Grinning, Baldewin pulled a pair of black leather gloves out of his pocket and held them out to his mate. “Put these on.”
Tori’s brow furrowed as he took the gloves while looking at Baldewin. “You don’t wear gloves.”
Baldwin’s expression turned a little sheepish. “I’ve started carrying an extra pair with me in case you forget yours.”
Tilting his head up toward Baldewin, he smiled. “Always taking such good care of me.”
“Always,” Baldewin replied in a low, rumbling voice before gently kissing his mate.
The wind picked up and swept down into the courtyard. North shuddered as the biting cold sank straight down to the bone despite his heavy layers of clothing. Warin immediately stepped closer and drew him in. “We need to go inside where it is warm. North is not accustomed to this weather, and he must be protected.”
“Finally! Someone talking sense!” Lisette agreed, immediately turning on her heel to head into the castle.
Baldewin’s mouth dropped open, and he looked around the gathering. “Already?”
“We’ve been out here for several minutes now. If you’d been on time, you’d be cold now too,” Cameron teased.
“Forgive us, Hoheit. Tori distracted me,” Baldewin murmured, but Alric shook his head and smiled.
Tori gasped. He tried to give Baldewin a shove, but the larger man was already wrapping him up and nuzzling his neck.
“Ugh. Newlyweds,” Ravi groused as he headed toward the castle.
North stood in the courtyard, oblivious to the cold as he watched these people wandering toward the entrance. Gunter was already in deep conversation with Dieter and Lisette. His eyes strayed to Baldewin and Tori in a tight embrace, kissing as if they hadn’t seen each other in days. He looked over at Alric and Cameron in time to see the king wrap his arm around his mate’s waist and sort of twirl the man until Cameron tossed his head back, his giggles filling the courtyard before Alric swallowed them with a kiss.
He looked again at Dieter, Gunter, and Lisette. There were a few other people outside, going about what seemed like their normal duties. No one paid the two couples much attention beyond maybe a grin or an amused shake of the head.
It was like he’d fallen into the most wonderful dream. More magical than the castle with the dragons and mages, he was stunned to find no one cared that men were holding each other and kissing in plain view for everyone to see. No one was sneering or calling them names. In fact, it all seemed…normal.
“What’s wrong, North? Are you nervous?” Warin placed a hand on North’s shoulder and even turned his body so that he was blocking the wind.
“No.” He quickly shook his head, his eyes darting back to Alric and Cameron as they laughed and cuddled close while walking into the castle. “I…I’ve just never seen that…out in public.”
Warin glanced over his shoulder, his thick brows beetling over his nose for a moment before his expression cleared into a smile. “A dragon and his mage? No, probably not.”
North snorted. “No, not that. Two men, together. Two men laughing and cuddling and kissing…and no one cares.”
Warin’s smile never wavered, but sadness seemed to creep into his eyes as he stared at North. Stepping even closer, he slid his warm hand along North’s cheek, brushing his thumb across his cheekbone. “No, everyone cares very much. Everyone within the castle is extremely happy to see King Alric mated with Cameron. The mage gives our king endless joy. Baldewin has been a stout defender of our king and our people almost since he was born. He deserves the happiness he has found with his mage. That is all that matters. Their love is no different than the love between Dieter and Lisette.”
Very slowly, Warin claimed North’s lips in a kiss far too sweet for words. North’s eyes fluttered shut as he let himself get lost in the perfection of Warin’s touch. The rest of the world floated away and there was only Warin. At least, until…
“I saw that!” Cameron’s voice echoed across the courtyard followed by a celebratory whoop.
North pulled away with a laugh. Burkhard Castle was definitely going to be a unique experience.
North wanted to twirl.
But twirling would be a really bad idea considering his stomach was still so stuffed with delicious food from the massive banquet that had been arranged in his honor. The dining hall had been a boisterous place full of conversation and laughter as they ate their way through so many dishes. He’d even been given a place of honor between Cameron and his twin sister Cassie. They were both so full of energy and mischief, he’d struggled to keep up with the conversation.
The only thing that would have made it better would have been sitting next to Warin, but it was probably better if he didn’t get too attached to the sexy dragon. It wasn’t like he was Warin’s mate. Even as he got lost in conversation over magic with Cameron and Cassie, he kept sneaking glances over at Warin during the entire meal.