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His mother didn’t say anything. She put down her fork too, wiped her mouth with her napkin, and waited. She wasn’t going to make this easy on him, but she wasn’t going to make it harder either. She was just giving him the time and space she knew he needed.

Unfortunately, if it was up to him, he’d need infinite time and space. That wasn’t really an option. He could put off talking about this, but why do it when it wasn’t going to change anything?

“You know Taylor and I have been talking,” he said, looking down at his plate. He wanted to eat, but he wasn’t hungry anymore.

“I’ve noticed,” his mother said gently. “A lot of people around the palace have too.”

“I don’t care what a lot of people around the palace think. I only care what you think.”

“You don’t need my approval, Twig. You’re an adult.”

“I’m not seeking your approval. I just want to know how you feel.” Unfortunately, he was pretty sure that even if his mother told him to leave Taylor be, he wouldn’t. For the first time, he’d found someone who could be more important to him than his mother. It was an odd feeling, but at the same time, he thought it was about time. Like his mother had said, he was an adult. It was time for him to build his own life, and while he hoped she’d always be part of it, a little distance between them wouldn’t hurt.

He licked his lips. “Nothing has happened between us yet.”

“You want something to happen.”

“You know Taylor. I think you like him, even though he’s human. I’ve seen how he treats me, and what he and his brother have done for me.”

“We’re not talking about Palmer, but I agree. I was wary of them before. They’re human, and you know what humans have done to dragons for so long. I should’ve given them the benefit of the doubt sooner, but I was afraid for you. I didn’t want to believe a dragon could do this to you, but I was naive, and I regret it. I also regret not giving Palmer and Taylor the benefit of the doubt, but I think they understood. I’m glad you have them now. Whatever you want with Taylor, I hope it happens for you. You deserve to be happy.”

“I think Taylor can make me happy.”

“I hope he does. I hope he’ll take care of you.”

“You just said I’m an adult. I don’t need anyone to take care of me.”

“Everyone needs someone to take care of them.”

“Even you?” To Twig, his mother had always been the strongest person he knew. She’d raised him on her own since he was a baby. She’d never been in a relationship, and while she did have friends, her world had always revolved around him. When he’d mentioned it before, she’d said that was as it should be, and maybe it had been, but he didn’t need her to be so focused on him anymore.

To be fair, she wasn’t as fully focused on him now as she’d been when he was a child, or even a teenager. They lived together, but they each had their own lives, friends, and interests. It was nice to come home and talk about them with someone, and Twig wasn’t in a hurry to leave, but thinking about his own future made him wonder about his mother’s future, too.

Would she find someone to date? She’d never dated anyone, and Twig understood why, given how he’d come to be, but now he wondered if maybe she’d give it a chance someday. She’d just said that everyone needed someone to take care of them, and that went for her too.

Twig hoped she could find love. She deserved it. If that was what she wanted, she should have it.

She reached over to take his hand and gave it a squeeze. “If you think Taylor will make you happy, then choose him,” she said gently. “I’ve talked to him a few times now. I’ve seen how he is around you. I have no doubt he’ll support you, whatever you need. That’s the life I’ve always wanted for you. I want you to be happy, in a way I never was.”

“Maybe you could be happy now too.”

Her smile was a little sad when she answered. “Maybe. But it’s been decades. I’m not sure who I am or what I want anymore. I’ve let my pain and fear rule me for so long.”

“Maybe you can learn to let go of that.”

“Maybe I can.” She let go of Twig’s hand. “Just like you’ll learn to be a council member.”

Twig groaned. “We were talking about Taylor.” He’d been nervous, but it was nothing compared to how he felt about his new job.

“And I think we’re done talking about Taylor. You’ve already made your decision when it comes to him.”

“And I’ve already made my decision to be a council member. There’s no need to talk about that either.”

“There is when people are talking behind your back.” His mother looked straight at him. “You’re going to be a good council member. You have everything it takes to be one. And if I hear anyone talking badly about you, they’ll know exactly what I think of them.”

“Please don’t start fighting dragons in the hallways,” Twig begged.

His mother grinned. “I don’t think I’ll have to. I think Taylor will happily do it for me.”