While he didn’t know what was going to happen next, he did feel confident that the dragons were an improvement on his previous life and even the other mages he’d encountered.
Baldewin hadn’t been content to simply buy a trio of tickets for the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia. No, the dragon had to get them a private room with a private deck on the outer part of the ship so they could sit in cushioned chairs and watch the scenery slowly pass by them. It was insanity.
The ride from Helsinki to Tallinn was less than three hours, but Baldewin stated that he was worried about Tori’s health and safety after his encounter with the Jaeggi. A private room was absolutely necessary to make sure the mage was properly recovered prior to their long road trip from Estonia to Germany.
Tori shrugged. Who was he to argue with how the dragon spent his money?
It wasn’t like the room itself was lavish. Decorated in warm tones with a double bed and a sitting area, the room was comfortable and cozy, but the real draw was the deck.
From there, they had a private view of the bay as they crossed to Estonia. No crowds, excessive chatter, or fighting to grab one of the public deck chairs. It was like being royalty, or at least someone important. Tori wasn’t going to get used to it, but he was going to enjoy the feeling while it lasted.
If his clan was wrong about the Jaeggi and dragons, it stood that they could have been wrong about a lot of damn things in his life. Like that he wasn’t some abomination for being gay. And maybe he wasn’t so bad at magic, either. He’d be happy if one of those things proved to be true.
Warin shoved away from the railing where he’d been standing and settled his hands on his narrow hips. The dragon had tied back his shoulder-length hair into a messy ponytail to keep the wind from whipping it around his face. “I want to check out the restaurant. I haven’t been to Finland in centuries, and I didn’t remember the food being so tasty and hearty. Do you want me to bring anything back?”
“I’m good,” Tori automatically said, even as his empty stomach twisted in complaint. He’d grabbed something small at breakfast, and Baldewin had not been happy about it.
In fact, the dragon was giving him much the same glare as he’d received this morning. Tori ignored him and directed his eyes back toward the ocean.
“Find something like a sandwich and sides for Tori. Something warm. The wind is brisk, and he will need something filling to warm him up. Also, a Karelian pie. He is very partial to Karelian pie.”
Tori’s mouth dropped open and hung there as he stared at Baldewin, who was returning an “I dare you to argue with me” look. Indignation that Baldewin thought he knew better than Tori warred with a much warmer, squishier feeling Tori did not want to admit was there. He barely even noticed Warin hurrying away, making a strange coughing noise that could have been laughter he was attempting to cover up.
“Are you always this bossy with people?” Tori snapped. It was easier to be outraged than face the fact that he was flattered by Baldewin’s obvious awareness of his preferences and needs.
“I’ve spent most of my life caring for a very stubborn man. If I can manage our king, I think I have a decent shot at keeping you properly fed, warm, and safe.”
The dragon was dressed in a deep red, button-down shirt that left Tori briefly wondering if his dragon scales were the same shade. It was a good color on the man and the cut accentuated his broad shoulders. But Tori wasn’t looking at his shoulders. Or his wide chest. Or the smirk lifting one corner of his full lips.
Okay, so maybe it took him a moment to actually tear his eyes away from Baldewin at that pronouncement. There was just too much to unpack from it. “You…you watch over the king? I thought that was his mate’s job.”
“A mage mate is more than a caretaker, the same way a dragon mate is more than a battery of power for his mage. Mates are lovers, friends, companions. They are the people you can trust and depend on above all else. The person you can share everything with and know that you will be loved completely, flaws and all. A mate completes you as no one else will ever be able to.”
“I know that,” Tori said defensively. He totally didn’t know that, and Baldewin’s answering smile made it clear he was completely aware of Tori’s ignorance. People were married in his clan, but he would never use the term ‘mates.’ Definitely not how Baldewin used it.