The bond sang between them as they kissed, making itself known in a way it never had before.Dallin’s arms came around Sol’s neck as he opened up to him.Sol held him like he was something precious that he couldn’t risk losing.He was.It would be too easy for Sol to lose him to Carlyle.
He wouldn’t allow that to happen.
Dallin tasted like the soda he’d been drinking during the meeting.His lips were soft, and the tiny noises he made as Sol kissed him drove Sol nuts.He wanted to stretch Dallin out and stare at him for as long as he could.He wanted to feast on the knowledge that he wasn’t alone and that, in a way, he never had been.
But they stood in full view of the castle on the lake shore, which was just about the most uncomfortable place to do this.Kissing was fine, but anything else would be hell.There was no sand anywhere to be seen.The shore was rocky and full of pebbles.
“What was that for?”Dallin asked when they both had to come up to breathe.
“You see me.”
Dallin blinked.“I’m not sure what that means.”
“You know me as Kent, but you see me as Sol.You know I’m not him anymore, and you don’t treat me like you would him.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Not for sure, but you’ve never called me the wrong name.You don’t treat me as if you expect me to know you.You gave me time and space, even though I know it’s not what you wanted.”
“I’m still not sure what that has to do with any of this.”
“I know we’re already bonded, but what if I want more?”
Dallin frowned.“I’m still not sure what you’re talking about.”
“Our bond is complete, yes?That only happens when the dragon and the mage are in love.”
“Mostly.”
Dallin’s cheeks were turning red.It was adorable, but Sol was trying to explain himself, so he needed to focus.“We were in love before.I know I’m not Kent, but if you’re okay with it, I’d still like a chance.”
“You mean you want to be with me?”
There was a hint of hope in Dallin’s voice, as if he couldn’t quite believe what Sol was offering.Maybe he couldn’t.It was obvious that the past decades had been hard on him.From what Sol had been told, the mages had looked for the dragons relentlessly.They hadn’t let anything stop them, and they hadn’t looked for new shields.They’d held hope that their dragons would return, and they had.
“I want to see if you can fall in love with me as Sol the way you did with Kent.I know that this probably isn’t the best moment with Carlyle and everything, but I don’t want to wait.”If something happened to either of them, Sol wanted to know what it was like to be with Dallin.They had no idea what Carlyle would do, but Sol could guess it wouldn’t be pleasant and that some of them would risk their lives.
He was Dallin’s shield.His job was to protect Dallin, and he’d do it, even though he had no idea how to.It was important to him, and he wanted Dallin to know that.
“I don’t care if it’s not the best moment,” Dallin murmured.“Together, we’re stronger.”
“So I can kiss you again?”
“You can kiss me as many times as you want, Sol.I’d want you to even if Carlyle weren’t in the picture.”
Sol leaned forward again.Carlylewasin the picture, but that didn’t mean that he and Dallin couldn’t find the start of their happiness.They’d have to work hard to get what they wanted, but Dallin was worth fighting for.
Sol didn’t know him well, even though he felt he did.He would never get back his memories, and he was fine with that.He was a different man, but so was Dallin.He’d spent decades without his dragon, and that had changed him.They would both need to learn who the other was now and how to be together.
But that would only happen if they were safe.That meant they needed to get rid of Carlyle.
Sol had no idea how they’d do that, but whatever happened, he’d be there.This was his home, too.It was his fight.
A fight for his new family and for Dallin.
Chapter Twelve
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