“Just a couple things, Tori,” Baldewin coaxed.
Tori narrowed his eyes at him, looking as if his temper was about to flare, forcing Baldewin to think quick.
“I’m only thinking about your comfort. You’re going to be meeting the king, the consort, his retainers, the head mage. The entire clan, really. Wouldn’t you feel more comfortable greeting them for the first time in some new clothes?” Tori deflated, and Baldewin inwardly winced. He hadn’t meant to crush the man’s confidence. “I think you look just fine.”
The narrowed eyes returned, and his lips pressed into a hard line. Baldewin remained undaunted as he stepped closer to the man. He carefully threaded his fingers through Tori’s hair, pushing it back from those mesmerizing eyes so he could see them widen slightly. “It’s the truth. I like your casual look. The light scruff on your jaw. The way your grey eyes sparkle behind your dark hair. But I know that many people feel more confident when they have new clothes. Not that you need confidence.” Baldewin leaned closer so he could whisper in Tori’s ear. “I’ve seen you cast spells. I know firsthand how amazing you are.”
When Baldewin straightened, the look of irritation was gone, and there was a faint blush staining his cheeks. His lips were full and soft-looking again. There was no man he’d ever met in his life who looked as kissable as Tori Taavi. It was all Baldewin could do to pull away.
“You’re an evil man,” Tori murmured.
“I’m just trying to think of what would make you happy,” Baldewin replied.
“You say that, but I get this feeling you’re good at getting your way.”
Baldewin threw his head back and laughed. He had a good feeling that Alric would make the same damn argument. Baldewin could be very determined and crafty when he put his mind to something, and right now, Tori had his entire attention.
The first couple of shops took a lot of prodding and cajoling, but Tori finally relaxed and started to enjoy the process. Anything Tori showed even the slightest interest in, Baldewin ripped off the tags and sent the mage to the dressing room. He refused to let the man think about the price. He was worth every damn euro. If Alric made a stink over what he was spending—which he didn’t expect he would—then Baldewin would happily reimburse the clan out of his own savings.
By the time they wandered back to the hotel, they were loaded down with several bags. Tori had acquired four new pairs of trousers, half a dozen new shirts, undergarments, and two of the softest sweaters Baldewin had ever felt. His dragon longed to cuddle Tori close and slowly stroke him while he was wearing one of the sweaters.
But out of all of it, the one thing that had put a look of pure joy on Tori’s face was when Baldewin had forced him into a tiny music shop. There was no missing the way Tori carefully guarded his guitar, the way his hand strayed to its dulled finish when they were in his crappy motel room. He valued it above all things. Baldewin was horribly tempted to buy the man a new guitar, but he didn’t know how Tori had come by the one he had or if it had sentimental value. So, he settled on getting Tori a new set of strings for his instrument.
The look of pure joy on Tori’s face would stay with Baldewin for all his days. It was as if the dragon had pulled the moon down out of the sky for him. He was definitely going to find new and interesting ways to put that look on his face.
As they crossed the lobby, Tori’s fingers tightened on the bag holding the strings. The clothes were nice, but the guitar was truly a part of him.
Of course, Baldewin’s dragon was pleased. Dragons couldn’t purr, but they could make a low, rumbling noise deep in their chests that rattled up their throats. Right then, Baldewin’s dragon was so happy his brain was practically rattling in his skull with the noise.
In the suite, they found Warin stretched out on the couch, the remains of a meal from room service on the table, while he flipped through the channels on TV. His neck stretched a little as they came in so he could see them over the furniture. A smile lifted his mouth.
“A little shopping?” Warin inquired.
“Tori needed a few things before we reached the castle,” Baldewin said quickly, throwing Warin a warning look from behind Tori. He was not going to let the dragon make the mage feel guilty while he was still basking in his good mood.
“Ahh…makes sense.”
“Good flight?”
“Very nice. I miss our mountains, but it felt good to stretch the old wings and glide above the clouds.”
Tori scrunched his eyes shut and shuddered. “No, thank you.” He turned and looked at Baldewin. “Let me drop these things in my room, and I can do your glamour.”