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“You know I am.”

“And your job is still watching me?”

“Until Killian tells me otherwise, yes.”

Twig nodded, as if that confirmed something for him. “Wouldn’t it be easier for you to protect me if you were closer to me?”

“It is, which is why I stand outside your door.”

Twig was tall, which was unusual among Taylor’s partners. Taylor had never had to look anyone else in the eye, but he did with Twig, and he liked it. It was a different sensation, but not a bad one.

“Well, I’d like you to come inside. That way you can protect me more effectively.” He snorted. “Not that I think there’s anything you need to protect me from right now.”

“I agree, but I’m not going to complain. I like watching over you.”

Twig’s cheeks turned a slight purple. Most of his skin was the same color as a human’s, but he had a patch of scales on his cheek, cornflower blue like his hair. That was where the purple showed, and it took everything Taylor had not to reach over and touch it.

He couldn’t help but wonder what those scales would feel like. He knew Twig was warm to the touch, but that was it. He’d never dared touch him in a romantic way, but he was pretty sure Twig was waiting for him to.

But he was working, though. “I might take you up on that offer,” he told Twig.

Twig’s eyes lit up. “Really? I thought you’d insist on staying outside.”

“I probably should, but you’re not wrong. I don’t think anyone else is going to try to hurt you, and I can protect you more effectively if I can see you the whole time.” He hesitated. “What about your mother?”

“She’s at work.”

“Well, I’m at work too, but we can talk.”

The smile Twig gave him was worth it. Taylor was definitely going to be distracted for the rest of the afternoon, but he didn’t think it mattered. If anyone tried anything with Twig, Taylor would be right there.

Not that he expected anyone to try anything. Pearl had been the biggest danger, and for now, she was gone. Did that mean she was never coming back? There was no way to know, but Taylor doubted it. She was the kind of person who only knew one way to get what she wanted, no matter what that was. She’d regroup this time around, but he had no doubt she’d try again.

And when she did, Taylor would be there, protecting both Twig and Killian if he needed it. There probably wasn’t much he could do against dragons, but that wasn’t going to stop him from trying.

Chapter Nine

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TWIG NEEDED TO TELL his mother about Taylor. He still wasn’t completely sure what was happening between them, but he and Taylor spent hours talking, and no matter what came next, he knew Taylor was going to be part of his life. He also suspected his mother already knew that, even though she hadn’t said anything, which made the whole situation even more ridiculous.

Why was he hiding it? Well, Twig wasn’t actually hiding it. He just hadn’t talked to his mother about it yet, which anyone would understand. He was an adult. He didn’t need to tell his mother about his friendships, even though he was sure she was curious. It was none of her business.

But what was happening here wasn’t just a friendship, was it? There was something more to it, something Twig could feel every time he and Taylor spent time together, and even when they weren’t together. He missed Taylor when they were apart, which really was the first sign that they were more than friends. Twig couldn’t be a hundred percent sure Taylor wanted the same, but he’d be an idiot not to at least consider it. There was no way Taylor would spend so much time with him if he didn’t want this too.

So where did that leave Twig? Maybe he should talk to Taylor first, but the thought was terrifying. Besides, no matter what happened, Taylor was his friend. So was Palmer. They weren’t leaving Twig’s life, which meant his mother needed to get used to having humans around.

He tapped his fingertips on the table. She wouldn’t be back from work for a few hours, and staring at the four walls of his living space wasn’t helping. He didn’t know how she’d react, but he hoped she’d be okay with it. Waiting for her here and fretting wasn’t going to help him, though. He didn’t particularly want to leave the room, since he already knew half the clan would be staring at him the second he did, but that was better than overthinking things. He needed to talk to his mother, and he would, but he couldn’t do it right now, so he might as well go for a walk.

He pushed himself up. It was strange not to feel weak after feeling that way for so long, but he enjoyed it. He hadn’t been cleared to fly yet, but he could go for walks, especially in the gardens. They were his favorite place in the palace, and most of the time they were empty. Even if there were a few people there, they’d leave him alone.

Hopefully.

And if they didn’t, well, he was sure he could find a way to escape them. He wasn’t going to answer questions about anyone, from Killian to Pearl to himself. People would have to accept that, and if they didn’t, well, it was none of Twig’s business.

He felt better as soon as he was out the door. He didn’t mind living with his mother, but sometimes it was hard to find space for himself. Maybe it was time to ask Killian for his own rooms? But a part of Twig didn’t want to leave. For most of his life, he and his mother only had each other. He wasn’t sure what she’d do if he wasn’t there anymore, and at the same time, it was hard to imagine his life without her.

Of course, she’d still be there for him. Even if he moved out, she wouldn’t stop being his mother. Knowing her, she’d come by several times a week, and they’d still have dinner together and everything else. They’d both just have a little more privacy, which wasn’t anything they’d needed before, but maybe it was time. If anything ever happened with Taylor, he could just imagine how awkward that would be if he still lived with his mom.