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“SEE YOU AT DINNER?” Palmer asked once he and Taylor had stepped outside the room where Twig and his mother lived.
Taylor smiled at his brother. “You couldn’t keep me away if you tried.”
“Just like Rune’s cooking, huh?”
“Of course I do. Only a crazy person would skip it.” The food from the kitchens was fine, but the cooks made meals for hundreds of people. Rune, on the other hand, only cooked for Palmer and, most of the time, Taylor. Taylor wasn’t going to give that up, especially since Rune had been the one to tell him there was a standing invitation for him to come to dinner. He didn’t go every night, because he understood his brother needed some privacy with his partner, but he still went as often as he could.
He and Palmer separated. Taylor wanted to linger outside Twig’s room, but there was no reason for him to be there, so he walked away. He’d already been assigned his new post, and he hadn’t been surprised to find it wasn’t far from Twig’s room. Even though Pearl wasn’t in the palace anymore, Killian wasn’t going to risk it. The king knew he had other detractors, and he didn’t want his half-brother to pay for a lapse in vigilance.
That was fine with Taylor. It wouldn’t be the same as when Twig had been in the infirmary, but it would be close enough that he could protect him if he had to. He hoped he wouldn’t have to, though. Twig hadn’t deserved anything that had been done to him, and he wouldn’t deserve it if someone else tried to hurt him. The dragon was a sweetheart, and how anyone could want to hurt him was something Taylor didn’t understand.
But he’d stopped trying to understand that kind of person a long time ago. It wasn’t his job. His job was to make sure nothing happened to Twig, and he would.
He crossed paths with a few people as he walked, and all of them either smiled or waved at him. He mirrored their gesture, wondering if they’d gotten used to seeing him around yet. Most of the dragons didn’t seem to mind having him, Palmer, and the other humans in the palace. A few grumbled when they saw them, but it wasn’t anything Taylor worried about. They’d get used to it, and besides, it hadn’t been their decision. Killian was king, and while that didn’t mean he had the final say in every decision made about the clan, he’d decided to allow humans in, and that was that. As far as Taylor knew, the only people who’d caused problems after that decision had been the dragons who’d supported his father, so really, they couldn’t complain.
He reached the end of the hallway and turned. From here, he could see Twig’s door. Twig would probably be able to see him too, if he looked, but Taylor wasn’t trying to hide. He hadn’t been the one who decided he needed to stand here now. That was all Killian, and if Twig had a problem with it, he could take it up with his brother. Taylor was going to follow orders and make sure Twig was safe in the meantime.
Luckily, he wouldn’t have to be here long. His brother and Rune would be waiting for him in a few hours, and he couldn’t wait.
He settled in to wait, keeping an eye on Twig’s door and looking around. The dragons he saw walking past seemed happy enough to see him there, and no one tried anything strange. Taylor had been trying to learn who was who, especially when it came to Killian’s family, but he’d never be able to recognize every clan member—there were too many of them. From what he could see, though, there were no supporters of Pearl foolish enough to try anything. It was a relief, even if it also meant the shift was boring.
At least until Twig’s door opened. Taylor straightened, ready to intervene even though he had no reason to. It was probably just Willa heading to work.
That assumption held up until Twig stepped out instead. He was holding onto the doorframe as he looked around, and when his gaze landed on Taylor at the end of the hallway, his eyes widened. He hesitated until Taylor raised a hand and waved. Once Taylor did, Twig let go of the doorframe, turned around to say something to his mother, then stepped out. The door closed behind him, and he slowly made his way toward Taylor, who watched him come. He wanted to go to Twig, but he was working, so he stayed put. He also suspected Twig wanted to do this on his own. He’d been incredibly frustrated at being stuck in that hospital bed for so long. He was finally free to move the way he wanted, and Taylor wanted him to have that.
“I thought I was going to have to look harder for you,” Twig said when he reached Taylor.
“Killian wants to make sure nothing happens to you,” Taylor told him.
“Pearl is gone, though.”
“She is, but she had supporters.”
Twig bit his lower lip. “You think they’re going to come for me?”
“I don’t. I think you were collateral damage, and that Pearl intended to hurt someone but not specifically you. She just picked one of her half-siblings. She didn’t care who it was.”
Twig grimaced. “That makes it sound like she loves me lots.”
Taylor chuckled. “From what I know of her, I don’t think she’s ever loved anyone but herself.”
“I suspect you’re right.” Twig shuffled his feet. “I have a question.”
“I’m listening.”
“I know you’re probably eager to get rid of me, but I was wondering if maybe we could grab coffee together. Well, not coffee, because Palmer said I’m not allowed to drink coffee yet, but maybe tea? And probably not in the dining hall, because of all the people there, but maybe we could grab something and walk to the closest garden? I could show you my favorite spots.”
Twig sounded eager, as if he wanted Taylor to see that this would be worthwhile for him. Taylor was surprised that Twig had taken the first step. He’d fully expected to have to be the one to do it, and he’d been prepared to—just planning on waiting a little while longer.
There was no way he was saying no to Twig. The dragon had courage, and Taylor appreciated that. “I would love that. I’ll let you know when I’m free, okay? If I’m not around, this is where you can find me for the next few weeks.”
The smile Twig gave Taylor told him his answer had been the right one. This mattered to Twig, and while Taylor didn’t want to let himself hope, he couldn’t help it.
Chapter Six
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TWIG WAS NERVOUS, BUT he’d planned for it. He’d made sure his mother would be at work. He’d gotten some tea from the dining hall, since he still wasn’t allowed coffee. He’d also brought some coffee for Taylor, and the smell was driving him up the walls, but he knew better than to drink it. Taylor wouldn’t be pleased, and he might tattle to Palmer, and that was the last thing Twig wanted. He was finally free of the infirmary. He wasn’t planning on going back anytime soon.
