Ravi only managed to suck in a breath when Alric’s deep laughter rolled through the room.
“And have you told him all these things?”
“Told him?” Ravi gulped. The warmth that had swept through his body as he thought about Sora had instantly chilled.
“Yes, told him. Have you told him how you feel? Have you told him he’s brilliant and amazing and beautiful? Told him that your dragon wants to keep and protect him?” Alric scratched his chin. “You know, mages like to hear those things.”
“Yes, of course. Well, I mean, I know they like to hear those things, but no, I haven’t told him in so many words. I think I’ve told him he’s beautiful and a genius and talented on different occasions, but I haven’t told him about how my dragon feels. Because…you know…”
Alric’s brow furrowed and he sat forward, placing his right arm on top of the desk. “I know what?”
“Well, I mean…he’s him.” Ravi waved his arms up and down as if shaping Sora’s form. “All brilliant and sexy and amazing.”
He then hit his own chest with both hands.
“And I’m just me. I’m afraid of saying too much and reminding him how much me I am. It’s like I’m living in this magical bubble, and I don’t want to do anything to make this bubble pop.”
His king gave another low chuckle, his smile turning gentle and sweet. “Ravi, I suspect that Sora feels the same way about you because you are you.”
“Really?”
Alric pushed to his feet and walked around his desk so he could lean against the front.
“I thought mages were the ones who were most likely to get lost in this process,” he muttered, as if he were talking to himself. “The whole castle can see how you feel about each other. It’s clearly written in Sora’s eyes every time he looks at you. Have you talked about being mates?”
Ravi gave a little shake of his head. His heart was beating so fast that it felt like it was going to break out of his chest. “No, but he’s mine. I know he’s mine. My dragon wants to hold him tight and never let go. He belongs to us more than the wind.”
“Good. I’m so very happy for you.”
“Thank you, Hoheit. I admit I’m a little shy about telling Sora all of this. What if he’s not on the same page?”
“Why don’t you at least ask before you assume he isn’t?” Alric suggested patiently.
“No, but think about it, all of the mages we know took longer to get used to the idea than their dragons, right?”
“I’d like to remind you that Cameron was actually the one who dragged me into a proper relationship.”
Oh. That’s right, he had.
“Then…maybe I should say something. I’m a little worried. We’re from two different clans. I don’t know what to do about that.”
Alric smiled and wrapped his right arm around Ravi’s shoulders.
“It is something you’ll need to talk through. But in the olden days, we were all from different clans, and we managed to find a good compromise. I think your view on this is skewed because you’ve only seen us adopt mages in. But look at Ha Na and Rodrigo. She’s technically a Burkhard, but she went with him readily enough, right?”
“Oh. Yeah. Also a really good point. You’re pretty wise today.”
“I do have my moments,” Alric drawled, dry as a martini. “I want you to know that if you need me to release you from your vow as my retainer so you can be with your mate, I can and happily will.”
Ravi flinched, and he knew Alric felt it. The idea of not being Alric’s retainer, not being there every day to watch over Alric and Cameron, was like a knife in his heart. He cherished his oath and his duty to the royal family of Burkhard.
But he also cherished Sora. His beautiful mage was quickly becoming the beat of his heart and the wind that carried him up over the mountains. It would be only natural that Sora would want to return to his own home and people. If they were officially mated, Ravi would go with Sora. But how could he leave Burkhard?
“Ravi, naturally, we wish for you and Sora to stay with us,” Alric continued gently. “We want only your happiness. Do you know what Sora wishes to do? Does he plan to return home to the Sodalicium?”
“I don’t know,” Ravi whispered. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I’m terrified to ask. What if he wants to go home? He’s my mate. I know he’s my mate. Of course, I’d go with him. His happiness is all I want in the world. If going home makes him happy, then that’s what we’ll do. But…this is my home. My family. I—I don’t want to leave.”
“And we will always be your home and family. Even if you are living with the Abe and the Sodalicium, you and Sora will always be welcome in Burkhard. Nothing will change that.”
“Thank you, Alric. I don’t know what to do. I love being here, surrounded by my family. It means everything to me. But Sora…I know he’s my mate. I’ll do anything to make him happy. Even leave my home.”
Alric threw his head back and laughed, squeezing Ravi tight against his side. “Ravi, you do everything so quickly. Why are you so slow with this?”
“What am I to do?”
The older dragon’s hand gripped his shoulder and gave him a little shake. “Talk to him!”
“But—”
“There is no but. You’re so worried, but you have no idea what he’s thinking or feeling. Maybe he wishes to stay with us. Maybe he wishes to split his time between both clans. You don’t know and won’t know until you talk to him.”
Well, yes, that solution was pretty obvious, but it didn’t help with the swirling nerves in his stomach.
“If he’s truly your mate, he values your happiness as much as you value his,” Alric nudged. “Cameron and I have had plenty of difficult and nerve-wracking conversations over the past year, but I trust him, and I believe in us. I know that no matter how scary the conversation might feel, we will always find a way to be happy.”
“And if he’s not my true mate?” Ravi looked up to see an exasperated expression on Alric’s face.
“Do you honestly believe that?”
A grin split across Ravi’s lips before he could stop it. “No.”
He’d barely been able to ask the question. Sora had to be his mate. He felt it down in his bones. He felt it written on his soul. Sora was his, and he belonged to Sora.
“Then go, Ravi.” Alric laughed and shoved him toward the door. “Spend some time with your Sora and your family. Have a wonderful night. I have a neglected mate who needs my attention.”
Ravi laughed and took a couple steps toward the door before stopping suddenly. He turned on the balls of his feet and lunged toward Alric, knocking him back against the desk. He wrapped his king—his brother—in a tight hug.
“Thank you for always making me feel like I belong here,” he said around the lump in his throat as he buried his face against Alric’s chest.
Alric drew in a ragged breath as he wrapped his arms around Ravi again. His cheek rested against the top of his head.
“Ravi, you have always belonged here and always will. You have been my brother, friend, and protector since the first moment you came into my life. You will be missed by everyone here if you leave, but know this will always be your home.”