Truly, it never worked out well when North allowed his mother to make decisions for him. But in this case, she had been right that his absence left a hole in the company. North was the only one in the office who really understood computers. Everyone else knew how to operate the specific programs they used to fill orders, but if something went wrong, he was the one who fixed it. Who straightened things back out and got it all moving smoothly again. In that sense, what might be happening in that office while he was in Europe was extremely terrifying. It was sure to be a disorganized mess.
His family drove him insane sometimes. Most of the time. But they did try and love him, even though they didn’t agree with any part of him. The guilt sat heavily with him, the war between love and duty exploding in his head.
Ravi put an arm around his shoulders and hugged him for a moment. “North, we really want you here. So, don’t think you don’t have that option. Okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah, thanks. I’m going to think about it.” And he was. His options weren’t as narrow as he’d thought they were. And that made all the difference.
He peeked at Warin and found the man smiling at him. Why hadn’t Warin said those words? An ugly, heavy weight sank into the pit of his stomach.
Part of the reason why he was so tempted to stay was because he rather hoped he and Warin might be able to have a relationship together. Although that probably wasn’t the right reason to agree to stay here. But still, it was a factor. But maybe Warin didn’t think the same?
After their make-out session that night on the train, Warin hadn’t done more than chaste kisses and hold his hand. He really didn’t know how to read the man. Was he interested or not? Had he thought North was just sort of visiting the castle? Now there was a chance of North staying and maybe he didn’t want North to think he’d been looking for more than just a little fun?
Or was this another part of Warin not wanting to overwhelm him? It was true, a lot had happened to North in the past three days. And his head was spinning a bit.
Or had he misread everything? Warin, Gunter, and just about everyone he’d met made it clear the dragons were desperate for mages. Had Warin done all those nice thing—even the kissing—as a bid to woo North into coming to the castle? And now that North was here, were they just going to be friends? Ick…or worse, polite acquaintances as Warin went off to gather more mages?
In the short time they’d known each other, Warin had never said he liked North and wanted to date him, wanted to get to know him better. Yes, there had been sweet words on the train, but that was just silly pillow talk.
Warin had never said he wanted North to be his mate and sweep him away on their own happily ever after—not that North was expecting that. Dreamed about it, sure, but didn’t expect it.
Still, he’d like to know where he stood with Warin. Just hearing an explanation of what was in Warin’s mind and heart would ease his worries.
He finished breakfast with them, asking more questions about what all being a mage of this clan entailed. He needed more information before he jumped either way. Then he walked to his room, thinking hard. If it wasn’t so cold out, he’d walk more of the grounds, get a better feel for the castle in general. Well, maybe not. The place was easy to get lost in.
As he reached his rooms, he decided to call his grandpa and get a second opinion. It might help if he talked to someone who knew most of the players involved in this melodrama.
His grandpa answered on the second ring. “Hey, North. Your ma is up in arms about you coming home immediately. What’s going on?”
“No, it’s just her out of patience. Not that she has much to begin with. I agreed to go home when I talked to her last night.”
There was a ruminative pause. “Did you…”
“Well, at the time, I didn’t think I had any other option. I love it here, I really do, but I was under the impression you couldn’t make a living as a mage. Turns out I was wrong. Ravi and Warin straightened me out over breakfast, said their mages work full jobs doing magic and making potions and things. They apparently have a whole line of products they make and sell.”
“Which means, what? You want to join them?”
“Wouldn’t it be amazing? To work magic the rest of my life and live in a castle?”
“It sure as hell sounds fine to me. But what do you intend to tell your family? Are you sure you’re staying?”