Page 32 of Fractured Sky
Usually, he did it when he needed privacy and the castle felt too crowded.Even when one of his brothers headed to the lake, too, the place was big enough for both of them not to have to talk to each other.Dallin wasn’t alone today, though.He heard footsteps behind him as he reached the shore.He sighed, unwilling to talk to anyone.Maybe if he was nice, whoever it was would leave him alone.
When he turned, he was surprised to see Sol standing there.
“I can go if you’d rather be alone,” Sol said as he gestured at the castle.
Sol was the only person Dallin wanted to talk to now.“It’s fine.I wanted to talk to you, but I wasn’t sure you wanted me to.”
Sol moved closer.From the tense way he held himself, it was clear that he was still somewhat in pain, but the bruises were fading, and he looked steadier on his feet.Dallin was glad that Sol wouldn’t have to deal with any permanent consequences after what Carlyle had done to him.He’d been lucky.
“What did you want to talk to me about?”Sol asked.
“I just wanted to check in on you.Make sure you’re okay.”
Sol kicked a pebble toward the lake and pushed his hands into his pockets.“Honestly?I’ve been better.It’s a lot to take in, and I haven’t had a lot of time.”
“No one is rushing you.”
“I’m pretty sure Carlyle is.I need to be at my best when he attacks.I’m surprised he hasn’t yet.”
“Well, it makes sense if he’s weaker than before and still trying to find a dragon.He doesn’t want to face us until he’s sure he’s strong enough.”
“Can he easily find another dragon?”
“There are several dragon clans in the country, but they tend to stick with each other.Carlyle probably knows about them, but considering how much time has passed, he wouldn’t be able to recognize most of the members.He certainly wouldn’t be able to find a dragon young enough to not already have a mage.We warned the clans after Carlyle was released so they know to be careful.They probably keep their most vulnerable members in to be safe.”Dallin looked around.“Carlyle is also probably still recuperating from the spell he cast to burn the forest.”
Sol sucked in a breath.“It was him?”
Penley had been working with the forest and his magic, but it was slow going, especially with Carlyle still a danger.Signs of the fire were still visible in the burnt trees and vegetation.It broke Dallin’s heart every time he saw it.
The forest was his home as much as the castle.He hated that Carlyle had almost destroyed it.
“We think he tried to burn down the castle, but we managed to stop the fire before it could reach it.”
“I almost wish I’d been here to see that.I haven’t seen you do a lot of magic, and I’m curious.Plus, I could’ve helped.”
“We managed even without you.”
“But it would’ve been better with me.”
Dallin couldn’t deny that.“Of course it would have been.You’re my dragon.Everything would be better if you were there.”
Sol stopped walking and turned to face Dallin.Dallin did the same, wondering what Sol was about to say.Part of him wanted to believe that Sol wanted to be back in his life the way he’d been before, but another part was cautioning him.Sol wasn’t Kent.They would never share what Dallin had shared with Kent.It wasn’t a bad thing, just different, but it might betoodifferent.
“You really mean that, don’t you?”Sol asked.
“I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.I know you don’t remember what we had, but I can’t forget it.You’re not Kent, but our bond is still there, and I feel it.I feelyou.”
Dallin wasn’t sure why he was surprised when Sol cupped his cheek and leaned over to kiss him.It felt familiar, like something they’d done hundreds of times.In a way, they had, but in a different way, it was their first kiss.
And he was going to enjoy it.
* * * *
SOL HADN’T BEEN PLANNINGon kissing Dallin, but it felt natural.Even though he didn’t have Kent’s memories, he could almost remember how Dallin fit into his arms and the taste of his lips.It was a fleeting moment, and then, the only thing he could focus on was Dallin.
He fit perfectly in Sol’s arms.Sol never wanted to let go, even though he would have to, eventually.It didn’t have to be now, and when Dallin pressed closer, Sol knew he’d found his place in the world.
He may not be Kent, but he was still Dallin’s shield.He was Dallin’s dragon, no matter how long they’d been separated.
