he could.No matter how much he wanted to be with Sol, it was better for Sol to spend time with people he already knew.From what Dallin had seen, Pippa was a great friend to Sol, and Dallin wanted him to have that.
He stayed where he was for a moment and watched as Sol pushed away a strand of long hair from his face, then wrapped his arm around Pippa’s shoulders.She came easily, as if it was something the two of them did often.They had the kind of relationship Dallin had with the other mages, especially with Penley and Keylon.Dallin was glad Sol had found Pippa.He was glad that Sol hadn’t been on his own, fighting to get his memories back completely on his own.
No matter how much he wanted to talk to Sol, he’d promised he’d give him time.When Sol was ready to talk to him and find out what they’d been to each other, he’d find Dallin.In the meantime, Dallin would give him what he’d promised.
He turned away from the door.He didn’t want to leave, but it was the best thing he could do for Sol.
And probably for himself, too.
* * * *
SOL FELT LIKE HIS BODYwas getting revenge for something he hadn’t done.It wasn’t like he’d wanted to be tortured by Carlyle, but he was feeling every blow he’d received.His body ached every time he moved, which was one of the reasons he’d barely left the plush bed he’d been given.
The other reason was that he didn’t have to leave it.He had nothing to go home to.Pippa was here, and after everything that had happened, Sol was happy to take time to heal.He knew he wouldn’t have long.Whatever Carlyle had been trying to do with him, he’d failed, but that wouldn’t stop him.Nothing had stopped him except Sol escaping, and if Sol had to guess, that wouldn’t last long.Carlyle didn’t seem like the type who sat back and waited for things to happen.
“I’m telling you, these people are weird,” Pippa said.“When they told me they were mages, I didn’t believe them.”
“I’m not surprised.It sounds hard to believe.”
“Which doesn’t really make sense if you think about it because I knew you were a dragon shifter.”
“Even I didn’t know mages existed, so I wouldn’t worry too much about that.I doubt Jarvis was offended because you didn’t know about mages.”
“I don’t think he was, but it was jarring.I never expected any of this.I certainly never expected you to get kidnapped.”
“Tell me about it.I was trapped in a cell for ages.I’m pretty sure Carlyle was trying to cast a spell on me.”
Pippa snuggled closer.For a long time, it had only been the two of them, and Sol was glad he hadn’t lost that.He was also glad that both he and Pippa had more people in their lives now.It felt good to know that if something were to happen to him, Pippa wouldn’t be alone.The mages had protected her when Sol couldn’t, and he’d always be grateful to them for that.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” Pippa murmured.
Sol pressed a kiss on top of her head.“I’m glad I’m okay, too.For a bit, I really thought Carlyle would kill me.I still don’t know what he was trying to do with that spell.”
“You’ll have to ask Jarvis or one of the other mages.I have no idea what they’re talking about when they mention magic.It’s fascinating, but I’m human, so I’m not going to do anything with the information, so honestly, I haven’t bothered to listen much.”
Sol snickered.“You didn’t bother listening in college, either.”
“And look where that got me.I may not have graduated college, but it wouldn’t have mattered if I had anyway.My life’s a mess.”
Because of Sol.If the two of them hadn’t been friends, Pippa wouldn’t have been there when Carlyle had taken Sol.She was human, but Carlyle could use her to get to Sol.It was a miracle he hadn’t, but he might have if Jarvis and the others hadn’t brought her here.Sol would never forgive himself if she got hurt because of him.That meant that it was better for her to stay at the castle, which, of course, meant she’d lost her job and everything else that was familiar to her.
“Tell me about the mages,” Sol said.He’d missed Pippa, and he wanted to talk for hours the way they had before he’d been taken.
She poked a finger against his ribs.“You mean you want to know about Dallin.”
Sol sighed.“I don’t know.Part of me does, but another part has no idea what to do with any of this.What does it even mean that I’m his shield?That we share a bond?What kind of bond?”
“Well, apart from Tyne and Meyer, all the mages who live in the castle are dating their shield.”
Sol could easily see that happen with Dallin.Dallin was a handsome man, but more than that, Sol liked the tidbits of information he’d gathered on him since he’d arrived at the castle.It hadn’t been easy because he hadn’t yet left his bedroom, but the mages visited him regularly, and they seemed eager to tell him about everything he’d forgotten.
“From what I gathered, only some of them were dating before the dragons disappeared,” Pippa continued.“And the ones who weren’t, are dating now.Jarvis said that the bonds between the mage and their dragons don’t have to be romantic, but that’s what it usually turns into eventually.It doesn’t mean you and Dallin have to be together.”
“I never said I wanted to be with him.”
Exhaustion was pulling at Sol.He’d been sleeping a lot since he’d arrived at the castle, but it still didn’t feel like enough, and it was frustrating.Sol knew it was because of everything his body had been through, but he felt the need to do something, maybe help protect the castle against Carlyle.He suspected he’d get his wish eventually, but so far, Carlyle hadn’t done anything.
