“What was that happy sigh for? Am I that sexy?” North teased.
“Ja, you are,” Warin agreed promptly. “But it was also everything else. I’ve dearly wished for centuries to have this exact moment.”
“Oh. Wow, I hadn’t really thought about it from that perspective. But you really did wait a long time for me to appear, didn’t you?”
“You were worth the wait,” Warin said sincerely, meaning every word.
North popped up and kissed him soundly. He was luminescent in his joy, practically glowing with it. Against Warin’s mouth, he murmured, “I wished for you too, you know. I wished for magic and dragons. I wished for someone to see me, precisely as I am, and love me for it. I didn’t know if I’d gain all of that by going in search of a dragon. But I had to try. I’m so fucking glad I did.”
“Not as much as I, my North Star,” Warin whispered in return. He carded his fingers through that silky blond hair, words tangling in his throat. He was so infinitely glad North had come searching for them. He’d never have found him, otherwise, and that thought was enough to steal his breath.
North pressed in again, the kiss slow and sweet this time. Warin kissed him back, lingering in the affection.
“I’d decided to stay even before you confessed,” North admitted.
“You did?”
“Because this place is everything I wanted. Returning to a place that can’t accept me, that I hate being in, didn’t make any sense. I figured if I stayed, I might have a chance of seducing you, too.”
“Turns out you were correct,” Warin agreed in mock-seriousness.
North snickered. “I do love it when I’m right.”
“And your family?”
“They’re just going to have to deal. I’m done trying to please them. Doing what they want has always made me miserable, anyway. I don’t know why I keep trying to compromise with them in the first place.” North popped up, looking around. “Where did my phone get off to?”
“I think it’s still in the chair, why?”
“I’m going to make things clear.” North slid out of bed, raced for the chair, retrieved his phone, then raced back again. Warin held up the blankets for him and he snuggled right back in.
Warin had an idea of what North planned to do, judging by the smug grin on his face. And he was all for it.
North made a call, a shit-eating grin on his face. It picked up in two rings.
“Freddy, I just emailed you the—”
“I’m not returning to the States,” North interrupted.
“Not this again. I told you—”
“And I told you I don’t want to leave. And you know what, Ma? For once in your fucking life, and mine, I’m going to put my foot down. I HATE what you make me do. I HATE the idea of marrying some girl. I HATE working for the company. There is nothing about your life that appeals to me, and I’m sick of it all. So, I’m not going back.”
“Don’t you start that, young man. You’re coming home!”
“I am home.” North ended the call with a vicious stab. And then promptly turned the phone off. He let out a long breath and then laughed. “My God, that was liberating. Why the hell didn’t I do that before?”
“Not a strong enough incentive?” Warin suggested. He was proud of North. It was about time he chose what made him happy.
North put his phone on the nightstand before turning with a leer. “You’re definitely incentive. Come here, sexy. I feel like celebrating.”
Warin smiled as he pulled North back into him. He was all too happy to celebrate.
One year later.
North stood in the courtyard of Burkhard Castle, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. He was snuggled up in the coat Warin had bought him, but he didn’t feel the bitter winter cold. No, he was too excited for the cold. His grandpa was finally coming to see him. And if he had his way, his grandpa was going to stay with them permanently.
A low chuckle washed over him a second before strong arms snaked around his waist. Warin pulled him in tight, and North hummed softly to himself in pure happiness. This had been the best year of his life, and so much of it was thanks to the amazing dragon holding him.
“You’re nearly vibrating in your excitement,” Warin murmured. The dragon’s deliciously warm breath curled around his ear.
“You know I’ve loved every second of living here with you,” North started.
“Except for maybe that one second when Ravi was flying over the castle while dangling you by your foot,” Warin corrected and then shivered. “I could have lived without that second.”
“Yeah, not one of my better moments.” Over the summer, he, Ravi, and Cassie had gone out to play a game and enjoy the warmer weather. Things had gotten a little out of hand and, well, North found himself awkwardly soaring over the courtyard while being dangled by a single foot. Not one of his finer moments, and needless to say, Warin and Alric had been quite livid.